Author Topic: Getting a close shave, on a budget - but with some luxury.  (Read 3313 times)

Eric222

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Getting a close shave, on a budget - but with some luxury.
« on: October 23, 2015, 10:02:38 AM »
I have to shave for work - plus I look awful with facial hair and it bothers me.  So I used to spend a ton on mach4 razors (I'm now aware there are cheaper disposables, but still).  One of the best things I've found is using a shavette to shave.  A friend pointed me to reddit.com/r/wicked_edge, which is great - as long as you don't get sucked into collecting a thousand razors.  Also, they have links to some excellent video tutorials.

For six months of quality shaving (approximately every other day), I've spent:
$23 for the shavette and 100 disposable blades
http://www.amazon.com/Parker-SRW-Stainless-Straight-Razor/dp/B00NBUFF74/ref=sr_1_5?ie=UTF8&qid=1445615506&sr=8-5&keywords=shavette+straight+razor

$17 for Sandalwood shaving cream
http://www.amazon.com/Taylor-Old-Bond-Street-Sandalwood/dp/B0007MW2ZW/ref=sr_1_1?ie=UTF8&qid=1445615580&sr=8-1&keywords=sandalwood+shaving+cream

$12 for a badger shaving brush
http://www.amazon.com/Escali-100%25-Badger-Shaving-Brush/dp/B003WR3QSG/ref=sr_1_fkmr1_1?ie=UTF8&qid=1445615637&sr=8-1-fkmr1&keywords=beaver+brush+shaving

$9 for post shave balm
http://www.amazon.com/Nivea-Men-Post-Shave-Balm/dp/B0014E2Q8K/ref=sr_1_1?ie=UTF8&qid=1445615755&sr=8-1&keywords=aftershave+nivea

Everything happened to last ~ 6 months.

Total for first six months:  $61
Total for every six months after:  ~$30  (Blades, shaving cream, shaving balm)

This is for my luxurious, relaxing shave that leaves my face smooth as silk. :)  I can spend $5 a month on this - especially considering the alternatives.




alexrcraig

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Re: Getting a close shave, on a budget - but with some luxury.
« Reply #1 on: October 23, 2015, 03:50:20 PM »
I either grow out my beard or use hair trimmers and rock the 5 o'clock shadow.

I am lucky though because I work from home. I am glad because I hated shaving all the time.

Good information. Thanks for providing them

tallen

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Re: Getting a close shave, on a budget - but with some luxury.
« Reply #2 on: October 23, 2015, 03:53:35 PM »
I shave my head too and would probably end up in the emergency room trying to shave my head with a straight razor. I use mach 3 blades and each one usually lasts at least a month, sometimes 2. I've had the same handle for years now and shave in the shower with a touch of soap instead of shaving cream. So my shaving costs are pretty minimal even though I use expensive blades because I replace them so infrequently. I've tried the cheap ones and I have to replace them frequently so it ends up costing more for a worse shave.

Tyson

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Re: Getting a close shave, on a budget - but with some luxury.
« Reply #3 on: October 25, 2015, 04:21:19 PM »
I shave my head too and would probably end up in the emergency room trying to shave my head with a straight razor. I use mach 3 blades and each one usually lasts at least a month, sometimes 2. I've had the same handle for years now and shave in the shower with a touch of soap instead of shaving cream. So my shaving costs are pretty minimal even though I use expensive blades because I replace them so infrequently. I've tried the cheap ones and I have to replace them frequently so it ends up costing more for a worse shave.

I have very sensitive skin and I have resorted to using the Mach 3 shaver with the vibrating handle.  Normally I don't buy into BS like this but I tried it and I'll be damned if it didn't work better!  The other cool thing I notices is that before, when I was using the "regular" Mach 3 blades, I'd have to change them after a couple of weeks or they'd start to cause major skin irritation.  With the "sensitive" Mach 3 blades, I can go for about 2 months between changes.  For me this has been a HUGE money saver. 

I used to do double edged safety razor for a few years, because the blades are so cheap, but I finally gave up because I got tired of nicking myself all the time.  No matter how skilled I became or how much time I took to shave, it never stopped slicing up my face.  So I'm really happy about the Mach 3 Sensitive cartridges I've been using lately. 

Eric222

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Re: Getting a close shave, on a budget - but with some luxury.
« Reply #4 on: October 25, 2015, 04:53:41 PM »
I must be one of the lucky ones. :)  My face appreciates the shavette more than any of the disposable razors I've tried.... so win, win.

skunkfunk

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Re: Getting a close shave, on a budget - but with some luxury.
« Reply #5 on: October 26, 2015, 01:27:52 PM »
Get a Omega boar or Omega S synthetic  brush - not available on amazon, it's at maggard though. Those are cheaper than crappy badger, even, and far better. I started with a silvertip badger and don't even use it anymore since those ones are so good. I've got a cheap merkur DE and a couple of old straight razors, I find myself reaching for the straights more often than not. Haven't tried a shavette.

I used to do double edged safety razor for a few years, because the blades are so cheap, but I finally gave up because I got tired of nicking myself all the time.  No matter how skilled I became or how much time I took to shave, it never stopped slicing up my face. 

I have read that you either love or hate the vibrating handles, it definitely works for some people. It's possible you didn't get the right blades for the DE, though. If anybody here is going to try it out, get a blade sampler pack. Some blades will nick the shit out of you and nobody can tell you which ones will do it on your face. If you're getting 2 months out of a mach 3 blade, though, it sounds like you've pretty much maxed out the savings. That's only 30-some dollars a year in blades.




Eric222

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Re: Getting a close shave, on a budget - but with some luxury.
« Reply #6 on: October 26, 2015, 02:18:46 PM »
Get a Omega boar or Omega S synthetic  brush - not available on amazon, it's at maggard though. Those are cheaper than crappy badger, even, and far better. I started with a silvertip badger and don't even use it anymore since those ones are so good. I've got a cheap merkur DE and a couple of old straight razors, I find myself reaching for the straights more often than not. Haven't tried a shavette.

Interesting.  I may have to look into it.  For now, the badger has served me pretty well - as long as I soak it first for a few minutes in water.

I like the shavette, as it is sort of in between a DE and a straight razor.  I don't think I'd keep a straight razor sharp enough, but with the shavette I can just replace the blade with every other shave.  I got lucky and found a set of blades I liked pretty quickly.

Tyson

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Re: Getting a close shave, on a budget - but with some luxury.
« Reply #7 on: October 27, 2015, 01:34:33 PM »

I have read that you either love or hate the vibrating handles, it definitely works for some people. It's possible you didn't get the right blades for the DE, though. If anybody here is going to try it out, get a blade sampler pack. Some blades will nick the shit out of you and nobody can tell you which ones will do it on your face. If you're getting 2 months out of a mach 3 blade, though, it sounds like you've pretty much maxed out the savings. That's only 30-some dollars a year in blades.

Yes, for me the Sensitive blade Mach 3 (vibrating) are a fast shave, never nicks or scrapes my skin up.  2 months is pretty standard for me.  You DO have to watch out for the batteries running down because if they get weak the shave gets worse, especially during the 2nd month of shaves.  Otherwise, I'm completely happy with them - fast, thorough, gentle, durable and easy.