I used to do the whole soap cup, brush (still miss the smell), the flip open razor. My "new" way that I've done for thirty years seems to work fine for me.
Posted on 12/17/2020 4:50:26 AM PST by Terry L Smith
Hi folks,
I extend to you good wishes from my dialysis chair.
I have questions about those classic designed double edge safety razors.
Who owns one? Which one do you have? Which company's blades work best for you?Do you have "a collection"? Lastly, are you one of those that have "a shave den"?
I figured I would put this topic forward, as a diversion from all the craziness of today.
Oh yes, you may include the other parts of "the shaving experience", i.e., brushes, creams, soaps, oils, bowls, mugs, scuttles.
I used one way back when, before modern razors came out. Basically, if you get one, get a styptic pencil as well, because you will cut yourself. They work, but the modern multi-blade razors are so much better. And before you ask, the single blade razors of today are just a recycle of the original from what I see.
I use a cheap, disposable double-blade safety razor, and have for years. Less than $1 apiece and if you rinse them and dry them, they last a really long time. I think I’ve been using the same bag of them for the past decade.
I have no idea what a “shave den” is, and I don’t use a shaving soap or brush...just lather some hand soap, slop it on, and go.
I tried one of the modern ones. Very difficult to get a good shave without cutting myself. Went back to a multiblade.
I do like a proper shaving brush, soap and dish much better than the can of foaming goo. Less trash, too.
Still love my Shave Secret over any gels or foams, maybe the best I ever got from Beck.
I use a shaving brush and have been using Arko Shaving Cream for years but I can't find it any more.....
After use, I put it in a cup of slightly soapy water.
Damned thing stays sharp for at least a week and up to a month ... depending on if you shave a mild beard every day or so, or wait until Saturday night before church.
6 blades !
Amazing technology and a great shave.
I use disposable BIC razors. One package lasts me 5 years. The key is to get a fog-free mirror and shave in the shower. Those old Gillette razors where a pain in the ass to load, and they rusted.
I use one, and love it.
https://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B00K6Z24SK
Edwin Jagger Double Edge Safety Razor, Knurled, Short Handle
Blades make a HUGE difference. I’ve tried Astra, Shark, Derby, a couple others that I forget, but are NOT part of the rotation because they don’t work for me.
Face prep and creme make a HUGE difference too. So does wetting the brush well in advance of use, like an hour. I wet the brush before I shower, and again just before putting the shaving creme to it.
After having whiskers wet for 5, 10 minutes (shower, do not dry face but dry body) I do a wipe with Shave Secret (which would probably work on its own), then Proraso creme applied from the brush.
I rinse the brush, shake it good, hang it upside down. It’s dry by the next time I could use a shave, two days later.
I like this system because it’s common for me to go a week between shaves, and the whiskers are long enough to clog the modern multiple blade systems (which work great for me too, but not near as close as the old fashioned safety razor).
Obviously some tricks and technique to the shaving itself. The only way to learn is to do. For me, short, low pressure strokes with the grain on first pass, against it for a second pass.
I use a safety razor and have, after a number of bloodletting experiences is that you need to have a very light hand, and change the blade when you start to feel it drag or sting.
They’re not like any of the modern ones with 2, 3 or more blades where you can really bear down in an effort to get a closer shave. Do that and you’ll regret it.
By the way, I buy my blades (and bought the handle originally) at Wally World.
I used to get two new razors and packets of blades ones every week in n S and P pack while in Vietnam. Any of you VN Vets remember those?
Got Harry’s about a year ago, best shave I have ever had and the blades last longer too.
I use the Merkur 34c razor with Feather brand blades. Excellent shave. For those who DO use a double edge razor, you’re likely to get many different opinions on shave soaps, brushes, etc. I use Proraso soap and aftershave. Proraso is a classic and inexpensive.
Frankly, I love the shave from a DE razor. Even the silly 6-blade cartridge razors can’t compare. And, no, you won’t shred your face every time you use a DE razor. Ive shaved with one for years and rarely nicked myself.
Terry, in your ABOUT bio you mention Remington typewriters “with that ball thing.” That was actually an IBM Selectric that had a typing element (ball).
I use a double edge safety razor, as I have for half a century, or so. I started with an electric razor, but switched to a ‘double edge’ Stainless Steel when it failed. I shave after my daily shower, and the blades last for weeks. I used to buy Shick blades, which came in a small metal holder with storage for the used blades. I no longer have been able to find them anywhere, so I buy generic blades from eBay. They come in a smaller yet plastic box, in such large quantities that I forget the brand. I haven’t bought any for years.
When I retired, I bought a winter place in the South, so I had to buy a new blade holder. I got a plated solid brass one, which took a while to get used to compared with the cheap plastic one I have up North. That one has only lasted for forty years, or so. I’ll replace with a brass one when (if) it fails.
I use the $1.20 a bottle shave cream from Walmart, and go through a couple of bottles a year. I figure my total shaving costs run about five bucks a year.
I tried a double edge razor, and found it no smoother than the Gillette disposable multi-blades I used to use before they went too PC. They work just fine, and I imagine that any name brand blade will do the job, with the main question being longevity.
Harry’s is just as pro-homo as Gillette (donates from every sale), and copped a form letter attitude with me when I told them I didn’t appreciate it. So I went with Dollar Shave Club even though the shave isn’t as good.
I still have a stash of brown 1985 Gillette Microtracs twin-blades that I use for tight spaces. They don’t last the longest, but it gets in the tightest spaces, so Iuse them just for that, getting six months per shaver. Best disposable ever made.
Every man has different skin and preferences. Someone here even likes BICs! I have had better results using the edge of an old Visa card than a BIC.
After all that, my wife likes my face furry, so I sport a beard now, even though it is grey/white and adds years to my appearance.
Another trick, which I learned from a consumer advocate on the radio years ago, is to dry them off after use. The moisture otherwise creates micro rust on the blade, dulling it. I can’t understand why people spend $50/pack for fancy multi blade razor cartridges.
I used to do the whole soap cup, brush (still miss the smell), the flip open razor. My "new" way that I've done for thirty years seems to work fine for me.
I have an old Gillette safety razor that belonged to my dad. I use Proraso preshave cream, and Feather brand blades. Those blades are unbelievable.
Do you lather it on with a brush?
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