I’m old school, and have been using a Merkur 34 safety razor for years. I use a badger brush and whatever shaving soaps I can get the best price on (the budget Van der Hagen shaving soap works fine for me). As for blades, I use Wilkinson Sword.
I have used a safety razor for about a year. You need to be careful with these because it is a lot easier to cut yourself with a safety razor than with one of those disposable razors, but I think you get a closer shave. I also use a brush and shaving soap. You can get that about as wet or as dry as you want.
If you do get a safety razor, buy a styptic pencil. You will need it early on.
Yeah…that was what I did for many years…:)
Loved the feel of that warm soap on my face with the crisp understated yet masculine smell of the soap…
I also have one. Excellent.