Shave Like a Man

[Starbuck1975]

My facial hair sucks. It comes in very thick, coarse, and has a tendency to cause ingrown hairs...which of course lead to bumps, pimples and all kinds of nasty irritation, particularly on my neck.

Like most men, I used Gillette brand or equivalent cartridge razor systems...with each year, more and more blades being added to the cartridge, but never a better shaving experience. 5 blades and "pulsing" action still didn't save my skin from a painful and irritating shave.

For years I have tried different things. Various shaving creams, oils, balms, moisturizers...nothing ever worked for me.

About a week ago, I stumbled upon an article about old skool safety razors...the kind your grandfather probably used.

Problem is, they are relatively hard to find, and only a few companies still make them. At a local swords and knives store, I managed to find them.

Purchased a Merkur Heavy Duty double edge safety razor and a package of replacement blades. Replacement blades are only like $5 for 10, which is far more cost effective to the more widely available cartridge systems. Also, they retain their sharpness for twice as long.

Also decided to switch to an old skool badger shave brush and shaving soap, as opposed to gel or foam shaving creams.

After one week, all I can say is WOW...why did the market ever move away from safety razors...not only do they provide a more comfortable shave, but they get far closer to the skin and also protect against ingrown hairs. The only problem is that they are a bit sharp, and I have drawn blood a couple of times.

For those of you looking for a truly superior shaving experience, safety razors are the way to go.

 

[DannyLove]

pics? =)

 

[torpid]

Another thing real men do is spell "school" properly.

 

[Ika]

The only problem is that they are a bit sharp, and I have drawn blood a couple of times.

That's the reason why the market has moved away from safety razors, because stupid people will go "ofmg, it cut me! SUE THEM! SUE THEM!!!!11!1!"

 

[Rudee]

A shave doesn't have to be a "truly superior experience" for me. It's no different then wiping my ass in the morning. it's something I have to do and I don't put a ton of thought into it. I just use my Mach 3 (non Turbo) with Edge Gel and it does the job fine.

 

[MiniDoom]

real men dont shave.

 

[DivideBYZero]

I'm awaiting the referal link....

 

[RichardE]

You need a straight razor

 

[Feldenak]

Originally posted by: Starbuck1975


Problem is, they are relatively hard to find, and only a few companies still make them. At a local swords and knives store, I managed to find them.

There are plenty of online retailers you can purchase from. I have some bookmarked at home if your interested.

Purchased a Merkur Heavy Duty double edge safety razor and a package of replacement blades. Replacement blades are only like $5 for 10, which is far more cost effective to the more widely available cartridge systems. Also, they retain their sharpness for twice as long.

Very good razor. I have one and love it. Also, you can find blades for cheap on Ebay. I picked up a pack of 100 for ~$20 shipped (figure that's about 2 years worth averaging 1 blade/week).

Also decided to switch to an old skool badger shave brush and shaving soap, as opposed to gel or foam shaving creams.

The soaps and creams are very nice. I'm not much of a soap guy but I may give it another go when my current creams run out...I've been using the same tub of $20 cream for going on 4 months now

After one week, all I can say is WOW...why did the market ever move away from safety razors...not only do they provide a more comfortable shave, but they get far closer to the skin and also protect against ingrown hairs. The only problem is that they are a bit sharp, and I have drawn blood a couple of times.

My wife likes my new shaves. She claims my face is much smoother...and if she's happy, I'm happy.

Nicking yourself is generally due to poor technique and/or too much pressure. It is generally self-correcting as you gain more experience. Unfortunately, proper shaving is a lost art. It used to be sons were taught by their fathers....now we're left to fend for ourselves.

There's a wealth of knowledge to be had on the boards at shavemyface.com

Happy shaving!

 

[DainBramaged]

Originally posted by: DivideBYZero
I'm awaiting the referal link....

http://www.leveltendesign.com/kb/terms/referral_links.php

 

[krunchykrome]

Im happy with my shaver

 

[daweeze02]

how much was yours merkur, I got some generic one for $20 on ebay and I like it, but I heard merkur was the best but didnt want to spend $60 for some of the ones I see.

BTW I used King of Shaves shaving gel

 

[cKGunslinger]

Originally posted by: Rudee
A shave doesn't have to be a "truly superior experience" for me. It's no different then wiping my ass in the morning. it's something I have to do and I don't put a ton of thought into it. I just use my Mach 3 (non Turbo) with Edge Gel and it does the job fine.

Yes, but just like if you have giant, bleeding, infected hemorroids - you tend to put a bit more thought into everday rituals that some more fortunate people take for granted.

Shaving is such a painful and unpleasant experience, I usually max about once every 4-5 days, and only if I have to.

 

[imported_LoKe]

Originally posted by: Aflac

The only problem is that they are a bit sharp, and I have drawn blood a couple of times.

That's the reason why the market has moved away from safety razors, because stupid people will go "ofmg, it cut me! SUE THEM! SUE THEM!!!!11!1!"

I'm still wondering why they're called safety razors. I suppose it would be because the other alternative at the time was the straight razor.

 

[Feldenak]

Originally posted by: Aflac

The only problem is that they are a bit sharp, and I have drawn blood a couple of times.

That's the reason why the market has moved away from safety razors, because stupid people will go "ofmg, it cut me! SUE THEM! SUE THEM!!!!11!1!"

Actually, safety razors started falling by the wayside because the patent ran out for the replacement blades which is where the companies make their money. Also, the current systems allow for planned obsolescence and the subsequent "upgrading" of shaving tools.

 

[Feldenak]

Originally posted by: LoKe

Originally posted by: Aflac

The only problem is that they are a bit sharp, and I have drawn blood a couple of times.

That's the reason why the market has moved away from safety razors, because stupid people will go "ofmg, it cut me! SUE THEM! SUE THEM!!!!11!1!"

I'm still wondering why they're called safety razors. I suppose it would be because the other alternative at the time was the straight razor.

I think it has to do with the safety bar built on the shaving head...makes it harder to slice your face open unlike a cutthroat.

 

[Tobolo]

Here is a link to what he is talking about:

Razor

 

[Born2bwire]

I've been shaving with a Merkur Progress and a Gillette Adjustable for five months now. I can still get nicks with some of the very sharp razor brands, like Feather. I have settled on the Turkish Derby blades that you can get off of e-bay for a song. They are not as sharp as Feather or the Swedish Gillettes, but even with my heavy beard they get the job done without any nicks. Once you start to get a good technique going, try to sample a lot of the brands out there to see which ones you like.

 

[Linflas]

Originally posted by: Starbuck1975
My facial hair sucks. It comes in very thick, coarse, and has a tendency to cause ingrown hairs...which of course lead to bumps, pimples and all kinds of nasty irritation, particularly on my neck.

Like most men, I used Gillette brand or equivalent cartridge razor systems...with each year, more and more blades being added to the cartridge, but never a better shaving experience. 5 blades and "pulsing" action still didn't save my skin from a painful and irritating shave.

For years I have tried different things. Various shaving creams, oils, balms, moisturizers...nothing ever worked for me.

About a week ago, I stumbled upon an article about old skool safety razors...the kind your grandfather probably used.

Problem is, they are relatively hard to find, and only a few companies still make them. At a local swords and knives store, I managed to find them.

Purchased a Merkur Heavy Duty double edge safety razor and a package of replacement blades. Replacement blades are only like $5 for 10, which is far more cost effective to the more widely available cartridge systems. Also, they retain their sharpness for twice as long.

Also decided to switch to an old skool badger shave brush and shaving soap, as opposed to gel or foam shaving creams.

After one week, all I can say is WOW...why did the market ever move away from safety razors...not only do they provide a more comfortable shave, but they get far closer to the skin and also protect against ingrown hairs. The only problem is that they are a bit sharp, and I have drawn blood a couple of times.

For those of you looking for a truly superior shaving experience, safety razors are the way to go.

They're not quite that old. I used my last Gillette made one until the mid 80's when I finally dropped it one too many times and couldn't find a replacement. The reason I hate the current Mach 3 has everything to do with the ridiculous cost they add to shaving. I am probably going to buy a safety razor now that they seem to be more available again.

 

[ruffilb]

Originally posted by: Feldenak

Originally posted by: Aflac

The only problem is that they are a bit sharp, and I have drawn blood a couple of times.

That's the reason why the market has moved away from safety razors, because stupid people will go "ofmg, it cut me! SUE THEM! SUE THEM!!!!11!1!"

Actually, safety razors started falling by the wayside because the patent ran out for the replacement blades which is where the companies make their money. Also, the current systems allow for planned obsolescence and the subsequent "upgrading" of shaving tools.

:thumbsup:

 

[jme5343]

Isn't this similar to the razor that John Travolta used on "Phenomenon" or something like that? If so, that's what I bought right after the movie, used it 'til my blades ran out. Might just make the move back since I definitely have to shave a lot omre now than I did back then. Dang office job!

 

[bigfil]

if you have good technique regardless of what kind of blade you use
a shave is a shave is a shave

 

[AbsolutDealage]

I don't know that shaving with a safety razor makes you any more of a man.

If that's what you really want, then you have to get a straight.

 

[Googer]

Originally posted by: RichardE
You need a straight razor

Thats the kind your Grandfather used. Or you may need one of these.

 

[MichaelD]

I use Gillette Sensor 3 (tripe blade) disposables. They have a nice aloe strip on the front and this louver-looking thing that supposedly moves the hair around. The head pivots/flexes, etc. I get a very nice shave from them.

The problem is that they they cost $6 for a 4-pack. That's roughly 3 weeks worth of shaves for me.

Granted, I haven't used one of those old-fashioned single-blade "safety razors" (a misnomer, IMO) in years, but I couldn't see myself going back to a non-pivoting, non flexing, big old hunk of metal. How the hell do you shave under your nose with that thing? I shave very close. I don't like to see any little stray hairs poking out from under my nose...I couldn't get that tire-iron of a razor close enough.