Vanity - Double edge razor questions!

[Terry L Smith]

Hi folks,

I extend to you good wishes from my dialysis chair.

I have questions about those classic designed double edge safety razors.

Who owns one? Which one do you have? Which company's blades work best for you?Do you have "a collection"? Lastly, are you one of those that have "a shave den"?

I figured I would put this topic forward, as a diversion from all the craziness of today.

Oh yes, you may include the other parts of "the shaving experience", i.e., brushes, creams, soaps, oils, bowls, mugs, scuttles.

[RoosterRedux]

I have a Merkur 34C which I use on occasions. Excellent heavy, stainless-steel German-made safety-razor.

I alternate with an electric and throw-away plastic razors.

[AppyPappy]

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.

[Attention Surplus Disorder]

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.

[HartleyMBaldwin]

I also have a Gillette safety razor that once belonged to my dad. I haven’t shaved since 1975, but I’ll bet it would work just as well as ever.

[eieio1]

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.

[shotgun]

I especially like the feature that allowed one to adjust the depth of the blade for those extra deep cuts on you throat or cheek.

[bubbacluck]

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.

[RandallFlagg]

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?”

[Rhodebeest]

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.

[Pontiac]

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.

[Romulus]

Ditto, including the soap, except that I shave in the shower. After using a disposable razor in an emergency thirty years ago, I threw away my double edged safety razor, and never looked back.

[Shamrock-DW]

I used the double edge blades for years. I was in the military so weight and bulk meant something. I only carried a a razor,couple of blades, a blade sharpener, a shaving brush, and whatever type bar soap I had.

When they came out with multi-blades, I found a blade sharpener for those too on Amazon. Now, 48 years later my shaving equipment is still a razor w/blade, brush and bar soap. I shave every day and only have to change blades about 4 times a year, if you sharpen them after every use. A 4-pack of Harry’s blades lasts me a year.

[Romulus]

Exactly. It can be a challenge finding good disposables without slime strip, so I buy in bulk and probably have enough to last me ten years. I tend to throw out the disposables after a couple of months, though tbh they hold up quite well.

In my old age I just don’t have time to make some big male ceremony out of shaving. Do the people who buy straight razors really use them? Seems hard to believe.

[brewer1516]

Yes. I use a silver-tip badger hair brush. There are synthetic badger-hair brushes, but I’ve not tried them.

[Delta 21]

https://www.westcoastshaving.com/

Used one for over the last decade. I use Feather blades.
They will last 4 or 5 shaves but I am just a one blade, one shave, chuck it in the trash and get a new one kinda guy and I spend about 45$ a YEAR on shaving supplies.

YMMV

[Delta 21]

If you need a mirror to shave with you are a pussy. Do it with your eyes closed and realize you have a crazy person with a razor to your throat. In the shower is the quickest and easiest.

They have this one on sale every now and then. Its heavy and adjustable.
https://www.westcoastshaving.com/collections/top-10-safety-razors/products/merkur-futur-safety-razor-matte-chrome

[Hot Tabasco]

Yes. I use a silver-tip badger hair brush.

I think mine is made from boars hair.......regardless, I think I've had it for at least 15 years.

[Hot Tabasco]

Where do you get your proraso soap? From what I've found on the internet, it appears to be quite expensive. Even so, I just ordered 3 tubes for $9.50 each.

I used to use Arko shaving cream which was made in Turkey and only cost about $3 per tube. Unfortunately I can't find it anymore and I'm down to my last tube.....

[spankalib]

I use this soap. It was earlier called the 'men's bar", but it seems they've changed it to 'brews':

https://tinyurl.com/yazu9ovu

I cut the corners and use it in a wide mug. It has a styptic-like ingredient in it too.

I shave every day, and 1 bar lasts @ 1 year.

[dainbramaged]

I started shaving at age 9 with a Bowie knife and still do.