I used to do the whole soap cup, brush (still miss the smell), the flip open razor. My "new" way that I've done for thirty years seems to work fine for me.
I used one way back when, before modern razors came out. Basically, if you get one, get a styptic pencil as well, because you will cut yourself. They work, but the modern multi-blade razors are so much better. And before you ask, the single blade razors of today are just a recycle of the original from what I see.
I use a cheap, disposable double-blade safety razor, and have for years. Less than $1 apiece and if you rinse them and dry them, they last a really long time. I think I’ve been using the same bag of them for the past decade.
I have no idea what a “shave den” is, and I don’t use a shaving soap or brush...just lather some hand soap, slop it on, and go.
Still love my Shave Secret over any gels or foams, maybe the best I ever got from Beck.
I use a shaving brush and have been using Arko Shaving Cream for years but I can't find it any more.....
After use, I put it in a cup of slightly soapy water.
Damned thing stays sharp for at least a week and up to a month ... depending on if you shave a mild beard every day or so, or wait until Saturday night before church.
6 blades !
Amazing technology and a great shave.
I use one, and love it.
https://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B00K6Z24SK
Edwin Jagger Double Edge Safety Razor, Knurled, Short Handle
Blades make a HUGE difference. I’ve tried Astra, Shark, Derby, a couple others that I forget, but are NOT part of the rotation because they don’t work for me.
Face prep and creme make a HUGE difference too. So does wetting the brush well in advance of use, like an hour. I wet the brush before I shower, and again just before putting the shaving creme to it.
After having whiskers wet for 5, 10 minutes (shower, do not dry face but dry body) I do a wipe with Shave Secret (which would probably work on its own), then Proraso creme applied from the brush.
I rinse the brush, shake it good, hang it upside down. It’s dry by the next time I could use a shave, two days later.
I like this system because it’s common for me to go a week between shaves, and the whiskers are long enough to clog the modern multiple blade systems (which work great for me too, but not near as close as the old fashioned safety razor).
Obviously some tricks and technique to the shaving itself. The only way to learn is to do. For me, short, low pressure strokes with the grain on first pass, against it for a second pass.
I use the Merkur 34c razor with Feather brand blades. Excellent shave. For those who DO use a double edge razor, you’re likely to get many different opinions on shave soaps, brushes, etc. I use Proraso soap and aftershave. Proraso is a classic and inexpensive.
Frankly, I love the shave from a DE razor. Even the silly 6-blade cartridge razors can’t compare. And, no, you won’t shred your face every time you use a DE razor. Ive shaved with one for years and rarely nicked myself.
Terry, in your ABOUT bio you mention Remington typewriters “with that ball thing.” That was actually an IBM Selectric that had a typing element (ball).
I use a double edge safety razor, as I have for half a century, or so. I started with an electric razor, but switched to a ‘double edge’ Stainless Steel when it failed. I shave after my daily shower, and the blades last for weeks. I used to buy Shick blades, which came in a small metal holder with storage for the used blades. I no longer have been able to find them anywhere, so I buy generic blades from eBay. They come in a smaller yet plastic box, in such large quantities that I forget the brand. I haven’t bought any for years.
When I retired, I bought a winter place in the South, so I had to buy a new blade holder. I got a plated solid brass one, which took a while to get used to compared with the cheap plastic one I have up North. That one has only lasted for forty years, or so. I’ll replace with a brass one when (if) it fails.
I use the $1.20 a bottle shave cream from Walmart, and go through a couple of bottles a year. I figure my total shaving costs run about five bucks a year.
I tried a double edge razor, and found it no smoother than the Gillette disposable multi-blades I used to use before they went too PC. They work just fine, and I imagine that any name brand blade will do the job, with the main question being longevity.
Harry’s is just as pro-homo as Gillette (donates from every sale), and copped a form letter attitude with me when I told them I didn’t appreciate it. So I went with Dollar Shave Club even though the shave isn’t as good.
I still have a stash of brown 1985 Gillette Microtracs twin-blades that I use for tight spaces. They don’t last the longest, but it gets in the tightest spaces, so Iuse them just for that, getting six months per shaver. Best disposable ever made.
Every man has different skin and preferences. Someone here even likes BICs! I have had better results using the edge of an old Visa card than a BIC.
After all that, my wife likes my face furry, so I sport a beard now, even though it is grey/white and adds years to my appearance.
I used to do the whole soap cup, brush (still miss the smell), the flip open razor. My "new" way that I've done for thirty years seems to work fine for me.
I have an old Gillette safety razor that belonged to my dad. I use Proraso preshave cream, and Feather brand blades. Those blades are unbelievable.
I alternate with an electric and throw-away plastic razors.
I have several safety razors. This morning was a combination of Art of Shaving Peppermint cream and Taylor of Old Bond Street soap. I whipped up the lather in a Milson & Louis bowl. I find the mix gives a perfect shave and it was. I usually recycle the lather but we have a house inspector coming in as we are moving to a more conservative area.
Any shaving blade will last at least twice, sometimes three times as long, if you get a jar and put three quarters of an inch of alcohol in it and store the razor with the blade under the surface of the alcohol. 91% isopropyl is better than 70%. But this stores the blade more or less oxygen free, and it prevents rust.
I've been using a Gillette Adjustable Slim for over 15 years. It is just like the one I remember my dad using when I was a kid. Bought it used on eBay. Based on the manufacturing code on the razor, it was manufactured the same quarter of the year that I was born (3rd quarter 1966) so my razor is just as old as I am. The adjustable feature allows you to vary the blade exposure making it less likely you will cut yourself. When I first got it I purchased a sampler pack of double edge blades and settled on the Personna Red Israeli blades as my favorite. I now purchase 100 blades on eBay for under $20. 100 blades last me around 2 years. Like others have mentioned I dry my blades after each use - the water where I live is very hard. I used can shaving cream. The brush/mug/soap thing seems like too much hassle to me.I have a Gillette double edge that was made the year of my birth. Works great with the Swedish Gillette blades or the Feather blades.
Here’s my setup.
Adjustable razor:
https://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B07Q1JNPRH/ref=ppx_yo_dt_b_search_asin_title?ie=UTF8&psc=1
Blades:
https://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B07Q1JNPRH/ref=ppx_yo_dt_b_search_asin_title?ie=UTF8&psc=1
However, my Cherokee/Apache blood doesn’t allow for me to shave often.
I suck at beards.
When I was in bootcamp, they said to not let my sideburns grow beyond my earlobes.
I was like, “What are sideburns?”
Gillette Fat Boy and a Schick Krona. Astra blades at this time but planning to try Personna Medical Prep blades next. Imperial Barber Glycerin soap and a Muhle silvertip fibre (synthetic) brush.
I have used several different multi-blade razors over the years and found that many of my beard follicles protrude above my skin.
This led to multiple scraps of toilet paper stuck to my face with nearly every shave.
So, eventually I resorted to an electric razor which I am sure saves me a good deal of money over a year’s time. No soap/shaving cream and no guessing when it is time to give up on a blade.
An electric razor last me a number of years and think I spend about half the time on a shave.