Shaving (not wood)

[Rick Moyer]

Anybody go from the multi-blade razors back to less complex, less expensive blades? I am thinking about getting a nice double edge razor and getting rid of my Gillette Sensor as I'm tired of buying the fancy replacement blades. I don't want to spend the money, however, if I'm going to see a remarkable drop in performance, i.e. more irritation. I have no desire for electric so no need to suggest that.

While on the subject: what do you prefer in shaving creams/gels?

[Mel Fulks]

We have some straight razor users here who sparked my interest in it .Makes shaving a hobby! If you appreciate nuances of quality it might be for you. The modern shave gels are interesting in that they seem to be made for the modern coated multi blades only; some of them will almost instantly rust a straight razor.

[George Bokros]

Yes those cartridges are expensive but you can use one for a month; I do, I dry them with the hair dryer, so @ $4 each that is only $1 a week. I have not seen double edge blades for some time.

[Malcolm Schweizer]

I use a Dovo straight razor, and I love it, but it does require an investment: razor, strop, stones, badger hair brush, and soap. Since I already had the stones and strop, it was a painless transition. If I didn't have all that, I'd go to the old double-edge razor like you mention. My friend uses one and uses a Dovo straight razor, and he said really there is minimal difference between the two, which I have heard from others as well.

[Brett Luna]

Anybody go from the multi-blade razors back to less complex, less expensive blades? I am thinking about getting a nice double edge razor and getting rid of my Gillette Mach 3 or whatever the model is as I'm tired of buying the fancy replacement blades. I don't want to spend the money, however, if I'm going to see a remarkable drop in performance, i.e. more irritation. I have no desire for electric so no need to suggest that.

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. I can't say that I saved any money with the SR, however, because it became somewhat of a hobby. First, I assembled my "starter kit": razor, strop, brush, mug, shave soap/cream, etc. They were all at the lower end of the cost scale, in case I didn't stick with it. Then I graduated to the "good stuff": a nice, limited edition razor; a premium badger brush; a latigo/linen strop; hand-thrown shaving scuttle; and more soaps/creams/balms/etc.

Whichever way you go, you may experience some irritation until you develop a technique that works for your face. Most adherents practice a multi-pass technique and until you get a feel for it, razor burn isn't uncommon.

While on the subject: what do you prefer in shaving creams/gels?

I typically use a cake soap, re-milled into my mug and my favorites tend to contain tallow and/or wool fat. My current daily shave soap is "Marlborough" from D.R. Harris. My wife gifted me a 3-cake pack from Edwin Jaeger that was pretty nice. I also like Tabac.

I mostly use creams when I travel and then it's usually a Truefitt & Hill product because I can find it locally.

Regarding other brands:

You may find Col. Ichabod Conk products in your locale, which are just okay IMO. You may also find Art of Shaving products which I think are much better for a start. Proraso has been around for going on a century and is generally well-regarded in wet shaving forums.

[Mel Fulks]

Twice,at least , I bought a razor and cartridges only to have them change the design . Not going to be forced to buy new razors to accommodate cartridge changes designed to sell new razor.

[Larry Browning]

I have been ordering my blades fro a company called Harry's. I can make one blade last about 2 months (I shave 6 days a week too). I get those for about $2 a blade so that cost about $12 a year. To me I get a better, closer shave than I ever did with Gillette Fusion Trac II or what ever it is called. I also started using shave cream out of a tube rather than a pressurized can. I use a brand called Creamo Cream which I get a Wal-Mart for about $5 - $6 a tube and that lasts maybe 4-5 months. It takes a little getting used to, it goes on kinda like Desiton (the white stuff you put on a baby's butt for diaper rash) and it really lubricates the skin when mixed with water. So that's about $15 - $18 a year. Thirty bucks a years for shaving seems pretty reasonable to me.
Harrys.com Check them out.

[Larry Browning]

Twice,at least , I bought a razor and cartridges only to have them change the design . Not going to be forced to buy new razors to accommodate cartridge changes designed to sell new razor.

I think for the most part, Gillette give away the handle, they make their money selling blades. At least twice I have received a razor handle and 1 blade in the mail from them. It worked too, I started buying their blades. That was several years ago though. (See my previous post)

[Mike Cutler]

I buy the triple blades on sale when I see them. You gotta spend big to save, but it works out in the end.

I don't use any type of shaving cream or Gel. I Never got into the habit of using it when I was young, and it was just one more thing to pack in my sea bag, and try to find room for on a Sub.
I watched guys in the Navy try out single edge, and double edged razors. Didn't look like it was my cuppa'.

[Chris Padilla]

I use Neutrogena Shave Cream. This is more like a very light cream/lotion, no lather at all, and it take less that a dime-sized dollop so it lasts a long time. I used to shave every day until one day my face started becoming maddenly irritated from it. Now I shave M,W,F and use this cream and its happy again. I use Gillette twin-blades and buy in bulk (usually off eBay) to save. I think I have enough refills to last the next 2-3 years.

I've seen the ads from Harry's...always wondered about them. Thanks for the review, Larry.

[Pat Barry]

When I shave with a razor I just use bar soap and hot water. Those gels / creams never really gave me any benefit and I still had to wash my face after to clean that crap off. Now its just a quick rinse with cold water and I'm done. I thin the multi-blade razors are the way to go though, I would hate to return to my shaving roots with the old double edge monster but I see Rick from Pawn Stars is now selling double edge razors on TV commercials for keeping his chrome dome shaved

[Moses Yoder]

A double edge razor takes a little getting used to and becomes an interesting hobby. I did it for about 6 months then my life became complicated and I simplified my shaving. Plus, I cannot stand razor snobs. Those guys spend more money on a razor than I make in a week. It just drives me nuts. It doesn't bother me that I don't have that kind of money, it is the fact that if you don't have a $600 razor then you might as well not have been born. I found the shaving forums attitude a lot more like this than the WW boards are. Kind of like bragging about how much money you can waste. I posted a pic of a shaving brush I made and some guy made fun of it saying the handle was just right to really dig down into a shaving mug and I had purposely put a short handle on it for a shaving bowl.

[Raymond Fries]

I went from a Mach3 to a vintage Gillette I got on ebay in December of 2013. I am still using the feather blades I bought to go with it. I love it. My wife also got one to replace her Venus razor.

[Doug Ladendorf]

I have been ordering my blades fro a company called Harry's. ...
Harrys.com Check them out.

I tried Harry's about a year ago and switched. Have been using them since. The company bought a blade factory in Germany with the belief that razor blades are far more expensive than they need to be. They are about half the price and as good or better. I probably go about two months as well on a blade.

Doug

[Jamie Buxton]

Shaving -- God's way of telling you to wear a beard.