Hey guys and gals! If you're interested in getting into wet shaving, I did a review on the Van Der Hagen Traditional Shave Set. It's inexpensive and pretty darn good! Go check it out! --> ua-cam.com/video/tlM_kNPlPs0/v-deo.html
Bought this razor and used the blades that came with it. They may seem garbage for you; but compared to cartridge or disposable, they are still way better. Didn't cut myself either.
cumulo25 you are correct. Compared to a cartridge razor, even the blades that come with it are OK however if you upgrade to a 50 Cent feather blade you will have outstanding results. The blades that come with it have a lot of drag. When I upgraded to a feather blade, the razor is incredible. I truly have a baby smooth finish with a decent blade. I will never go back to a a cartridge razor
This razor isnt aggressive (angle) so it's very smooth and superb for those with sensitive skin like me. Blades are mediocre, but the razor is top notch. Destroys any cartridge I've used and vastly more comfortable.
I've used a Van Der Hagen since 2012. I clean it using an old toothbrush during every blade change, yet it shines up each time like it did the day I bought it. So far I've used Merkur, Shark, Feather, Wilkinson Sword, and Astra blades in it, and they all work well (of course each blade has their own idiosyncrasies). A steal for the price I paid for it...
I ordered this from Amazon, the handle and how it closes is pretty good. It bends the blade to the correct angle, I cant complain. And yes, the blades were bad for some reason. I dont know why, I thought I was doing something wrong. The Shark blades I got were better.
I actually did not find the stock blades to suck that much. Yes they aren't the sharpest but that's a good thing when ur brand new to de safety razors. Plus the actual shaver itself gives a very mild shave so it's a good match. I plan on trying some nicer blades in mine soon.
evolucion311 I actually found the blades that came with it to have a lot of drag but they are OK for starting out. I Purchased a 10 pack of feather blades and I will never look back. The feather blades are amazing even after four days of starting out with wet shaving. I am a beginner but will always use feather blade from now on no matter what razor I use.
Throw those blades my way. I happen to like them. They do fine for me. Van der Hagen is an American company, that used to be located in Texas, using a Dutch name, a Chinese factory for the razor, and a German factory for the blades. For $10, less than the cost of a meal at KFC, this razor will serve you for life. I find these blades work fine for me. They are not as sharp as the Personna blades (owned by Schick) which would nick me almost every time.
I use this and the blades. Works very well, I have no issues with it personally. I only nicked myself one time and that was on the adams apple during my first shave. Then again, I didn't shower beforehand so preparation wasn't good.
I have the blades and not even sure where I got them but I found them way better than the no name brands. Now, I'm going to get the razor too. Thanks for review!
After 4 years they may have improved the quality of their razor blades, I have gotten good, comfortable, smooth shaves with the blades that was included with my razor.
Came here because I was having a real hard time with the blades. You cleared it up perfectly. Thank you! Gonna try other blades and give it another go.
Followed your advice in regards to the razor blades. I purchased the Van Der Hagen with a desire to get into wet shaving, but the blade really tore my face apart the first go around, and I did plenty of research regarding technique, etc. I put it off for a few months but I love the vintage feel and the idea of a closer shave, so I picked it up again. Though the second time was better, I still wasn’t a fan of the blade. Went to my local Dollar General and purchased a pack of DE blades made in Vietnam for $1, and man what a difference that has made! Love it. Thanks for the suggestion! P.S. I also researched the blades, it appears these are re-branded Dorco blades
I just got one, and like your first experience, mine was, to say the least brutal. I’m interested to see if changing to a better blade will make a difference. I have the new Gillette that is very comfortable. This one really tugged on my beard and cut my face several times, despite being careful. I may try a Gillette blade to see if it improves, but so far this razor seems to be a beast; but, as I said, it may be the blades, so I’ll try that change.
You play the banjo amongst other instruments, you have vintage items and firearms. You use old fashioned shaving sets and wear hipster clothing. You are literally me in another body! Cheers from Arkansas mate!
I got an old Merker razor with a similar design, I tried the blades from Vander Hagen and was amazed with the quality of the blades. I have been using Merker safety razors for years and you are spot on with the powdery residue they get off the zink.
I've been a "wet shaver" for some years now, so not a newbie but I have not shaved with this particular brand of DE razor. I will likely give it a try AND the blades too. I ain't throwing nothing away that comes along for free. I'll try them and if I don't like them find some other purpose to use them. The thing about wet shaving is that people are so individual in their responses to any product that one size fits all just does not apply generally. This said, your review was well presented and executed.
Thanks, nice review. I switched to a safety razor several months ago and I absolutely love it! Much closer shave with little or no irritation, and so much more economical. I bought the Van Der Hagen and I like it, but agree the "German Ice Hardened" blades are crap. I bought a sampler pack of 100 assorted blades on Amazon for about $22. So far I really like the Astra Superior Platinum. I also bought a 10 pack of generic Israeli blades at the Navy Exchange for $1.49 and was pretty impressed with them. I can't believe how much better a shave I get with those 14 cent blades than I ever did with those expensive cartridge and disposable shavers!
I got this razor on clearance for around $6, the blades did fine, prob good that they were so mild until I got used to it, but obviously I'll switch, but I'm very grateful I watched a bunch of videos about how to use these razors before I used it not one cut or nic.
Saw this safety razor, blades and soap at my local Krogers grocery store. Bought a shaving kit which has the soap, bowl and brush. I own a Parker 87R love it, and the vintage 3 Gillette safety razors I currently own. Some day soon ill be trying this safety razor out. Great review.
Nice video! I'm 32 and this is my first safety razor started this year. I wish I started with a safety razor much sooner. It would have saved me years of razor burn. I haven't tried any other blade brands yet but, have had some great shaves with these and a couple nick shaves I thought to be from my unexperienced technique. After seeing your video I will experiment with other blades.
I bought one of these a couple months ago. I had ordered a bunch of wet shaving supplies, but the Parker razor I bought was taking forever to arrive, and I wanted to use some of the shaving soaps I had. I have to say, I was impressed with the Van Der Hagen. I even used the blades that came with it, and got a GREAT shave, and didn't even cut myself on the first time. Granted, I only used the Van DH blades for that first shave, because I had other brands to try, but maybe you got a defective blade if you thought they sucked. They did me pretty good.
Maybe that's what happened to me, I haven't considered the blade could be defective. I can't use the blade for even a split second and it snags nd pulls every damn hair it comes in contact ith...brand new razor! I'm jut trying to use it to edge up my beard and neckline. Fk me
I've been using the van der Hagen blades for a few months now and I thought I was just bad at using the double edged razor. Thanks a lot, I'll be switching right away
I just started using one and I did use the blades. Bought them at Walmart. I’m satisfied with the razor but I agree with you on the blades. One part of my is completely smooth the other I can feel a little stubble. I am trying to get use to it though.
been using it for a year. The blades are fine too, gets to the point. Never switch the blade but I might just for the hell of it. Just change blades every 3 - 4 shaves.
Personally for me the blades that come with this are a big upgrade from disposables and I’ve never had smoother legs- although they are great for starters- maybe eventually just pick up a bit better blades and you should be good to go
I own this gentlemen its a good razor the standard blades are still very sharp the blades are like bics I do fast motions and I have never cut myself and have never had earitation I just cut off my sideburns and it did a great job I put warm water over my whiskers and used barbasol original
Different blades work better in different razors. Also different blade and razor combos work better for different people. It really is about trying different things and seeing what works. Van der hagen blades ripped me up when I used them in my old Gillette Fatboy but work fine in a three piece razor I bought at an antique store for five dollars.
I've been using mine for a couple of months. I don't have anything to compare it to for weight and balance. I agree 100% about the VDH blades. I get better shaves with Wilkinson Sword, Astra Superior Platinum, and Derby Extra.
Been using this razor for a while. Better than disposables. I disagree that the VDH blades are bad. Also I recommend that folks purchase a blade sampler package from Amazon. You can get a large variety of blades for a decent price and test away! One thing we can be thankful for is that there is an established blade dimension standard. No monopolistic proprietary standard unique to each manufacturer which would cause us to pay more.
Hey thanks for the advice about ditching the blades. I hope that'll solve my problem. I recently bought this razor as my first safety razor. I wanted a good single blade razor to edge up my beard. But I have been so pissed off and confused as to what I am doing wrong. It seems that no matter what I try, it snags tugs and cuts the shit out of me every time it touches a hair. So badly I just went back to using the old razor on the back of my mach 3 or 5 what ever the hell I've been using for so long for my neckline and edge ups... man I'm crossing my fingers because if getting different blades doesn't fix it for me, I'm going to smash this thing with a sledgehammer...not really but I can't help but have the urge. I mean it's brand new, and I haven't been able to use it for more than a second or so without getting fkd up every time! Wtf
Just switched to this style of razor After making a switch from Gillette, then to Harry T's....I can say that after making my switch that i absolutely love to shave again
Chris Hutchins Goodwill has razors? How much was it and we're there a lot? I couldn't really afford some of the old Gillette razors as I am still a teen so i just bought the razor in the video. Literally just now
I had a old Gillette back in the 70s I wanted one again, but if you find one on line they are $50.oo. for used ones . Hang on to it and pat yourself on the back. I still miss mine ,but a Parker 29 is also a winner.
I have been using a razor like this for years I needed more blades last week only found the brand for the razor you just reviewed they worked good in my razor.I usually get the Wilkinson blade I think these razors work a lot better that the disposable ones.
I started on a dollar tree assured brand safety razor, bought the vanderhagen about a year later. Honestly not much of an upgrade, but an upgrade nonetheless. Several months later I bought a Merkur 42c 3 piece razor and it is truly a next level shave in comparison. On the vanderhagen I used wilkinson swords. On the Merkur I use persona.
@@nobilisartorivs absolutely. In fact just the other day I threw a feather blade on the vanderhagen and found it to be a very nice shave. Before you go buying a whole bunch of different models chasing the perfect shave, definitely try out as many different blades as you can in what you already have. Search Amazon or eBay for razor blade sample packs. I got 10 different blades, two of each for only 5 bucks.
@@nobilisartorivs I mean they’re all razor sharp, very capable of cutting hair. It’s just about finding the blade that preforms best with your hair. Persona, Vodshok, and Feather we’re all top of the line experiences for me, but it could be different for you.
I've heard that a lot recently. Remember, this video is 5 years old so there's a good chance they've changed them. I know they've changed the razor handle itself slightly since this video was filmed.
These blades paired with my Parker Variant are the best!!! If I put them in my slim Boy and they are the worst. I have tried over 20 Razor, and the Van der blades are the best with my Parker Variant. Super Smooth!!!! It must be the angle. These blades last long too. The Parker Variant and these blades are the best shave I will ever get.
Sorry Hipsters...you didn't "Discover" shaving with a DE Razor. This razor is what a Gillette or Schick WOULD cost today...not $100-200 for a Merkur. Hipsters don't know the value of a dollar as it's probably NOT their dollar they are spending. This is a nice little kit for $19.95 at most stores and there's a companion kit with a brush, stand and soap for $13.99. Go nuts!
Going to get an assorted pack of blades to see what's the best. These van DER have blades are great but that's comparing to a cartridge razor. Haven't had a chance to try out others. I like that it doesn't constantly clog like standard razors
I am glad you said something about the blades vs the actual razor its self. I have had a cheep razor and a really expensive one and it its all in the blade at that point. I have a shave shop near my work and for 10 bucks I can pick 6 different packs of blades to try. I went through about 7 different brands of blades before I found one or two that I could stand to use. So take Johns advice and hunt for good blades!
I been using the van der hagen and magic The blades are both good. I think it is important to angle the blade less steep. Otherwise your blade has to work harder
The blades are good blades despite your opinion. The way I shave every single day I can make a blade last for a full month and get a BBS have every time!!
Mine lasted 2 years. The inner workings got gummed up and broke when I tried the open it up. Not sure why it got gummed up. The inside workings seemed to be a low grade metal. While it worked I loved it. I replaced it with a 3 piece safety razor. No more butterflies. Less moving parts to break. For me, the whole thing has to do with getting a great shave AND having the razor last forever.
My personal assessment of using a "safety razor." 5 bladed Fusion razor: I let my beard grow out for 4 days, then shaved with a 5 bladed Fusion razor. I experienced zero cuts, no left over hair, the shave was rather quick, safe, close af & uneventful. Single blade "safety razor": I let my beard grow out for 4 days, then I used a Van Der Hagen brand safety razor. I had 7 small cuts, several "scuff marks," the shaving process took approximately 5 times longer to complete, (especially under my nose on upper lip) & I had had several random hairs left over in various areas of my face. That small radial dial at the bottom of the handle that locks the blade mechanism in place came loose 3 times, which could have been a safety factor if I hadn't been aware & careful. The actual closeness of the shave was MUCH less than the 5 blade Fusion shave, & my fucking face hurt afterwards. (yeah yeah yeah I know, "it's killing you too...") Summation: Safety razors were good for our grandfathers & great grandfathers back in their hay-day, as they were the only options available, other than a straight razor which can actually kill you if someone bumps your elbow while shaving. Safety razors are inefficient, cut my face quite often, & are generally a nuisance to use. Any modern 3-4-5 bladed razor will VASTLY out-perform a safety razor in quickness, safety, & closeness of shave...PERIOD! You must use extreme caution when using a safety razor, as you can literally butcher the ever-living FOOOK out of your face if you are not cautious, in a hurry, &/or have utilized meth, crack, acid or any other mood/mind altering substances before endeavoring to commit follicle genocide on your face. Research! Also, applesauce is fruit gravy! (Bear Down)
You got cuts because you were doing it wrong. It took you 5x longer because you were doing it wrong. It wasn't a closer shave because you were doing it wrong. There is a level of skill required when using a safety razor, or a straight razor, that is not required for cartridge and electric razors. Generally speaking, it does take slightly longer to use a safety razor (noticably longer if you lather your soap instead of grabbing a can of barbasol), but I find that the 10 minutes I spend on my morning ablutions to be a great time to think and get my mind sorted for the day.
@@dickcox2250 Well I'd disagree with you, & call you out as being kind of a...pompous turd, but I can't. You see, it's only the 2nd or 3rd time I'd ever shaved with a safety razor, so yeah, there's that. Buuuuuut, although I was born at night, I was NOT born last night. I'm a crafty 49 year old chap, who thoughtfully goes into new & obnoxiously awkward scenarios having preformed copious seconds of research, weighed the pros & cons of delving into such weirdness, & surmised myself worthy of this wondrous journey into our Grandfather's 'ole past time. It was a noble attempt I do admit, as I was quite careful & utilized a cornucopia of my life's wisdom & knowledge of facial hair genocidal operations to accomplish the mission. I did win the war on my facial hair, but my gaw'damn face showed the scars of battle, & the understanding of why these razors are "yesterday's grooming methods." At the end of the day Richard, if it works for you, & gives you that certain peace & serenity as you premeditate your day's adventures, then that's a win for you, so long as your face survives the onslaught. Never mind any heathens blathering at you about your "unique usage of antiquated grooming utensils." CHEERS, & may the foam be with you, brudder! (Bear Down!)
I kind of agree with you, Joel. I only use water and shave with either a SkinGuard or a Solimo (Amazon) and get the job done quickly and easily. I hone the blades on either jeans of my forearm going only in one direction of course. There is room in this shaving world for cartridges as well as DE shaving.
@@fobbitoperator3620 I'm not impressed with your eloquent poetic manner of speaking and I still prefer double edged razors and straight razors rather than overpriced plastic face rakes.😎 Performed not preformed😎
@@pjo1964 Well that's you, tough guy. My high-born eloquence is a product of educating myself before opening my gaw'damn mouth, rigorous research, both on paper/screen, & 1st hand experiences. I also have switched to safety razors since gillette had that "toxic msaculinity" commercial a couple years ago. You'd have known that if you'd have simply read my comments. Sloth is 1 of the 7 Capital Vices...
The Japanese are the gods of steel crafting . Use feathers and only feathers. Feather blades are god . Feather blades change he the game with safety razors . Vander hagen blades are equivalent to a used to the max razor compared to feathers. Feathers are the dam surgery scalpel my dudes! Cheers!
Yes you are right it is a Weishi I know for a fact because I have the Weishi 9306 PVD Black and it is awesome. I paid 11 or 12 bucks from AliExpress.com for it. The Chrome version of the Weishi butterfly is even less expensive.
I just used this for the first time. The blades worked fine enough, but I had a hard struggle when I got to my chin. I believe a better sharper razor will fix my problem. Any recommendations??
Good video. Before 1972 this is what all men used (unless they used a single edge or straight razor). Even if you don't like this as well as your cartridge razors shaving with a DE razor will improve your technique so you'll get a better shave with any razor. Experiment with different blades as they will perform differently. Don't like it? You spent less than a tank of gas.
I couldn't get with this one, it's not an issue of the blades, but more or less an issue of adjustment, that razor has no adjustable settings or baseplates, so you're stuck on one setting, and that setting is extremely mild. For a newbie it's good, but once you've mastered your technique and you've figured out what works best in your routine, you find that the razor really just ends up tugging on your hair rather than cutting it. So for me, anything adjustable whether it's a Rockwell, vintage Gillette, Parker, Merkur, etc... Will give me a much better shave because I can dial in what setting I want for each pass. Generally you'd want something more efficient for the first pass and then gradually you'd lower it to a more mild setting for patchwork around your jaw and Adams apple.
Is that a Dietz 80 in the background? I have the same one and color. On the razor, I am gona get this after messing around with a dollar tree razor with 5 blades. It shaves decently for a cheapy $1 item. Probably get some decent blades for the van der hagen.
Only problem I have is the knob sometimes gets loosened. If you properly shave, you can feel it and fix it before it cuts. Still a little annoying though.
I have facial hair like barb wire, before I found Van Der Hagen I tried dozens of different multi bladed razors. This is the only thing that cuts, I still get irritation and razor bumps if I'm not careful or I rub the wrong way but most of the time it gets the job done. If you have tough hair like I do I recommend it.
Hey, John, I just tried a Van see Hagen...I have so many cuts on my chin, I feel like a pin cushion! Lol...I should have watched your video before..I then shaved "carefully " and it was a great shave...good info, sir!
The one I had lasted around six month. The butterfly knob on the handle got stuck. That's why I would recommend to keep away from this razor and invest into something decent such as Merkur or Edwin Jagger.
Сергей Белецкий it’s not the greatest razor on the market and it is made in China. It is pretty great for starting out and figuring out what you need. I would just say ditch the stock blades and pick up some feathers and you will be good to go. Then once you know what you like, you can pick up a much higher quality razor anywhere from $30-$300. However this is not a bad way to start and introduce yourself to wet shaving
@suny123boy1 people spend $300 dollars on bowls of soup. I'm sure there's a man out there who has no problem dropping $300 on a tool he'll use the rest of his life.
I've just started using a DE safety razor. These are the only blades I've used & I hate them. I'm glad I found this video bc I was about to give up. They last about 1 shave, maybe
Merkur razors are made out of zamak. (Something Merkur never mentions anywhere.) . My Merkur Futur started to loose the coating after just 3 years. And without it (contact with water ) the razors days are numbered. If you want your razor to last, better get an brass, aluminium or stainless steel one.
I’m 50 years old and just bought my first safety razor. I also got a brush and lather. I was wondering, will I lose any results if I use standard shaving cream that I would normally use with a standard disposable or Gillette blade? Cheers!
Eugene Livingston Hey Eugene, to answer you question shaving cream in a can is not very good at protecting your face from the blade it also dehydrates your skin. Use proraso it is much better. You can use their cream version if you want a faster lather. Also their creams and shaving soaps tend to be drier so add a bit more water. Try different soaps and creams for shaving but proraso is very good to start with. Amazon sells them for about 10 dollars.
Perhaps a better deal would be visiting ItalianBarber and look at their Teck II or Mission safety razors (they also carry many inexpensive RazoRock shaving soaps) -- or visit Maggard Razors and consider a Maggard Razors V3 closed comb safety razor head and one of the 13 different handles they offer (MR5, MR1, MR11 are good). These are also pre-bundled. Or you could consider the classic Merkur 34C HD or Edwin Jagger DE89 beginner razors. Yet, an adjustable razor is a much better investment long term (instead of buying another razor), as it will shave very mildly (as you start out) and allow you to adjust the level of aggression for closer (and faster) shaves as you see fit for your beard growth. [Just don't start out a high level before your technique is sound and your face is accustomed to wet-shaving or else you'll risk razor burn.] The best starter razor I'd get would suggest would be the Parker Variant adjustable (which Mantic59 now considers as the safety razor which 'you’ll have to pry it from my cold, dead fingers'), or the adjustable Merkur Progress (available at a very good price from Connaught Shaving in the UK -- and Mantic59's previous favorite razor, as the 'Variant' fixes many issues) or pre-order a Rockwell 6C adjustable razor. At a later date, you also might care to try a 'slant' razor for another way of getting a more efficient shave -- RazoRock/ItalianBarber and Maggard Razors have inexpensive models. It's also a good idea to try a razor blade sampler pack. Tryablade.com offers various blade samplers (including their 'Top 10 Sampler' blade pack for under $4). If that's not to your liking you can make your own sampler with as many of the 116 razor blades they currently offer. Many find Astra Superior Platinum blades a good choice and you can get a box of 100 blades for around $10 on Ebay. Just remember to always try to shave with a very light touch. Watching seasoned shavers is a good way to get helpful tips. Try videos by Michael Freedberg ('Wetshaving Tutorial'), PaulHFilms, NickShaves and others. Hope you enjoy easing into this new way of shaving.
Those "Generic dollar store brand" blades are usually persona blades, at least that's what all the dollar stores I've ever been to have. They're by no means "Generic" but rather a well known and widely used brand.
i have this razor but the blades are crap so I went on amazon and bought Feather blade histainless (100 blades for $25) they are amazing but the only problem is ill prob have them for a lifetime, 100 blades
Idk if they have changed their blades since this video but in 2019 - the blades they sell are great. Also the packaging is different for the blade holder. I got my safety razor at the Dollar Tree. It's a great butterfly razor for a dollar and it came with 5 vietnamese made razors that are trash and bend slightly when you close the leaves. The VDHN blades are the best I have used so far.
Got this at Walmart blades do suck ordered feather blades wow it’s a huge difference and get twice the amount of use out of them than the cheap ones that come with it
I'm investing in a Van Der Hagen razor and it'll be my first safety razor when I transition to wet shaving. I've been shaving with multi-blade razors since I started shaving and when I finally realized the downside of shaving with multi-blade razors, I decided to switch to wet shaving and I chose the Van der Hagen razor as my first safety razor over mild razors like the Merkur 34c and other mild/beginner razors. After I purchase the Van der Hagen razor, I'll give you an update when I finally shave using it.
+TheDqwt. Apparently the Van der Hagen is a rebranded Weishi. I also suspect the Micro Touch as well. They look identical. From other posts, if you order from Weishi, a mirrored case, blades and cleaning brush are included for a few dollars less. VDH only comes with the razor and blades.
eric fleming I read some comments about it. Van der Hagen also manufactures shaving accessories like the shaving soap and a shave set that includes the brush, a razor stand and a shaving soap and mug.
+TheDqwt. I only got the razor and it does pretty well for me. I'm still learning. Only the blades are marked VDH, which so far, are acceptable and what I'd expect. But my blade experience is rather limited. The razor, as I'm looking at it now, has no markings. It's naked. I'm not displeased with my purchase because it gets the job done, just somewhat disappointed.
It’s funny because when I started wet shaving I saw the Van Der Hagen blades in Target so I picked them up. Even though it was my 2nd time using a double edge razor I could tell they were shitty blades and it was not my novice technique. I use them now to scrape paint.
Hey John, nice vid. I bought the set you have there and you're right, it being my first time with a safety razor, I cut the shit outta myself lol. But I noticed something. You kinda contradicted yourself. Unless you were talking about a different brand and just didn't say the name, you said you went online and bought 100 replacement blades for this razor. Now in this vid you're saying they're shit. Which is it? I'm confused. Sorry if I just misunderstood. Thanks.
John Moore i just bought a micro touch one today and it came with dorco blades which I'm scared to use. I'm wondering how those astra platinum blades are working for you? i was gonna buy a hundred of them if they're worth it from amazon. They're only around ten bucks for a hundred so yeah, great value. just hesitant in buying a hundred at a time but if they're worth it then it's worth it. i remember my dad shaving with a DE safety razor as a kid. so the retro factor is awesome.
old post but will answer anyway from my end. at first I hated the dorco blades when I started out DE shaving. the astra's for me were nice and smooth from day one. now that I perfected my technique and different soaps etc, I can get a nice shave from the plain dorco 301 blades.
I did a similar thing to John - I immediately dumped the Van Der Hagen blades for the Astra's. Astra's aren't the sharpest, but I think they're the smoothest. Sharp isn't always the best - you want smooth. If you want the sharpest, there's no competition for Feather blades. They'll slice you real good :)
Totally agree about the van-der-hagen blades. THey don't work well, and the V.D.H replacements are like $1.00 per blade. Generic blades worked much better for me (though to be fair, it seems the generic blades from the drugstore were personna blades, and personna blades have a good rep).
I love my Van Der Hagen razor, but those blades are absolutely HORRIBLE for my profile. I hope they are good for you, but it is definitely worth a buy.
I went to Walmart to see if they have any double-edged safety razors. I doubt it though because I never remembered seeing them. Nonetheless, they have that brand on the shelf.
Hey guys and gals! If you're interested in getting into wet shaving, I did a review on the Van Der Hagen Traditional Shave Set. It's inexpensive and pretty darn good! Go check it out! --> ua-cam.com/video/tlM_kNPlPs0/v-deo.html
Dude fooled me for a second sounded German AF then turned country
Landeros Baudelio Omg good I’m glad I’m not the only one who noticed😂😂I thought I was going insane
+TheMedicalReptile fooled me as well
Same
went from german to george bush
from SS Gestapo to paul bunyan
Used this for 3 years and so far it's still a great shave. Don't listen to the shave snobs, this is much more cost effective vs cartridge
I think the blade are good just a little pricey. Buying new cartridges only gives 5 blades. I wish there were more bulk options.
@@microwavegum Just get different razors. You don't have to use the same brand
@@microwavegum the blades suck. Feather blade is way better.
Yeah I found other blades from other brands.
@@microwavegum tell me which
Bought this razor and used the blades that came with it. They may seem garbage for you; but compared to cartridge or disposable, they are still way better. Didn't cut myself either.
cumulo25 you are correct. Compared to a cartridge razor, even the blades that come with it are OK however if you upgrade to a 50 Cent feather blade you will have outstanding results. The blades that come with it have a lot of drag. When I upgraded to a feather blade, the razor is incredible. I truly have a baby smooth finish with a decent blade. I will never go back to a a cartridge razor
First shave yesterday with safety razor.. used this one with blades it comes with.. was bleeding everywhere:D
@@hexas_ I seem to cut myself also when I first use the VH blades. The second use is much better for some reason. Can't really say why.
@@hexas_ awwww man..... mine didnt cut me. You will get the hang eventually.
@wnypaisan27 try shaving your neck the opposite way next time. Your neck hair goes the other way. Also shave with the grain. Please with the grain.
This razor isnt aggressive (angle) so it's very smooth and superb for those with sensitive skin like me. Blades are mediocre, but the razor is top notch. Destroys any cartridge I've used and vastly more comfortable.
The VanDerHagen razor blades worked out very well for me. It comes down to how you prep for a shave, your shaving technique with a safety razor.
Best review I've seen thus far. Good recommendations with using different blades.
I just got mine earlier this week and I'm never going back disposable shavers
I've used a Van Der Hagen since 2012. I clean it using an old toothbrush during every blade change, yet it shines up each time like it did the day I bought it. So far I've used Merkur, Shark, Feather, Wilkinson Sword, and Astra blades in it, and they all work well (of course each blade has their own idiosyncrasies). A steal for the price I paid for it...
I ordered this from Amazon, the handle and how it closes is pretty good. It bends the blade to the correct angle, I cant complain. And yes, the blades were bad for some reason. I dont know why, I thought I was doing something wrong. The Shark blades I got were better.
I actually did not find the stock blades to suck that much. Yes they aren't the sharpest but that's a good thing when ur brand new to de safety razors. Plus the actual shaver itself gives a very mild shave so it's a good match. I plan on trying some nicer blades in mine soon.
evolucion311 I actually found the blades that came with it to have a lot of drag but they are OK for starting out. I Purchased a 10 pack of feather blades and I will never look back. The feather blades are amazing even after four days of starting out with wet shaving. I am a beginner but will always use feather blade from now on no matter what razor I use.
Throw those blades my way. I happen to like them. They do fine for me. Van der Hagen is an American company, that used to be located in Texas, using a Dutch name, a Chinese factory for the razor, and a German factory for the blades. For $10, less than the cost of a meal at KFC, this razor will serve you for life. I find these blades work fine for me. They are not as sharp as the Personna blades (owned by Schick) which would nick me almost every time.
the blades arent bad
those blades are not as sharp as others, just try a different brand and you will see the difference, a closer shave and no cuts
I use this and the blades. Works very well, I have no issues with it personally. I only nicked myself one time and that was on the adams apple during my first shave. Then again, I didn't shower beforehand so preparation wasn't good.
I have the blades and not even sure where I got them but I found them way better than the no name brands. Now, I'm going to get the razor too. Thanks for review!
I used the blades because I got the kit for Christmas, some of the best blades I have ever used
After 4 years they may have improved the quality of their razor blades, I have gotten good, comfortable, smooth shaves with the blades that was included with my razor.
Came here because I was having a real hard time with the blades. You cleared it up perfectly. Thank you! Gonna try other blades and give it another go.
Followed your advice in regards to the razor blades. I purchased the Van Der Hagen with a desire to get into wet shaving, but the blade really tore my face apart the first go around, and I did plenty of research regarding technique, etc. I put it off for a few months but I love the vintage feel and the idea of a closer shave, so I picked it up again. Though the second time was better, I still wasn’t a fan of the blade. Went to my local Dollar General and purchased a pack of DE blades made in Vietnam for $1, and man what a difference that has made! Love it. Thanks for the suggestion!
P.S. I also researched the blades, it appears these are re-branded Dorco blades
I just got one, and like your first experience, mine was, to say the least brutal. I’m interested to see if changing to a better blade will make a difference. I have the new Gillette that is very comfortable. This one really tugged on my beard and cut my face several times, despite being careful. I may try a Gillette blade to see if it improves, but so far this razor seems to be a beast; but, as I said, it may be the blades, so I’ll try that change.
You play the banjo amongst other instruments, you have vintage items and firearms. You use old fashioned shaving sets and wear hipster clothing. You are literally me in another body! Cheers from Arkansas mate!
I got an old Merker razor with a similar design, I tried the blades from Vander Hagen and was amazed with the quality of the blades. I have been using Merker safety razors for years and you are spot on with the powdery residue they get off the zink.
I've been a "wet shaver" for some years now, so not a newbie but I have not shaved with this particular brand of DE razor. I will likely give it a try AND the blades too. I ain't throwing nothing away that comes along for free. I'll try them and if I don't like them find some other purpose to use them. The thing about wet shaving is that people are so individual in their responses to any product that one size fits all just does not apply generally. This said, your review was well presented and executed.
Thanks, nice review. I switched to a safety razor several months ago and I absolutely love it! Much closer shave with little or no irritation, and so much more economical. I bought the Van Der Hagen and I like it, but agree the "German Ice Hardened" blades are crap. I bought a sampler pack of 100 assorted blades on Amazon for about $22. So far I really like the Astra Superior Platinum. I also bought a 10 pack of generic Israeli blades at the Navy Exchange for $1.49 and was pretty impressed with them. I can't believe how much better a shave I get with those 14 cent blades than I ever did with those expensive cartridge and disposable shavers!
I got this razor on clearance for around $6, the blades did fine, prob good that they were so mild until I got used to it, but obviously I'll switch, but I'm very grateful I watched a bunch of videos about how to use these razors before I used it not one cut or nic.
Saw this safety razor, blades and soap at my local Krogers grocery store. Bought a shaving kit which has the soap, bowl and brush. I own a Parker 87R love it, and the vintage 3 Gillette safety razors I currently own. Some day soon ill be trying this safety razor out. Great review.
Nice video! I'm 32 and this is my first safety razor started this year. I wish I started with a safety razor much sooner. It would have saved me years of razor burn. I haven't tried any other blade brands yet but, have had some great shaves with these and a couple nick shaves I thought to be from my unexperienced technique. After seeing your video I will experiment with other blades.
I got into wet shaving at age 32 as well. Van Der Hagen was my first. And I love it.
I bought one of these a couple months ago. I had ordered a bunch of wet shaving supplies, but the Parker razor I bought was taking forever to arrive, and I wanted to use some of the shaving soaps I had. I have to say, I was impressed with the Van Der Hagen. I even used the blades that came with it, and got a GREAT shave, and didn't even cut myself on the first time. Granted, I only used the Van DH blades for that first shave, because I had other brands to try, but maybe you got a defective blade if you thought they sucked. They did me pretty good.
Maybe that's what happened to me, I haven't considered the blade could be defective. I can't use the blade for even a split second and it snags nd pulls every damn hair it comes in contact ith...brand new razor! I'm jut trying to use it to edge up my beard and neckline. Fk me
I've been using the van der Hagen blades for a few months now and I thought I was just bad at using the double edged razor. Thanks a lot, I'll be switching right away
I just started using one and I did use the blades. Bought them at Walmart. I’m satisfied with the razor but I agree with you on the blades. One part of my is completely smooth the other I can feel a little stubble. I am trying to get use to it though.
I liked hearing the Foggy Mtn Special kind of stuff going on in the background.
Peter Schwimmer you mean Foggy mountain breakdown??
They aren't bad blades. I just used some and they worked. I will have to try the dollar store blades and see if they are better.
been using it for a year. The blades are fine too, gets to the point. Never switch the blade but I might just for the hell of it. Just change blades every 3 - 4 shaves.
I just bought my because gillette pissed me off#!
Because of their prices or because they told you that you were garbage because you are a man?
Either way good for you.
Yeah same here lol
Best razor blades I have used. Haven't able to find large quantity blades. Will try the dollar store to compare.
I really enjoy watching your videos. Love your music!
Personally for me the blades that come with this are a big upgrade from disposables and I’ve never had smoother legs- although they are great for starters- maybe eventually just pick up a bit better blades and you should be good to go
I own this gentlemen its a good razor the standard blades are still very sharp the blades are like bics I do fast motions and I have never cut myself and have never had earitation I just cut off my sideburns and it did a great job I put warm water over my whiskers and used barbasol original
Different blades work better in different razors. Also different blade and razor combos work better for different people. It really is about trying different things and seeing what works. Van der hagen blades ripped me up when I used them in my old Gillette Fatboy but work fine in a three piece razor I bought at an antique store for five dollars.
I've been using mine for a couple of months. I don't have anything to compare it to for weight and balance. I agree 100% about the VDH blades. I get better shaves with Wilkinson Sword, Astra Superior Platinum, and Derby Extra.
Been using this razor for a while. Better than disposables. I disagree that the VDH blades are bad. Also I recommend that folks purchase a blade sampler package from Amazon. You can get a large variety of blades for a decent price and test away! One thing we can be thankful for is that there is an established blade dimension standard. No monopolistic proprietary standard unique to each manufacturer which would cause us to pay more.
"Let's go ahead and talk about..."
That means "I'm going to talk about this, while you sit there and listen to me."
Nice review, thanks for posting. Looks like a good razor. When it comes to blades, everyone's different.
Hey thanks for the advice about ditching the blades. I hope that'll solve my problem. I recently bought this razor as my first safety razor. I wanted a good single blade razor to edge up my beard. But I have been so pissed off and confused as to what I am doing wrong. It seems that no matter what I try, it snags tugs and cuts the shit out of me every time it touches a hair. So badly I just went back to using the old razor on the back of my mach 3 or 5 what ever the hell I've been using for so long for my neckline and edge ups... man I'm crossing my fingers because if getting different blades doesn't fix it for me, I'm going to smash this thing with a sledgehammer...not really but I can't help but have the urge. I mean it's brand new, and I haven't been able to use it for more than a second or so without getting fkd up every time! Wtf
Just switched to this style of razor After making a switch from Gillette, then to Harry T's....I can say that after making my switch that i absolutely love to shave again
The German's always make good stuff.
I think it's Dutch
china
The handles made in China. The blades are made in Germany.
At least that's what I saw on the website I looked at.
I thought the same ,,German made Oh nice..... Blades are bad ,over priced and not recommended on a shaving topic forum..
Thank you for your review I was having issues shaving with it I will get better blades for mine
I use a vintage Gillette I bought at Goodwill.
Chris Hutchins Goodwill has razors? How much was it and we're there a lot? I couldn't really afford some of the old Gillette razors as I am still a teen so i just bought the razor in the video. Literally just now
Cyrus Robinson to be honest it was actually a habitat for humanity store. It was five dollars
habitat for humanity, I need go by there, and for five bucks? I could buy about 5 for almost the same price as the razor I just bought
I had a old Gillette back in the 70s I wanted one again, but if you find one on line they are $50.oo. for used ones . Hang on to it and pat yourself on the back. I still miss mine ,but a Parker 29 is also a winner.
I have been using a razor like this for years I needed more blades last week only found the brand for the razor you just reviewed they worked good in my razor.I usually get the Wilkinson blade I think these razors work a lot better that the disposable ones.
I started on a dollar tree assured brand safety razor, bought the vanderhagen about a year later. Honestly not much of an upgrade, but an upgrade nonetheless. Several months later I bought a Merkur 42c 3 piece razor and it is truly a next level shave in comparison. On the vanderhagen I used wilkinson swords. On the Merkur I use persona.
Can you use persona razors with the van der hagen?
@@nobilisartorivs absolutely. In fact just the other day I threw a feather blade on the vanderhagen and found it to be a very nice shave. Before you go buying a whole bunch of different models chasing the perfect shave, definitely try out as many different blades as you can in what you already have. Search Amazon or eBay for razor blade sample packs. I got 10 different blades, two of each for only 5 bucks.
@@Gothfield are they sharp though? My beard is kind of difficult lol and thanks a lot for your help
@@nobilisartorivs I mean they’re all razor sharp, very capable of cutting hair. It’s just about finding the blade that preforms best with your hair. Persona, Vodshok, and Feather we’re all top of the line experiences for me, but it could be different for you.
Are you sure the Van Der Hagen razor blades are bad? Cause when I use them, they work great.
I've heard that a lot recently. Remember, this video is 5 years old so there's a good chance they've changed them. I know they've changed the razor handle itself slightly since this video was filmed.
For a second there I though you were German 😆
German dont use this brand lol. Never seen this anywhere in Germany.
Nice video. Please what is your estimated blade gap on this razor?
These blades paired with my Parker Variant are the best!!! If I put them in my slim Boy and they are the worst. I have tried over 20 Razor, and the Van der blades are the best with my Parker Variant. Super Smooth!!!! It must be the angle. These blades last long too. The Parker Variant and these blades are the best shave I will ever get.
Sorry Hipsters...you didn't "Discover" shaving with a DE Razor. This razor is what a Gillette or Schick WOULD cost today...not $100-200 for a Merkur. Hipsters don't know the value of a dollar as it's probably NOT their dollar they are spending.
This is a nice little kit for $19.95 at most stores and there's a companion kit with a brush, stand and soap for $13.99. Go nuts!
"$100-200 for a Merkur" or 29 to 60 dollars in real life
Just got one of these as a starter. Good info and advice on it, thank you! :)
Going to get an assorted pack of blades to see what's the best.
These van DER have blades are great but that's comparing to a cartridge razor. Haven't had a chance to try out others. I like that it doesn't constantly clog like standard razors
I am glad you said something about the blades vs the actual razor its self. I have had a cheep razor and a really expensive one and it its all in the blade at that point. I have a shave shop near my work and for 10 bucks I can pick 6 different packs of blades to try. I went through about 7 different brands of blades before I found one or two that I could stand to use. So take Johns advice and hunt for good blades!
David Collins which blades did you settle on? I hear Gillette silver blues are the best
new brand to me thanks for the review!
I been using the van der hagen and magic The blades are both good. I think it is important to angle the blade less steep. Otherwise your blade has to work harder
The blades are good blades despite your opinion.
The way I shave every single day I can make a blade last for a full month and get a BBS have every time!!
I bought this razor today and the blades almost turned me away from the razor glad I saw this video definitely buying new blades
Mine lasted 2 years. The inner workings got gummed up and broke when I tried the open it up. Not sure why it got gummed up. The inside workings seemed to be a low grade metal. While it worked I loved it. I replaced it with a 3 piece safety razor. No more butterflies. Less moving parts to break. For me, the whole thing has to do with getting a great shave AND having the razor last forever.
works pretty well for me
My personal assessment of using a "safety razor."
5 bladed Fusion razor: I let my beard grow out for 4 days, then shaved with a 5 bladed Fusion razor. I experienced zero cuts, no left over hair, the shave was rather quick, safe, close af & uneventful.
Single blade "safety razor": I let my beard grow out for 4 days, then I used a Van Der Hagen brand safety razor. I had 7 small cuts, several "scuff marks," the shaving process took approximately 5 times longer to complete, (especially under my nose on upper lip) & I had had several random hairs left over in various areas of my face. That small radial dial at the bottom of the handle that locks the blade mechanism in place came loose 3 times, which could have been a safety factor if I hadn't been aware & careful. The actual closeness of the shave was MUCH less than the 5 blade Fusion shave, & my fucking face hurt afterwards. (yeah yeah yeah I know, "it's killing you too...")
Summation: Safety razors were good for our grandfathers & great grandfathers back in their hay-day, as they were the only options available, other than a straight razor which can actually kill you if someone bumps your elbow while shaving. Safety razors are inefficient, cut my face quite often, & are generally a nuisance to use.
Any modern 3-4-5 bladed razor will VASTLY out-perform a safety razor in quickness, safety, & closeness of shave...PERIOD! You must use extreme caution when using a safety razor, as you can literally butcher the ever-living FOOOK out of your face if you are not cautious, in a hurry, &/or have utilized meth, crack, acid or any other mood/mind altering substances before endeavoring to commit follicle genocide on your face. Research!
Also, applesauce is fruit gravy! (Bear Down)
You got cuts because you were doing it wrong. It took you 5x longer because you were doing it wrong. It wasn't a closer shave because you were doing it wrong. There is a level of skill required when using a safety razor, or a straight razor, that is not required for cartridge and electric razors. Generally speaking, it does take slightly longer to use a safety razor (noticably longer if you lather your soap instead of grabbing a can of barbasol), but I find that the 10 minutes I spend on my morning ablutions to be a great time to think and get my mind sorted for the day.
@@dickcox2250 Well I'd disagree with you, & call you out as being kind of a...pompous turd, but I can't. You see, it's only the 2nd or 3rd time I'd ever shaved with a safety razor, so yeah, there's that.
Buuuuuut, although I was born at night, I was NOT born last night. I'm a crafty 49 year old chap, who thoughtfully goes into new & obnoxiously awkward scenarios having preformed copious seconds of research, weighed the pros & cons of delving into such weirdness, & surmised myself worthy of this wondrous journey into our Grandfather's 'ole past time. It was a noble attempt I do admit, as I was quite careful & utilized a cornucopia of my life's wisdom & knowledge of facial hair genocidal operations to accomplish the mission. I did win the war on my facial hair, but my gaw'damn face showed the scars of battle, & the understanding of why these razors are "yesterday's grooming methods."
At the end of the day Richard, if it works for you, & gives you that certain peace & serenity as you premeditate your day's adventures, then that's a win for you, so long as your face survives the onslaught. Never mind any heathens blathering at you about your "unique usage of antiquated grooming utensils."
CHEERS, & may the foam be with you, brudder! (Bear Down!)
I kind of agree with you, Joel. I only use water and shave with either a SkinGuard or a Solimo (Amazon) and get the job done quickly and easily. I hone the blades on either jeans of my forearm going only in one direction of course. There is room in this shaving world for cartridges as well as DE shaving.
@@fobbitoperator3620 I'm not impressed with your eloquent poetic manner of speaking and I still prefer double edged razors and straight razors rather than overpriced plastic face rakes.😎
Performed not preformed😎
@@pjo1964 Well that's you, tough guy. My high-born eloquence is a product of educating myself before opening my gaw'damn mouth, rigorous research, both on paper/screen, & 1st hand experiences.
I also have switched to safety razors since gillette had that "toxic msaculinity" commercial a couple years ago.
You'd have known that if you'd have simply read my comments. Sloth is 1 of the 7 Capital Vices...
The Japanese are the gods of steel crafting .
Use feathers and only feathers.
Feather blades are god .
Feather blades change he the game with safety razors .
Vander hagen blades are equivalent to a used to the max razor compared to feathers.
Feathers are the dam surgery scalpel my dudes!
Cheers!
Where do you buy those razors? Please do tell, thanks.
It is a Wishi razor made in China, but still a decent razor.
Yes you are right it is a Weishi I know for a fact because I have the Weishi 9306 PVD Black and it is awesome. I paid 11 or 12 bucks from AliExpress.com for it. The Chrome version of the Weishi butterfly is even less expensive.
I just used this for the first time. The blades worked fine enough, but I had a hard struggle when I got to my chin. I believe a better sharper razor will fix my problem. Any recommendations??
marcos castaneda feather brand razor blades. They’re the sharpest in the world.
Random Photography thank you friend!
I sprung for a vintage '59 Gillette Fat Boy. Yeah, I cost me extra $$$, but if you want a classic, American made razor, you can't beat it!
Michael Clonts absolutely. I just got one too.. best shave ever.
Where did you buy it? And how much?
tried it with razors it came with on my 2 week beard, works great
Are you able to line up a mustache with this? Im looking for something similar to a barber razor
The german ones last a lot longer than the other ones. But the other ones are sharper for not so long
Good video. Before 1972 this is what all men used (unless they used a single edge or straight razor). Even if you don't like this as well as your cartridge razors shaving with a DE razor will improve your technique so you'll get a better shave with any razor. Experiment with different blades as they will perform differently. Don't like it? You spent less than a tank of gas.
I couldn't get with this one, it's not an issue of the blades, but more or less an issue of adjustment, that razor has no adjustable settings or baseplates, so you're stuck on one setting, and that setting is extremely mild. For a newbie it's good, but once you've mastered your technique and you've figured out what works best in your routine, you find that the razor really just ends up tugging on your hair rather than cutting it. So for me, anything adjustable whether it's a Rockwell, vintage Gillette, Parker, Merkur, etc... Will give me a much better shave because I can dial in what setting I want for each pass. Generally you'd want something more efficient for the first pass and then gradually you'd lower it to a more mild setting for patchwork around your jaw and Adams apple.
Is that a Dietz 80 in the background? I have the same one and color. On the razor, I am gona get this after messing around with a dollar tree razor with 5 blades. It shaves decently for a cheapy $1 item. Probably get some decent blades for the van der hagen.
Only problem I have is the knob sometimes gets loosened. If you properly shave, you can feel it and fix it before it cuts. Still a little annoying though.
I have facial hair like barb wire, before I found Van Der Hagen I tried dozens of different multi bladed razors. This is the only thing that cuts, I still get irritation and razor bumps if I'm not careful or I rub the wrong way but most of the time it gets the job done. If you have tough hair like I do I recommend it.
Try various blades. Go on Amazon and buy a sample pack and see which blades works best for you. Also make sure you're prepping your face properly.
Hey, John, I just tried a Van see Hagen...I have so many cuts on my chin, I feel like a pin cushion! Lol...I should have watched your video before..I then shaved "carefully " and it was a great shave...good info, sir!
It is a Chinese generic razor which also goes by other names such as Timor ( though they claim it's from Germany ) or Weishii.
That is correct! But they are good razors especially for the $$$.
The one I had lasted around six month. The butterfly knob on the handle got stuck. That's why I would recommend to keep away from this razor and invest into something decent such as Merkur or Edwin Jagger.
Сергей Белецкий I understand the blades made in Russia are top shelf, do you agree?
Сергей Белецкий it’s not the greatest razor on the market and it is made in China. It is pretty great for starting out and figuring out what you need. I would just say ditch the stock blades and pick up some feathers and you will be good to go. Then once you know what you like, you can pick up a much higher quality razor anywhere from $30-$300. However this is not a bad way to start and introduce yourself to wet shaving
@suny123boy1 people spend $300 dollars on bowls of soup. I'm sure there's a man out there who has no problem dropping $300 on a tool he'll use the rest of his life.
I've been watching safety razor channels.. what's never been answered is... how many times could you shave or go over the same time in one shave?
Bert James check out @NickShaves videos
I've just started using a DE safety razor. These are the only blades I've used & I hate them. I'm glad I found this video bc I was about to give up. They last about 1 shave, maybe
Nice video very informative. I too use this product and for the price it is a great value.
It's a Chinese weishi branded van-der-hagen.
You're better off buying a Merker 25c for 25 bucks....made in Germany not China.
Merkur razors are made out of zamak. (Something Merkur never mentions anywhere.) . My Merkur Futur started to loose the coating after just 3 years. And without it (contact with water ) the razors days are numbered. If you want your razor to last, better get an brass, aluminium or stainless steel one.
I’m 50 years old and just bought my first safety razor. I also got a brush and lather. I was wondering, will I lose any results if I use standard shaving cream that I would normally use with a standard disposable or Gillette blade? Cheers!
Eugene Livingston Hey Eugene, to answer you question shaving cream in a can is not very good at protecting your face from the blade it also dehydrates your skin. Use proraso it is much better. You can use their cream version if you want a faster lather. Also their creams and shaving soaps tend to be drier so add a bit more water. Try different soaps and creams for shaving but proraso is very good to start with. Amazon sells them for about 10 dollars.
Perhaps a better deal would be visiting ItalianBarber and look at their Teck II or Mission safety razors (they also carry many inexpensive RazoRock shaving soaps) -- or visit Maggard Razors and consider a Maggard Razors V3 closed comb safety razor head and one of the 13 different handles they offer (MR5, MR1, MR11 are good). These are also pre-bundled. Or you could consider the classic Merkur 34C HD or Edwin Jagger DE89 beginner razors. Yet, an adjustable razor is a much better investment long term (instead of buying another razor), as it will shave very mildly (as you start out) and allow you to adjust the level of aggression for closer (and faster) shaves as you see fit for your beard growth. [Just don't start out a high level before your technique is sound and your face is accustomed to wet-shaving or else you'll risk razor burn.] The best starter razor I'd get would suggest would be the Parker Variant adjustable (which Mantic59 now considers as the safety razor which 'you’ll have to pry it from my cold, dead fingers'), or the adjustable Merkur Progress (available at a very good price from Connaught Shaving in the UK -- and Mantic59's previous favorite razor, as the 'Variant' fixes many issues) or pre-order a Rockwell 6C adjustable razor. At a later date, you also might care to try a 'slant' razor for another way of getting a more efficient shave -- RazoRock/ItalianBarber and Maggard Razors have inexpensive models.
It's also a good idea to try a razor blade sampler pack. Tryablade.com offers various blade samplers (including their 'Top 10 Sampler' blade pack for under $4). If that's not to your liking you can make your own sampler with as many of the 116 razor blades they currently offer. Many find Astra Superior Platinum blades a good choice and you can get a box of 100 blades for around $10 on Ebay. Just remember to always try to shave with a very light touch. Watching seasoned shavers is a good way to get helpful tips. Try videos by Michael Freedberg ('Wetshaving Tutorial'), PaulHFilms, NickShaves and others. Hope you enjoy easing into this new way of shaving.
Those "Generic dollar store brand" blades are usually persona blades, at least that's what all the dollar stores I've ever been to have. They're by no means "Generic" but rather a well known and widely used brand.
I bought some blades at Family dollar they seem okay especially for a dollar for 5 .I used one for a week no problems.
How does the VDH compare to the Merkur 34c? is it a night and day improvement? Thinking of upgrading.
34C is a smoother shave. It is also built better but the 34C is three times the price.
I use the feather blades on this
i have this razor but the blades are crap so I went on amazon and bought Feather blade histainless (100 blades for $25) they are amazing but the only problem is ill prob have them for a lifetime, 100 blades
You are pretty cool dude I’d definitely have a beer with ya
I can tell you know your stuff man, new razors tomorrow lol
Been shaving with the Van Der Hagens and started wondering why everyone thinks DE is so great. I think I get it now lol
Idk if they have changed their blades since this video but in 2019 - the blades they sell are great. Also the packaging is different for the blade holder. I got my safety razor at the Dollar Tree. It's a great butterfly razor for a dollar and it came with 5 vietnamese made razors that are trash and bend slightly when you close the leaves. The VDHN blades are the best I have used so far.
Got this at Walmart blades do suck ordered feather blades wow it’s a huge difference and get twice the amount of use out of them than the cheap ones that come with it
I'm investing in a Van Der Hagen razor and it'll be my first safety razor when I transition to wet shaving. I've been shaving with multi-blade razors since I started shaving and when I finally realized the downside of shaving with multi-blade razors, I decided to switch to wet shaving and I chose the Van der Hagen razor as my first safety razor over mild razors like the Merkur 34c and other mild/beginner razors. After I purchase the Van der Hagen razor, I'll give you an update when I finally shave using it.
***** Yeah definitely. I will when I buy a sampler pack that comes with Feathers and other blades to try out.
+TheDqwt. Apparently the Van der Hagen is a rebranded Weishi. I also suspect the Micro Touch as well. They look identical. From other posts, if you order from Weishi, a mirrored case, blades and cleaning brush are included for a few dollars less. VDH only comes with the razor and blades.
eric fleming I read some comments about it. Van der Hagen also manufactures shaving accessories like the shaving soap and a shave set that includes the brush, a razor stand and a shaving soap and mug.
+TheDqwt. I only got the razor and it does pretty well for me. I'm still learning. Only the blades are marked VDH, which so far, are acceptable and what I'd expect. But my blade experience is rather limited. The razor, as I'm looking at it now, has no markings. It's naked. I'm not displeased with my purchase because it gets the job done, just somewhat disappointed.
eric fleming Why not buy a blade sampler to try out other blades other than the Van der Hagen blades?
It’s funny because when I started wet shaving I saw the Van Der Hagen blades in Target so I picked them up. Even though it was my 2nd time using a double edge razor I could tell they were shitty blades and it was not my novice technique. I use them now to scrape paint.
the blades are good for me so far
did you know the van der hagen safety razor is the very same $ 1 safety razor they sell at my local dollar store only in a different package
Hey John, nice vid. I bought the set you have there and you're right, it being my first time with a safety razor, I cut the shit outta myself lol. But I noticed something. You kinda contradicted yourself. Unless you were talking about a different brand and just didn't say the name, you said you went online and bought 100 replacement blades for this razor. Now in this vid you're saying they're shit. Which is it? I'm confused. Sorry if I just misunderstood. Thanks.
I bought a different brand of blades. Astra Superior Platinum to be exact. Much sharper blades.
OK, cool. Thanks for answering. I'm definitely going to have to get new ones if I'm going to continue this journey lol.
John Moore i just bought a micro touch one today and it came with dorco blades which I'm scared to use. I'm wondering how those astra platinum blades are working for you? i was gonna buy a hundred of them if they're worth it from amazon. They're only around ten bucks for a hundred so yeah, great value. just hesitant in buying a hundred at a time but if they're worth it then it's worth it.
i remember my dad shaving with a DE safety razor as a kid. so the retro factor is awesome.
old post but will answer anyway from my end. at first I hated the dorco blades when I started out DE shaving. the astra's for me were nice and smooth from day one. now that I perfected my technique and different soaps etc, I can get a nice shave from the plain dorco 301 blades.
I did a similar thing to John - I immediately dumped the Van Der Hagen blades for the Astra's. Astra's aren't the sharpest, but I think they're the smoothest. Sharp isn't always the best - you want smooth.
If you want the sharpest, there's no competition for Feather blades. They'll slice you real good :)
Dorco blades are fantastic ! It's all to what you're used to
Totally agree about the van-der-hagen blades. THey don't work well, and the V.D.H replacements are like $1.00 per blade. Generic blades worked much better for me (though to be fair, it seems the generic blades from the drugstore were personna blades, and personna blades have a good rep).
I love my Van Der Hagen razor, but those blades are absolutely HORRIBLE for my profile. I hope they are good for you, but it is definitely worth a buy.
I went to Walmart to see if they have any double-edged safety razors. I doubt it though because I never remembered seeing them. Nonetheless, they have that brand on the shelf.
Tyler Clark they have this exact one at Walmart for about $17