Anybody here use a safety razor?

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Originally Posted By: G-MAN
Originally Posted By: Stelth
I guess I'm one of the "stupid" people. I've used safety razors in the past, but I don't like hacking chunks out of my face


You need to learn how to shave.



Good point. Well taken. I better get the horses hitched up and mosey on down to the general store and get some of them there blades and a couple cakes o' shaving soap. Some witch hazel, too, for splashin' on afterwards. Oh, and styptic pencils. Have me a sarsaparilla over t' the drug store.
 
Originally Posted By: mongo161
Ha, they manufacture these cheap carts in Asia and 3rd world nations for pennies and sell to the Americans for $4.00 a cart. IMO....they are worthless. Try and do a 3 or 4 pass shave with at least 1 pass against the grain.....impossible to get a" Baby Butt smooth" shave the carts.



Originally Posted By: Rock_Hudstone
Originally Posted By: Stelth
I guess I'm one of the "stupid" people. I've used safety razors in the past, but I don't like hacking chunks out of my face

Right, there is a reason safety razors are cheap. Modern multi-blade razors are one of those items well worth the cost in my opinion.

If they seem expensive you can thank Federal Reserve money printing for driving up the price on everything.


I tend to agree. Even the cheapest Gillette catridges the regular Sensors are like $17-$20. They're made in Brazil and for me though only stay sharp for 2 maybe 3 shaves. Then the 3,4 and 5-blades are even more. I didn't like them any better than the the twin blade and they seem like more gimmick. I don't have any experience with the double-edge safety razors but I'm starting to think cartridge razors are not worth what they charge for them.
 
If I ever had to go witha cartridge, I'd buy a bag of 10 disposables, they are about as good as any MacFusion...a week per blade if lucky.

I had a bunch of Grandad's old safety razors, that disappeared...

Use a Merkur now, and am happy as.

$40 of Shark blades will last me a decade, and I have to shave daily
 
I use a Gillette Super Speed Red Tip most of the time with a Astra blade. I have a number of other razors including a Gem single edge and a Schick Injector.

Check out Badger and Blade if you are really interested in switching to safety razors. Good community over there. I also bought some of these razors there from other members. Good self regulating marketplace, unlike Ebay where you can easily overpay for junk.

If you want a new razor, I'd look for a Edwin Jagger DE89. It was what I started with, and still is a good piece, I just prefer the Red Tip now. Astra blades are cheap and easy to find. Sharp but not too sharp. Bic blades may have more margin for error though.

Don't discount the value of a good lather though. Part of the modern "bad shave" is that the foamy goop in a can isn't worth much. Buy an inexpensive badger hair brush and a cream like the CO Bigelow in a tube available at Bath and Body Works. Yes there is some more initial outlay, but you won't need to replace anything afterwards besides cheap blades and eventually the tube of cream. A little of that cream goes a long way though.
 
I tried the safety for a while but I just couldnt seem to get the hang of it. I tried the dollar shave club (dollarshaveclub.com) and I get a package of razors that last you a month. Cost a dollar for the razors and two to ship. The razors last about a week if you shave once to twice a day but it shaves better then a disposable and cheaper then the big brand guys...
 
When I choose to shave, I only use a double-edge safety razor. I have a bit of a collection that started with my Dad's 1962 Gillette adjustable slim (with the ultra-cool 'missile silo' doors). I also have a late 50s Super Speed, a Merkur open comb, a pair of the Feather portables and a couple of the plastic Racers for travel use. Hitting up eBay I amassed quite a collection of blades as well but the Red IPs are my favorites for general use, Feathers for when I need a really, really close shave.

And a Schick injector, but that's a single edge.

It's late winter now, so I still have a full beard and haven't shaved in months. When warmer weather appears, it'll get a good trim, I'll shave off the moustache and keep the Donegal beard all summer.
 
I switched to a safety razor about 3 or 4 years ago. For somebody with sensitive skin, there's no beating it.

I use a Merkur Model 180 with Derby Extra blades.
 
My friend has shaved with his grandfather's early-30's barber-shop razor since he was 15. He has a very coarse, heavy beard that defeats anything else he has tried. He bought a case of blades wholesale (IIRC, 50 boxes of 10), which will last him about 5 years. I tried, but never got the hang of it.

I dont shave...worn a beard for ~10 years now.
 
I do. If I've let things grow a little too far, my current favorite is an old short-toothed open comb 3-piece Gillette New(that was a model name!). This one was made in Canada early 1930s, gold plating is long worn off, & shaves great.

If I'm being civilized & shaving every day or 2, I use Dad's old Gillette Aristocrat circa 1949-50, also with all gold worn off. This one is twist-open type.

I have a *Bunch* of DE razors, & these 2 remain my favorites. Having said that- a plain old 3-piece Gillette Tech(in either nickel or gold-plated brass, made before they went to aluminum & blazes), gives up very little to anything.
 
Last edited:
Originally Posted By: Jarlaxle
I dont shave...worn a beard for ~10 years now.
Don't you trim your neck or shape your beard or do you just roll Grizzly Adams style?
 
I have an old Gillette or two, which I started shaving with before going to a Trac II.
Trac II compatible cartridges can be found on clearance pretty cheaply, just like motor oil.
The "safety razor" is safe with proper technique.
Current disposables are decent and last for at least five shaves.
They are also dirt cheap if you use the BOGO or $2.00 off coupons you find regularly with the Sunday papers.
This thread has inspired me to get some double edge blades and try a few shaves with one of my old razors.
This will be like going back many years and could be fun.
 
Originally Posted By: UncleS2
I do. If I've let things grow a little too far, my current favorite is an old short-toothed open comb 3-piece Gillette New(that was a model name!). This one was made in Canada early 1930s, gold plating is long worn off, & shaves great.

If I'm being civilized & shaving every day or 2, I use Dad's old Gillette Aristocrat circa 1949-50, also with all gold worn off. This one is twist-open type.

I have a *Bunch* of DE razors, & these 2 remain my favorites. Having said that- a plain old 3-piece Gillette Tech(in either nickel or gold-plated brass, made before they went to aluminum & blazes), gives up very little to anything.


With that said, the Gillette Tech is another solid starter razor. Inexpensive and forgiving.
 
Originally Posted By: dwcopple
Originally Posted By: Jarlaxle
I dont shave...worn a beard for ~10 years now.
Don't you trim your neck or shape your beard or do you just roll Grizzly Adams style?


Summer, I use an electric trimmer...winter, I want it to keep my face warm! (I work outside.)
 
There are lots of Double Edge blades for sale.....outside of North America.

I like the Gillette Russian blades in Blue, Black and Yellow.

Feather blades from Japan, Kai blades from Japan,(when I can find them)

Iridium DE blades.

Gillette Black India blades.

I still have a nice stash of Wilkinson Sword Blades, DE, Made in England, prior to all of the blade making machinery being sold to Mekur in Germany.

There are lots of great DE blades but you have to look outside of the USA. Do you think the P&G would bring back the very reasonable DE razor blades to the USA market?

IMO..They will never sell the DE blades here again since the price gouging is alive and well for Cartridge razors in USA. People in other countries of Europe, Asia and the Middle East prefer DE blades for the close comfortable shave at the price of 100 DE blades for less than $15, in most countries.

Gillette sold the DE blade making equipment to Russia, Asia and the Middle East so blades are all over the world except where they can sell the carts for a huge profit.
 
Last edited:
Originally Posted By: Jarlaxle
Originally Posted By: dwcopple
Originally Posted By: Jarlaxle
I dont shave...worn a beard for ~10 years now.
Don't you trim your neck or shape your beard or do you just roll Grizzly Adams style?


Summer, I use an electric trimmer...


Hedge trimmer?
laugh.gif
 
Sure lot of guys are traditional wet shavers. I use vintage Gillette razors-NEW, Tech, Superspeed etc. Razors cost $10 in great shape on Ebay and there are tons of double edge blades being produced today. Blades are typically around ten cents.
So you can shave for a year for spending $10-$15 on blades.

Maybe the best part is giving up the canned shave cream and using a shave brush with a standard shave cream or soap. Even the worst soap with a good badger or boar brush is better than the canned goo. A decent soap may cost $10 and lasts for 3-6 months.

Badger and Blade is a good forum for checking things out.
 
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