Recently heard about online companies that deliver to your house fresh blades for a fraction of the rip off supermarket/chemist costs, also avoiding the irritation of not having a sharp blade around. Thought I'd give it a go. But while researching I came across a number of sites specialising in the old style safety razors, badger hair brushes etc. Now, as an old fogey I am naturally drawn to these things, and have certainly used them in the distant past. But so long ago that I can't remember if the results are any good. I think I am up for the lathering up ritual and the extra time it will take compared to scraping my face with these ludicrously over engineered 5 blade things in the shower. Anybody out there still use one? Views? One thing is, after the initial investment in the razor, the blades are cheap...... I have had the full cut throat shave by the barber experience a few times - overrated in my view, but that may have been down to the practitioners. My son recently made a fatal error - always used an electric razor, had a wet shave and now of course is deeply unsatisfied with the electric experience. I did warn him.
Hi Stan. I'm sporting around 7 days of stubble right now and contemplating keeping the dragged-through-the-hedge-backwards look again. I transported face fungus around for about a decade until it left my ugly mug and ran off with the previous Mrs Uber. I'm quite interested in this online company(s) to which you refer, though - do you have a link?
Old school (well, 1980s) designer stubble for me. Got an electric wet and dry shaver with a 'stubble-thing', which if it hasn't already been copyrighted as a name for it, I call dibs on. On the occasions I have had full on cut-throat shaves at the barbers, it gave me feelings of joy I really don't want to experience in the company of other men...
http://www.shavekit.com/pages/sign-up?gclid=CIzWu7_x6MMCFSzKtAod5QoAEA Just as an example, there are loads out there. I'm looking at http://www.traditionalshaving.co.uk for the more retro experience
Stan, I moved six months ago from the ludicrously expensive, five bladed, lubed stripped flexy plastic ugh! shavers and went back to Double Edged. I did quite a bit of research. I prefer a 6" to a 4" handle so invested in two Merkur DE safety razors. The 38C Barber Pole for home use and the 23 C long handled razor (which is lighter) for travel. Merkur is German engineering at its best and both these razors are brilliant. I already had a badger brush. I tried a number of razor blades and found that the Feather Hi-Stainless are the best (a little more expensive but they give a marvellous shave and last longer). I use Taylor of Bond Street shaving cream which gives a good lather. I wished I'd changed earlier. One further point. If you want something closer to the old cutthroat, you can look at the Merkur Slant Bar, so called because half of the protective bar falls away in a slant to leave the blade exposed. If you look on Amazon, you'll see it has a huge and enthusiastic following. I've tried one. Incredibly close shave but not a razor to use if you're in a hurry. I didn't really get on with it. You need an exceptionally smooth facial complexion or you'll be mopping up the odd graze which doesn't happen with my other razors.
always wet shave and use the traditional soap and badger hair shaving brush, but use the new blade heads rather than the old safety razors. Sometimes use the electric shaver to redue the stubble, but always wet shave afterwards - can't use them on their own
I think I'm going to have to try one of those razors Goldie and see how i get on. As you say, the price of the new razor heads are a joke.
I bought the Barber Pole from Shaving Shack and the rest through Amazon. Prices change constantly so obviously it's worth checking out the sites to see the best offer.
This brings back nice memories for me - as a young kid (with no facial hair) using one of the old brushes and bars of my Grandad's shaving kit and aimlessly scooping it off again while he did something purposeful with the same equipment. I'm a semi-luddite now - I spent a good few years with stubble (makes me look somewhere nearer my actual age) but the lovely lady insists that I shave once a week (threatenting to remove smoochie privileges). I wet shave but use an Aldi equivalent of an old mach 3. I'd agree with everyone that the old ones are better but I'd just end up with a face like a meatball. I think the modern shaving foams are superior but I do like that smell of the old shaving soap bars. As far as the new razors re concerned, they're up to 5 now and I just wonder where they could go from there. Hang on... no they couldn't could they?? Maybe... 6? Oh to be a product developer for the razor companies. Rambling and with no real input of use but thank you for bring back some memories of my dear old Grandad!
I think the plastic razor heads are really designed for youngsters who are learning the art of shaving, Tooting, or for those in a big hurry (or perhaps with a hangover!). They are a slightly more foolproof but the quality of the shave is inferior. And I've found that a good shaving cream is better than shaving soap. It's a lot quicker to get a decent lather and gives better skin protection.
Tried a cut throat shave in a barber a few times, generally good, but not as smooth as I like around the neck. I use a 5-bladed regular wet shaver, gives the best result with shaving gel as opposed to shaving cream/foam. For those like me that object to the ridiculous prices of blades, there is a blade cleaner/sharpener available that prolongs the life of the blade by about two times. http://www.amazon.co.uk/gp/aw/d/B004W2UMDW/ref=redir_mdp_mobile/279-8113501-4876138
Shaving?? It's a foot long, full beard for me........... so, possibly old school (circa 1970) Not sure why i posted really as it doesn't help you discussion....................sorry about that edit: I do have a shaved head to go with it though (courtesy of a 5 blade set up with shaving gel and then aftershave balm) so slightly relevant I guess!
Got into DE shaving big time recently. I now have 6 razors, 13 soaps and creams and 4 brushes. It's addictive! Great site/forum here for anybody contemplating the change. badgerandblade.com/vb/forum.php Getting fantastically close shaves now.
