Posted on 06/03/2023 7:04:04 AM PDT by ConservativeInPA
A few weekends ago I posted a vanity asking for recommendations about shaving alternatives to typical disposable razors, such as from Gillette or Bic.
Thank you for all your recommendations.
Today, I’d like to share the results of my new shaving experience. This comes after two and a half weeks and two double edge razor blades of experience.
I wanted a good close shave, using an inexpensive, non-woke American made product. I am pleased to say, I am now fully suffering from toxic masculinity. Gillette, you can shove your razors where the sun doesn’t shine. Hopefully those blades will be jagged and rusty. (Ouch)
I now wet shave using a safety razor from Western Razor Co.. The safety razor has a one-time cost of $60. It’s an investment in a quality hunk of steel. It most certainly will last a lifetime and I will pass it down to my grandson so he can suffer from toxic masculinity too.
The safety razor came with five double edged razor blades. Western Razor Co. does not manufacture the razor blades. They resell double edged razor blades from Razor Blade Co. The double edge razor blades are branded as “Personna” and are made in Verona, VA USA.
I haven’t bought or researched where I can purchase the double edge razor blades, although they are available on Amazon for $16.49 in a quantity of 100, so they cost about 16 cents per blade. That is far less than a typical Gillette disposable blade or any of their competitors.
The safety razor is a heavy hunk of metal compared to the cheap plastic used by any of the manufacturers of disposable razors. It feels different because of its weight, but after two weeks it is barely noticeable. Wet shaving is something to get used to, but certainly nothing difficult.
I’ve been through two double edged razor blades. The first blade I used for a week and a half, approximately 9 shaves. I skipped a day or two. The last shave with that blade there was noticeable drag while shaving through my whiskers and I nicked myself three times. A sharp blade did not nick me. I will be replacing the second blade this morning. I used it for a week, in which I skipped one day, so a total of 6 shaves. That makes the cost per shave 2.7 cents.
I am getting the closest shaves that I have ever had. The process of wet shaving takes slightly longer than using foamy shaving cream and disposable blades, but is much more enjoyable. I truly find it relaxing as if I am pampering myself. I have even brought of retirement a heavy terry cloth bath robe to wear while I am shaving. I allow it to warm from the steam created by the shower.
It is well worth the little extra time to shave since I can plan my day in my head and contemplate what and how I will be doing things.
I have not successfully sourced an American made shaving soap/cream. I am currently using Taylor of Old Bond Street Sandalwood Shaving Cream. It’s made in the UK and I haven’t detected any wokeness on my face. It is a fine product. I will have to replace it in a year as it does not require a significant quantity to get enough lather to shave. If I can find a suitably priced American made product I will try it.
I realized that I have been susceptible to marketing. All my life I have been using disposable razor blades, beginning with two blades and more recently five blades. I had two major misconceptions. First, two or more blades is better than one, which you get with a double edged blade (one blade per side). Second, the disposable razors are somehow safer than a safety razor. I’ve cut and nicked myself with disposables countless times. I am fairly certain that I will have less of that using double edged blades if I replace then after a week’s use. There’s no need to stretch the use of a double edged blade due to price. That was the cause of any shaving accidents that I had in the past.
Final conclusion: sometimes old stuff works better. Don’t be fooled by marketing.
When I had Covid and forced myself to get up and in the shower and shave, the best relief was that shave. I couldn’t stand a week of facial hair. Now I don’t mind 3 or 4 days of growth, but that’s about my limit
Already got one. I have used it once when the blade went dull and nicked me. It works great. Thanks for posting for other people.
A silky cheek
Shaved smooth
And clean
Is not obtained
With a mowing machine
Burma-Shave
I beat ya with my tissue paper comment!
I guess everyone here is a youngster and have no idea why we are suggesting these!🤣
I doubt those Personna blades are US made. I think they are German.
US safety razor blade manufacturing ended awhile back, unless somebody has started again.
I use an Egyptian blade, Shark Platinum. Most days I use a vintage Gillette safety razor. Sometimes a Bic single blade disposable, but mostly the safety razor.
For me the key is to shave right after a shower or leave the soap and water on my face for a couple minutes to soften the beard.
Shaving this way has a zen like quality and satisfaction to it, much like tuning your own 1911.
I’m not saying you are incorrect, but everything printed indicates that is made the the US. Another Freeper posted a link about the company’s acquisition and it seems manufacturing may be in GA, but the individual blades say U.S.A. on the paper wrapper around the blade.
Which made me remember that old Frank Zappa album. Looking it up I learned that Frank showed artist Neon Park this cover from an old pulp magazine:
Wheras Park showed Frank this ad for an electric razor:
And thus notorious album art history was made:
Rzzzzz indeed! But back to subject - I've found that a quality hair conditioner makes a superior shaving cream/soap substitute...with the after shave skin treatment built right in.
And Sin Happy Vacationists are STILL overrunning Cape Cod.
I didn’t remember that precisely, but I’m sure that was kicking around in my brain. IN fact, I initially was thinking of weasels, but then thought, “Why did I think weasels? Wouldn’t wolverines make more sense?” The PAIR of of pet weasels probably was influenced by an Arnold Schwartzenegger movie, wherein Arnold had a pair of pet ferrets.
I had TOTALLY forgot that the album cover for “Weasels Ripped My Flesh” showed a man shaving with them. I’m not sure if I even ever understood that to be a razor he had.
I'll second that. Good steel. I think I bought about 30 when I purchased mine. Will probably go for 100 or so next time I have to buy, so I'll be good for a few years. a box of blades takes up almost no space at all.
Manly shaving site:
https://theartofshaving.com
I tried a double safety razor one week. Very sharp, I shaved too close... very lightly let the blade do the work.
I now use a Schick Hydro Sensitive Razor 5 blade razor and Aveeno Therapeutic Shave Gel. No worries about nicks. I get a close shave.
Verona, Virginia is in Augusta County, VA — all their manufacturing is there in Virginia since they bought the company back from Edgewell (Schick). Verona is is the mountains and has the Stonewall Brigade museum.
It is when I can easily find similar, all-metal things online for $15. It’s like trying to see me a bike for $800 and gosh! that’s cheap compared to a new car! Might be far more cost-effective, but that doesn’t mean that $800 isn’t a lot for a bicycle!
A weathered, old cowboy walked into a barbershop one day. He told the barber, “I can’t get all these whiskers off anymore. My face is too wrinkled from years out in the sun.”
The barber reached over and picked up a little wooden ball from a cup on the shelf. The barber told the old cowboy, “put this in your mouth and press it up against your cheek with your tongue to spread out the skin.”
After the barber had finished his shave, the old cowboy he felt of his now whisker free cheek, and smiled. He told the barber, “That was the cleanest shave I’ve had in years.” He paused for a moment and then said, “I do have one question though. What would have happened if I had accidentally swallowed that little ball?”
The barber replied, “Everything comes out in the end. You would have just brought it back in a few days like everyone else has.”
That is probably the best one I have seen. If I had property along a highway, I would make signs like that.
Shaving Cream
Be Nice and Clean
Shave Every Day
And You’ll Always Look Keen
When I shave, I shave in the shower. Generally, at least twice and maybe three times per week
I have discovered that the same Dial soap used for the shower when applied to the face actually performs better than the Gillette foam I have used for decades.
I buy the Dial soap in 24 bar lots from Sam’s. I have been using Bic disposables purchased in lots of 14 from Sam’s for some time now.
As an interesting aside, I observe the others in the barber shop and at least half have beards
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