Good shaver with cheaper cartridges?

[Gooberlx2]

This is a process that I do early in the morning while in the shower and without a mirror. With as few blades as I use, and the potential to kill myself due to carelessness... I've decided against DE on multiple occasions.

As mentioned, DE razors can offer a better shave and by far are more economical. They're a godsend for those of us with fast growing, thick beards. May not make a huge shaving difference for those with thinner facial hair, but it's still nice on the wallet.

I also shave in the shower, in the morning. After you're used to it, you can shave as quickly and care free as you would with a cartridge razor. I do use a mirror, however, since I like my sideburns to be even.

I don't bother buying the fancy mugsoaps and brushes. I just use my conditioner.

 

[NetWareHead]

You have a few options.

1. Straight razor. The grand-daddy of shaves. I have one but there is a learning curve. Additionally you need some supporting equipment such as sharpening stones, leather strops, pastes etc... You will lay out $2-400 for everything but once you do so there is no need to buy more razors/blades etc... Provided you take care of it, you can even will the razor to your children. I'm shaving with my grandfather's straight razor. If you go this route, get a razor made with German steel. The initial investment is expensive, but if you stop buying expensive cartridgee razors; well mine has ppaid itself off in 2 years or so. Definitely a long term investment that will outlive you.

2. Get yourself a fromm style straight razor with a replaceable blade. I use this one: http://www.bigdaddybeauty.com/fromm...5-inch-blade?gclid=CIOUiYT6xrsCFaTm7Aod4R0AAw It is labled a hair shaper but it is a straight razor with a replaceable blade. Blades are dirt cheap and sharppppp. I use this as my main razor for everyday shaving.

3. Get a DE razor as has been mentioned over here. The fromm and DE razors are similar, just require different styles of holding and shaving. I havent tried a DE razor but I'm sure I could learn and like it.

Im so glad I don't shave with a "regular" cartridge type razor. They are just ridiculously expensive and IMHO don't shave as well as a real razor. The only merit they have is convenience but with a worse shave. I'm more prone to ingrown hairs with cartridge razors and they go dull on me so quickly (i average a new cartridge every week and half). I can shave every 3 days when I use a straight but need to shave everyday with a cartridge. Yes the chance of cutting yourself is greater and you just can't whip through your shaving routine; you need to exercise care when shaving. Even with the extra few minutes required in the morning, I still choose to use a real razor.

 

[andylawcc]

this is a real man thread! thanks for DE recommendation. I suppose any of these 3 options will do?

http://www.amazon.com/Merkur-Model-1...e+safety+razor

http://www.amazon.com/Parker-22R-Han...e+safety+razor

http://www.amazon.com/Edwin-Jagger-D...e+safety+razor

 

[rudeguy]

this is a real man thread! thanks for DE recommendation. I suppose any of these 3 options will do?

http://www.amazon.com/Merkur-Model-1...e+safety+razor

http://www.amazon.com/Parker-22R-Han...e+safety+razor

http://www.amazon.com/Edwin-Jagger-D...e+safety+razor

I have one very similar to #1 and love it.

 

[sze5003]

this is a real man thread! thanks for DE recommendation. I suppose any of these 3 options will do?

http://www.amazon.com/Merkur-Model-1...e+safety+razor

http://www.amazon.com/Parker-22R-Han...e+safety+razor

http://www.amazon.com/Edwin-Jagger-D...e+safety+razor

I'm looking for one as well. I guess one of the models that come with extra razors. I don't really know how long the handle is, they all say long handle.

 

[Broheim]

Whoa, interesting. But how does a single blade DE safety razor manage to get a better, smoother shave than a 5-blade model?

I've used the cheap BIC disposable razors and they have SUCKED. Really rough shave. Not smooth at all.

The Fusion is super smooth IMO. The shaves are quick and it gets everything in one swipe.

a DE safety razor will give you a cleaner and smoother shave, the "downside" is that it's a little bit harder to use and you're a little more likely to cut yourself (if doing it wrong). It shouldn't take you more than a couple of shaves before you get the hang of it and shave as quickly and "safely" as with a cartridge razor but with a better result.

 

[Sonikku]

Get an electric razor. I use a philips. Gives me a perfectly smooth bikini line.

 

[SketchMaster]

Another vote for DE, I got mine three years ago and haven't looked back since.

A big part of why a DE shaves "better" is you have to actually pay attention to what you are doing, this usually results in you learning how to shave properly. Most people these days (myself included) were raised on disposable razors, and so the art of learning how to shave your face has been replaced with marketing crap about how you can drag the razor in any direction and get a "smooth shave". Hacking away at your face in random directions doesn't hurt at first, but after time it causes issues like ingrown hairs and zits.

There are plenty of sites out there that show you the basics of shaving with a safety razor, just google around. Get a basic razor, a sample pack of blades to find one that works best for you, and if you want to get fancy you can buy a brush and some cream/soap. Since you have a unique living situation, I'd just get the basics. I used my DE when I was out in Afghanistan by just getting my brush wet and putting some product in my hand and lathering it up using the brush, no fancy cup needed.

 

[JulesMaximus]

I just buy the cheap 2 blade disposable ones. Forget spending a small fortune on the latest 5 bladed vibrating goo filled razors. :thumbsdown:

 

[NetWareHead]

A big part of why a DE shaves "better" is you have to actually pay attention to what you are doing, this usually results in you learning how to shave properly. Most people these days (myself included) were raised on disposable razors, and so the art of learning how to shave your face has been replace with marketing crap about how you can drag the razor in any directions and get a "smooth shave". Hacking away at your face in random directions doesn't hurt at first, but after time it causes issues like ingrown hairs and zits.

Yeah I have to agree with this. With a DE or straight, you also control the blade angel in relation to your skin so you can pick what you like and what is appropriate for whatever area of your face that you are shaving. When you shave with an old school razor, there is so much more flexibility and you end up getting a better, closer and more comfortable shave. My razor burn/bumps disappeared when I stopped using a cartridge razor.

On a side note, just went to BJ's club with my gf's dad, used his membership so we could each stock up on household essentials. He purchased a 25 pack of Gillette mach 3 blades (the old kind that was maybe released about 20 years ago; not even the newest fusion). 25 blades cost almost $50 is I remember correctly!!!

 

[phucheneh]

Net, you're stuck in some kind of timewarp. The Mach3 came out around 2000, I believe, and $2 a blade is actually pretty damn dirt cheap.

Of all the 'uber-razor' cartridge designs, the Mach3 or the other similar Gillette (Sensor3 I think) design are easily the best. If I could get blades for $2, I'd probably use them. Those blades are sharper after a month (I'm lazy, so that's like eight shaves maybe) than a Bic is out of the package. As has been mentioned, blade number is obviously not the key thing; but people also discount blade quality. A jumbo pack of store-brand inserts for your safety razor...I just don't see that being a terrible great edge. Can you run those across a hone like a straight razor?

 

[NetWareHead]

Net, you're stuck in some kind of timewarp. The Mach3 came out around 2000, I believe, and $2 a blade is actually pretty damn dirt cheap.

Of all the 'uber-razor' cartridge designs, the Mach3 or the other similar Gillette (Sensor3 I think) design are easily the best. If I could get blades for $2, I'd probably use them. Those blades are sharper after a month (I'm lazy, so that's like eight shaves maybe) than a Bic is out of the package. As has been mentioned, blade number is obviously not the key thing; but people also discount blade quality. A jumbo pack of store-brand inserts for your safety razor...I just don't see that being a terrible great edge. Can you run those across a hone like a straight razor?

Thats $2 a cartridge at BJ's club where you have to pay a membership fee to shop there. Expect to pay around $3-4 a cartridge at regular grocery stores (non-membership). The newer cartridges (fusion etc...) cost even more.

I wouldn;t try to hone safety razor blades. You can barely hold on to them if you tried to sharpen them. They are cheap and meant to be disposable. And there are lots of safety razor manufacturers so you are not limited to only one kind.

 

[zanemoseley]

I switched to a DE razor almost 2 years ago and it does provide a nice shave after you get used to it. I get a small nick every once in a while. I think I only actually cut myself once or twice and it was doing something stupid that I probably would have gotten cut with a Mach 3 as well.

I've got a Edwin Jagger DE89 barley chrome, the plain chrome DE89 is just $26 on Amazon. You'll want a nice brush at some point which will cost at least about $40. I like Personna lab blue blades, I think I picked up 100 for under $15.

Check out www.westcoastshaving.com/

 

[HeXen]

I just buy the disposables but if I was going to be a cheapass for any product in life, the cost of razors would be the farthest next to shampoo and donuts.

 

[andylawcc]

slightly thread divergence: do you guy shave against the grain or with?
for me, i will start first with "with the grain" (from up to down) and then "against" (down to up) as finish.

 

[rudeguy]

slightly thread divergence: do you guy shave against the grain or with?
for me, i will start first with "with the grain" (from up to down) and then "against" (down to up) as finish.

Down on my cheeks.
Up on my neck.

I have a goatee so that's all I do. Unless we are talking manscaping. Are you looking for manscaping suggestions?

 

[HeXen]

Up to down then in reverse followed with a sideways slash just for the heck of it. Technically you're just supposed to with the grain to avoid chaffing or some such unmanly nonsense.

 

[andylawcc]

Down on my cheeks.
Unless we are talking manscaping. Are you looking for manscaping suggestions?

oh no no, no manscaping. just a simple clean shave on the big head, the little one will have a separate thread in its own right.

 

[SketchMaster]

slightly thread divergence: do you guy shave against the grain or with?
for me, i will start first with "with the grain" (from up to down) and then "against" (down to up) as finish.

You should avoid shaving against the grain unless it is the very last pass.

1st pass is with the grain.
2nd pass is at an oblique angle, but still going with the grain.
3rd pass is when you really want a super smooth shave, you can then go against the grain if your face can take it.

If you want a good, close, shave then you need to be willing to put some time in.

 

[rudeguy]

oh no no, no manscaping. just a simple clean shave on the big head, the little one will have a separate thread in its own right.

When I shaved my big head, that was like a 3 pass ordeal. Way too much work.

 

[Fenixgoon]

oh no no, no manscaping. just a simple clean shave on the big head, the little one will have a separate thread in its own right.

manscaping --> norelco bodygroom.

"shaft, beanbag, and starfish safe!"

best amazon review ever.

 

[andylawcc]

manscaping --> norelco bodygroom.

"shaft, beanbag, and starfish safe!"

best amazon review ever.

http://www.amazon.com/Philips-Norelc...elco+bodygroom

 

[Wonderful Pork]

I used to use a DE w/ feather blades but found that the shave head was was to big to properly shave the upper lip area. I switched to those cheap-o orange disposables (Bic makes them, but I buy the store brand, 99c for 10) and cream from "The Real Shaving Co" and have been getting fantastic shaves.

That particular cream lathers really well and is super slick, so I just shave 1 pass and that's good for a day or 2. I could go 2 pass if I really need to look clean. The smaller shave head is easier to maneuver around so I don't nick myself anymore, and i can toss it for a new razor every week or 2 with no thought of cost.

 

[QueBert]

DE all the way, I've used every brand of multi blade razor out there and you'd have to kill me to get my DE away from me. Also what plays almost as big a part in a good shave is the prep. I use a Art Of Shaving creme which I let sit in a glass bowl that's 1/2 suberged in super hot water while I shower. Soaking a couple HOT ASS hand towels on your face then using a good pre shave creme makes the process so much smoother. Also using a brush to lather up your shaving creme before you apply it helps tons.

Nordstroms has a nice shaving section in just about all of their stores. I wouldn't buy the DE handle or brush there, but they have some outstanding cremes and good after shaves. The initial investment is so worth it, I have horribly thick and coarse hair. I shave 4 times a week and I'm still on the original 100 pack of blades I bought almost 2 years ago. Westcoastshaving.com sells a nice sample pack so you can try out a bunch of different blades. I personally like the Sharks myself. For me anyways, since discovering DE shaving has become a hobby and almost a ritual to me. I could fly thru and be done with it in a few minutes, but I spend a good 15-20 minutes and enjoy.

I bought a cheapy $15 Sunbeam electric water pot at target which I keep in my bathroom to heat up my water, that makes everything so much easier.

I've only cut myself twice with a DE, one time due to me trying to shave in under a minute. And once when I hadn't been doing it for long and didn't have the hang of it. I will say the cuts BLEED. The 2nd time holy shit you would have thought I nicked an artery. DE blades are stupidly sharp.

 

[pcgeek11]

Another for the DE Razor.