For years, I've used those disposible plastic razors. You know: 1000 for $0.99 or something like that. They seemed to do the job well enough. But I've been fascinated lately by the community of shave geeks who urge a return to the shaving techniques of decades ago.

Experts generally agree the best shave comes from a straight razor in a very experienced, very steady, very brave hand.

The balls necessary for a straight razor notwithstanding (and I certainly don't have them ), a traditional double-edge safety razors seems the way to go. Made of hardy metal instead of plastic, they last forever and are, therefore, more eco-friendly and cost effective over the long term. Their replaceable blades are superior in quality to those of disposable razors and cartridge refills. And the craftsmanship of a good safety razor is just undeniable. This is hardware sometimes passed down generationally as heirlooms. Combine them with a high-quality badger brush, good wet-shave product and proper technique, and you can change the task of grooming into one of the most pleasurable experiences of your day or week!

So... What are you guys shaving with? Anyone currently using a double-edge safety razor in lieu of a cartridge or disposable razor? Any badasses out there actually using a straight razor?!?

I bought my bf a safety razor for Xmas 2 years ago and he loves it!

It really is a sound investment. Boxes of razor blades are quite cheap and the handle itself will last for years and years. He bought his dad one this year for Xmas.

I think he'd like to learn with a straight razor but is probably too hesitant as well.

mach 3 gillette thingie with the attachments that are like a million bones and last a lifetime. don't have to shave today.

I need good recommendation for razors,ones I use for my face

and not my body.

I never get a clean whole face shave.When it comes to manly things,Im way behind.

[Edited 2/9/13 9:07am]

I've been thinking of picking these up...

with a chrome badger brush like

or this Edwin Jagger set...

CarrieMpls said:

I bought my bf a safety razor for Xmas 2 years ago and he loves it!

It really is a sound investment. Boxes of razor blades are quite cheap and the handle itself will last for years and years. He bought his dad one this year for Xmas.

I think he'd like to learn with a straight razor but is probably too hesitant as well.

I think I'm years away from even going near a straight razor. Sweeney Todd did a number on me as a kid.

Did your BF have to re-train himself to use a safety razor? Most disposable units call for pressure, whereas safety razors often are weighted and can glide through new growth with virtually no help. This sometimes causes men to cut themselves until they learn not to press down.

purplepolitician said:

mach 3 gillette thingie with the attachments that are like a million bones and last a lifetime. don't have to shave today.

Cool. I've tried using mach 3 cartridges, but they give me razor bumps. I hear that's fairly common with multiple-blade razors as they lift hair and then cut it below the skin's surface. On guys with curly hair (like me), this can cause ingrown hairs.

Have you ever had a problem with this?

I use a Mach 4.

I'm trying to find a place that sells organic shaving lotion instead of the cheap petro-shaving creams you get in most stores. I have sensative skin, so the fewer chemicals I have on my skin, the better.

Lammastide said:

purplepolitician said:

mach 3 gillette thingie with the attachments that are like a million bones and last a lifetime. don't have to shave today.

Cool. I've tried using mach 3 cartridges, but they give me razor bumps. I hear that's fairly common with multiple-blade razors as they lift hair and then cut it below the skin's surface. On guys with curly hair (like me), this can cause ingrown hairs.

Have you ever had a problem with this?

i would wolf it all year, but my facial hair resembles my pubic hair and i have an image to maintain.

I use Schick Hydro. The razor itself I got free in the mail with one cartridge, and I liked how good it worked so I have continued to buy cartridges for it. With it I use Gillette Foamy Sensitive Skin, I've tried gels and hate them.

Interesting bit of info for those that don't know: Do you want your cartridges to last a really long time, like several months each? Then blowdry them after every use. Why? Because contrary to popular belief, it's not the razor-to-skin contact that dulls blades - MOISTURE dulls blades. Yeah it's a bit of a pain in the ass to dry the cartridge after every use, but considering how expensive they are I'd say it's well worth the time.

I won't do straight razors. A couple years ago an old-school Italian barber gave me a haircut and then used a blade to scrape the hair off the bottom of my head (top of my neck), it hurt like hell and later on I discovered that every time my neck came into contact with something (pillows, furniture, car seats) it left blood stains.

imago said:

I use a Mach 4.

I'm trying to find a place that sells organic shaving lotion instead of the cheap petro-shaving creams you get in most stores. I have sensative skin, so the fewer chemicals I have on my skin, the better.

My skin is pretty unforgiving, too.

My current go-to is an organic bay rum shave soap that I've found locally, but I've used Dr. Bronner's organic shave gels, and they're awesome. http://www.drbronner.com/...HAVING.htm

There must be health food and natural beauty supply shops near you. Otherwise, you could find a ton of stuff online, if you're willing to be bothered.

I moved from multi-blade cartridge razors to Double Edge razors about 3 years ago due to isatisfaction with the shave I was receiving. Also, the replacement cartridges have such a short shelf life in exchange for the high prices you pay for them. The two DE razors I bought were a Merkur Progressive Adjustable and Merkur Slant razor. The Adjustable is probably my favorite due to the fact you can dial in how aggressive you want your shave to be. The shaving technique isn't that hard to pick up. Just as long as you don't apply pressure, you won't do any damage to your face. While I loved the DE razors, I still wanted a better shave so I moved on to a straight razor.

I bought a traditional straight razor and a Feather Artist Club SS straight razor. The Feather was a more modern version of the straight razor that used disposable blades. This is actually a huge benefit to the Feather. The upkeep for a traditional straight razor can be time consuming. You have to strop the blade before(or after) each use. If you have improper stropping technique, you can really mess up the edge on your blade. Also, you have to keep the blade oiled to prevent rusting. Yearly, you will probably have to send the blade to a professional to be properly sharpened. If you dedicate some time to learning the sharpening technique, you can learn to do this yourself. I was getting pretty good shaves with straight razors, but the time it takes to shave meant this was a once a week habit. I wouldn't dare try to speed through a straight razor shave before work. I cut myself badly one time that made me fear this razor

I tend to fall back on my Merkur Progressive when I am pressed for time.

Feather Artist:

Merkur Adjustable:

Lammastide said:

imago said:

I use a Mach 4.

I'm trying to find a place that sells organic shaving lotion instead of the cheap petro-shaving creams you get in most stores. I have sensative skin, so the fewer chemicals I have on my skin, the better.

My skin is pretty unforgiving, too.

My current go-to is an organic bay rum shave soap that I've found locally, but I've used Dr. Bronner's organic shave gels, and they're awesome. http://www.drbronner.com/...HAVING.htm

There must be health food and natural beauty supply shops near you. Otherwise, you could find a ton of stuff online, if you're willing to be bothered.

Chile, there ARE organic stores here, but Asian men don't shave.

It's hard to find a size shoe over 10 inches, or ANYTHING dealing with shaving other than the crappy Gillete offerings. And don't get me started on condoms in this country--lawd they can choke a dick.

with a bowie knife and camel oil

imago said:

Lammastide said:

My skin is pretty unforgiving, too.

My current go-to is an organic bay rum shave soap that I've found locally, but I've used Dr. Bronner's organic shave gels, and they're awesome. http://www.drbronner.com/...HAVING.htm

There must be health food and natural beauty supply shops near you. Otherwise, you could find a ton of stuff online, if you're willing to be bothered.

Chile, there ARE organic stores here, but Asian men don't shave.

It's hard to find a size shoe over 10 inches, or ANYTHING dealing with shaving other than the crappy Gillete offerings. And don't get me started on condoms in this country--lawd they can choke a dick.

ST3 said:

I moved from multi-blade cartridge razors to Double Edge razors about 3 years ago due to isatisfaction with the shave I was receiving. Also, the replacement cartridges have such a short shelf life in exchange for the high prices you pay for them. The two DE razors I bought were a Merkur Progressive Adjustable and Merkur Slant razor. The Adjustable is probably my favorite due to the fact you can dial in how aggressive you want your shave to be. The shaving technique isn't that hard to pick up. Just as long as you don't apply pressure, you won't do any damage to your face. While I loved the DE razors, I still wanted a better shave so I moved on to a straight razor.

I bought a traditional straight razor and a Feather Artist Club SS straight razor. The Feather was a more modern version of the straight razor that used disposable blades. This is actually a huge benefit to the Feather. The upkeep for a traditional straight razor can be time consuming. You have to strop the blade before(or after) each use. If you have improper stropping technique, you can really mess up the edge on your blade. Also, you have to keep the blade oiled to prevent rusting. Yearly, you will probably have to send the blade to a professional to be properly sharpened. If you dedicate some time to learning the sharpening technique, you can learn to do this yourself. I was getting pretty good shaves with straight razors, but the time it takes to shave meant this was a once a week habit. I wouldn't dare try to speed through a straight razor shave before work. I cut myself badly one time that made me fear this razor

I tend to fall back on my Merkur Progressive when I am pressed for time.

Feather Artist:

Merkur Adjustable:

Wow. Gangster. I ain't ready for any iteration of a straight razor.

I've seen that adjustable Merkur, though, and while I like that you can customize the shave... I... I don't like the design.

I really like the Merkur 43C...

It's easily the heaviest safety razor Merkur offers, though, and I'm frankly a bit intimidated by it yet. I think I may start cheaper, lighter and move up.

I need to marry a man.

Gillette.

JoeTyler said:

with a bowie knife and camel oil

For the longest time I was completely satisfied with the Mach 3 (and the Mach 3 Turbo)

I don't see the need for more than 3 blades, and even though they've come out with 4 and 5 blades, I saw no need to change. It's an excellent razor.

Then I was at Target and they had the Proglide on sale - 5 blades...

Honestly, I don't see a big difference between the 3 blades and the 5 blades...HOWEVER...the Proglide has an additional blade on the back for trimming.

I'm sold. It's great for trimming the edges of my beard & stuff...it's wonderful!

PurpleJedi said:

For the longest time I was completely satisfied with the Mach 3 (and the Mach 3 Turbo)

I don't see the need for more than 3 blades, and even though they've come out with 4 and 5 blades, I saw no need to change. It's an excellent razor.

Then I was at Target and they had the Proglide on sale - 5 blades...

Honestly, I don't see a big difference between the 3 blades and the 5 blades...HOWEVER...the Proglide has an additional blade on the back for trimming.

I'm sold. It's great for trimming the edges of my beard & stuff...it's wonderful!

I'm glad the 5-blader works for you. It doesn't chew up your face, eh?

[Edited 2/9/13 13:35pm]

imago said:

I use Mach

.

[Edited 2/9/13 15:15pm]

PurpleJedi said:

For the longest time I was completely satisfied with Mach

Baby oil helps to keep the razor nice and sharp. I pour a bit of oil on my razors after I rinse them out.

I use the Venus razors... I'm a girl... but have shaved my guy with a straight razor, WITH the grain, not against. Facial mask and scalp massage after.

paintedlady said:

Baby oil helps to keep the razor nice and sharp. I pour a bit of oil on my razors after I rinse them out.

I use the Venus razors... I'm a girl... but have shaved my guy with a straight razor, WITH the grain, not against. Facial mask and scalp massage after.

Wow. I need to put my wife in touch with you!

Lammastide said:

paintedlady said:

Baby oil helps to keep the razor nice and sharp. I pour a bit of oil on my razors after I rinse them out.

I use the Venus razors... I'm a girl... but have shaved my guy with a straight razor, WITH the grain, not against. Facial mask and scalp massage after.

Wow. I need to put my wife in touch with you!

Have her practice with a balloon first, then her legs...

then when she has mastered that, she can do your face. The neck is the tricky part, but I am sure there are youtube vids that can help.

Now facemasks are GREAT. Nothing beats a scalp massage while lying on the couch ... you can lean your back against her belly.

Great de-stressing after a long day. You two can trade places and keep it PG and still intimate so any time in the day this can be done.

Its a good way to experiment with different oils and beauty products, body creams and types of foot and hand massage as well.

Mach said:

PurpleJedi said:

For the longest time I was completely satisfied with Mach