the biggest thing that annoyed me about cartridge razors that they get clogged with hair if i wait more than a day or so between shaving and i'd have to take times clearing it out between every couple strokes. safety razors, you just dip it in water and it's cleared out. not to mention i can get a closer shave doing it the old fashioned way for cheaper.

[Edited on August 26, 2009 at 11:01 AM. Reason : .]

8/26/2009 10:59:50 AM

i use a straight blade and jack black shaving lotion.

i've found it's wayyyy better the shaving cream and no irritation at all.

you do have to wipe off the blade rather well though.

8/26/2009 11:25:47 AM

Had to replace my razor today that I've been using for 4 months. RIP Mach 3.

8/26/2009 2:50:03 PM

Did not read the entire thread.... but wouldn't a "real man" shave with a straight razor?

8/26/2009 3:29:45 PM

8/26/2009 3:41:44 PM

Ive tried a number of different shaving implements.

Ive done the boar bristle brush, special soaps lotions ectra ectra.

Ive had a barber who i used to visit who woudl give me an old school shave, straight edge and hot towel and all.

My favorite and current solution is

Apply Conditioner to my face while in the shower

Shave With Mach 3

Wash condition off

Rince razor with water then alcohol.

A blade lasts me about 3 weeks (sometimes suspiciously shorter....stupid gf)

I find that it lasts me thought he day, I don't get ingrown hairs, or much irritation.

I currently have about 30 blades that i stocked up on clearance, and after that im probably going to switch to the Cryo treated blades.

The best thing ive used after shaving is some Loreal for Men facial moisturizer and spf 15. Without saying anything my giflriend asked if i was using something (this is after a week or so).

After I told her that, the product seemed to empty really quick (suspiciously so..)

In any case.

I'm not saying that your 100 dollar super safety ww2 era razor isn't cool, but I don't think its that much better.

The real factor with these is the cool factor, not the glorious shave factor that they so attribute to it. It may safe some money, or cost money, I have no problem with buying stuff for the cool factor, but prefer to spend my cool factor on stuff that I can take outside of the house.

I think above all different people find different things work for them. I think the biggest testament to technology is all my grandfather/great grandfathers became electric shavers in the 70s and stayed so. They worked some blue collar and some white collar jobs. But they seemed to think it gave them the best shave.

In short the retro thing is cool, but thats really what it is, a cool retro thing. Personally for functional things I prefer the new thing, just as i would prefer a spell check to a dictionary.

8/26/2009 3:50:49 PM

^ unfortunately, it's a FACT that DE razors shave closer than the "new" thing...there is no opinion on it as it is a pretty simple function of the design

it is also a FACT that the same person will save money using DE (you're right in that it's kind of silly to say that it will be the same for everyone)...preference aside, DE shaving is cheaper in the not-so-long-run

it is also a FACT that there is a much lower incidence of razor burn and ingrown hairs with DE razors than with disposables/cartridges

to each their own, of course...no one can state preferences as facts, but the things i listed above are simple truths, not opinions

[Edited on August 26, 2009 at 3:56 PM. Reason : .]

8/26/2009 3:54:47 PM

It's also a FACT that this started out as an informative, helpful thread, but now you're just going out of your way to be a dick about it.

8/26/2009 4:03:16 PM

I JUST SHAVED LIKE A MAN

8/26/2009 4:08:51 PM

^^ not at all...i'm separating truth from opinion...what's more informative than that? too many of you get them confused

8/26/2009 4:19:39 PM

agree

the prices on page two would be what I am paying being in Hawaii and having to shave as often as I do

8/26/2009 4:24:50 PM

Quote :

"ectra ectra"

8/26/2009 4:34:14 PM

You would think that after 4 years of latin i would get it right.

I think the facts that your referring to relate to Wet shaving (sans the cost benefit) not shaving with a double edge razor.

8/26/2009 4:39:10 PM

ha. it is definitely partly due to wet shaving. but also, the mechanics of how safety razors work versus cartridge razors. not to mention that DE razors offer a wide variety of razor sharpness options.

8/26/2009 4:43:08 PM

MOHAMMAD SAID YOU GOTTA HAVE A BIGASS BEARD TO GET INTO HEAVEN WITH ALLAH

YOU'RE ALL GOING TO HELL WITH SHAYTAN

8/26/2009 4:44:35 PM

On another note, i wont use a shick product, you cant get crap outa them because the backs arent open.

8/26/2009 4:45:27 PM

and I didn't like when they went to the side-burn trimmer on the top ridge...i used to use that ridge to get all my sideburn hair straight so I could shave it...

8/26/2009 4:49:36 PM

Different strokes for different folks. Put me in the category that can't use disposable razors because they irritate my face too much. I use a Braun electric, but what sucks is the shave isn't terribly close. I've always wanted to try going the safety razor route but I'm put off by how much time it takes. From what I understand, you have to make a couple complete passes to get a clean shave.

8/26/2009 4:51:09 PM

Quote :

"From what I understand, you have to make a couple complete passes to get a clean shave."

that's definitely true. but with a little practice, you can do it 10-15 mins easy (and probably a little less if you rush)

8/26/2009 4:53:19 PM

I like the gilette excel3 better than the mach 3, they cost more like $1 a head than $1.75 for mach3 (ballpark #s). I also like King of Shaves gel, they sell it at target. I think the teatree oil helps with razor burn.

for some reason, it costs less to buy the ones that are like a 5 pack of disposable handled ones than just the pack of cartridges. I pluck the cartridges off and put them on my metal handle. I don't seem to notice a difference, but the handle packs are generally a dollar or so less.

I've been thinking about getting a double edged razor, and maybe I could shave every other day. I have never really been happy shaving with cartridges, I either get razor burn or not a close shave. On the other hand, I'm done in under 5 minutes usually, and that time is precious.

anyone use a safety razor and not a brush?

8/26/2009 9:44:27 PM

no, but you could ealiy do that...

what I've been doing the last couple of days with my disposable while waiting for my DE is to take a hot towel to my face for a minute before shaving and not using a lot of pressure on my blade when shaving...it's helped the quality of the shave as well as minimize the razor burn

8/27/2009 12:54:37 AM

Quote :

"I've always wanted to try going the safety razor route but I'm put off by how much time it takes. From what I understand, you have to make a couple complete passes to get a clean shave."

definitely a drawback...it really only takes me 10 minutes max to shave if i'm coming out of the shower (otherwise, add a couple of minutes for prep with a hot towel)...it used to take me a bit longer because i was afraid of nicking myself, but it rarely happens anymore

8/27/2009 7:25:32 AM

yeah, 10 mins max for me. i guess i'm lucky i don't have to shave everyday though. just once a week after work or whenever and i'm fine for a while. i never have time in the mornings

8/27/2009 8:02:21 AM

quag, joined B&B yesterday and found one guy who makes stands on his own for a really good price

http://www.cuttingedgerazors.com/ is his site and he's got a thread on B&B offering free parcel shipping for B&B users

so I ordered a dual DE and dual brush stand with a tri-gram

8/27/2009 8:54:28 AM

ARRIVED!

8/28/2009 4:58:27 AM

Let us know how that TOBS cream is. Also, I'm allergic to lavender

8/28/2009 5:19:09 AM

that sux...but I heard TOBS has a lot of scents

8/28/2009 5:31:31 AM

Yes, they have tons of scents. I'd be apt to try the sandalwood.

8/28/2009 6:09:04 AM

Yesterday was the day. I took a shower, got everything prepped, and jumped right in.

I used the Merkur blade that came with the DE. Put some hot water in my mug and left my brush in there while I hot-toweled my face. Took the brush out, dumped the water out, got a dab of the (Taylor of Old Bond Street) TOBS shaving creme and worked up (what I thought) was a pretty decent lather on my face (oh btw, Lavender? mmmm...good stuff).

When I started to shave, I heard the popping, and tried to let the weight of the DE work. I think I did, but I found myself putting a little pressure on it as I went down. No pain or cuts to begin.

When I was finished shaving WTG, I still noticed some hairs lingering (the usual ones). At that point, I was conflicted: I was advised not to shave ATG at all, and at the same time, there was no way I was going to just finish my shave the way it was (wasn't better than my previous non-DE experience). So...I lathered up the face again and went ATG. Went XTG for my mustache area.

Rinsed everything off, and I noticed a small dab of blood on my right chin...but it didn't hurt (which surprised me a little). I splashed the cold water, then took the alum block to my face. Two comments on that: 1) keep your mouth closed, regardless if you have a cold and can't breathe out of your nose and, 2) ouch!... I kept the alum on my face until I couldn't breathe, and splashed some more cold water on it.

Then came the TOBS after-shave. Smells great! Feels great! I'm used to not using any AS, so my face is usually dry when I'm done. It was smooth (and a little sticky, but that was a good thing).

One reason I was afraid to go ATG on my neck area was the burn....BUT NO BURN!

Fifteen minutes after I was done, dressed and ready for my day-date with my wife, I checked to see if I had any major misses. I had some minor stubble here and there (along my chin line), but for the most part, my face hasn't been this smooth since before I needed to shave.

And twenty hours later, I could go to work (in my Navy uniform) as-is and no one would be the wiser.

Thanks for all the help, tips, and encouragement!

DE for LIFE!

8/29/2009 10:09:33 AM

Fuck it. I ordered a kit too.

I'll let you know how this turns out.

8/31/2009 4:13:27 PM

sweet! i highly recommend going over to http://www.badgerandblade.com and registering...you will find a ton of tips, tricks, advice, etc., as you start....I joined recently and have found the advice very useful (joined as cadinkis)

9/1/2009 2:54:55 AM

finally clicked this thread. glad i did. i've been thinking about this for a while. i'm gonna look into it

who is wiskyeytown on there? they seemed to allude to tww get togethers that happened at hibernian

usually shave twice a week...lately 3 times a week because my disposables are old and i need new ones

[Edited on September 1, 2009 at 3:38 AM. Reason : .]

9/1/2009 3:16:29 AM

I think I stumbled upon the greatest solution for me.

I use Aveeno shaving cream with the regular Mach 3

It's like I'm Bob Ross in the morning in front of a mirror!

9/1/2009 4:22:25 AM

i'm a big fan of the in-shower shave with soap lather and a fog-free mirror (the mirror has to attach to your shower head, with water circulation in the mirror to be truly fog-free).

My Fusion works great, even though my hair grows in every direction and has been terrible to shave with other razors. There aren't any issues cleaning the razor out in the shower, you just stick it under the water stream

9/1/2009 4:00:21 PM

i, too, shave in the shower

rain-x anti-fog works on the mirror

9/1/2009 7:47:27 PM

i too want to buy a mirror to put in my shower and rain-x it so i too can shave in the shower

[Edited on September 1, 2009 at 7:55 PM. Reason : .]

9/1/2009 7:54:53 PM

saves me time and i don't get water all over the bathroom counter like i used to

9/1/2009 8:14:29 PM

meh, you learn to not use a mirror pretty quickly. it's not exactly easy to cut yourself with one of those 23098 blade razors anyways

9/1/2009 8:35:42 PM

i gotta have a mirror so i can shape up the beard properly

9/1/2009 8:39:35 PM

oh

forgot you were one of them people

[Edited on September 1, 2009 at 8:45 PM. Reason : i couldn't grow a beard if i had to, haha]

9/1/2009 8:45:23 PM

i need a mirror to make sure i dont shave the sideburns all crooked...always wish i could shave in the shower, just need a mirror. might had to wallyworld tonight and get one. i looked in the thread on that one website about DE razors...seemed like the only place they said you could buy one had gone out of business(becks cutlery)...anyone else know where to get some DE razors locally? and some razors. or is online the best bet?

9/1/2009 9:02:31 PM

my shower mirror is a plastic one made by 3M. it's got the Command adhesive stuff that holds it up. the mirror isn't real glass, just that shiny film stuff and it says it won't fog, but it still does kinda. rain-x anti-fog takes care of that. the mirror tilts and it has two hook things that i hang my razor on. it was super cheap.

[Edited on September 1, 2009 at 9:08 PM. Reason : got the mirror at walmart]

9/1/2009 9:08:31 PM

^was it in the mirror section or was it in another section? asking because you said it wasnt like a "real" mirror etc, didnt know if it was in another section

[Edited on September 1, 2009 at 9:13 PM. Reason : or the bathroom section ]

9/1/2009 9:12:47 PM

yeah i think it was in the bathroom section

but it also may have been with the other 3M Command hooks. i don't remember

9/1/2009 9:14:15 PM

oh ok...i thought 3m stuff was by the school supplies. i guess i'll just look around for a while until i find something i can use as a shower mirror

any idea on the DE razors? i'll check wallyworld but i doubt they have them...HELP!!

[Edited on September 1, 2009 at 9:27 PM. Reason : .]

9/1/2009 9:17:13 PM

usually in walmart those hooks are in the hardware section

9/1/2009 9:22:25 PM

I shave on a daily basis, I've only used shaving gel or cream or whatever maybe 3 times in the last 6 years.

9/1/2009 9:34:31 PM

not going to shave tomorrow, so well see how shaving goes on Thursday with the DE...I think I'm going to change out the blade before i do it...put on a Personna Super+

I'm really looking into getting one of these scuttles:

http://www.sarabonnymanpottery.com/moss_scuttle.htm
or
http://www.georgetownpottery.com/store/merchant.mvc?Screen=PROD&Store_Code=GTP&Product_Code=SHAV0001&Category_Code=Shaving
or
http://www.dirtybirdpottery.com/shavinggear.html

9/1/2009 11:18:00 PM

i kinda want to get a straight edge cut from the barber now

9/2/2009 1:33:38 AM

Got my whole kit in today. I just worked out and plan on sitting around in my own funk before taking a shower and shaving like a man afterwards.

If I don't post again after tonight you may all assume that I nicked myself and bled to death on my bathroom floor while trying to tear off a square of toilet paper.

9/3/2009 8:36:26 PM