Shaving and expensive cartridges...

[JohnnyD]

I can't take it any more. 3 blades, 4 blades, 5 blades??? $3-4/blade and maybe 5 good shaves and 4-5 painful shaves per blade.

Electric Shavers? Not close enough and irritates my neck.

I'm thinking about going old school. Double-Edge Razor, blades that cost 50 cents each and a shave that's hopefully closer with less irritation. Something along these lines:


A few weeks ago, figured out how much I spend a year on cartridges and it's insane.

Any of you guys going the DE Razor route? Suggestions? Should I just pm Spence?
Also, anyone have a really old one they might be looking to get rid of?

[Redsoxticket]

Flea markets all the way.
I get 8 pack of Mach 3 for $12

The drugs stores are maybe $20 or so
Posted from my iPhone/Mobile device

[Raven]

soap ...especially Aloe Vera included in it (or cream) doesn't irritate skin

[Higgie]

Shave while your in the shower the extra steam opens your skin pores more causing less irritation.

[spence]

I'd not get sucked up into the marketing and look towards performance. The big companies are trying to justify a price premium for their most "advanced" razors, which may or may not actually deliver or simply may not be right for your skin.

Shaving after your shower is good, but a really nice shaving cream is just as important as a good razor.

That's not old school by the way, for that you need a straight razor and a strop

-spence

[BigBo]

Cartridges are quick and convenient, but it's true that a lot of it is all marketing.
I work for the big Razor Co. As I said, the cartridges are quick and convenient, but when I want a real shave, I use this. It really is the best way to go. Smooth as silk. No irritation at all. Just a couple swipes on the strop and a good quality shave cream or shave soap and you're good to go.

[BigFish]

Everything irritates my skin when I shave....except the Gillette Good News razor.....its all I use. Cheap and a great shave!! Disposable.

[striperman36]

Originally Posted by BigBo

Cartridges are quick and convenient, but it's true that a lot of it is all marketing.
I work for the big Razor Co. As I said, the cartridges are quick and convenient, but when I want a real shave, I use this. It really is the best way to go. Smooth as silk. No irritation at all. Just a couple swipes on the strop and a good quality shave cream or shave soap and you're good to go.

A good straight end and you only have to shave every other day.
I also made my own shaving brushes, a bar of shaving soap will last a year

[SurfCaster413]

I really enjoy my mach 3 turbo sent it to me as a gift when I turned 18 I get the replacement heads at ocean state job lots heck of a lot cheaper then any other store

[Nebe]

robertwilliams over on SOL makes the sickest straight razors you will ever see..

[Rob Rockcrawler]

Ive always wanted to try a strait razor. Are good ones still sold? I use the mach 3, any more blades than that and my skin gets really irritated.

[justplugit]

JD, I read where even though the new blades are stainless steel
they still get tiny pits in them if they are stored while still wet.
I found that hitting them with the blow dryer you get prolly twice
as many shaves from them.

[Redsoxticket]

I noticed that dabbing the blade in rubbing alcohol makes them last longer.
Posted from my iPhone/Mobile device

[ProfessorM]

I prefer the hobo look. A blade last me a long time as i don't shave too often. Working nites with the same ugly 3 guys is nice as none of us are fashionista's, plus when you do shave your wife thinks you look good since you looked like a bum all week.

[BigBo]

Originally Posted by Nebe

robertwilliams over on SOL makes the sickest straight razors you will ever see..

He made this one that I have. The guy is an incredible craftsman.

[justplugit]

Originally Posted by ProfessorM

I prefer the hobo look plus when you do shave your wife thinks you look good since you looked like a bum all week.

[The Dad Fisherman]

I threw my razor away January 13 1989 (the day I got out of the Navy) Ain't shaved since......saved a lot of money

[JohnnyD]

Called my girlfriend's dad who has never thrown away a possession of his (other people's stuff is a different story) and he found an old DE razor of his in 5 minutes. The man knows exactly where everything he's owned in the last 50 years is placed, even after moving twice in the last 3 years.

Just need to order some blades and the fun begins.


To the guys that mentioned dry blades lasting longer, I've heard the same. I *have* to shave in the shower at the very end or the whiskers are too tough, thus I keep my blades in the shower. Even brand new blades give a bit of irritation. We'll see how the DE razor goes.

[justplugit]

Ya, just don't try that with a straight razor.

[BigBo]

Originally Posted by justplugit

JD, I read where even though the new blades are stainless steel
they still get tiny pits in them if they are stored while still wet.
I found that hitting them with the blow dryer you get prolly twice
as many shaves from them.

They're the cheapest grade stainless steel available. It's the coating that's applied to the blade that makes them rust resistant. Otherwise they would rust before the consumer purchased them. Probably before they left the warehouse.

[Fly Rod]

Originally Posted by JohnnyD

I can't take it any more. 3 blades, 4 blades, 5 blades??? $3-4/blade and maybe 5 good shaves and 4-5 painful shaves per blade.

Electric Shavers? Not close enough and irritates my neck.

I'm thinking about going old school. Double-Edge Razor, blades that cost 50 cents each and a shave that's hopefully closer with less irritation. Something along these lines:


A few weeks ago, figured out how much I spend a year on cartridges and it's insane.

Any of you guys going the DE Razor route? Suggestions? Should I just pm Spence?
Also, anyone have a really old one they might be looking to get rid of?

I could understand just looking at your Avatar. Maybe a straight razor, just do not go from ear to ear.

[MakoMike]

I just use the disposables.

[Rockport24]

I read somewhere that it's the fact that the new blades actually cut UNDER the skin that cuases the irritation. Electric razors don't cut that close at all, therefore I avoid the irritation completely that way.

Probably why the straight edge works so well, you get close without getting under the skin.

[JohnnyD]

One thing I read about the irritation from the multi-blade cartridges comes down to lubrication. The cartridges are basically like taking multiple passes with a single blade but in one swipe due to their 3-5 blades and without being able to lubricate between swipes. Where as with a DE razor or straight razor, you lather up after each pass...

We'll see...

[Fly Rod]

I use them thar lubricated double blades, get at least ten shaves, no shaving cream, cost about five bucks for the ten blades and no irratation.

it must be that baby face of mine.

[JohnnyD]

Had my first shave with the double edged today. Intimidating. You really have to be careful and pay attention. Pretty tough getting a feel for the angle.

On the positives, only nicked myself a couple places on the neck. Also, not sure if I've every had this close of a shave before. The bulky cartridges always made it difficult for me to get a good shave on my upper-lip - now that area, along with the rest of my face is baby-bottom smooth.

[2na]

you shave?

[JohnnyD]

Originally Posted by 2na

you shave?

Haha... That really funny. Thinking about it, any time I've bumped into you, I've been on the Cape for at least 3-4 days. I'm usually wearing torn up jeans with boots and probably haven't showered for a few days.

Believe it or not, when I'm not on the Cape, I'm clean shaven with slacks and a dress shirt everyday (and sometimes a tie). There's something about crossing that bridge that puts me into fishing mode and I stop caring about my appearance.

[O.D. Mike]

"There's something about crossing that bridge that puts me into fishing mode and I stop caring about my appearance."[/QUOTE]

Spoken like a true fisherman!!!

[MrHunters]

all razors irritate the chit out of my skin.

I bought a decent electric razor but the trick is you have to keep up on it every day. If it gets a little bit long... OUCH!!

Then a quick once over with a straight edge razor and seems to be a good method.