Saving money with safety razors

[wetnose]

2 months ago, I started shaving with old timey safety razors and I really like them. Why?

A - they're economical because 100 blades only cost about $20. The razor itself about $20.
B - they don't irritate my skin as much since 5 blades are not scraping my skin at the same time - only 1.
C - Also, I use way less pressure since the blades are so sharp. Less pressure = no raw skin.
D - Because the blades are so cheap, I have no problems with tossing them after 5 uses. I used to stretch out my cartridges and it'd get worse for my skin.

I use an online vendor called italianbarber.com - they're based out of Toronto and have a good selection of merchandise. You could probably get started with $50 - $10 for the razor (Razorock Quick change DE), $10 for a synthetic brush, $15 for shave soap (Mitchell's wool fat soap - that stuff nearly lasts forever) and a blade sampler from tryablade.com. Popular blades: Gillette Silver Blue, Polsilver, Nacets, Feather and Astra SPs. Once you figure out which you like best (it's very subjective), get 100 of them from ebay.

There's quite a vibrant community online so there's a review for just about everything.

Here's a good intro video:

 

[wetnose]

Safety razors also work for females too - skin is skin after all. Only difference is that women prefer longer handles plus bigger brushes.

 

[wetnose]

Just like any pursuit, you could spend a lot more...

https://karveshaving.com/

https://www.blacklandrazors.com/blackbird/

https://www.barristerandmann.com/collections/classics

But seriously, just start with the basics. Get your technique and preferences down pat first. It's like driving a car - certainly don't get a M3 BMW as your first car.

Or you can go the opposite direction and get a pre-ww2 Gillette Fat Handle Tech. As long as it's in good condition, it'll work just as fine as a modern razor.

 

[nightswhisper]

The good thing about being Chinese is that shaving is cheap - I use about one Gillette razor every twelve months - sometimes even longer.

I would also recommend getting a trimmer to keep your stubble around rather than straight shave. If you shave after trimming your blades dull less often. You'll also get by without having to spend a bunch of time shaving as well.

 

[80watts]

Just up the price for buying bandages for all the cuts I would get with those old design safety razors.

These new 5 strand ones give me a smoother shave. With the old safety razors I would cut myself 5 times a week and I only shaved 5 times a week. Use to go to work with tissue on my face because of the cuts... I much prefer the new 5 strand ones despite the cost.

 

[sevenofnine]

ah whats the matter with you guys,
bandages,


you cut your self with one of those you put a piece of toilet paper on your chin and walk out the door like a man.



I have always shaved like that,
im a bleeder, so I actually shouldn't, but if I can anyone can, and only a sissy puts a bandage on his chin,

if you want to really go cheap, try a straight razor, a few barber shops offer a class when you buy the razor.

even shave my balls this way, not with a straight razor, more then one escort, has asked me how I shave down there they like it.

 

[Linden]

My 2 bits...................I submerge and store my blade cartridge in mineral oil or vodka when I finish shaving. They stay sharp a lot longer when they don't rust.

 

[wetnose]

ah whats the matter with you guys,
bandages,


you cut your self with one of those you put a piece of toilet paper on your chin and walk out the door like a man.



I have always shaved like that,
im a bleeder, so I actually shouldn't, but if I can anyone can, and only a sissy puts a bandage on his chin,

Get a styptic pen - it'll seal the cut a lot faster.

 

[take8easy]

My 2 bits...................I submerge my blade cartridge in mineral oil or vodka when I finish shaving. They stay sharp a lot longer when they don't rust.

I started to do that a while ago. I used to be on the bathroom floor and dip the razor in Vodka.. soon the result was, me dipping myself in vodka and the razor on the floor.

 

[80watts]

Did you use the sandpaper or the extra soft and velvety toilet paper? one sticks better to the face when cut.....

 

[johnsmit]

I use a 3 blades gelete disposable . Use them for about 2 or three months ,put it aside and use another one
Then go back to the old one again and it is sharpened up.
Have a five blade which I have used off and On for 2 yrs same blade .
It oxadizes,stainles does not rust , and it sharpens up the blade .

 

[nickcan]

What's wrong with you guys?

Spending $300-400/hour on a provider yet cheaping out for blades?
1-2 years with the same blade? Wow, I throw them out every month.

 

[badbadboy]

What's wrong with you guys?

Spending $300-400/hour on a provider yet cheaping out for blades?
1-2 years with the same blade? Wow, I throw them out every month.

Exactly.

Besides the 3 blade disposables rarely cut me. I think I spend about $60 a year on blades (only when on sale) or $5 a month.

* also, in his video, he shaved upwards from the neck towards the chin. This is a big no no unless ingrown hairs is something you want. Go with the grain and let the razor do it's job is the way a barbershop advised me. *

 

[torontolucky]

Exactly.

* also, in his video, he shaved upwards from the neck towards the chin. This is a big no no unless ingrown hairs is something you want. Go with the grain and let the razor do it's job is the way a barbershop advised me. *

A good aftershave can prevent ingrown hairs. Witch hazel toner applied after shaving cleans your skin to and allows you to shave against the grain for a much closer shave.

 

[westwoody]

Sale on Edge at Costco. Handle with blade, 4 packs of 5 blades, super cheap, less than a pack of Mach 5 blades.
Edge are absolute garbage. They are so dull they barely cut my hair.
Back to Mach 5 for me.

 

[UhOh]

Exactly.

Besides the 3 blade disposables rarely cut me. I think I spend about $60 a year on blades (only when on sale) or $5 a month.

* also, in his video, he shaved upwards from the neck towards the chin. This is a big no no unless ingrown hairs is something you want. Go with the grain and let the razor do it's job is the way a barbershop advised me. *

Shaving upwards from the neck is how I shave every time and never get ingrown hairs. I don't use any aftershave lotion. Maybe I'm doing it wrong but I've been doing it that way for a ling time.

 

[Riza]

I am so glad I made the investment in permanent laser hair removal lol.

I know when I was there they said they had a package for men if I wanted my SO to come in with me. They call it "balls and all"

The place I went all the technicians were very attractive tall with perfect bodies. Wonder how that would go with the balls and all treatment :twitch: I can't see why they couldn't do your face also and skip the razors for ever if you never planned on having any facial hair.