Used a safety razor

[flamingo25]

I used a safety razor for the first time today (I am a woman). I purchased it for $9 on eBay. I will never go back! I can't believe I was spending all that cash on crappy blades that gave me a sub-par shave and filled up the trash.

Anyone else go this route?

[EvenKeeled]

I'm a man and used to use one for a few years since the blades are so cheap. But I got tired of the time involved in the morning and bought an electric razor.

If I get a lady friend I'll go back to the safety razor (unless she really doesn't care about close shaves). And maybe in retirement, if the electric one give up the ghost, I might go back to the safety razor.

I found they take some practice and getting used to, and I still had the occasional nick. But, as you said, you sure can get a better shave!

[davisgang90]

Safety razor for the last 4 years.  I have a couple cheap Gillettes off ebay with Feather and Gillette Black blades.

Best shaves ever.  When I first started it took about 20 minutes to shave.  Now down to 5-10 and much more enjoyable than the high priced blades of today.

[GuitarStv]

About three years of safety razor usage here.  I like the shaves better, although it took me a few to get the hang of not cutting my face.  This has taken my yearly shaving bill down to under a dollar and reduced the amount of waste I produce from shaving products.

[Doubleh]

Yep i've been using a safety razor for the last couple of years, and more recently experimenting with a straight. While the straight is a real connoisseur's choice the basic DE safety razor is probably the best option for most people. Sure there is a learning curve compared to the latest 18 blade affair but its really not that difficult - after a couple of months I could shave just as quickly as with my mach 3, with better results, less irritation and at a fraction of the cost.

The wife grabbed my safety razor in desparation when she ran out of blades and raved about it, and hasn't looked back.

[lauren_knows]

Guy here. Been using a safety razor for maybe 4 years.  Better shave than a Mach3 for a tiny fraction of the price.  Love it and will never go back to those 5 blade monstrosities.

[pom]

I have been using one for two years now from the advice of someone on this site.

I just don't understand why I used disposables, that was very dumb.

[Datastache]

Took me a long time, but I finally figured out that shaving with a safety razor in the shower is the (only?) way I can consistently get a perfect shave. I can't remember the last time I cut myself, and I can get a very close shave without any irritation. I don't even use any shaving soap or cream, though I still have a tub and badger hair brush sitting unused in my closet from when I was still trying to figure out what worked for me. I don't change the blades very often, either...that fresh blade shave is certainly nice, but my face can handle the same blade for weeks or months on end, at least with some brands.

[Johnez]

Takes a while to get used to but extremely frugal. I would recommend going for quality over cheapness on your razor and blades. A bit of research goes a looooong way. Good shaving resources- badger and blade forum, mantic59 on YouTube and amazon.com reviews.

[VirginiaBob]

Never tried one, but am interested.  I tend to buy 4 packs of disposable razors per year (on sale $1.99 for 4 pack Bic with coupons) and 4 cans of shaving cream, easily under $20/yr, so not sure if the savings are worth chasing.  Would be interested though if it improved the quality of the shave.

[Left]

straight razor here, I have a safety one but just don't like how it handles but it's easy and I do it with eyes closed

[tarheeldan]

Guy. Safety razor (Merkur, with Personna Blue blades).

I shave during a hot shower using regular soap - I have a mirror in there - so time spent shaving is very minimal.

[Johnez]

Guy. Safety razor (Merkur, with Personna Blue blades).

I shave during a hot shower using regular soap - I have a mirror in there - so time spent shaving is very minimal.

My EXACT setup LOL.  Except I'm a pampered baby with my Proraso Extra Sensitive shaving soap. :+P

[Wadiman]

Have a Merkur as well and use it for first shave then go over again with a mach 3.  Merkur does the heavy lifting and the mach 3 allows me to get the whiskers that I can't seem to get close to the nose and immediately under my chin.  I've tried countless variations of techniques to make do with just the Merkur but with no success.  This way means that the Mach 3 cartridges last 3 months or so each.

Use japanese platinum coated blades for the Merkur - Feather brand.

Has anyone tried to sharpen disposable cartridges  - eg http://www.todayifoundout.com/index.php/2010/02/how-to-drastically-increase-the-life-of-your-shaver-razor-blade-cartridges-or-disposable-razors/ ??

[Renaissance man]

Been using cheap disposable razors for the past 10 years (Gillette II) and got a safety razor after my brother raved about them. Didn't like it much apart from the novelty and now only really use it when I pamper myself before special occasions like going out. At £1 for 5 blades and them not lasting as long as I had hoped for I've gone back to disposable razors but found even cheaper ones. 5 double bladed Tesco's own brand for 30p, they are certainly cheap enough and just as good as the Gillette II ones. 5 of these last me maybe 3 weeks whereas 5 blades for the safety razor would barely last this long and because of the additional hassle (agree, it's the closest shave).

[Zoe]

Got my husband one a couple years ago. Merkur I think, off Amazon. The handle and 2 (I think) packs of blades and we STILL have blades left. It does take getting used to and some blades are sharper than others. But, it gives a great shave! Definitely recommend!