Still Smarter

Saw this topic in the archive ........

A good friend of this forum posted 'Has anyone else got an Edwin Jagger Double edge safety razor'.

That started a discussion about all things razor like. Gillette disposables, blades types, razor types, heads, handles. We discussed £100 Japanese feathers etc etc and good blades that were just £5 for 100, the universe and everything razor.

I tried various, but gave up plastic and thoroughly enjoy my EJ with Derby blades.

So... I wonder... a few months on ....

How people were getting on - have they stuck with it?
For new members are you spending far to much on plastic razors?
Would like to be more planet friendly?

I've thought about a safety razor a few times - but I'm on my 35 year old gillette contour plus. I bought 40 packs of five razors about 10 years ago and I go through a pack of 5 razors about every 8 months (daily shaving) so I reckon these are going to last me till the undertaker is shaving me before putting me in my box...

Bought a cheap cut throat about 18months ago and unsuccessfully sharpened it which low and behold was possibly the worst and most painful shave of my life!

Proceeded then to buy a cut throat with disposable blades which when used with extreme care and more importantly sober gives a fantastic shave, truly second to none but only with the correct preparation of skin I.e pre warm water and shave oil followed by a good quality after shave balm. I only ever bother with this for special occasions as It takes me a while to do.

Conan

I shave erratically, in the summer maybe every couple of days.
This time of year, every week or so.
I wet shave, and an astringent lotion,i.e. after-shave, stops my face from reddening and looking bad, (worse! )
This is mole catching season, and the little feckers don't like any of my aftershave lotions, so I only shave during bad, not moling, weather.
Anyway, back to razors.
I use a Gillette Blue Two and a Wilkinson sword Extra Two, in tandem.
Plastic throw aways.
Either shaving frequency, they last about three weeks.
Somewhere, I have a fancy re-chargeable, waterproof, rotary, electric jobby bought at a good price years ago.
Never been used.
That was obviously not a sensible purchase, but not bought for own use.

Robert.

I use a bic very infrequently and don't care if I look like a vagrant. Most of my boat race is obscured by fuzz anyway. I shave the sides once a week and have a goatee going on most of the time. I will definitely not shell out for an overpriced EJ. I can't remember the last time I got my last pack of 10 bics single blade razors maybe 18 months ago. I think I might have only one left. £2 for 18 months is ok for me.

buffalobob wrote: Sat Mar 14, 2020 12:27 am I use a bic very infrequently and don't care if I look like a vagrant.....

You did make me smile.

I don't think they are that expensive if you consider its that only razor you need to buy, and the blades are sooooooooo cheap. The after sales service is brilliant too, they replaced my top plate for free after accidental damage.

I noticed years ago cheap plastic jobs burn your face more....

Been experimenting recently, cos I had 2 different Gillette models of different ages. Can't recall the name/number of the newest one but it's become hard as hell to find blades for the Mach 3 turbo (last lot came via eBay and China). Plus getting fed up with the sort of prices those thieving gits at Gillette charge.

First go was with a "butterfly" safety razor but after cutting myself on the first 4 shaves, it's clear I haven't got the knack for it, so stage 2 of the trials has been an introductory offer from "Harry's". It's a subscription model that you decide on how much and how often, but the trial set has been very successful IMO. I went for the 2 to 4 shaves a week offer, my first top up of blades arrived last week, which is 8 blades for either £14 or £16, so IRO £2 a blade, which seems to be a little over half price compared to the Gillette ones (latest model offered).

The Harry's kit doesn't have vibration handle or other such gimmicks, but seems to give a reasonably good shave.

I'm gonna stick with it to see how I continue to get on with it for a few more months.

Equally, while I don't have the time to learn how to drive a cut throat, I'm wondering if how to sharpen one is a skill worth learning etc as I too have heard and read of how it's supposed to be the best way (if not most dangerous ).......

Since my last post on this subject I went for the other option, not shaving. I've mostly been staying in anyway and when out I wear a mask and shades so that I don't get recognised and subsequently mobbed by my fans. Recently tho my OH has objected, saying that I look scruffy and resemble a rat looking through a lavatory brush so I went back to goatee. I haven't had to get any more bic's yet so my inner yorkshireman is happy.

On a daily basis I use a Mach 5. However, when I want a decent shave I use a Feather AS D2 with Feather blades.
It does take a bit of time compared to the Mach 5 - a bit of a ritual - but it is a much better shave.

I always use TOBS sandalwood soap with a badger brush, regardless of the razor.

myles wrote: Sat Nov 07, 2020 8:04 pm {snippage}

I always use TOBS sandalwood soap with a badger brush, regardless of the razor.

Ah, well I learned of Body Shop shaving cream about 30 years back (with a badger brush), but the sandalwood soap sounds good

I reckon that either of my usual disposables,'Gillette Blue Two and a Wilkinson Sword Extra Two' can't be beaten for a wet shave.
There is only so much bristle that you can shave off your face.
That which actually protrudes.
When you reach the skin, the job is done!
Just sayin'

Robert.

First go was with a "butterfly" safety razor but after cutting myself on the first 4 shaves, it's clear I haven't got the knack for it, so stage 2..

To perfectly honest you need to find the right combination of razor and blade.

I couldn't get on with the a feather really tried.
Yet an EJ head with Derby blades is superb. As a daily shave with Kings gel in the shower.

It also depends on the size of yours hands!

Still have a few assorted blades if you want to try....

I have a collection of straight razors , a mixture of vintage and new . These have been my daily shave for several years , it really is any easy way to shave and soon mastered . Certainly the most comfortable and closest shave you can get , time wise without any rush a 2 pass shave including stropping the razor , building up a brush full of lather applying it and cleaning / drying the razor post shave is done in under 15 minutes easily . Without doubt the cheapest way to shave as well , if you did want to get into straight razor shaving Kym Mathias at KM designs is doing a new honed GD66 razor , 3inch strop , brush and soap for £45 . That little lot bar buying some more soap will outlast your lifetime and your great grandson , try getting some over priced multi blade Gillette crap to last that long ! .

One of my collection

I have often wanted to try this but shyed away.
It might be to do with enjoying shaving in the shower.

Not sure how you keep it sharp enough, is stropping enough or they do need to be ground occasionally?

This is an interesting one, and I am posting without intending to be contentious.
Over my 60 odd years, I have tried tried all manner of removing hairs from my face.
Old style cut throats to whizzy electrics that work when wet,
These days I use disposable twin blades.
Any more than two blades do not get into the corners. On my face.
I use a tooth-pick to clean bristles from between the blades, and dry the razors on a radiator after use, oxidation is the reason for a stainless razor losing it's edge.

Closer shave?
No razor can shave closer than the skin surface, think about it.
You might shave some claggy skin surface off.
That is something else.
And bristles will have grown back before you finish breakfast.
But each to their own.

Robert.

I have become a "that's close enough" shaver sometimes.

These is a difference between "just shaved" and "babies bum smooth". About 5 mins and additional directions.

Oxidation can't be the only reason for a stainless razor losing it's edge. Surely it blunts by use too?
Do knifes suffer the same?

My bad use of words there.
Obviously use will dull any edge, in time.
Oxidation,aggravated by water will also do the same.

Robert.

So drying the edge is important then.... Hmmm

Or, as some users on a shaving forum that I once followed used to claim,simply drop the head of the razor into rubbing alcohol (Heads?) and store there until next use.
One guy there claimed to be using the same single blade after 10 years, keeping it honed by running it down the leg of a pair of denim jeans about 50 times.
I moved on.

Robert.

Yeah. I would have too.

Just read the last few posts that were new to me and was a little surprised to hear that there is such a thing as shaving forums. To me shaving is tedious, I can find no pleasure in it. It just keeps on coming back whatever you do. I'm wondering if electrolysis would halt the progress . I saw an advert ages ago for a gizmo that zapped the hair on a ladies upper lip area (and other area's too according to the ad) Maybe a couple of them wired up in series would do the job for me too eh. I might even be able to tidy up my mankini line for next summer.

Shaving is sure tedious.
I don't know how well electrolysis works.
My second ex-wife was going through a lengthy, full body treatment, at around the time we separated.
Although I still see her, time to time, it does not seem a fitting question to ask.
"So did it work, or are you still shaving?"

Robert.

There has to be something in the forum rules about any discussion of mankini lines.

On a serious note, hair removal cream does work. Every wonder why patients with long term & serious psychiatric disorders have no facial hair?

Cant be arsed with shaving. I always got spots and a rash, so grew a beard.
Now 50 years on its still there.
40 years ago I bought a set of Wahl trimmers as like they have in the barbers.
works a treat, and with a No3 foot on it does my head too.
They have paid for themselves many times over.
Although I agree a proper wet shave with a cut-throat razor is a thing of great joy.

Ele.

If hair removal cream dissolves the hair, what does it do to your skin?

Robert.