Safety razor upgrade

[duckfeetin]

I decided to shell out the 25 bucks for a safety razor. Now my razor changes cost pennies! And my shave is amazing. Hopefully someone will bury me with it

[abiteveryday]

There is a bit of a learning curve, but I have not been sorry that I switched a couple years ago.   Just don't get all into the accessories and wipe out your savings :-P

[AlwaysLearningToSave]

Way to go!  I switched a little more than a year ago and it is the best thing that ever happened to my face.  I will never again touch my face with a multi-blade cartridge razor.  For a long time I thought I had acne problems.  Turns out I just had razor problems. 

Just don't get all into the accessories and wipe out your savings :-P

+1 to this.  Traditional safety razor shaving CAN be very mustachian.  It can also be VERY anti-mustachian. 

So far I have resisted most of the temptations.  But now I am trying to convince myself that my $12 per 100 Crystal "every day" blades are good enough and that I don't need to upgrade to the $40 per 100 Feather blades.  I break out the Feather blades from my initial blade sampler pack on special occasions when I want an extra-close shave.  But the shave is so good that whenever I use Feathers it just makes me want to make them my every day blade.  The logical side of me knows that the marginal increase in shave quality of Feather blades over Crystal blades is not worth the 333% higher price.  But the lingering anti-mustachian in me tries very hard to rationalize that Feather blades are still way less expensive than my old cartridge razor and therefore I should just buy the Feathers because its still a good deal.  After all, if someone facepunched me for buying the Feathers, they would probably just end up impressed by the quality of my shave...

[duckfeetin]

I actually using it for my legs and what not.  I haven't let myselfl ook at accessories. If I don't know what exist there is no temptation! So far I am very happy.

[Fudge102]

I love mine.  I just wish it was easier to travel with.  Can't take it in the carry on because the razor blade part scares people... Carry around the ol' electric just cause of that.

[Rubic]

I love mine.  I just wish it was easier to travel with.  Can't take it in the carry on because the razor blade part scares people... Carry around the ol' electric just cause of that.

Yeah, the only reason I haven't thrown out my remaining disposables after converting to a double edge safety razor ...

[Ox05]

Fools!

I use the most Mustachian method of all: grow a beard!

[GrumpyPenguin]

I break out the Feather blades from my initial blade sampler pack on special occasions when I want an extra-close shave.  But the shave is so good that whenever I use Feathers it just makes me want to make them my every day blade.  The logical side of me knows that the marginal increase in shave quality of Feather blades over Crystal blades is not worth the 333% higher price.  But the lingering anti-mustachian in me tries very hard to rationalize that Feather blades are still way less expensive than my old cartridge razor and therefore I should just buy the Feathers because its still a good deal.  After all, if someone facepunched me for buying the Feathers, they would probably just end up impressed by the quality of my shave...

I love Feather blades. I tried others, but I'd rather spend a little extra for Feather.  I only shave once or twice a week (I go for the 5 o'clock shadow look most of the time... they can just deal with it at work, otherwise, ER) so each blade lasts long enough that it takes me ages to go through a pack of 50 or 100.

Also it took me a couple times to realize that using a brush and some fancy shaving soap/cream was really just an annoying time waste compared to good ol' Barbasol.  One can of that stuff (particularly because of my shave frequency) lasts ages and works great.

[PencilThinStash]

I love Feather blades. I tried others, but I'd rather spend a little extra for Feather.  I only shave once or twice a week (I go for the 5 o'clock shadow look most of the time... they can just deal with it at work, otherwise, ER) so each blade lasts long enough that it takes me ages to go through a pack of 50 or 100.

I converted to safety razor a few years ago, but never used anything other than the Shark blades that came with it. I'm either 5 o'clock or fully bearded so often that I'm still working from that original pack of blades. They get the job done, but I'm not exactly crazy about them and feel like there has to be a better shave out there. May have to give Feathers a shot... anybody else have particular blade recommendations?

I love mine.  I just wish it was easier to travel with.  Can't take it in the carry on because the razor blade part scares people... Carry around the ol' electric just cause of that.

When I still traveled for work, this was the only reason I kept cartridge razors around. Stupid airline rules.

[AlwaysLearningToSave]

I break out the Feather blades from my initial blade sampler pack on special occasions when I want an extra-close shave.  But the shave is so good that whenever I use Feathers it just makes me want to make them my every day blade.  The logical side of me knows that the marginal increase in shave quality of Feather blades over Crystal blades is not worth the 333% higher price.  But the lingering anti-mustachian in me tries very hard to rationalize that Feather blades are still way less expensive than my old cartridge razor and therefore I should just buy the Feathers because its still a good deal.  After all, if someone facepunched me for buying the Feathers, they would probably just end up impressed by the quality of my shave...

I love Feather blades. I tried others, but I'd rather spend a little extra for Feather.  I only shave once or twice a week (I go for the 5 o'clock shadow look most of the time... they can just deal with it at work, otherwise, ER) so each blade lasts long enough that it takes me ages to go through a pack of 50 or 100.

Also it took me a couple times to realize that using a brush and some fancy shaving soap/cream was really just an annoying time waste compared to good ol' Barbasol.  One can of that stuff (particularly because of my shave frequency) lasts ages and works great.

Yeah... I shave daily during the work week.  I use one blade a week, so a 100 pack takes me about two years to get through.  I might break down and buy Feathers next time around.  Trouble is I'm only about half way through my 100 pack of Crystals, so "the next time around" is still about a year away...

I currently use a fancy shave soap and brush.  A $20 puck has lasted me 14 months so far.  I'm betting I can get at least another month out of it.  I'm debating whether I'll buy another one when the current one runs out or go back to barbasol.  Factor in shipping and shaving soap will be around $25 per year.  With barbasol less than $2 per can at the worst, I bet I would come out ahead with barbasol.  I kind of enjoy using the brush and soap, though. 

[FunkyMustache]

Logged in to confirm the love for the safety razor. Once I got used to it, I was shocked that it isn't the default for shaving. I got the razor for about $40. I got a sample pack of razors on Amazon, I think it was 100 blades for just over $25. And that has lasted me about 4 years. I only shave about once or twice a week, but still. Other than that, I'm on my second tub of shaving cream, and I bought one new brunch for $10.

When I shaved with cartridges and spray foam, I got at least one ingrown hair every time I shaved. With proper wet shaving, I get a couple a year maybe, less if I'm careful about "warming up". That's the biggest benefit for me.

Recently my GF was looking at replacement cartridges and the pharmacy nearby wanted $40 for an 8 pack. I was shocked. She asked to borrow my safety razor and I'm sure she'll just keep using it once she gets used to it.

(All prices are in CAD)

[AlwaysLearningToSave]

When I shaved with cartridges and spray foam, I got at least one ingrown hair every time I shaved. With proper wet shaving, I get a couple a year maybe, less if I'm careful about "warming up". That's the biggest benefit for me.

Same here.  My complexion is WAY better with a safety razor.  I have what I think is going to be permanent scarring on my neck from all of the ingrown hairs. 

Once I got used to it, I was shocked that it isn't the default for shaving.

Same here.  Sure there's a learning curve but it's not that hard to learn to use a safety razor.  Safety razors are a better shave for less money than cartridge razors.  Why would anyone who knows how to use a safety razor switch to cartridges?  My theory is that razor manufacturers used a masterful marketing campaign to reach young men when they first started shaving and hadn't experienced safety razor shaving. 

[gggggg]

Back in my spending days, I had (and still have most of) a large safety razor collection, and lots of soaps/creams. I would say to someone getting into safety razor shaving to pick up a vintage gillette on ebay, preferrably a super speed or one of the adjustables. I firmly believe the vintage razors are better. As for blades, I recommend personna blue. They are us made, used in the medical field under a slightly different name, and I think better than feather blades. I would just stick with regular everyday shaving cream over the fancy artisan creams/brush.

[Rubic]

Question uno: On average, how many shaves do you get with your preferred blade?

I'm nominally at 3 shaves/blade, though I can extend it an extra 1-2 shaves if I strop it against my forearm between shavings.

Second question: For those of you who travel internationally, how difficult is it to buy razors locally once you arrive at your destination (assuming you bring your razor-less DE shaver along)?

[AlwaysLearningToSave]

I generally get five shaves per blade. If I need to shave for a weekend event I will stretch a blade to a sixth shave.

I've never tried to travel internationally with a safety razor, but I have never actually seen the blades I use in a brick-and-mortar store. I order them online. Thus I think it would be hard buy them at my destination unless I ordered them and had them shipped to my destination, which hardly seems worth the effort/money. I don't think there's any reason you couldn't put the blades in checked baggage, but obviously that opens you up to the possibility of lost baggage.

[duckfeetin]

Question uno: On average, how many shaves do you get with your preferred blade?

I'm nominally at 3 shaves/blade, though I can extend it an extra 1-2 shaves if I strop it against my forearm between shavings.

Second question: For those of you who travel internationally, how difficult is it to buy razors locally once you arrive at your destination (assuming you bring your razor-less DE shaver along)?

I use mine to shave my legs and underarms, I shave about once or twice a week.  I am getting about 10 shaves a blade, but my hair is likely finer then facial hair.  I take disposables for over seas myself. 

[Proud Foot]

Same here.  Sure there's a learning curve but it's not that hard to learn to use a safety razor.  Safety razors are a better shave for less money than cartridge razors.  Why would anyone who knows how to use a safety razor switch to cartridges?  My theory is that razor manufacturers used a masterful marketing campaign to reach young men when they first started shaving and hadn't experienced safety razor shaving.

This part is very true.  Not sure how they knew but I remember both my older brother and myself receiving (from Gillette) a Gillette Mach III razor in the mail around the time of our 16th birthdays.  I switched to a safety razor a couple years ago and am still on the 100 pack of blades I got with it.  I usually go 2-3 weeks between changing blades.  I've had a beard for about a year now and only use it to shave along my neck. 

[AlwaysLearningToSave]

Same here.  Sure there's a learning curve but it's not that hard to learn to use a safety razor.  Safety razors are a better shave for less money than cartridge razors.  Why would anyone who knows how to use a safety razor switch to cartridges?  My theory is that razor manufacturers used a masterful marketing campaign to reach young men when they first started shaving and hadn't experienced safety razor shaving.

This part is very true.  Not sure how they knew but I remember both my older brother and myself receiving (from Gillette) a Gillette Mach III razor in the mail around the time of our 16th birthdays.  I switched to a safety razor a couple years ago and am still on the 100 pack of blades I got with it.  I usually go 2-3 weeks between changing blades.  I've had a beard for about a year now and only use it to shave along my neck.

Come to think of it, I'm pretty sure did, too. 

A coworker recently converted to safety razor shaving as well.  I didn't convince him to do it, but when I found out I immediately fixed him up with some of the leftover blades from my sample pack to make sure he is converted for good. 

[SoccerLounge]

Fools!

I use the most Mustachian method of all: grow a beard!

Something's not quite right here, but I can't quite pin down what it is... ;)

[Dsteadma]

I need to pick one up for my husband. Anyone have a link to their favorite?

[Uturn]

I need to pick one up for my husband. Anyone have a link to their favorite?

I picked up a Van Der Hagen from Kroger for around $20.  Amazon has a 100 pack assorted manufacturer blades.  This worked well because some of the blades worked wonderfully, and others made me question the whole idea.  Now I know which ones to get when I run out. 

[SamIAm38]

Anybody try safety razors to shave their head?

[GuitarStv]

I need to pick one up for my husband. Anyone have a link to their favorite?

I use one of these Parker safety razors and have been happy with it.  The handle twists to open where the blade is stored, so it just takes a second to replace the blade.  Being heavier, I find that it slides very smoothly and doesn't snag or pull even when using a worn blade.

https://www.amazon.com/Parker-92R-Heavyweight-Safety-Razor/dp/B0067PSOO6

[Bumperpuff]

I break out the Feather blades from my initial blade sampler pack on special occasions when I want an extra-close shave.  But the shave is so good that whenever I use Feathers it just makes me want to make them my every day blade.  The logical side of me knows that the marginal increase in shave quality of Feather blades over Crystal blades is not worth the 333% higher price.  But the lingering anti-mustachian in me tries very hard to rationalize that Feather blades are still way less expensive than my old cartridge razor and therefore I should just buy the Feathers because its still a good deal.  After all, if someone facepunched me for buying the Feathers, they would probably just end up impressed by the quality of my shave...

I love Feather blades. I tried others, but I'd rather spend a little extra for Feather.  I only shave once or twice a week (I go for the 5 o'clock shadow look most of the time... they can just deal with it at work, otherwise, ER) so each blade lasts long enough that it takes me ages to go through a pack of 50 or 100.

Also it took me a couple times to realize that using a brush and some fancy shaving soap/cream was really just an annoying time waste compared to good ol' Barbasol.  One can of that stuff (particularly because of my shave frequency) lasts ages and works great.

Yeah... I shave daily during the work week.  I use one blade a week, so a 100 pack takes me about two years to get through.  I might break down and buy Feathers next time around.  Trouble is I'm only about half way through my 100 pack of Crystals, so "the next time around" is still about a year away...

I currently use a fancy shave soap and brush.  A $20 puck has lasted me 14 months so far.  I'm betting I can get at least another month out of it.  I'm debating whether I'll buy another one when the current one runs out or go back to barbasol.  Factor in shipping and shaving soap will be around $25 per year.  With barbasol less than $2 per can at the worst, I bet I would come out ahead with barbasol.  I kind of enjoy using the brush and soap, though.

Look around, you should be able to find shaving soap for a couple dollars a bar. I picked up a puck at Walmart for $2.50 that has lasted me a year.

If you don't have sensitive skin, you can also try using a bar soap like Dove. Most will foam up nicely with a brush.

[Crusader]

I am currently with the Dollar Shave Club. Not remotely as cheap but the razors are way easier to use, not expensive since I only get them every other month. Even after doing weeks of practice with fresh blades on my Safety razor I cannot do it as fast as the multi-blade and I still end up with at least one rather annoying and relatively heavy bleeding cut. I keep it around to shave with again every now and then, but only if I can spare the time and cuts.

[Doubleh]

Crusader, if you like the Dollar Shave Club razors you may want to know that they are mostly, if not all, rebadged Dorco razors. You can buy them directly from Dorco for about 1/3 the cost of using DSC.

That said if you're getting regular cuts from using a DE (safety) razor you're probably doing something pretty basic wrong. Have you watched any of the videos by Mantic59? Just search his name on youtube, they are excellent short tutorials and really helped me dial in my technique. Now it doesn't take me any longer to shave with a DE than it does with a mach 3 and the results are way better. Definitely recommend the effort to anyone, male or female, who shaves any part of their anatomy regularly.

For travelling you can take your razor handle - without any blades - in your carry on and just check your blades. Alternatively you can nearly always pick up blades wherever you go, or stick a couple in a regular postal envelope and mail them to wherever you will be staying. Another option that works surprisingly well are the yellow bic single blade disposable razors that cost pennies for a big bag. Many DE shavers use these for travelling, they are actually really decent once you have the technique for using a regular DE razor.

Lastly with Feather blades, I use these exclusively as I have stubble like wire wool. If you are getting good results with another blade then going to feather will likely only result in you spending extra cash, cutting yourself more and getting more razor burn with no real improvement. If however you find that even with good beard prep your blade keeps snagging on the hairs and you feel like you have to hack through them then you should probably give feather a try. My experience is that they are pretty much either no benefit to you, or the only blade you can comfortably use. Given how individual blade choice is I would heartily recommend a blade sampler pack which can be bought very reasonably from places like West Coast Shaving, e.g.:

http://www.westcoastshaving.com/DE-Blade-Sampler-Pack-Choice_p_20.html

Lastly good shaving soap gives a much better shave than canned cream and doesn't have to be expensive. Sure there's a whole rabbit hole you can go down, but even some of the fancy soaps cost maybe $10 a puck if you avoid the fancy wooden bowls, and last for months or even a year. If you want to be really frugal one of my all time favourite soaps is the Palmolive shave stick which costs 50p a stick here in the uk

[Crusader]

Crusader, if you like the Dollar Shave Club razors you may want to know that they are mostly, if not all, rebadged Dorco razors. You can buy them directly from Dorco for about 1/3 the cost of using DSC.

That said if you're getting regular cuts from using a DE (safety) razor you're probably doing something pretty basic wrong. Have you watched any of the videos by Mantic59? Just search his name on youtube, they are excellent short tutorials and really helped me dial in my technique. Now it doesn't take me any longer to shave with a DE than it does with a mach 3 and the results are way better. Definitely recommend the effort to anyone, male or female, who shaves any part of their anatomy regularly.

I know it is rebranded Dorco and I can buy much more of it for cheaper. I have considered going back to the safety razor I am not sure when. I do not want to have that many extra Dorco blades lying around if I decide to leave multi blades again. Overall it is better for me to do their least frequent plan than to buy in bulk. That way I can leave them very easily. I do not go through the blades that quickly and would probably benefit from a less frequent plan. I try to shave at least twice a week, but that fluctuates on time I want to put to it. 

Most videos I watched on shaving were from GeoFatBoy. Been a long time since I used a Safety Razor so a lot I tried to learn has kind of left my mind.

[Doubleh]

Fair enough, sounds like you're in a situation where paying extra for convenience may actually make sense although it's still worth doing the maths. If dorco blades direct cost 1/3 the price of dsc and you end up with half of them unused, you would still have spent less and have blades you can pass on to a friend even though psychologically it feels worse to have 'wasted' something you paid for.

Edited to add if you do try safety razor again I'd definitely recommend checking out mantic59. I enjoyed geofatboy's videos but mantics definitely did more to help me get the hang of it

[Crusader]

Fair enough, sounds like you're in a situation where paying extra for convenience may actually make sense although it's still worth doing the maths. If dorco blades direct cost 1/3 the price of dsc and you end up with half of them unused, you would still have spent less and have blades you can pass on to a friend even though psychologically it feels worse to have 'wasted' something you paid for.

Edited to add if you do try safety razor again I'd definitely recommend checking out mantic59. I enjoyed geofatboy's videos but mantics definitely did more to help me get the hang of it

I just checked the prices per blade of Dorco and DSC and it is not much savings. Granted I only checked with the Executive 6 bladed model. It might be cheaper with the 4x, but doubt I will switch to that. I save at most $.35 a razor. So buying 24+ blades for that savings per blade with for me at most 4 blades every two or three months is not worth it. Especially if it ties me down to that one blade model. Then there is storing those blades.