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Shaving with a Double-Edge Safety Razor

S

steppinthrax

Diamond Member
My dad has always used disposable cartridges. I've been reading about straight razors. First thing is the razors are dirt cheap. Second I was reading that they don't clog, since you don't have 3-4 blades spaced next to each other.

I've traditionally used Mach 3 etc. However the blades themselves are like 14 dollars or so. And no I don't want to join the Dollar shave club!!!

Just curious on anyone who uses this type or razor, is it good?
 
Ive been using one for a while and like it a lot. It's a lot more involving than going with a disposable but the blades are cheap.
 
Kneedragger said:
Ive been using one for a while and like it a lot. It's a lot more involving than going with a disposable but the blades are cheap.
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Only things I see is you really need to stretch the skin, no pressure on the blades and short strokes.

What type of handle do you use?
 
1) We have a million threads on this.

2) DE's are great. they are cheap and I for one get a FAR better shave. I also do not mind that it takes longer. I enjoy the process.


finding the right blade ain't bad either. just get a sample pack. I personally like the red packages personas blades. http://www.westcoastshaving.com/Red-Personna-Israeli-Double-Edge-Razor-Blades-100-Blades_p_19.html?utm_source=google&utm_medium=cse&gdftrk=gdfV29441_a_7c3127_a_7c9635_a_7cRB_d_PER_d_002&gclid=Cj0KEQjwg9-vBRCK7L7wmO2u0JcBEiQA_tzoaL9V9QFi9fMmcjgxSiLLYC8bKmcisMT_Znh6v1tWsZsaAt3f8P8HAQ they are slightly more then some but i do like them.

As for soup? i have to admit i haven't found one that i really enjoy. wish they did sample packs of those.

as for handle? i have 2. a 1912 Gem Jr. The handle is fat but short. Also it's a single blade not a DE. the other one i have is a old Gillete adjustable.

I been looking for a Fat/longer handeld DE blade. I have pretty bad arthritis and having one would be nice.
 
I've been wondering about this same thing. Need to change how I shave since these double/triple/quad disposables just aren't cutting it. Wondering about going old school like my Dad with the brush/bowl/cream combo and using either a double edge razor or straight razor - tho I have this thing about having a sharp razor so close to my neck with my clumsy hands. Shave like a manly man?
 
steppinthrax said:
My dad has always used disposable cartridges. I've been reading about straight razors. First thing is the razors are dirt cheap. Second I was reading that they don't clog, since you don't have 3-4 blades spaced next to each other.

I've traditionally used Mach 3 etc. However the blades themselves are like 14 dollars or so. And no I don't want to join the Dollar shave club!!!

Just curious on anyone who uses this type or razor, is it good?
Click to expand...

I don't think you have been reading about straight razors...
 
Went from multi-blade to safety razor a year ago and never looked back.

One of the best thing I've done (takes longer, but as mentioned above I enjoy the process as well).
 
I've been using a DE for the last 12 years or so. Infinitely better than the disposables. Also, it's more time consuming to do an appropriate wet shave, but I can do a really quick shave with just water in no more time than the disposable would have taken. Sure it isn't as good of a shave as a true wet a shave, but it's better than the disposable for the same time.

Switching to a DE is really a no brainer.
 
LTC8K6 said:
I don't think you have been reading about straight razors...
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I suspect the same.

7428661_orig.jpg
 
I switched to DE razor about 2 years ago and will never go back. There are tons of different razors, but as waggy suggested, get a combo pack and try a bunch.

A year ago I moved from bowl/soap/brush to shaving oil. Believe or not a great one can be baught in Walmart called Shave Secret. One bottle lasts me about 6 months. I shave about 3 times/week. The benefit is I shave in the shower very easily.
 
I did it for a year and the shave wasn't worth the time. Not as good as my cheapy disposables that I toss every other shave.

Every face is different though.
 
I used a woman's leg shaver this morning..works good but you need an actual shaver for under your nose and around your lips.
 
I prefer electric, it's super fast. Might not be the best job, but for something that's going to start growing back in a couple hours anyway what's the point. I just get the worst off and move on with the rest of my day. Mine still does a half decent job, the neck is the hardest though, as it does not cut as well.

As a real Canadian I probably should be using an axe though.
 
Well it's the wrong month to be shaving!

What got you all into using a straight razor? Assuming you came from disposables like many young men do. Though for a while I thought that these razor/brush/bowl products were marketed toward demographics who were... Looking for "lady advice".
 
adamantine.me said:
Well it's the wrong month to be shaving!

What got you all into using a straight razor? Assuming you came from disposables like many young men do. Though for a while I thought that these razor/brush/bowl products were marketed toward demographics who were... Looking for "lady advice".
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Straight razor != safety razor. I started using a straight because it's less wasteful, and more artful. Simple tools are also more flexible than specialized tools. Like those stupid camloc straps for tying shit down. They don't work as well as rope, but a chimp can operate them, so that's what people get. Take away their camlocs, and their shit blows across the road, even though there was several useful solutions in their buddy's garage, or available at the discount store two units down.
 
Necro-ish... Going on two months with the same Mach3 blade, twice a week. I don't have much facial hair but I'm pretty sure the back and sides of my head (baldy) have more hair than a regular face.
 
I've been using a safety razor with the most popular handle out there (Merkur something, I believe, probably this - http://www.amazon.com/Merkur-Long-Handled-Safety-Razor/dp/B000NL0T1G ) for probably two to three years. I used some feather blades to start (10 pack) and they were good but too expensive. Used a 100 pack of some other kind of blades and now I'm on a 100 pack of Derby blades. They're okay but I definitely remember the feather being very sharp/good. I just use some out of the can shaving cream/gel. I should consider using a brush and special soaps but whatever. I don't think those will actually get me a "closer" shave.

It's okay. It does take more time. I do tend to get more cuts with it. Especially against the grain. If shaving with the grain, it gets a closer shave than typical gillette fusion cartridges. However, it can be terrible for against and across the grain. And for me personally I need against the grain to actually have a smooth face. Otherwise, my face is just really rough. (More abrasive than sandpaper, honestly) Even then, there are areas that I completely avoid with the safety razor with against the grain because it's just asking for my face to be torn up. (Such as my chin, I cannot shave against the grain with a safety razor. It just catches on my skin too easily)

Reminds me that I should buy a straight razor and give that a shot eventually. That's even more expensive to start with though. (And probably more expensive to maintain too with all the honing shit you have to keep around)

I just don't shave as much as I used to. It's an impossible task to keep my face smooth. If I found a way to have it smooth, I'd shave more often. Right now though, the only way for it to be soft is to let the hair grow out and become flexible rather than the sandpaper it is when it's short.

Also, cannot shave against or across the grain much. I'm almost 100% guaranteed to have a lot of ingrown hairs resulting from it. Super painful, itchy, and extremely noticeable.
 
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I've become an advocate of that Merkur myself, and the Personna blades recommended with it.

The wife even used to have some plastic multi-blade things stashed away, and I think she has went to using it full time.

Might get another Merkur for her soon, but one works well for the two of us I guess. I prodded her to try it out and I think she has adapted to using it over time, it's not that hard.

I loved it much better than others the first time I used mine.

Tempted to try a higher end Merkur out myself if she would adopt that one, but really doesn't seem to be a necessity.

Have read the Derby blades are good, just have never tried them out as I love the Personna's, and have many left.
 
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If it takes more time than my Mach 3 it isn't worth it. Glad I read this thread as I was thinking about trying DE. Guess I'll stick with the cartridges instead.
 
DaveStall said:
If it takes more time than my Mach 3 it isn't worth it. Glad I read this thread as I was thinking about trying DE. Guess I'll stick with the cartridges instead.
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Guess you skipped my post then.

TheVrolok said:
I've been using a DE for the last 12 years or so. Infinitely better than the disposables. Also, it's more time consuming to do an appropriate wet shave, but I can do a really quick shave with just water in no more time than the disposable would have taken. Sure it isn't as good of a shave as a true wet a shave, but it's better than the disposable for the same time.

Switching to a DE is really a no brainer.
Click to expand...
 
Personally I like Feather blades the most.

They are hands down known as the sharpest ones available. Either way, YMMV - your skin type and what it likes is going to be the ultimate determining factor that works for you.
 
s0me0nesmind1 said:
Personally I like Feather blades the most.

They are hands down known as the sharpest ones available. Either way, YMMV - your skin type and what it likes is going to be the ultimate determining factor that works for you.
Click to expand...

One of the advantages to a DE is you can try out many different blades with in one you like, once you get a decent DE razor to begin with.
 
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