You should try an electric razor.
Since I retired I use an electric razor most of the time and only use a Gillette razor when I need a really close shave...not very often.
Grow a beard.
Straight razor.
I use the ten for a dollar ($1.25 now) Dollar Tree razors.
They work great.
And you can get a huge can of shaving cream for the same $1.25 that lasts six months.
I don’t get the whole designer-shaving thing.
I’m in the same boat. This looks like a good alternative. I’m down to the last of the Gilettes (haven’t bought since I’ve been declared “toxic”) I use an electric but it’s not as close as a blade. If you go this route, tell us your results and I may follow.
I’m old school, and have been using a Merkur 34 safety razor for years. I use a badger brush and whatever shaving soaps I can get the best price on (the budget Van der Hagen shaving soap works fine for me). As for blades, I use Wilkinson Sword.
I have been using the cheapest disposables I can find for many years. A pack of 10 will last me normally 11 months. I dry each with my 3$ hair drier from Goodwill. I use shaving gel from the Dollar Tree, one tube of which lasts maybe 6 months.
Check out Lehman’s. They cater to the Amish and have razors, soap, brushes etc.
www.lehmans.com
My cost is approx $2.70/year plus the electricity for the air drier.
Safety razor and Japanese made Feather blades, super smooth.
I have been using this type of razor for about 20 years. I love it because I only shave a couple times a week and these do not clog with long stubble. Also at 8 cents a blade that I only change every few weeks, a 100ct box will last me years. I prefer gel shaving cream.
I’m retired but I still shave every day. I have used these for years:
A blade lasts me a long time. Handles fail (mechanism that holds blade on) but they’re relatively cheap.
Been using Feather for years:
https://www.feather.co.jp/en/
I buy the packages of cheap BIC disposable razors. Those last awhile since you can rinse them out from the back unlike the other brands.
I buy those expensive 5 blade cartridges. The secret is to never use shaving cream. There must be something in the cream that corrodes the blades. I just use a bar of soap. Get my hands lathered up and put it on my face. Great shave and the blades last over a year if you don’t use the creme and shake it dry every time. Also don’t put the razor on that little tray that they come with. Hang it like a toothbrush.
Safety Razor is the way to go. A package of blades will last you a year. You will need to develop new techniques and patience. You will cut yourself before you do. I don’t use shave foam, gels or soaps which are drying and irritating to the skin. An emulsified oil based skin moisturizer with water that provides a little lubrication is all you need. Added scents means puffed up price. Simple with fewest chemical ingredients is best.
I switched to a safety razor about 6 years ago. I have a really coarse and thick beard that ruins disposable razors quickly and so the cost of using the disposables was high. I got a merkur safety razor and really liked it. There is a learning curve with it. With disposables, you put more pressure than you need with a safety razor. Use very little pressure and let the blade do the work.
As for blades, there are a lot of choices online. After trying several different kinds, someone recommended Dorco blades on amazon. You get 100 for about $6 and they worked really well for me. I tried the brush and soap and liked it, but it takes more time and in the morning I may or may not have it depending on the day so I use Cremo shave cream which works well.
Best advice, use a wash cloth and hot water on your face for a minute or so, lots of soap/foam, go slow, pay attention to the angle of the razor, always go in a straight line. Expect a few nicks the first few times. You get good at it quick.
Bookmarking
I have learned that plain old Dial soap, just a bar of soap, does as well and perhaps better than the Gillete foam I have been using for decades.
Wet it real good and then drag it around over where you shave.