Current Production TTOs

[DEF]

Are there any current production TTO razors that stand up to the old Gillette standards? Thanks for your thoughts.

[BeatlesFan]

On a related note, I recently noticed a VDH Tto on the shelf at one of the big box stores. Didn't buy it, but I did take it out of the box for a quick glance. However, not having bought it, I obviously haven't shaved with it.

The VDH certainly looks a whole lot like a classic 1950s Gillette (though I thought it possibly felt a tad lightweight in the hand). Does anyone have any experience with these razors? Do they measure up to the standards of the vintage DE's?

[brothers]

Because the Gillettes are so plentiful, even after such a long time out of production, there are actually a great many new and unused Gillette TTO razors out there for those who tend to want only a new razor. Unfortunately, the current popularity of almost any Gillette has caused the prices to be pretty steep. There are a lot of new TTO razors being sold. One of the more elaborate is the Merkur Vision. The ultimate TTO!

[DEF]

Thanks for the intel, BeatlesFan. The VdH TTO was in stock at WalMart, so I grabbed one. For $17, it seems perfectly legit. I had already done an evening shave, so I'll need to wait to try it out. I'll report back.

[CMur12]

Doug, I think Parker, of India, makes TTO models. I haven't tried one, however. Weishi, of course, also offers TTO models in a variety of materials. These are very decent razors, but they are also very mild. I did use a Weishi at one time, and I still use mild razors, if not quite this mild.

I wouldn't be surprised if the VdH razor weren't a Weishi, as they seem to be showing up under different brands. The razor that Rick Harrison of Pawn Stars has been hawking on TV sure looks like a Weishi.

- Murray

[DEF]

From what little I've seen online, the VdH is the same as the Micro Touch One. I can't confirm that, however.

I'm not so gung-ho this time around that I'll put up with an eBay bidding war and wind up paying $70 for a vintage DE with plate wear. A decent new TTO for $17 will scratch that itch just fine.

[Tucker]

I'm a fan of the Feather Popular TTO that retails for around $20 online. It works best with sharp blades from the same brand.

[Pauldog]

The great TTO quest! I love them, too, but I haven't found any recent ones yet that are as good as the old Gillettes or even the Schick "Krona." I haven't tried the Merkur Vision because of its complexity and price.

[Squire]

Pretty sure the VdH is made by Weshi and the next time I'm in Walmart I'll try to remember to give it a close look.

[brothers]

Doug, please let us know whether or not the VdH in use satisfies your stated objective of a TTO equal to a Gillette.

[J T]

Jarrod at The Superior Shave says the Vision is no longer in production.

[brothers]

Jarrod at The Superior Shave says the Vision is no longer in production.

I had one briefly, and it was just too much of everything. More of an exagerated caricature of a real razor. At least I can say I experienced it.

[DEF]

The Van der Hagen TTO is not quite as hefty as the old Super Speeds, but the mechanics are the same, and it's a great little razor for the money. It's very mild, but a capable shaver. For what it is, which is a bid to convert cartridge shavers into DE users, it is perfect -- comfortable, accessible, stylish, and a great value. Best with a Feather blade, IMO. Thanks to BeatlesFan for alerting me to this option.

[numerouno]

The Parker 99r ! A very nice shaver.

[Brutus]

Jarrod at The Superior Shave says the Vision is no longer in production.

More of an exagerated caricature of a real razor.

+1
That pretty much describes it.

Years back, I took one look at the Vision and decided that this over-engineered, over-sized, overwhelming (and over-priced) contraption was not for me.
The (non-TTO) Futur was about as far I would want to go size-wise.

When I wanted to try TTO razors I thus bought various Parkers that worked well enough.
Also tried a Giesen and Forsthoff Timor TTO just long enough to realize that I did not care for it at all.


In the end, I settled for 3-piece safety razors.


B.