I got into DE shaving to save $ and have found a new hobby that costs $$$...go figure.
I'm still too cheap to drop top dollar on razors so I've been enjoying trying the Chinese clones off Ali Express. I enjoy an aggressive razor and tons of blade feel. I get less irritation with 2-3 aggressive passes than 4 plus pickups.
Razors currently in the den:
Vikings Blade Chieftain. This is a mild twist to open butterfly that was my starter razer. Now it just mows down my body hair from time to time
QShave adjustable - this is a Merkur Futur clone. On setting 6 (out of 6) it's very aggressive with huge blade gap. 3 passes and some pickups leaves me smooth as glass
Yaqi Melon - A fairly mild double open comb clone of the self lubricating grand razor design. Its a blade buffer. I use it if I'm shaving on a conservative day after a more aggressive shave
Razo Rock German 37 Slant - A Merkur 37c clone. This Slant razor is aggressive but on the lower end. Its Slant design gives a slicing (think Guillotine) effect. It's very efficient and gives a great shave with very little pressure so no irritation. It does have a bite
Yaqi "The Beast" - This is a Muehle R41 clone and it lives up to the reputation as just about the most aggressive razor out there. The blade sits so far off of the base plate that it may as well not even have a blade guard. You have to be 💯 focused when using this. It's got blade feel for days but man it gives an outstanding shave. It'll mow down a weeks growth like nothing and leave you BBS after 2 passes. I use this thing to take off a full beard when I'm changing looks. Some day I'll spring for the real R41.
Dscosmetics AX - SE - This is a Wolfman WR2 clone. The Wolfman is a $6-700 razor. This is my favorite razor in the Den. The "SE" designation is the zamack model (as opposed to the far more expensive Stainless Steel) and come with 3 plates with a 1.15, 1.35 and 1.55 blade gap. I prefer the 1.55 which is both devastatingly efficient while being smooth as butter. It's so smooth that I have to remind myself that it's got a big ass blade gap. It gives a great shave every time. I'll keep this one around as I don't see myself getting a real Wolfman anytime soon.
I don't currently have any vintage razors but am looking at adding a 1960s Gillette Slim Adjustable. Anyone have experience with these?
