Straight razors- worth it?
Considering buying a straight razor set and slowly transitioning to using that rather than my regular safety razor. For anybody who uses/knows about them, are straight razors really as much of a superior shave as they are claimed to be? If so, where is a good place to buy them/what is a good (and relatively cheap) starting point? Some of The Art Of Shaving razors/kits run into the hundreds of dollars...can't justify that right now.
There is no reason to if you already own a safety razor. Not worth the money for the same close shave.
Ok I might have misrepresented what I use...I just use a Gillette Fusion Power and I take it from your comment that that's not a legitimate safety razor?
Would you recommend switching to a safety razor or a straight razor? And which would you recommend?
Disclaimer: not a guy, but the one I'm attached to swears by straight razors. It honestly does create less nicks. Plus, in the long run honestly a lot cheaper than safety razors (unless you're using like, shitty safety razors and/or not disposing of them when their use period is over).
Thanks, would you happen to be able to recommend one?
Not worth it. I think it's just a scam to get you to waste time and money on "high end" shaving products. Unless you want to increase your shaving time by 10x and your budget by 5x, just stick with a normal razor. If you get nicks / bumps, don't shave against the grain. A fusion pro glide razor is infinitely better than a straight razor.
I'm leaning more towards a safety razor if they are better than the kind I use...not gonna have time to learn to use a straight razor effectively over the next few months (during my S.hemisphere IB SA) and no point buying if I just use my regular razor anyway. Although I've heard straight razors are great, that'll have to wait even if I want to do it. What about safety razors? Any better than regular ones? Definitely look cooler.
I made the jump to a safety razor about 6 months ago and haven't looked back. Much closer shave, no ingrown hairs, and you just feel more badass.
Best starter razor (the most common/cheapest/highest quality) is this one: http://www.amazon.com/Merkur-Model-180-Handled-Safety/dp/B000NL0T1G/
Just make sure you get a quality shaving soap, badger hair brush, and decent after shave. Each component really does make a difference when it comes to quality of shave.
Good luck and happy shaving
I have naturally curly hair so I've always suffered from ingrowns and dry/sensitive skin as well so switching to using a safety (the merkur) has done WONDERS for me .. I've bought the blade sample pack as well but still havent found one which is OOO AAA amazing above the rest
My personal regimen
be in the shower brushing teeth/washing body for 5 minutes and having the warm water soften up your hairs on your face
prep with a few dabs of Kiehls pre-shave oil rub African Black shave soap (or whatever you use) on your face Shave with the grain use cetaphil to cleanse bacteria and your face Apply lotion when youre out when your face is still moist to prevent ingrowns/dry irritation (I use the Kiehls anti shave bump one personally)
skin has never been better. and there is a HUGE difference between a pro glide and using a safety razor, especially if you have sensitive skin like I do... if youre blessed with well moisturized skin and normal oil production and straight hairs then it probably doesnt matter.
Sounds like exactly like my situation...I've long been considering making the jump but I think you just convinced me.
Get the safety razor, the Murker mentioned. Spend $100 on good shit now so you don't have to keep shelling out $30 for a pack of disposable razor heads every month.
I get my stuff from shavenation.com
If you want to learn,
http://www.youtube.com/user/geofatboy
I wanted to start using a straight razor and I joined some forum about it. Turns out, the forum was started by a 14 year old with little to no facial hair, so I killed that ship.
At the very least switch to legit shaving soap/cream.
Get a double edged razor
This. Lots of great advice in this thread. Check out Badger & Blade forums for more info but DE razors are good, along with the obligatory professional brush+cream.
That Merkur is great, just bought it a few months back. I think it's a much better shave than my old Mach 3. I'm definietly a DE shaving novice but I spent a good amount of time trying to find a good combination of affordable, quality products. In addition to the Merkur, here is my setup...
http://www.amazon.com/Parker-Safety-Razor-Bristle-Shaving/dp/B003LY2PG4
http://www.amazon.com/Derby-Extra-Double-Razor-Blades/dp/B00AGG3MZ8
http://www.amazon.com/Proraso-Shaving-Eucalyptus-Menthol-Formulation/dp…
As someone recommended, don't cheap out on the shaving brush. I had one that came out of some gift pack years ago and I took it with me on a trip one time...it was the most worthless thing ever. It couldn't build a lather and was horrible at applying the shaving cream. You may want to buy a stand for the razor as well. The brush in the link above comes with one, but it's rather junkie so I grabbed a decent razor/brush combo stand that looks really nice on the bathroom counter. I also picked up a travel case for the razor and a travel tube for the brush, somethings to consider if you intend to use it while traveling (see caveat below).
All-in-all, I think you get a better quality shave with the DE, for a fraction of the price. You can easily get more than one shave out of each blade if you wish, meaning the pack from the link above could last you the better part of a year, for just $15. If you think you can not misplace or lose the actual razor, you will swiftly make up the investment.
Lastly, let me caveat that, for me, it takes a bit longer to shave with a DE razor than the Machs/Turbos/Fusions of the world. Part of that might simply be me afraid of decapitating myself, but generally, I think you will be a bit more methodical about the shaving process with a DE. So, with that said, I would recommend keeping the Fusion as well, for a couple reasons. (1) You might just happen to find yourself in a rush and that Fusion can be whipped around your face without the severe consequences you might experience with the DE razor. (2) At this point, you can't travel on a plane with the DE blades...so clearly a problem if you aren't checking luggage (nearly found out the hard way).
Regards
anyone use alum blocks?
I actually use a crystal deodorant rock, which stops the blood flow from any cuts and disinfects the skin.
http://www.deodorantstones.com/order_products.html
I picked up the 'Mid-Size Oval Stone in a Basket' from Whole Foods for $5 or $6. The main downside is, if you drop it, it's probably going to shatter into 10,000 pieces...so maybe get the stick instead. Also, supposedly it is bad for metal, so you keep it in the little wicker-esque basket they sell with it and keep it a decent distance from your razor, etc.
Regards
In terms of quality of shave, straight razor > safety razor > cartridge razor.
I've used all three. The straight razor will give you the best shave, but it has a long learning curve and will chew up a lot of time per shave until you become good. As an analyst, I used the safety razor during the week and the straight razor on weekends if I had some time.
The safety razor is the way to go for most people. It costs less and gives a better shave. The only people against it haven't tried it or work for Gillette.
If you think it is more expensive to go safety over cartridge, see below:
http://www.electrogent.com/2012/10/cost-analysis-double-edge-vs-cartrid…
Like Waymon3x6, I also recommend fatboygeo's YouTube page.
Impressed by this thread. Electric saves so much time that unless your facial hair/skin needs a safety or double edged razor, its very hard to justify anything else (maybe keep a mach 3/fusion in your desk for all-nighters).
I'm convinced and am making the switch....help me decide between these kits please.
http://www.classicshaving.com/sets-kits/safety-razor-sets/classic-safet…
http://www.amazon.com/Baxter-of-California-Shaving-Kit/dp/B00F3J0WGA/re…
Leaning towards the first because I think it looks much better, unless the razor is inferior (doesn't seem to be a Merkur). Will I do fine with the former or should I get the latter?
@Nefarious:
thanks for that. I can't get a straight razor right now simply because I won't have the time to use it/master it during my upcoming IB SA stint but I'm definitely switching to a safety razor. See my earlier comment quoted below- can you comment on which kit would be a better starting point (or on which brush, shaving soap etc I should buy individually)? Kit would be nice because it's easy.
I don't think you need to spend that much for a kit starting out.
Head over to www.reddit.com/r/wicked_edge and read up on some info located in the sidebar. They even have specific kit suggestions in broken down price ranges.
Be careful OP, @Nefarious- may have something to say about this...
I made the switch to a safety awhile ago. Didn't feel ready for a straight razor, and even learning how to use a safety razor has taken me sometime (still get myself pretty good sometimes when I'm in a hurry), and getting the neck is a little tougher due to the angle.
Bottom line though, I actually think that it's cheaper to use a safety razor in the long run. Up front costs are pretty high, but once you get the basics, a 10 pack of blades costs like $8 and they last you way longer than a normal disposable razor pack.
Here is something I wrote for a post about shaving a while ago:
link: http://www.wallstreetoasis.com/forums/shaving-0
This might be in the running for "Non-Finance Related Comment of the Year." No joke.
I just slap on some foamy shaving cream and shave, using Gillette Fusion. Works just fine. I would imagine most people have slightly better things to do with their time than spending three hours shaving.
Straight Razor (Originally Posted: 09/13/2014)
Recently started using one. Love it.
Good article from artofmanliness on the subject (link inside post):
//www.youtube.com/embed/7ccdQe1FNWc
http://www.artofmanliness.com/2009/10/06/how-to-straight-razor-shave/
I don't get a close shave using those anymore (unless I shave with the grain, then across it, then against it) why is why I want to switch.
I guess that depends on what you consider 'close' and how worn out your blade is but personally I have no desire to make my face look as smooth as a baby's bottom. A slight amount of stubble/scruff is perfect.
+1, I use a DE safety razor as of last summer after using mach 3, quattro, fusion, etc for years. I love it.
on another note, when are you going to do a blog/AMA thread? I get the feeling you have a neat story.
I'm not going to lie, I initially got turned onto it after watching Skyfall. With that said, I think it's awesome despite all the fuck ups I had early on.
Not sure, I enjoy chiming in and sharing my thoughts on other threads and I'm not sure there is a whole lot for me to add if I did an AMA.
Haven't spent a dime on Gillette razors in 3 years, and only spent ~$10 in replacements using a straight razor.
Great website too for other manly things!
It is nice not having to buy those little fucking Gillette razors. Now if I hold one I feel like a massive pussy, I never thought of myself as vain but the notion does make me laugh a little bit.
I'd show the wife how to do it for me but I'm not sure I want to endure the nicks and cuts of her learning curve.
+1 on the safety razor, can't beat em!
I agree, don't let women with sharp objects in close
Started using a DE safety several years ago and never looked back. Get you a good brush/soap and makes it even better. I also use Art of Shaving pre-shave oil.
I use two feather blades per week.
Holy shit. Either you have a beard like Sasquatch or just like your blades to be brand spanking new. A feather will last me a month or so shaving once or twice per week....and I got a pack of 500 for $60 like 2 years ago. Never looked back since.
Can you use a safety razor with just standard shaving cream and nothing else? Or will your mug get too bloodied up
I prefer the art of shaving stuff. you'll get a couple nicks until you get used to it. not necessary to use pre shave oil but it makes the experience better
@"thebrofessor" @"Harbinger904" Sweet, thanks guys. I've been thinking about making the switch and I'll be looking into these!
I've used a straight razor for awhile, takes practice but its awesome.
Great thread, been meaning to make the switch for a while, just haven't done it yet for whatever reason. I really get tired of the irritation and redness I get from my Proglide, although I have to say that new Flex Ball handle helps a bit.
However, I also have very thick and very curly facial hair, so ingrown hairs are a constant worry. And I need multiple passes even with a fresh Proglide cartridge. After constantly reading rave reviews of straight razors, especially by people with my type of facial hair...I think it's time to try it.
My only issues is airplanes. I assume you can't put this in your carry-on?
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