Your DE Razor of Choice - Vintage or Modern?

With the resurgence of wetshaving, I am seeing an increased interest in both recently designed "modern"razors, often machined by an artisan, as well as in vintage DE's. Shavers often fall into three categories: Modern only, Vintage only, or Equal Opportunity Shavers, favoring both modern and Vintage.

Where do you fall on this spectrum? And why?

Well, I started as a "modern" razor user only initially. However, within the last month I have fully expanded my horizons and have opened my eyes to the wondrous world of vintage. So, I'd now say both are used equally.

I love the weight and feels of a well-made stainless steel razor. I also love the history and feel of old techs, TTO's, and adjustables. Who new. I was naive and didn't understand why someone would use and eighty year old razor. I do now.

Real artisans wear berets, borrow money from any remaining friends for cheap meals and wine and hit on married women hoping for a patron. MACHINISTS make razors.  Stick with shaving and in 20 years  all your stuff will be vintage.

I started as a vintage guy, then I won a Pearl pif, then a friend gave me a Piccolo. They're just tools to shave with, some were made a long time ago, some are made now.

I use both but moderns get way less use than vintage.

Modern razors, work so much better for me.

(09-15-2016, 10:39 PM)celestino Wrote: Modern razors, work so much better for me.

Same here, Celestino. I have a few exceptional vintages but for the most part modern razors are my go-to.

(09-15-2016, 07:20 PM)kav Wrote: Real artisans wear berets, borrow money from any remaining friends for cheap meals and wine and hit on married women hoping for a patron. MACHINISTS make razors.  Stick with shaving and in 20 years  all your stuff will be vintage.

Very true.


I have both modern and vintage razors in my rotation. Actually, I have more vintage than modern razors, but I don't use them all, they are part of my small vintage collection.

I have a much greater collection of vintage razors vs modern, however I use modern razors for probably 80% of my shaves.


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I've only ever owned and used modern.


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Any quality razor will shave well, vintage or modern, SE or DE. 

Most of the modern razor are way too aggressive.  I'll stick with vintage because King Gillette was just selling razors to the general public and there wasn't a testosterone fueled machismo driving the shaving markets.

Mostly vintage but prefer 3 or 4 piece over TTO. One modern exception is a Merkur 37C for end of life blade finishing.   The older E series injectors are also on my goto razor rotation list.

(09-16-2016, 07:57 AM)Smoothie Wrote: Most of the modern razor are way too aggressive.  I'll stick with vintage because King Gillette was just selling razors to the general public and there wasn't a testosterone fueled machismo driving the shaving markets.

Forums are magnets for those who engage in pissing contests, "My razor can beat up your razor!" so I agree to some extent. But I do prefer those that are somewhat aggressive, the Gillette OLD type is my all time favorite. I also love my Piccolo!

I have a three modern razors - Maggards, Merkur, and Parker but I love my vintage Gillette's!

I have started using straight razors and all but one is vintage so the DE only get used when I am in a rush to get out the door in the morning.

(09-16-2016, 08:08 AM)TobyC Wrote:

(09-16-2016, 07:57 AM)Smoothie Wrote: Most of the modern razor are way too aggressive.  I'll stick with vintage because King Gillette was just selling razors to the general public and there wasn't a testosterone fueled machismo driving the shaving markets.

Forums are magnets for those who engage in pissing contests, "My razor can beat up your razor!" so I agree to some extent. But I do prefer those that are somewhat aggressive, the Gillette OLD type is my all time favorite. I also love my Piccolo!

It takes a confident man to make that final statement   Piccolo !!

(09-16-2016, 09:08 AM)Red Rider Wrote:

(09-16-2016, 08:08 AM)TobyC Wrote:

(09-16-2016, 07:57 AM)Smoothie Wrote: Most of the modern razor are way too aggressive.  I'll stick with vintage because King Gillette was just selling razors to the general public and there wasn't a testosterone fueled machismo driving the shaving markets.

Forums are magnets for those who engage in pissing contests, "My razor can beat up your razor!" so I agree to some extent. But I do prefer those that are somewhat aggressive, the Gillette OLD type is my all time favorite. I also love my Piccolo!

It takes a confident man to make that final statement   Piccolo !!

Respect the Piccolo, she's a fine lady! And she likes to get close!   

Well I mainly use modern.

Although I will not sell my vintage favorites.

They may not see a lot of use but I would miss them f they were gone.

The thing is we have so many great modern offerings now.

It's hard not to use them.

Mostly modern razors these days.

I have lots and lots of vintage razors but the two razors I shave with the most are the Feather AS-D2 and the One blade. Mostly the Feather AS-D2. I cannot beat the comfort or the closeness I can get with these two razors. I still like to use the vintage razors though. The whole idea of wet shaving and trying all the razors I can get my hands on has made shaving a hobby instead of a chore for me.