Evolution?

[HardLight]

I have a few razors in the den. Some I do not shave with as they are in beautiful condition or NOS--1912 Gem Brooklyn, 1912 Ever Ready 1912 and ABC Gillette. Those sit in an antique hutch.

I learned on a Merkur 34 around 2016'ish. As time passed I bought a Timeless SS and a Travel Tech. Im a head shaver also--built in AC. Fast forward to 2019 or thereabouts, I ended up with my Grandfathers Gem Micromatic. A bit of a learning curve with that one, but fell in love with using it on my face. I couldn't imagine a closer shave and its efficiency is primo. It has been my go to for several years until I used a Damaskeene. Pretty dang smooth and deceiving. I dont feel the peril of making a mistake with it as I did the Micromatic.

I dont have a whole heck of a lot of experience with other razors. It is strange to not feel interested in newer offerings and being a vintage junkie, with the exception of a Muhle R95 that I use on my head? Im kind of content to be honest.

 

[Burgundy]

I’ve done a fair range of vintage and modern safety razors - up until 2018ish anyway. I’ve owned well over a hundred razors and done the whole >£300 a spin thing.

For the last five years, I’ve almost exclusively reached for the same razor. A Hybrid Tech. That doesn’t mean that a Gillette Hybrid Tech is the best razor ever made but instead that it’s as good as it’s got to me. I have a couple of backups but I expect to it to last the rest of my lifetime. I’m 35.

My advice? Try everything you fancy. Use those vintage/NOS razors. Remember that newer or more expensive does not actually mean better.

 

[beb023]

It matters not a whit if it's new or vintage... it's all about getting a wonderful experience (the shave is just the bonus).

 

[Twelvefret]

The reason I was drawn to vintage was the variety of holders and that new blades were available. The GEM line was never as well known as Gillette, but they could deliver an excellent result. I have the Micromatic through 1958 models.

One cannot say enough good things about the vintage Schick injector type. I am also a Schick Krona fan.

Of course, one can experience what it was to shave in 1909 with a Gilette Old Type.

Obviously from the posts, not everyone is interested in experiencing the days long gone just like most could care less about writing a letter with a 1930's Esterbrook Dollar Fountain Pen, but some do. Don't get me started on vintage Autopoint pencils. As they say, the rarest Autopoint is the one that doesn't work.

 

[beb023]

Krona is a great razor even today.

 

[chazt]

Evolution

 

[Chris]

It is strange to not feel interested in newer offerings and being a vintage junkie, with the exception of a Muhle R95 that I use on my head? Im kind of content to be honest.

Use what you enjoy.

 

[chazt]

This is an interesting thread. We shavers of the 21st century have a vast cornucopia of new and old products to use and enjoy. It makes me wonder if shavers 50-100 years ago varied their razors very much. Most had only one, maybe two safety razors at best. At least, in my family, I distinctly recall my grandfather and uncle each owned two different Gillette razors. But I wonder if guys said, ”okay I know what DE is all about, let me explore these gem style babies next.” I doubt it. Pretty sure their decision was based on availability at the local corner store.

Like @chris.hale says, use it if you like it. It’s your shave, right? I’m just glad to no longer be using carts! I use and enjoy a relatively small number of vintage and modern razors. Most are double edge - they get most of my attention - I love ‘em! Injectors are a once a week zen thing - for me the reduced frequency of use increases my enjoyment of the format substantially; it’s a really fabulous blade format, imo. tbh, I never sampled an AC razor, and despite repeatedly trying, never grew to enjoy the Gem format. I do however use a MMOC a few times a year, primarily in SEptember and OCtober. So all that said, I think my evolution with respect to safety razors has mostly been set but otoh, you never really know, do you?

 

[HardLight]

I vividly remember using carts. Nothing gave me pseudofolliculitis (shaving bumps) quicker. In boot camp, everyone had a cart in there top breast pocket and would dry shave prior to an open ranks dress and appearance inspection. Better than getting verbally wrecked and then smoked. I never had good luck with them and used electric for years.

Then after a conversation; I learned about wet shaving. All of my shaving woes vanished. After I stopped cutting myself of course and learned proper technique.

As previously stated, I believe my exposure is quite minuscule compared to others—since 2016’ish. I figure given my history with irritation; my MM OC is the most aggressive razor I have. Its exceptionally rare I get any irritation from it. Yet it yields the closest shave that I’ve ever experienced—pretty ecstatic about that. My Damaskeene is ridiculously smooth. During a brief rumination of sorts, the question pops up, “Where do I go from here?”

Not razor bashing or saying the newer razors can’t measure up. It’s just not the case. Pondering aloud.. Thanks for all the comments, appreciate you gents.

But, soaps and scents…..learning as I go.

 

[TobyC]

My first was a ball end OLD, loved it with the first shave, and nothing has given me a better shave yet. I have a drawer full of razors, mostly vintage, and the OLD type is still the one to beat, I guess I don't need to evolve.

 

[beb023]

My first was a ball end OLD, loved it with the first shave, and nothing has given me a better shave yet. I have a drawer full of razors, mostly vintage, and the OLD type is still the one to beat, I guess I don't need to evolve.

As if a rebel could ever evolve!

 

[Twelvefret]

What I learned from being involved with shave forums is the availability of blades, vintage blade holders, that shave soaps did exist, that brushes did exist, and multiple passes, and that Aqua Velva was still produced.