Safety Razor Shaving

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clayflingythingy

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I have worn a beard almost my entire adult life. This past July, due to a serious beard trimmer mishap :) , I shaved and have continued to shave.

I ended up purchasing a Merkur 34C razor, a badger brush, and Omega hard shaving cream, as well as an assortment of blades.

So far I have used Korean Dorco, Japanese Kai, and German Wilkinson Sword blades. The Dorco were good for 3 or 4 shaves, the Kai about 4, and the Wilkinson Sword about a week. I still have Merkur and Feather to try.

For my next blade order I am going to try Derby and Shark.

I suppose shaving with a safety razor is something of an affectation but it makes shaving fun at least.

Even if you have no desire to try a safety razor you owe it to yourself to try a brush and a hard shaving cream or soap. The Omega hard shaving cream is wonderful. I will never willing use goop from an aerosol can again.
 
When I was 5 my dad gave me his dad's razor mug brush and a bar of soap. I shaved more back then (without blades) then I do now. But when I do shave I still use his razor. In 40 years I think I am on my 20th bar of soap. I wonder how many cans of shaving cream I would have used?

That razor must 70 years old and still works great, why anybody would use a disposable is beyond me.
 
I've been using Personna hospital blades and they work best for my beard type (average, not too course or too fine). I bought 250 of them. Had also tried all the blades you mentioned and many others. I use an old vintage Gillete safety razor, badger brush and Mama Bears shaving soap.

I hate canned "shaving cream". Its nothing but dry chemicals and always left my skin irritated and raw. Going with a shaving soap and brush is the best thing I ever did.
 
Derby blades are probably the best I've tried, followed by Wilkinson. Problem is, the higher quality blades seem to only be found online. The blades I can find locally, when I can find them at all, are of poor quality.
My stepson gave me a quality "Edwin Jagger" brand razor, mug and brush, as a Fathers Day gift three years ago, and I love it! Really brings back memories of seeing my Dad shaving with a safety razor so many years ago.
 
Ok I'll bite. I use disposable razors and canned shaving cream. Where does one even buy these things? Bar soap? What does it look like? My dad had a beard as long as I can remember and thus never watched him shave.
 
I have a "small" collection of old razors (2 Schick Injector, 4 Gillette, a Schick krona, and a couple of others) and the best blades I have used are Feather and Voskhod for Gillette razors and Personna 74 for Injectors. I have 3 badger brushes 2 boar brushes and 4 mugs with various soaps. I use mostly Col. Conk soaps because they suit me and are relatively cheap. For razors, check flea markets and garage sales. Blades? there are several shaving forums and Amazon has some good deals. Sometimes. But if you shave, junk all this new, incredibly expensive, crap and get an old Gillette or Shick razor, a brush, a mug and some shaving soap. NOT bath soap. And, if you are having skin problems, like bumps and ingrown hair, that'll go away when you go back to the old ways.
 
"Canned" Shaving gel'
A suggestion for those of you with tender, sensitive skin; Try Gillette "Satin Care"; Yeah, it's a "Woman's" shaving gel, BUT it comes in several varieties including one for Dry Skin and one for Sensitive skin with Aloe Vera in it. I use it on my legs and it softens the hair and leaves the skin feeling moisturized. It DOES NOT have a strong scent.
I usually get some in the palm of my hand (it's a gel) and then added water to make a lather; rinse off the remaining bits of lather of "Bob's your Uncle" .
NONE of the other shaving gels worked and did as good of a job; especially those that dispensed AS a lather. Pure crap.
Okay so your face aint legs and you're a MALE; BUT a small investment is worth a try isn't it? Besides, IF you don't like it, hand it off to your wife and make your "brownie" points for the day.
 
Kevin said:
Ok I'll bite. I use disposable razors and canned shaving cream. Where does one even buy these things? Bar soap? What does it look like? My dad had a beard as long as I can remember and thus never watched him shave.
Click to expand...

http://www.royalshave.com/
 
I'm using a TRAC II that isn't available any more but the blades still are. Next time I need a razor I might have to go to a MACH 3. :D

http://gillette.com/en-us/products/razor-blades/replacement-razor-blades/tracii-razor-blades
 
I guess everyone is different. I have tried many of the newer style razors over the years, disposals, swivel heads, electric, etc.

I started as a young man in the middle 1940's with a straight razor, shaving mug, brush, strop, etc. I used it until I enlisted in the military in 1949.

At Lackland AFB in 1949 I was issued a safety razor that uses Gillette double edge blades, I believe they were called "Blue Blades" then. When I was returned from Korea in 1953 to the Army Hospital at Tacoma, WA I was issued another duplicate, just like the one issued at Lackland. I still have both.

Over the years when I was influenced by the various advertisements, I tried a number of newer ones. After a week or a few weeks, I always went back to using the ones that I kept from the military. The difference is that for years now I have used Gillette Stainless Blades that I purchase in the grocery stores where my wife shops. I don't know if "Blue Blades" are still made and sold.

I have seen exactly the model of razor that I use, again on sale now in the stores that sell the blades and it is even again advertised on TV again. The price of the new razor, exactly like the 1940's model is about $20 in the stores and it will last all your life. The double edge blades cost about $2.00 for a years' supply packaged in its dispenser.

I doubt that I will ever try any other razor since I have never found one in the past that is a better one.
 
I just recently switched to a budget brush, mug and shave soap. Best thing I've ever done. I still use a disposable razor, but I plan to switch to a safety razor soon enough. I get a much better shave, shave more often, and less razor irritation. I'll never go back.
 
Rancher Will said:
I guess everyone is different. I have tried many of the newer style razors over the years, disposals, swivel heads, electric, etc.

I started as a young man in the middle 1940's with a straight razor, shaving mug, brush, strop, etc. I used it until I enlisted in the military in 1949.

At Lackland AFB in 1949 I was issued a safety razor that uses Gillette double edge blades, I believe they were called "Blue Blades" then. When I was returned from Korea in 1953 to the Army Hospital at Tacoma, WA I was issued another duplicate, just like the one issued at Lackland. I still have both.

Over the years when I was influenced by the various advertisements, I tried a number of newer ones. After a week or a few weeks, I always went back to using the ones that I kept from the military. The difference is that for years now I have used Gillette Stainless Blades that I purchase in the grocery stores where my wife shops. I don't know if "Blue Blades" are still made and sold.

I have seen exactly the model of razor that I use, again on sale now in the stores that sell the blades and it is even again advertised on TV again. The price of the new razor, exactly like the 1940's model is about $20 in the stores and it will last all your life. The double edge blades cost about $2.00 for a years' supply packaged in its dispenser.

I doubt that I will ever try any other razor since I have never found one in the past that is a better one.
Click to expand...

Baldy from the Las Vegas Pawn shop has been advertising what appears to be a CHINESE ripoff of the old Gillette design on TV lately. Something like $19.95 (PLUS SHIPPING AND HANDLING of course!!) along with a years supply of blades If you cange every Two weeks or a month (I forget which)
 
I've been using wikinson sword blades for years. Best blades I've found for the money. Each blade lasts a week or so. Also use a badger brush and C.O. Bigelow shaving cream. It's made by Proraso for the US market. Someone asked about shaving their head with a DE razor. I've been doing it for years without an issue. Just take your time. I made the switch to DE razors because I got fed up with the cost of the cartridge razors. Last batch of blades cost me $16 for 100 blades. That will last me and my wife a year or so. Add the cost of shaving cream, $16 a tube and a tube last me 8-9 months, I cut my cost of shaving to about 10% of what it was before
 
clayflingythingy said:
I have worn a beard almost my entire adult life. This past July, due to a serious beard trimmer mishap :) , I shaved and have continued to shave.

I ended up purchasing a Merkur 34C razor, a badger brush, and Omega hard shaving cream, as well as an assortment of blades.

So far I have used Korean Dorco, Japanese Kai, and German Wilkinson Sword blades. The Dorco were good for 3 or 4 shaves, the Kai about 4, and the Wilkinson Sword about a week. I still have Merkur and Feather to try.

For my next blade order I am going to try Derby and Shark.

I suppose shaving with a safety razor is something of an affectation but it makes shaving fun at least.

Even if you have no desire to try a safety razor you owe it to yourself to try a brush and a hard shaving cream or soap. The Omega hard shaving cream is wonderful. I will never willing use goop from an aerosol can again.
Click to expand...

A man after my own heart!

It's that time of year now when the house is still cool early in the morning on Sunday. I go into the bathroom, steam up the room with running hot water, lather up and leisurely shave. Then hot coffee and the Sunday paper while Nita fixes breakfast, then dress for Sunday School and Church. It don't get much better than that!


Bob Wright
 
When I first started shaving my Dad gave me one of his old safety razors. I have tried electric shavers, used the Trac II & Atra type blades & wound up coming back to the safety razor. Maybe I should try some higher quality blades (I usually buy mine at the dollar store in a little pack that is 5 for a dollar. It just doesn't make sense to me to spend $10 (or whatever they are charging now) for a 3 pack or cartridges for the latest greatest razor.

About the only place I can find brushes & shaving soap around here is CVS drug stores. They usually have the old Williams shaving soap. I don't recall what brand of brush they sell. I bought the shaving mug I use when I was 16 from a Richway store. I was working for them in their distribution center at the time. Of course they have been out of business for a long time now.
 
I've used this place with very good luck.
http://www.italianbarber.com/sampler-packs
Their sampler packs will give you a number of good blades to try. They also offer quite a selection of soaps, creams and scents. The shipping has been reasonable and fast.
My wife bought me a Merkur "1904" Classic Safe...Open #41 two years ago, to replace my old "issue" Gillette. What a change!
You might also enjoy this site...
http://badgerandblade.com/
 
It is strange. Since I went to using a safety razor and brush, I almost enjoy shaving now. I am currently using Shark blades but I think I prefer Derby.
 
I still use the " Safety Razor " The one if you turn it upside down, and open it up, it looks like Bomb bay doors from a B-17 or B-25 :lol: ...........................
 
I haven't shaved in 30+ years now and I'm not going to start. But when I did shave, I started with an electric razor. It sucked so I switched to an ejector razor, much better. One time I got a trac II given to me and I never looked back. Yes I used canned shaving creams back in the day until I found dads Old Spice shaving mug and brush. Once I tried that, I was hooked. I even found and bought a new Old Spice mug and soap and brush that I'd carry when I was traveling, so I wouldn't have to take a chance that the airlines wouldn't break my dad's old one.
 
Colonialgirl said:
Baldy from the Las Vegas Pawn shop has been advertising what appears to be a CHINESE ripoff of the old Gillette design on TV lately. Something like $19.95 (PLUS SHIPPING AND HANDLING of course!!) along with a years supply of blades If you cange every Two weeks or a month (I forget which)
Click to expand...

I don't think I'd buy anything that snake would peddle.
 
Gee,, for me,,, this post is a non issue. In November, 1979,,, I was discharged from the Army. A few days later I lost my razor. My beard grew, and I haven't found my razor yet! :D :D

Seriously,,,, I do trim my beard occasionally, but my chin hasn't been clean shaven since 1979. I do trim up the edges of my beard with an old Trac II. On pack of 8 blades has been known to last me 3 years or more. And I just "dry shave" the edges after a shower. Miss Penny tried my Trac II & prefers it on her legs & such to the crap advertised for the ladies.
 
contender said:
Gee,, for me,,, this post is a non issue. In November, 1979,,, I was discharged from the Army. A few days later I lost my razor. My beard grew, and I haven't found my razor yet! :D :D
Click to expand...

I will be 50 in January. Except for a couple of occasions that didn't last very long I had worn a beard since high school. After the major beard trimmer malfunction I just kept shaving.

My beard had started bothering me anyway. I kept it trimmed short. Long and scraggly like I used to wear it would drive me nuts now.
 
[/quote]

Baldy from the Las Vegas Pawn shop has been advertising what appears to be a CHINESE ripoff of the old Gillette design on TV lately. Something like $19.95 (PLUS SHIPPING AND HANDLING of course!!) along with a years supply of blades If you cange every Two weeks or a month (I forget which)[/quote]


"BUT WAIT......THERE'S MORE!! Order in the next 37 seconds and we'll double your order...........Plus shipping and handling (of course)"

I retired a couple years ago, intended to anyway but my missus said she really wished I would grow a beard. Spent 35 1/2 years at that place and was required to shave. Ain't shaved since, and don't ever intend to. I do trim the edges tho with a close trimmer without the guard.
One happy, hairy faced, hillbilly! :mrgreen:
 
Poco Oso said:
I've used this place with very good luck.
http://www.italianbarber.com/sampler-packs
Their sampler packs will give you a number of good blades to try. They also offer quite a selection of soaps, creams and scents. The shipping has been reasonable and fast.
My wife bought me a Merkur "1904" Classic Safe...Open #41 two years ago, to replace my old "issue" Gillette. What a change!
You might also enjoy this site...
http://badgerandblade.com/
Click to expand...
Very interesting. The cost of cartridge blades is really high. ANy of these you would recommend as a starter kit?

http://www.italianbarber.com/25-kits-under-25

I could buy that for the cost of replacement blades.
 
Again, I'm an advocate for the modern competition.

My Dad always used a safety razor, and he often had a cut up face. When it was my turn to start shaving, a safety razor was not yet a novelty of the dark ages, so I also learned to cut up my face with one.

When I joined the Army, seems the only choice I remember from the reception station PX was an injector razor, and it was great. Used them for many years.

Then came along the disposables. Not as good as the injector razor, but very convenient. If I shaved every day, they worked pretty well. If I missed a couple days between shaves, I struggled with them.

Now, enter the Gillette Fusion. Either in its refillable version, or its disposable version. For me, the best razor ever.

I know everybody's face and whisker growth is different, but for me I could not ever take that step backwards to the medieval safety razor. :mrgreen:

WAYNO.
 
I use Derby blades, and they work for me. But that is what came with my Edwin Jagger razor. I bought a hundred pack of Derby blades when I bought the razor.
I may buy the combo assortment when I run out of the Derby.......in about a year and a half from now. :D
It is hard to beat a cent per blade.
I have tried different soaps and I prefer the glycerin soaps. My favorite is Kelly's Bay Rum. A close second is Colonel
Conks Amber. Conks Lime is good also.

Try www.smallflower.com. They have a big selection, ( thats where I get the kellys bay rum,and if you like bay rum, they have a bay rum soap from the Virgian Islands that is a perfect scent match for the Kellys)
Also www.shavenation.com.,
 
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