Shaving (not wood)

[John Ziebron]

I'm on my third beard, but this one is 47 years old. I do shave the upper sides for a clean line and a bit around the neck. I used to use the Bic disposable razors but when Gillette came out with the double blade Excel razor that's what I started using and still do.

I buy my blades in large quantities (cheaper that way) off eBay. You have to be careful though because there are many "non-genuine" blades being sold. I know that's true for the Excel blades and probably other brands as well. You can Google it for more information on how to tell the difference.

Even though I'm only shaving about half my face my blades will last for weeks due to a little trick I discovered a few years ago. Like most of us I run water to keep the blade rinsed after one or two strokes. And for years I've used an old toothbrush to brush the blades under running water when done. But then I read something about the microscopic properties of steel (stainless in our case) and rust. So now after my final rinse of the blade and shaking as much water off as I can I added a couple of good puffs of air real close to the edges of the blades. Ever since I started doing that a couple of years ago I discovered my blades (from the same batch) are lasting twice as long.

BTW, if it makes a difference, I don't use any shaving lotion or gel. Just warm skin, usually from showering, and a blade warmed from hot water.

[Rich Engelhardt]

BTW, if it makes a difference, I don't use any shaving lotion or gel.

That's ironic since one of the reasons I shaved my beard off a few months ago was the stock of shaving cream I had. just before I retired, my wife bought close to a dozen cans of shaving cream for me. Having all those cans just sitting on the shelf - bugged me. I decided to shave my beard off after letting it go for 7 years & now I can get rid of those stupid cans!


FWIW though, I did at one point just take a razor and small mirror into the shower with me and shave without any lather. I sort of "outgrew" that though as I got older and my beard got "tougher".
If I tried that now, my face would probably look like raw hamburger .

[Matt Marsh]

I used the same Gillette Atra for over 25 years, but about a year ago decided that the blades were way too expensive. I went with ShaveMOB.com. Other than all of these new razors having a strange flat angle to them, I'm satisfied with the results. ShaveMOB has no membership or hidden fees, you just order your choice of three different types of blades, whenever you need them.

[Al Launier]

WOW! This thread has really gathered a lot of attention. Adding my preference, I have tried the multi-blade razors & found they clog quickly, each time going back to my Gillette Trac-II that I've had for many, many years. It doesn't clog at all like the others, plus the handle/cutting head has a better angle & feel to it.

I used the Trac-II blades from Gillette blade with it until I decided to buy a package of Pasona blades made for the Trac-II (https://www.ebay.com/p/Razor-Blades-...6587101&chn=ps). It was a good deal for a 100 pack, although a bit risky leaving my old stand-by blades. They cut great! In fact these blades cut more smoothly than the Gillette Trac-II blades. So far, each blade has lasted for three month providing a smonther shave than the Trac-II.

With this razor & blade I use the Edge shaving Gel.

[Roger Nair]

For nearly five years, I have used a Merkur DE safety razor with Personna SS blades and Proraso shaving soap. I could not be happier. The razor is three piece and rinsing and cleaning is easy, without bother, just screw out the handle. Shaving is quick and clean, the razor is never mucked or clogged. The blades are cheap, last purchase was about $13/100, much more than a years supply. Proraso makes a good slick lather with a eucalyptsis scent. I have a cheap badger brush about $20. A stand for brush and razor is highly recommended. The DE razor should last a lifetime, the brush should be good for at least a decade, a hundred pack of blades maybe two years and shaving soap a good long time. I will not go back to disposable razors as long as blades are available.

Holographics could be the next Gillette innovation, electronic flag men could guard the bathroom door an post up "SLOW MAN WORKING" signs.

[Bert Kemp]

Funny no 0ne seems to use an electric shaver. I tried one many years ago and found they don't do a good job, guess thats why no one uses them LOL, then I went the cheap twin blade route , bought bulk but was not happy with that shave either. I now use the dollar shave club and it cost me about a buck a month to get a decent shave.

[Bill Carey]

I have been ordering my blades fro a company called Harry's.

I've been using Harry's for a couple of years and been very happy with the products. One weird thing is that Harry's does not recommend using their razor to shave your head. And I could never get them to tell me why that is. Probably some stupid lawsuit or something, because I've been shaving my head with their stuff all along. Nary a scratch or a problem. Matter of fact, I have a beard so that's all I use it for.

[Andrew Pitonyak]

I find that my skin is sensitive. I have used the Gillette Fusion sensitive shaving gel. I have used a few different versions:

https://gillette.com/en-us/products/...tive-shave-gel

https://gillette.com/en-us/products/...ze-shave-cream

First note that I shower before I shave since it makes it easier to shave (because my whiskers have been soaking up some water I suppose).

I tried Harry's, and it worked poorly. I think that part of that had to do with how well the blades worked with the shaving cream that I use, but, I had not considered that until after I gave the razor to a friend who likes it. My primary problem was that the area between the blades almost immediately clogged, which means that they stopped working well. I was able to clear it, but, it took a lot longer and required more work.

I also noticed that when I checked reviews, they all pretty much said the same two things.

1. Not as good as the top Gillette blades.
2. Very good for the money (read, cheaper than the Gillette blades).

So it all seemed to be about getting a good shave while spending less than if you purchased Gillette top of the line. I do not spend that much on blades, so I finally decided to just keep using what seems to work best for me as opposed to "hey, this is a bit cheaper but does not work as well".

[Mike Henderson]

I use the Gillette disposable plastic razors that I buy at Costco (and other places) in packs of 50 or so. They do a good job and are reasonably priced. If I remember correctly, they have three blades.

Mike

[Brett Luna]

I bailed out of the multi-blade wars years ago and committed to shaving with a straight razor. I still think about picking up a DE razor.

...and I did pick up a DE razor, just about a year ago: a Merkur HD 84C, along with a 100-pk of Astra Platinum blades. Happy with both.

[Rick Moyer]

I started this thread over three years ago. I am happy with my decision to go DE and shaving soap/brush. I have since added a shaving bowl to hold whatever creams/soaps I choose. Iliked the Feather blades for their sharpness but found I cut myself more with them. Currently using Persona blades which are less expensive (relative, they're all reasonably cheap).
I actually sometimes enjoy the experience now, something about a nicer shave and the "old-school" way of doing it. More satisfying.

[Joe Mioux]

Thirty-five plus years ago while in college, I quit shaving in the sink and switched to shaving in the shower. I couldn't get a comfortable non bloody shave, It seemed liked hundreds of nicks. It was worse in the winter.

Razors morphed into the five blade version and I usually use them for a month. Recently, I gave up shaving cream and just use soap or shampoo. I spent a little time figure out how my wiskers laid and now i just shave "against the grain" sideburns get shaved in an upward movement, the cheeks a sideways motion from the ear to the mouth, upper lip and chin are sort of easy to figure out. Neck I shave in several different motions depending on the part of the neck.

[Perry Hilbert Jr]

A couple years ago, the today show did a shaving test for men and as I recall, the old fashioned safety razor beat the others for smoothness or result. I used a double edge safety razor all through college and grad school. Somewhere I switched to a multi blade razor and used the latest Gillette offerings for the past 40 years. I just happened upon a new (old stock) safety razor and ordered some blades for it. We'll see when the blades get here.

About four years ago, I took my daughter to catch a train at Union Station in Washington DC. There is a small shopping mall in the station with about 40 shoppes. One was a shop selling only shaving supplies, straight razors, safety razors, multi blade, old fashioned shaving brushes, mugs and soap, etc. Hard to believe a store could do a business on such a limited nche.

[Rod Sheridan]

About four years ago, I took my daughter to catch a train at Union Station in Washington DC. There is a small shopping mall in the station with about 40 shoppes. One was a shop selling only shaving supplies, straight razors, safety razors, multi blade, old fashioned shaving brushes, mugs and soap, etc. Hard to believe a store could do a business on such a limited nche.

Hi Perry, the mall near my house has a store that sells similar wares, however I deal with a mail order place that carries shaving stuff.

I also use a double edge safety razor, great shave, blades are about 20 cents each. For those interested here's the company I use.

https://www.fendrihan.ca/

regards, Rod.

[Curt Harms]

I use Bic razors with replaceable cartridges. 3 blades and they work as well as anything I've tried. There's enough room between the blades that they're not clog prone and seem to stay sharp for a long time. Our local super market used to carry them but didn't have them last time I looked. I see Bic is bringing out a new line so maybe that's why. A plastic handle and 6 blades cost around $7.00. I've tried various blade count razors and find these to be the sweet spot. I tried Bic disposables and for whatever reason didn't like them as well. For lube, if I take shower beforehand, regular bar hand soap works as well as anything I've tried. If I don't take a shower first nothing I've tried works well.