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Safety Razor
- Thread starter Yvon
- Start date
I also use a Merkur Slant, but have a selection of vintage Gillettes as well (and also some Gem single-edge and Schlick cartridge razors). You'll find that something like a Gillette Super Speed (mine is from 1960) is less aggressive. If you can find a Gillette Fat Boy adjustable at a reasonable price, they're adjustable from mild to aggressive.
I have a rather heavy beard, and the milder blades like Merkur and Derby, while enjoyed by others, don't work so well for me. I was using Feather blades for a while, which are wicked sharp, but also a bit harsh. I loved the old Gillette "Swedes" which are sadly extinct now, but the Gillette Silver Blue comes close, nicely sharp and smooth.
I tried a straight razor for a while, and it was interesting, but there's too much maintenance for me, with stropping and honing. The guys that are really into that spend more time than I was willing to give up just for the sake of shaving.
I've been using a safety razor for many years now and get a much better shave than I used to with multi-blade razors. I use a Merkur 34C with Derby blades and Taylor of Old Bond Street creme (sandalwood, avocado, or lemon and lime). I have a goatee and a light beard, so I use each blade for a week, so I'm not spending much at all for blades. The only bad thing is that you can't bring the blades on a plane.
mark beem
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I have a couple of their open comb razors and a silver tip brush. They’re very nice and a steal at the price.
As always, YMMV.
mark beem
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I really like the TOBS creams. The Avocado and Sandalwood are my favorites
Anybody use them? Yes
I also shave my head. Great
Do you cut yourself? Sometimes
is there models that better then the other? Yes.
After trying many and starting on the Futor I can say, if you like tinkering then get the Futor. If you want something that works every time, then DO NOT get the Futor!
The beginner recommended is Merkur 34C but after using that for many years and in the last year switching to the 37C I can say as long as you use a light touch, just get the 37C. It positions the blade at a slant much like a guillotine where it slices instead of a sharp blade just going head on with the hair like all the others.
So getting to the point here is all my recommendations after years and years of trial and error and finally got it right!
All of this you can find on Amazon.
After that I usually dispose the blade each time for IMHO they are so affordable why use it more than once. If you go on Badger and Blade you will find most people average anywhere from 3 uses to a month of uses on a single blade. So to each is own.
I also shave my head. Great
Do you cut yourself? Sometimes
is there models that better then the other? Yes.
After trying many and starting on the Futor I can say, if you like tinkering then get the Futor. If you want something that works every time, then DO NOT get the Futor!
The beginner recommended is Merkur 34C but after using that for many years and in the last year switching to the 37C I can say as long as you use a light touch, just get the 37C. It positions the blade at a slant much like a guillotine where it slices instead of a sharp blade just going head on with the hair like all the others.
So getting to the point here is all my recommendations after years and years of trial and error and finally got it right!
All of this you can find on Amazon.
- Shaving lotion: THROW AWAY all that can crap. Buy "Kiss My Face" shaving lotion.
- Get a Merkur 37C safety razor; I suggest the short handle for people make the mistake of gripping the long handle when it really just needs to be a light touch no extra pressure from you. Let the blade do all the work.
- Get a tin cup and a shaving brush
- Buy the yellow package "Feather" blades. Not the black ones.
- Fill the sink with "hot" water
- Before it gets too hot splash your face and get it wet with as hot as you can handle water but again when it comes to filling the sink use the hottest setting you have
- Put a small amount of the water in the tin cup
- Do a couple of squirts of "Kiss My Face" in the tin cup
- Dip the shaving brush in the hot water
- Really lather up the soap in the cup
- Generously apply it to your face
- Underneath the chin "only" go against the grain
- The other areas with the grain
- THEN...re-apply shaving lotion
- Again go against the grain under the chin
- Side-to-side from ear to chin for the rest of the face (side swipes not up swipes for that leads to problems)
After that I usually dispose the blade each time for IMHO they are so affordable why use it more than once. If you go on Badger and Blade you will find most people average anywhere from 3 uses to a month of uses on a single blade. So to each is own.
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Maybe. I use the cartridge razors for a lot longer than they’re meant to be used and don’t have any problems. On the days that I shave it’s usually at about 4 am so I prefer the speed and ease of the disposable cartridges. If I need to spend more than 90 seconds with a safety razor to do a proper job like you describe on the previous post, then I’m not interested.
Length of time to shave varies more on the person and their approach than the razor itself.
I wasn't always the safety razor user. Prior to that I bounced between electric razors and cartridge razors. Even with the best of the best cartridge razors past 3 days I so wanted to get a new cartridge but always made myself use it for 2 weeks for cost reasons only. As for electrical razors I never ever found one that shaves like a razor. Granted I still have one for the quick touch up but short of that far from my primary.
Mine are for $26. Depends on the blades you buy. For me it's Feather or nothing. I tried most of the others including the popular Derby and NOTHING shaves like a yellow packaged Feather.
mark beem
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Feather are good. They're my second choice if I can't find the Personna Medical Prep blades
I tried the Personna "Red" box and liked it at first but stopped liking them quickly and made the mistake of buying a 100. I tried to force myself to use them all but in the end I threw them away for life is too short and these things are far from expensive.
Never used their brand but did order from them. Merkur's been working well for me from day one, I never had a reason to leave them.
However there are the fanatics and collectors which you will find on Badger and Blade those, oh boy...you have to see it for yourself. I had to leave the forum for their view points just didn't jive with me.
mark beem
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I used the Reds for a long time until I got a Feather in a sampler pack. Started using those for a few years until I got a Medical Prep Personna blade. I've used only those for the past 5+ years.
In the end it's not about what's "best", it's about what's best for "you".
mark beem
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LOL! I used to post over there as well. Haven't been back in a LOOOONG time!
When people start getting banned from arguing over tallow-based vs. non tallow-based soaps, it's time to move on!
I started with a safety razor and have used about every kind of razor made. The newer ones are way too expensive and IMHO don't do as well as a safety or straight razor.
I used a straight razor for about 10 years, but gave it up for a safety razor. I love shaving with a straight razor, but it takes more time and it is difficult to keep a good edge on it. Well, for me is was difficult. I guess I never learned the proper technique for keeping it sharp.
I also use a wool fat soap I recently got for the first time. I was surprised at how much a good soap helps.
I used a straight razor for about 10 years, but gave it up for a safety razor. I love shaving with a straight razor, but it takes more time and it is difficult to keep a good edge on it. Well, for me is was difficult. I guess I never learned the proper technique for keeping it sharp.
I also use a wool fat soap I recently got for the first time. I was surprised at how much a good soap helps.
mark beem
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That's why I like using a slant, I get a straight-razor quality shave without the straight-razor hassle.
mark beem
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Merkur 37C - It twists the blade which offers a more aggressive & super-close shave
