Shaving my legs with a double-edged safety razor

[windawake]

I've heard about guys using double-edged safety razors as alternatives to the disposable kind, and I was fed up with spending $10 for 4 razor heads, it's a total rip off. Anyways it was a bit of an investment for the razor, brush (for lathering), and a stand (for drying them both) but those things should last forever and now I can spend like $10 for 100 razors. It's sweet.

Also! I have really sensitive skin and only running one blade across it made it much less irritated than three.

It takes longer to shave and I'm sure there's a learning curve, but I took it as an excuse to have a nice bath. These razors also works for other areas a lady might want to shave.

I got this one: http://www.amazon.com/Merkur-Model-180-Handled-Safety/dp/B000NL0T1G

[Exflyboy]

Sounds kinda kinky to me...:)

Frank

[davisgang90]

Welcome to DE shaving!  www.badgerandblade.com is a great forum for DE/Straight shaving.  Quite a few ladies on there saving bucks like you!

[beanlady]

I'll do you one better: I don't shave at all. :)

[prestojx]

I've heard about guys using double-edged safety razors as alternatives to the disposable kind, and I was fed up with spending $10 for 4 razor heads, it's a total rip off. Anyways it was a bit of an investment for the razor, brush (for lathering), and a stand (for drying them both) but those things should last forever and now I can spend like $10 for 100 razors. It's sweet.

Also! I have really sensitive skin and only running one blade across it made it much less irritated than three.

It takes longer to shave and I'm sure there's a learning curve, but I took it as an excuse to have a nice bath. These razors also works for other areas a lady might want to shave.

I got this one: http://www.amazon.com/Merkur-Model-180-Handled-Safety/dp/B000NL0T1G

I switched to a Merkur travel razor when I started to travel ultra-light. I really love it. I get just as good a shave with it as I did with my super expensive multiple blade razors. And after some trepidation, I found that I can Manscape with it as well!

BTW, I travel the world with it (and the blades) in my carry-on with no problems.

[Russ]

Nice! I occasionally use an old Gillette Tech on my dude legs and think it works much better than the cartridge razor I used to have. Much more comfortable and equally as fast once you get some practice.

FWIW I started off with a variety pack of blades and, despite their cheapness, Dorco blue blades are by far my favorite. Very smooth cutting, for less potential irritation.

[NinetyFour]

I'm with beanlady--I don't shave at all.  Anywhere.

[prestojx]

FWIW I started off with a variety pack of blades and, despite their cheapness, Dorco blue blades are by far my favorite. Very smooth cutting, for less potential irritation.

Thanks for the tip. I will give them a try!

[Mini-Mer]

Cool idea, and not one I've seen before!

Stupid question - is it still possible to shave in the shower or is the brush/cake soap/lather part essential with these?   I like the idea of ditching the plastic razors, but also like the simplicity of my usual routine.

[Russ]

I just lather up some regular bar soap in my hands in the shower. Brush/soap/lather is very slightly better irritation-wise IMO, but takes way longer.

No soap is definitely possible... I've heard some women do this on their legs etc., usually the same ones who use the same rusty old razor for a year... but I wouldn't. That's not because it's any different from a cartridge razor though, it's definitely possible, it just seems so... uncomfortable *shudder*. Guess I need to toughen up

[prestojx]

Cool idea, and not one I've seen before!

Stupid question - is it still possible to shave in the shower or is the brush/cake soap/lather part essential with these?   I like the idea of ditching the plastic razors, but also like the simplicity of my usual routine.

Yes - I shave in the shower with my Safety Razor, http://www.amazon.com/Merkur-Classic-Safety-Razor-Straight/dp/B002A8JO48. The whole brush and lather thing is nice, and I do it in the shower, but it is not essential.

[tariskat]

I have a few questions for the experienced -

- does it take a lot longer to shave than with a multi-bladed disposable?
- was there a big learning curve?  that is, did you find you cut yourself more often (or had to do it 2 or 3 times before you were good at it)?
- I've read in other threads where dudes (I think) were talking about using a real razor and saying they used far less pressure to shave, and just let the weight of the razor dragging down remove the hair.  Is this the case? I'm afraid of being too gung-ho and shredding my skin the first time out.
- do you buy a couple blades, and just sharpen them every few weeks? if yes, with a whetstone, or something else, like regular old stropping with leather?

[AlmostIndependent]

I have a few questions for the experienced -

- does it take a lot longer to shave than with a multi-bladed disposable?
- was there a big learning curve?  that is, did you find you cut yourself more often (or had to do it 2 or 3 times before you were good at it)?
- I've read in other threads where dudes (I think) were talking about using a real razor and saying they used far less pressure to shave, and just let the weight of the razor dragging down remove the hair.  Is this the case? I'm afraid of being too gung-ho and shredding my skin the first time out.
- do you buy a couple blades, and just sharpen them every few weeks? if yes, with a whetstone, or something else, like regular old stropping with leather?

-The first couple times took me a while. Maybe twice as long as with a cartridge. Now it takes me a little longer but not much.
-There is a learning curve, but it came at the expense of time, not my face. I take my time and find that I get cut less with the safety razor.
-I have a Merkur handle and find that the weight of the handle is just about the perfect amount of pressure.
-I have tried a couple different brands of blades, personally I like the Dorcos. Try a few and pick one you like.

This is the procedure I recommend:
1. Get a handle you like. I have the Merkur Model 38, I like it a lot. My handle came with Merkur blades and they were perfectly good to start with.
2. Get a mirror for your shower (not absolutely necessary, but makes learning a lot easier. I can shave without it now but I still use it at home)
3. Watch a couple YouTube videos about using your razor. They'll give you some basic info, once you understand the general technique it's just a matter of finding what works best for your face and beard.
4. Try out your new razor. Do it when you have plenty of time. The trick is to not rush.

[TomTX]

After hemming and hawing literally for years, I found a safety razor for $2.48 (shipped!) on Amazon. With good reviews! Darn low cost way to try this DE razor thing. I'm sure a Merkur or Feather will be better - at 10-20x the price.

http://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B0050HO9MI/ref=oh_details_o00_s00_i00?ie=UTF8&psc=1

[tariskat]

I have a few questions for the experienced -

- does it take a lot longer to shave than with a multi-bladed disposable?
- was there a big learning curve?  that is, did you find you cut yourself more often (or had to do it 2 or 3 times before you were good at it)?
- I've read in other threads where dudes (I think) were talking about using a real razor and saying they used far less pressure to shave, and just let the weight of the razor dragging down remove the hair.  Is this the case? I'm afraid of being too gung-ho and shredding my skin the first time out.
- do you buy a couple blades, and just sharpen them every few weeks? if yes, with a whetstone, or something else, like regular old stropping with leather?

-The first couple times took me a while. Maybe twice as long as with a cartridge. Now it takes me a little longer but not much.
-There is a learning curve, but it came at the expense of time, not my face. I take my time and find that I get cut less with the safety razor.
-I have a Merkur handle and find that the weight of the handle is just about the perfect amount of pressure.
-I have tried a couple different brands of blades, personally I like the Dorcos. Try a few and pick one you like.

This is the procedure I recommend:
1. Get a handle you like. I have the Merkur Model 38, I like it a lot. My handle came with Merkur blades and they were perfectly good to start with.
2. Get a mirror for your shower (not absolutely necessary, but makes learning a lot easier. I can shave without it now but I still use it at home)
3. Watch a couple YouTube videos about using your razor. They'll give you some basic info, once you understand the general technique it's just a matter of finding what works best for your face and beard.
4. Try out your new razor. Do it when you have plenty of time. The trick is to not rush.

Well, it won't come at the expense of my face - female here :)  But, it sounds like I should give it a try and give it extra time.  Seems legit to me... I'm also interested in hearing how the super cheap razor compares to the good German Merkur!

But, about the blades - do you just get new ones?

[windawake]

There are vintage DE blade sharpeners but I think most people replace them as they wear out since the blades are so cheap.

[Russ]

- does it take a lot longer to shave than with a multi-bladed disposable?
- was there a big learning curve?  that is, did you find you cut yourself more often (or had to do it 2 or 3 times before you were good at it)?
- I've read in other threads where dudes (I think) were talking about using a real razor and saying they used far less pressure to shave, and just let the weight of the razor dragging down remove the hair.  Is this the case? I'm afraid of being too gung-ho and shredding my skin the first time out.
- do you buy a couple blades, and just sharpen them every few weeks? if yes, with a whetstone, or something else, like regular old stropping with leather?

-not really
-this depends... with DE razors there are a lot of variables that can make it easier or harder to cut yourself. The big one is the blade itself. There are a zillion different brands and each one really is different in terms of sharpness (how easily it cuts, both hair and skin) and smoothness (how much irritation it causes, not sure why this isn't correlated directly to sharpness but it isn't). The most expensive blades (Feather for example) will usually be VERY sharp, which can make it easy to cut yourself. What I like about the Dorco blades is that they're very smooth (for me... a lot of this is YMMV) and mildly sharp, so they're comfortable and it's difficult to cut myself.
-see above. Less pressure pretty much always cuts the hair better and causes less irritation, but whether or not you'll shred yourself with more pressure kind of depends on your setup. My setup handles pressure no worse than the cartridge I used to have.
-at 7¢ each I just get new blades. I do have a strop & compound for my kitchen knives, so I might give that a try sometime just to see how it goes. I still wouldn't do it regularly though.

[AlmostIndependent]

Well, it won't come at the expense of my face - female here :)  But, it sounds like I should give it a try and give it extra time.  Seems legit to me... I'm also interested in hearing how the super cheap razor compares to the good German Merkur!

But, about the blades - do you just get new ones?

At $8 for 100 blades I just buy new ones.

I don't think the handle makes a whole lot of difference. It really just holds the blade at the proper angle. But then again I've only ever used the one handle so I can't really say for sure.

I think the technique will be a little different if you're trying to do your legs. I use a lot of short strokes, obviously that won't work very well on your legs. I would say try different things (soap, shaving cream, etc.) and just take your time. You'll figure out what works best for you. If you are patient it's really not hard to avoid cutting yourself. I had the same fear when I started and it turned out to be no big deal at all.

I'm curious to hear how it works out for you.

[AlmostIndependent]

Well, it won't come at the expense of my face - female here :)  But, it sounds like I should give it a try and give it extra time.  Seems legit to me... I'm also interested in hearing how the super cheap razor compares to the good German Merkur!

But, about the blades - do you just get new ones?

At $8 for 100 blades I just buy new ones.

I don't think the handle makes a whole lot of difference. It really just holds the blade at the proper angle. But then again I've only ever used the one handle so I can't really say for sure.

I think the technique will be a little different if you're trying to do your legs. I use a lot of short strokes, obviously that won't work very well on your legs. I would say try different things (soap, shaving cream, etc.) and just take your time. You'll figure out what works best for you. If you are patient it's really not hard to avoid cutting yourself. I had the same fear when I started and it turned out to be no big deal at all.

I'm curious to hear how it works out for you.