Thread: Long or Short handle?

Hi Ladies (and gents)!

Since I've been researching straight razors for my brother, I've begun considering a DE for myself. I've been using my husbands old Mach3. Even though it's better than all the other crap out there, it's still crap and has become so expensive. I hardly ever get a decent shave and find myself shaving daily!

My first experience shaving was a bad one. I was about 11 or 12, using my fathers DE, I took a huge 3" slice out of my shin. I'm now in my late 30's and still have the scar to prove it. I have to admit, I'm partially terrified of trying it again. Especially, in areas other than my legs.

I've done quite a bit of research and am leaning towards the Merkur 34C. But, I'm wondering... do ladies prefer a longer handle to the shorter nub?

Let me get my wife to log on for you.

I personally prefer a long handle with a clam shell top it seems easier for me to hold on to. The only time i have had a major cut is when my twist top was not tight enough and turned into my leg. It is all personal feeling but a good long handle works for me

Originally Posted by cannes

Hi Ladies (and gents)!

Since I've been researching straight razors for my brother, I've begun considering a DE for myself. I've been using my husbands old Mach3. Even though it's better than all the other crap out there, it's still crap and has become so expensive. I hardly ever get a decent shave and find myself shaving daily!

My first experience shaving was a bad one. I was about 11 or 12, using my fathers DE, I took a huge 3" slice out of my shin. I'm now in my late 30's and still have the scar to prove it. I have to admit, I'm partially terrified of trying it again. Especially, in areas other than my legs.

I've done quite a bit of research and am leaning towards the Merkur 34C. But, I'm wondering... do ladies prefer a longer handle to the shorter nub?

And Gents...
That permits me to jump in.

Long or short it does not mater once you master a light touch.

One way to learn a light touch is to shave with some
Yellow handle BiC for sensitive skin tossable razors.

The trick with them is to hold the razor at the last 1/4 inch
as far from the blade as possible. This trick makes it
hard to apply pressure and it makes it easy to pull in
a straight line which makes it harder to nick yourself.

Do watch for places like the shin bone. My sister
pealed up a ribbon of skin like a kitchen peeler after a
a carrot. Short smooth strokes are a good thing....

Another advantage of the BiC is that it has a large opening
that should be easy to rinse clean. When the gap begins
to clog with hair and soap the razor acts badly and
some might press harder and cut themselves. Rinse often.

Once you master the light touch, straight line pull
and rinse often bits I suspect that long or short handle
will not matter. A long handle makes it easy to
see and feel the angle. My gal likes the multiple
blade things with a big wide surface and a pivot. When
it clogs it seems to match up with the days she cuts
herself, so rinse the razor often.

Lastly legs are big... While I can get a couple three shaves
from a DE or tossable you may get only one or two. We here
are very concerned with knowing what sharp is but we often
forget to pay attention to what dull is. Dull invites pressure
and triggers cuts so if the blade is dull swap it.

Merkur 34C is a good razor. The Edwin Jagger head
may be kinder/ milder and is my current favorite. EJ sells
their head to multiple brands if I recall correctly (also Muhle??
or is it the other way).

One of the gals here mentioned that the inexpensive hair
conditioner made a good shaving product.

Thank you all for the reply. I went ahead and ordered the Merkur 34C. I figure that if I don't have a long handle pushing into my palm, I'll be less likely to use pressure. I'll come back and let you all know how it goes. I also ordered a pack of different blades to try out and some Geo Trumper shaving cream. I've tried using conditioner and it just never worked well for me.

I'm excited. I have shaved nearly every day this week with my stupid Mach3 and am becoming increasingly more annoyed by the awful job they do.

niftyshaving- You described it perfectly... "ribbon of skin". I still shiver at the thought and am reminded every time I look at my leg.

So, I am back with an update.
I got home last night to find my Merkur had arrived. I ran upstairs to give it a go. I used one my husbands old badger brushes (but I've ordered my own already), a Derby blade, and some GFT almond (too rich?). I took it slow, lathering one section at a time. It was easy. I didn't nick myself and at the end, even though it was my first time, I had a surprisingly close shave. It took me longer so I'll have to change my lifestyle a bit and either shave at night or get up earlier. But even still, I can't wait for the next time.

Thanks again for all your advice.

My wife loves a long handle as it makes reaching some areas easier. If you get the bug in the future to try another razor (believe me, it happens easier and more quickly than one would think) a vintage Gillette is a very easy and forgiving DE to try. They come in adjustable and non-adjustable styles, with long or short handles. You can find them quite cheap at local antique shops from time to time, and there are a slew of them on ebay. You just need to sort through the auctions to find the deals. Right now, my wife's favoring a 1967 Gillette non-adjustable with a long rubberized blue handle.

I would emphasize what nifty says as well. Use a sharp blade always. Don't try to get to many shaves out of a blade. The blades are cheap and a duller blade is more likely to give you irritation, pulling, and nicks than a nice, fresh blade. My wife tells me she's getting two to three shaves from a blade these days. Her favorite blade is the Israeli Red Personna.

Enjoy!

Long handle and thin is the most popular with women. The Merkur 23C is a great razor for women.

Hi!

Personally I prefer a short handle, its better if your a novise. I warmly recommend the Merkur 34C and Merkur Blades to start with if your new at this. They wont do as much damage as e really sharp blade, like Feather, if you know wht I mean....