Shaving! I ditched the $$$$$ Cartridges!

[mfer]

Ed (aka Mr Jaws) wrote this post a while back.

Why are razor blades so expensive?

They are expensive!!!! So why and I paying for this?

I did tons of research and joined yet another forum. One for shaving enthusiasts if you can believe it or not. Got some good guys over there (haven't seen any ladies yet).

Before, I was just using this?



Got the job done, but wasn't enjoyable and as stated....$$$$$$$.

But today I got some mail!!!!



A nice gentleman, by the name of Marty, on that other forum offered me up a free razor. He also threw in some razors and a cream. I tried to give him something, but he didn't want anything. Just wanted another shaver I guess!



Marty recommended some other equipment for me. Being a newb and seeing how nice he was, I took his advice and ordered a brush and cream. Well, the guy I ordered from (Phil), knew I was a newb also and threw in some aftershave and other samples.

Group shot!


Did my first ever DE (double edge) shave tonight. I think I have some very good results for my first DE shave ever. It is going to take some getting used to, but with all the money I'm saving on the razors, I can get some really nice creams, aftershaves, etc and still be cheaper than the cartridges. I'm already loving the aftershave that Phil just tossed in.

So, if you guys are thinking about it, I recommend it and I've only had one shave. I did my upper lip perfect and it is smooth as a baby's bottom! I will say though, that it'll take some more skill than the cartridges, but I'm guessing it'll become easy in the weeks to come.

[R1@160@alltimes]

I saw this set up used in foreign countries. Never tried it myself, but that little brush makes helluva lather.

Let me know how it goes....I am also getting sick of paying $30 for a couple of carts

[brandxbrand]

Welcome to a better shave.

My barber suggested I try a safety blade as I used to get a heavy rash after every shave. Tried it and never looked back.

The brush really isn't essential. I've used mine probably twice.

Enjoy

[Zirotti]

Which forum? I am looking to do the same thing. I'd love to buy a "starter kit".

[Титан]

I use a straight razor, it works real good.

[brandxbrand]

Originally Posted by Zirotti

I am looking to do the same thing. I'd love to buy a "starter kit".

http://www.theartofshaving.com/shop/product/67003/11

I bought this 3 years ago - still going strong. It comes with 1 razor. Enough to last you 4 or 5 shaves. Re-fills can be bought from your hardware store for a couple bucks for 10.

[R1@160@alltimes]

Does it shave close?

[shandy]

Your face is going to love you for this! Just a pea sized amount of cream will be enough to make a huge amount of lather!

[R1@160@alltimes]

Originally Posted by shandy

Your face is going to love you for this! Just a pea sized amount of cream will be enough to make a huge amount of lather!

No excuse not to try it.

[mfer]

Originally Posted by Zirotti

Which forum? I am looking to do the same thing. I'd love to buy a "starter kit".

I joined www.shavemyface.com.

Good group of guys IMHO.

Bought my products from...
http://www.bullgooseshaving.net/index.html

The owner is an active member on the forum I mentioned above. I'd go for it!

[mfer]

Originally Posted by shandy

Your face is going to love you for this! Just a pea sized amount of cream will be enough to make a huge amount of lather!

So far so good Shady. It did later up pretty well. At first I thought it was uncomfortable, but now after the cool water and aftershave, my skin feels tight and smooth and no irritation at all. And, I'm not even good at this yet!

[mfer]

Originally Posted by R1@160@alltimes

Does it shave close?

I'm no expert yet. Supposedly this razor is a newb razor so I don't hack up my face (and I didn't). There are much more "aggressive" razors that will give you the closest shave you can get from what I've read.

[bobernet]

The next step is a straight razor. I haven't used a disposable cartridge in a decade. Straight or safety/DE is all I do. There are some terrific Israeli (Personna?) safety razor blades that you can get for about $25/100. I bought 200 about 5 or 6 years ago, and haven't yet made it through the first 100.

[shandy]

Originally Posted by mfer

So far so good Shady. It did later up pretty well. At first I thought it was uncomfortable, but now after the cool water and aftershave, my skin feels tight and smooth and no irritation at all. And, I'm not even good at this yet!

Well done. I found when I started nearly four years ago now it was no where near as bad as I imagined it would be. I honestly thought I would have cuts every where. It was amazing how soon I was shaving nearly as quickly as the other multi blade method. I use so few blades in a year compared to the multi and my skin has never felt better.
if you have seen these but I found them invaluable in re-learning the art of shaving, the guy is a genious!
http://www.youtube.com/user/mantic59

Oh yes. the cream you have is great, if you are out and about you might want to see if you can get some proraso green, it is a traditional Italian barbershop shaving cream. I use it all the time and love it, I think it is about $7 a tube and the tube lasts ages!

[DanP]

This is worthwhile seeing as my playoff beard wont last long being from Vancouver and all
Thanks

[walds11]

It's really not a money thing for me. Tried a DE last year. No patience to learn and even when you get good, the shave takes way longer than a cartridge shave. I get a great shave with the Mach3, badger brush and a good cream. Maybe I will try it again someday.

[walds11]

badgerandblade.com is a great forum.

Originally Posted by Zirotti

Which forum? I am looking to do the same thing. I'd love to buy a "starter kit".

[bewithabob]

i too ditched the cartridges.... the new method is it is remarkably fast.

[Latrodectus]

Great tips.Thank you...

[SteveMorris]

Been shaving this way after receiving what I first thought was a useless Company gift, now im hooked too! I don;'t use the brush, my wife stole it to wash her face, havent used it since!

[swissautopro]

Well ... I'm intrigued. My wife bought me one of those Gillette 4 blade deals, and the cartridges are pricey as hell! My granddad shaved with a double unti the day he died. Let us know how it works out. I may be switching up! I hate shaving anyway, and I really hate the expense of it.

[clew84]

Funny - I just went through this exercise as well. I ordered a Merkur double safety razor, some Derby blades, some Jack Black supreme shave cream, and a shave brush. I tried some of the other lathering shave creams like Castle Forbes, but didn't really care for them.

It does a very good job and I'm happy with the results so far. However, I will say that no matter how many times I shave, against the grain is definitely not for me. I will go with and across but never again against the grain on the neck. 2 passes is enough for me.

[swissautopro]

Originally Posted by clew84

Funny - I just went through this exercise as well. I ordered a Merkur double safety razor, some Derby blades, some Jack Black supreme shave cream, and a shave brush. I tried some of the other lathering shave creams like Castle Forbes, but didn't really care for them.

It does a very good job and I'm happy with the results so far. However, I will say that no matter how many times I shave, against the grain is definitely not for me. I will go with and across but never again against the grain on the neck. 2 passes is enough for me.

Against the grain is a bad idea, at least according to GQ.

[Mockingbird]

I think I'm gonna look into this!

[mailman]

Originally Posted by swissautopro

Against the grain is a bad idea, at least according to GQ.

Funny they wrote that Mike. My grandfather was a barber and told me that against the grain while trying to stretch your skin will give you the closest shave.

Like pulling down on your skin on your neck or puffing up your cheek. If you like, I can ak his opinion again


BTW, the best shave I ever had was a hot towel shave

[Rscmaine]

I am old enough to remember when the safety razor you show was state of the art.

Buy a styptic pencil (or better yet a case of 'em). You'll need 'em.

Those things were replaced for good reason.

[Watchdog]

Don't have an opinion but very interesting thread!

[Fox red lab]

Originally Posted by mailman

Funny they wrote that Mike. My grandfather was a barber and told me that against the grain while trying to stretch your skin will give you the closest shave.

Like pulling down on your skin on your neck or puffing up your cheek. If you like, I can ak his opinion again


BTW, the best shave I ever had was a hot towel shave

Shave with the grain frst, then re-lather then you can go against the grain.

[HL65]

Careful with that blade!!! Nothing like an old school shave!

[GradyPhilpott]

I use the Gillette Fusion Power and yes the cartridges are expensive as hell, but when you consider how long those cartridges can last, the price per cartridge drops precipitously.

Going back to shaving practices of fifty or more years ago might give one a sense of oneness with his beard and stretch the morning ritual to such an extent that rising in the morning a full twenty minutes extra just to luxuriously shave with primitive equipment might be desirable, but not for me.

I won't knock the shaving soap and brush routine, as this is the one part that has a kind of hedonistic appeal that might just overcome the lack of technological advances in shaving preparations that we now enjoy. You certainly can bathe each individual whisker in foam in a warm and fuzzy manner that can be achieved in no other way.

Let's start with my routine. It is important when shaving that your face be clean and that your beard be soft. Your face is cleanest and your beard is softest when you are in the shower and almost as much so just after your shower.

This is the time to shave. I choose to shave immediately after leaving the shower.

First, I splash my face with warm water and then I take a can of shaving gel, shake vigorously, and put a small amount in the palm of my hand and then make a foam of the gel with the other hand. I then rub the foam into my face in a circular motion to give maximum exposure to each whisker.

Then I take my razor, turn on the battery powered vibrator, run the blade under hot water and begin my shave. I am on my fourth month on one cartridge and I do believe that I can get at least two to four months more out of it, if I follow the simple procedures.

I finish by rinsing my face and apply witch hazel as an after shave. Witch hazel is a very affective after shave and a very good astringent. It really is great for the skin, while helping to heal the effects of shaving and preventing that itchy burning sensation that comes from shaving, without the oils and fragrances that are in dedicated after shaves.

Recently, I had to come home and shave quickly after having left the house without having done so. I used my four month old blade, but I did not take a shower first and let me tell you, that blade that gave me a perfect shave the day before, gave me the roughest shave I've had in a long time.

The next morning, following the usual preparatory methods, that same blade gave me a spectacular shave.

I almost never nick myself and when I do it's because of carelessness or a blemish.

The secret is in preparation, not in obsolete equipment and arcane rituals--clean face, soft whiskers, and state-of-the-art shaving equipment.

Give it a shot. It's worth it.