Double Edged Safety Razor

news : by Tommy — April 29th 2008, 12:54AM
newsThat's it. I've had all I can stand. Gillette Mach3 blades are to the point where they're losing me as a customer. The package at the store tonight said "Now in 5 pack!". Why are they giving me a 5th blade? Because they've raised the price to $11.25. (That over $2 per blade!)

Granted, I was totally out of blades at the moment so I bought them. I'm hoping they'll be my last for a long time because tonight I bit the bullet and shelled out $50 for a new "old-fashioned" safety razor (blades for this one are around $0.15 per blade).

Years ago Araolath told me he was wanting an old-fashioned razor and that I should check them out. So I've been partly interested in them off and on for quite a while now. I've just never had much reason to switch. Now I do.

They say it takes a while to get used to the new way of shaving and to just take it slow at first. Well, with summer upon us, I will have time to hide my soon-to-be-butchered face while I relearn shaving. My uneven "missed a spot" shaving pattern will also be worthy of staying home for. So what better time to start than summer?

I've been watching videos by this guy on YouTube, mantic, that has a good collection of shaving videos. He recommended a few different models of razors, various blades and techniques that are echoed on other howto sites. So if you're interested, yourself, check out some of his stuff for a good starting point.

Continued at "Double Edge Safety Razor" part 2 & part 3.

Comments

Tommy G. Apr 29, 2008 01:00
The old sales tactic of "give away the razor to sell the blades" has fallen apart on this customer. I just can't see paying $2.25 for a blade that, with my beard, will get ~2 good uses.

With these "traditional" razors, they just sell you the razor. You can buy any double-edged blade you wish to suit your liking. You're not "locked into" buying one company's blades, which encourages competition and will help keep prices down. I just got a "letter k" pack from westcoastshaving.com, so I'll find what blades I like best and use those for a while.
Paul K. Apr 29, 2008 08:44
Awesome! I'm curious to know how it goes. I've been thinking about the same thing. For me, the cost is annoying but bearable since I can go for around a month on each blade. What sold me was the few times I've been to a barber shop and had them shave me as well. What a difference! I'd love to get the same comfortable, close shave at home.
Cory D. Apr 29, 2008 09:08
www.theartofshaving.com
anonymous Apr 29, 2008 09:41
Alternately, you could just not shave.

It works out pretty well for me.

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g4m8i7
Corey T. Apr 29, 2008 12:07
I, too, am interested in this as I hate shelling out so much money for razor blades. I use Mach 3 and one blade lasts me a week but yeah, something has to give. Even the ladies razors are getting expensive.

The only downside is that I can't really spend the learning time you have over the summer because I go to work in an office every day. If you find something that works well and doesn't slice you like chicken at Benihana, let a brother know.
Tim L. Apr 29, 2008 15:52
I do a lot of shaving and I have tried many of the razors on the market. The best by far I found is the Gillette Sensor XL. Check it out. Of course, when I shave my head I use the HeadBlade www.headblade.com
Jeff G. May 01, 2008 23:56
What about electric?

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