Posted a similar comment the other day on another thread, but here are more details...
Merkur adjustable safety razor. Make sure you buy the adjustable type!
Merkur blades. Hold their edge longer than others I’ve tried
https://shavenation.com/products/merkur-de-blades-100-count
I bought about 4 of those packages from a local barber shop when it only cost $10/100 count. Boy have times changed and now that I see the current price,I just bought a sleeve of 100. They’re not going to get less expensive.
Be sure to buy;
Boar’s hair brush
Shave mug (wide, low coffee mug will do)
Stand for razor and brush, because brush must hang dry, bristles down, or you’ll ruin the brush fast. Also, after each use, rinse and wipe dry the razor and blade, so blade lasts longer.
Warm your face to soften beard.
Hot water on brush and lather up.
For extra close shave, repeat lather/shave.
You WILL get a close shave!
Try not to cut your own throat by side slipping the blade when shaving. Straight 1-1.5” strokes as a time, being mindful of the angle you hold the razor. Best to do this without water running because you can hear the cut better to determine the proper angle of the razor.
Those who complain that this is not a close shave are either holding the razor at a poor angle, their razor is a cheap non-adjustable type (the quality of the razor makes ALL the difference!), rushing through the process, or using dull blades.
For the razor above there is a line on the top cap and an arrow on the base handle, which must line up. The top portion will fit on the lower in either direction, but it is made to precision and these two must be aligned. Then tighten the top cap and blade down by turning adjustment at the base until stop. This puts a slight bend on the blade. Then loosen to your desired aggressiveness. It is calibrated 1-5. My setting is to open past 5, then to 1 again. The more you loosen, the more you straighten the blade & the more you open and expose the blade, the more aggressive the cut and the more dangerous the potential for error.
Thank you in advance for not sending medical bills to me for the sutures =o)
...that is all
p.s. I know every man over 16 knows how to shave and not meaning to condescending in post 32. I post all the details because many men I know have never used a safety razor and are not familiar with some of the nuances. Most guys I know either used only disposable razors/cartridges, or electric their entire lives. Those disposable are getting stupid expensive.
With a safety razor there will be about a $120-150 up front cost, but after that, is is MUCH less. That upfront investment is what most guys will spend on 8-10 packages of plastic junk. Double edge blades can be as cheap as twenty cents each, for Japanese quality. German blades are about seventy cents each. Mine last three weeks +
...ok...NOW...really...promise
..that is all =o)
Wow! Thank you. I do have one but I am probably using it wrong as I would get cut a lot and could never get under my nose. Maybe I’ll have to try it again....