[bk1000]

Using my Dad’s old Gillette. You can find one on ebay for just a few bucks, or go to Art Of Shaving and spend hundreds on a new designer version. Order Feather blades from Amazon, along with Proraso pre-shave cream. Get a good lather soap and brush and begin to enjoy the ritual of shaving. Check out http://www.badgerandblade.com/ for everything you ever wanted to know about shaving.

[RetSignman]

I ordered Feather double edged blades from Amazon, they are super sharp so you have to be a little more careful until you’re used to them.

When I run the water I add baby shampoo to it, makes a more comfortable shave and eliminates razor burn.

[Gamecock]

I made the switch to a DE safety razor in early January and wish I had done so years, no, decades ago. After reading reviews I choose an Edwin Jagger DE89lbl razor with 5 sample blades for 32 dollars on Amazon.

For a cream I got the Taylor of Old Bond Street (TOBS) Sandlewood cream and Everyman Jack Sandlewood aftershave. I like it a lot but then I found a sampler of TOBS cream and feel in love the Eaton College cream. Smells very nice. A lot of folks use a hard shaving soap, which lasts longer and is cheaper in the long run.

On weekends I am using Proraso Menthol and Eucalyptus preshave, shaving cream and aftershave. It sets my entire face into a tingle mode, I see it as a special shave for my days off. I used to avoid shaving on Saturdays, but now I look forward to doing so!

A badger brush finishes it all up, found one on Amazon for $15. I use an old coffe mug to whip up my lather.

I also found a sampler of blades and am still trying to decide which works best for me. Feather blades are said to be the sharpest, but my face looks like it has been through a meat grinder after using them. Every man will like a different blade, so play around. You can buy many of the quality blades, 100 for 15-20 dollars. Each blade is good for 2-3 shaves. (Oh, figure out what to do with them, don't just throw them in the trash.)

The first time you shave is very tricky. Why? Mass market razors allow you to be very sloppy in your technique. With a DE razor you need to take your time and let the weight of the razor do the work. The first two or three times I shaved I did cut myself, which seems to be a common theme. Have a styptic pencil close by to control your bleeding. It is hard to undo 30 years of muscle memory, but I have now gotten to the point where I don't have to concentrate at all.

If you are going to do this I recommend that you watch a lot of the videos on YouTube, read some of the shaving forums and get smart from the experts before you invest in anything.

[Fry]

I went "old school" last January and haven't looked back. I use an old "Super Speed" non-adjustable Gillette that was either my dad's or grandfather's. (Also have an adjustable that was Dad's.) Cleaned it up and tried sampler razor packs from Amazon and the generic ones from CVS. Different strokes for different folks but I've settled in on Shark brand from Egypt. (Apparently originally Wilkinson Sword in Egypt.) I don't have a heavy beard and these last me a week plus. $8 for 100. I do hear great things about Feather.

My wife has made me shave soap and aftershave but I also have purchased Van Der Hagen soap. I might spend a minute or two more in the morning now, but adding a little ritual to that part of the day has been a net plus. Also like the idea of using a 50 or 60 year old razor every day.

[armydawg505]

I used the multiple razor type and shave in the shower where the whiskers are very soft and easy to cut. I get a shave close enough to not even be able to feel stubble after shaving. BTW, too many gimmicks on any of those “dont order yet!!” ads for me to ever pay for that stuff.

[gnickgnack2]

I recently tried Shave Secret because I didn’t like the shave creams or gels. It’s easy to apply and clean up, very smooth shave, smells good, and at months into a $3.75 bottle, I am just barely below the bottle’s shoulder.

[reed13k]

Manly thread bump

[JJ_Folderol]

I’m still using my late ‘60s Schick adjustable injector razor.

I also use a fountain pen, so go figure... ;)

[The_Reader_David]

Go old school: either grow a beard or get a mug, a brush, and a straight razor (or both if you don’t want a full beard).

[windcliff]

ping

[JoeProBono]

[norwaypinesavage]

I bought a couple of double edge razors thirty or forty years ago, one for home, and one for the lake, for just a few bucks apiece. the adjustable one finally failed (corrosion) and the only place I could find another was on Amazon. It was chrome plated solid brass, so it cost about 25 bucks. It seems to be much better quality than the old one, so I hope it will last quite a bit longer.

I use the stainless steel double edge blades, which last quite a bit longer than a week. I still haven't run out of the ones that came with the new razor.

[tumblindice]

I put my Gillette Fusion blades on a small barber’s strop and they love me long time.

[spokeshave]

With the old style razor blade...it’s possible to hone it sharp by running it around a inside straight sided glass with some water....the blade lasts for months...old Aussie outback trick.

[philman_36]

A durable, single blade disposable...
Metal

Best disposable I've ever used.

[Ruy Dias de Bivar]

I remember the Gillette Blue Blades. One use and you dropped them in the slot in the medicine cabinet.

I also remember the necessary styptic pencil to stop the bleeding, and an alcohol based after shave to kill the razor burn.

I like double blade disposable razors.

[real saxophonist]

I’m another one who uses Harry’s, and I’m not going to mess with anything else. I do use Edge or Gillette shave gel, because Harry’s version is expensive, but their razors and blades are great.

[CGASMIA68]

Good thread and info thanks to all