Safety razors

ChrisH said:
have recently gone over the Feather blades which are much sharper and give a smoother shave.

Feather blades work out at £0.60p a blade and I get about 6 great shaves and maybe 2 acceptable.
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Not that you need to save money on that price, but Feather are about half that price on eBay :)

SsSsSsSsSnake said:
I’m a barber that doesn’t offer shaves any more(I dislike doing them],your post reminded of my apprenticeship days strop strop hone hone ,bloody hell another burst balloon:D
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Also, as much as the "grooming" mags say "treat yourself" I bet most men aren't prepared to pay the price you would need to charge to make shaving pay.
 
JonathanRyan said:
Not that you need to save money on that price, but Feather are about half that price on eBay :)



Also, as much as the "grooming" mags say "treat yourself" I bet most men aren't prepared to pay the price you would need to charge to make shaving pay.
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That’s true Johnathan from my point of view at least.but it doesn’t stop the Turks Iranians Indians who do provide the service though.i don’t know how hygienic some of these places are,some probably very good ,but I would hate to get nicked by a not so hygienic shop
 
Well decide to go with a DE safety razor and bought the Edwin Jagger Amazon exclusive for £20 with 5 derby blades, which was about as much as I wanted to spend for now. Used it for the first time yesterday and was very impressed at the closeness of the shave. Even shaving my head was a breeze.
 
jakeblu said:
5 derby blades...and was very impressed at the closeness of the shave....
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Derby blades are quite "safe" for beginners. However, there are other blades which are sharper and give an even closer shave. They're best saved for once you've gained proficiency in shaving with a DE razor.
 
Really tempted to ditch my Gillette Fusion power razor and get a safety razor after reading this thread. Where would people recommend to buy from and what sort of price would a beginner kit be? Also what about handle length noticed you get regular and long ones.
 
I would go for an Edwin Jagger or Muhle razor about £30 - £35
Get yourself a Badger brush which is the best type or a Bristle brush which will be pig bristle About £20 and £18 respectively.
Some shave soap, something like Taylors of old bond street sensitive £8 - £10 a tub.
An old cup to create lather in.

Go for a long handles razor, they give better control of the angle of cut.

Go Watch GEOFATBOY on Youtube, watch loads of his DE videos its well worth it.

Remember you will nick yourself when you first start but don't worry when you get the hang of it you'll never go back.

Get an Album block for nicks, it's like a styptic pencil but a bloody site cheaper.

After 3 quick passes with a DE shave your face will be as smooth as a baby butt with no ingrown hairs and no razor burn.
 
ian-83 said:
Really tempted to ditch my Gillette Fusion power razor and get a safety razor after reading this thread. Where would people recommend to buy from and what sort of price would a beginner kit be?
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I've been looking into this :) The answer is surprisingly little. You could buy a Gillete 7 o'clock Sterling razor on the 'bay with 11 blades for about a fiver - delivered. Get a tube of Proraso and lather by hand and you've got 2- 3 months' shaves for a tenner.

On the other hand, you could go for "blow the budget" luxury.

1. Razor: a top quality razor will cost £35 - £50 unless you want something exotic or like rose gold ;) I bought a beautiful Parker Variant for £50
2. Brush. Mine was 9 quid but you could push the boat out and spend £30+ on a lovely synthetic. https://www.executive-shaving.co.uk/synthetic-vegan-shaving-brushes-at-executive-shaving
3. Bowl. Obviously you don't actually need one, but these are beautiful. https://www.etsy.com/uk/listing/795...ga_search_query=shave bowl&ref=sr_gallery-1-3
4. Soap of some sort. Why not splurge on some saponificio varesino? It's amazing stuff and costs an eye watering 30 quid - but it lasts 6 months of daily shaves. Many wet shavers would count it as the height of luxury to use it every day. As long as you don't buy oils or foams you'd find it hard to spend more than that on soap.
5. Blades - they are practically free. Some people reckon Feather blades are the best - 50 will last you a year and cost 16 quid.

So...luxury option will cost about 50 + 30 + 16 + 2 X 30 + 16 = £172 for your first year - actually a bit less because soap refills are cheaper - say £170. Second year you'll just need soap and blades so it will cost about £75.

Meanwhile a Cornerstone subscription (and remember this a "cheap" alternative to buying cartridges in Boots) is £14 for 6 blades and a bottle of King of Shaves serum will cost about £6 for 6 weeks' supply. I make that very close to £175 a year. Every year. :D
 
JonathanRyan said:
I've been looking into this :) The answer is surprisingly little. You could buy a Gillete 7 o'clock Sterling razor on the 'bay with 11 blades for about a fiver - delivered. Get a tube of Proraso and lather by hand and you've got 2- 3 months' shaves for a tenner.

On the other hand, you could go for "blow the budget" luxury.

1. Razor: a top quality razor will cost £35 - £50 unless you want something exotic or like rose gold ;) I bought a beautiful Parker Variant for £50
2. Brush. Mine was 9 quid but you could push the boat out and spend £30+ on a lovely synthetic. https://www.executive-shaving.co.uk/synthetic-vegan-shaving-brushes-at-executive-shaving
3. Bowl. Obviously you don't actually need one, but these are beautiful. https://www.etsy.com/uk/listing/79548177/shaving-lather-bowl-shave-pot-hand?ga_order=most_relevant&ga_search_type=all&ga_view_type=gallery&ga_search_query=shave bowl&ref=sr_gallery-1-3
4. Soap of some sort. Why not splurge on some saponificio varesino? It's amazing stuff and costs an eye watering 30 quid - but it lasts 6 months of daily shaves. Many wet shavers would count it as the height of luxury to use it every day. As long as you don't buy oils or foams you'd find it hard to spend more than that on soap.
5. Blades - they are practically free. Some people reckon Feather blades are the best - 50 will last you a year and cost 16 quid.

So...luxury option will cost about 50 + 30 + 16 + 2 X 30 + 16 = £172 for your first year - actually a bit less because soap refills are cheaper - say £170. Second year you'll just need soap and blades so it will cost about £75.

Meanwhile a Cornerstone subscription (and remember this a "cheap" alternative to buying cartridges in Boots) is £14 for 6 blades and a bottle of King of Shaves serum will cost about £6 for 6 weeks' supply. I make that very close to £175 a year. Every year. :D
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I've had a Google of safety razors and there seems to be a few places doing starter kits around £60 so might go for one of them.

As for what I currently use a pack of 8 cartridges costs me about £25 off Amazon and lasts approximately 16-18 weeks. Plus all the other stuff I probably spend about £100 a year. So I will see some saving.

The thing that interested me in safety razors is less irritation to the skin.
 
JonathanRyan said:
I've been looking into this :) The answer is surprisingly little. You could buy a Gillete 7 o'clock Sterling razor on the 'bay with 11 blades for about a fiver - delivered. Get a tube of Proraso and lather by hand and you've got 2- 3 months' shaves for a tenner.

On the other hand, you could go for "blow the budget" luxury.

1. Razor: a top quality razor will cost £35 - £50 unless you want something exotic or like rose gold ;) I bought a beautiful Parker Variant for £50
2. Brush. Mine was 9 quid but you could push the boat out and spend £30+ on a lovely synthetic. https://www.executive-shaving.co.uk/synthetic-vegan-shaving-brushes-at-executive-shaving
3. Bowl. Obviously you don't actually need one, but these are beautiful. https://www.etsy.com/uk/listing/79548177/shaving-lather-bowl-shave-pot-hand?ga_order=most_relevant&ga_search_type=all&ga_view_type=gallery&ga_search_query=shave bowl&ref=sr_gallery-1-3
4. Soap of some sort. Why not splurge on some saponificio varesino? It's amazing stuff and costs an eye watering 30 quid - but it lasts 6 months of daily shaves. Many wet shavers would count it as the height of luxury to use it every day. As long as you don't buy oils or foams you'd find it hard to spend more than that on soap.
5. Blades - they are practically free. Some people reckon Feather blades are the best - 50 will last you a year and cost 16 quid.

So...luxury option will cost about 50 + 30 + 16 + 2 X 30 + 16 = £172 for your first year - actually a bit less because soap refills are cheaper - say £170. Second year you'll just need soap and blades so it will cost about £75.

Meanwhile a Cornerstone subscription (and remember this a "cheap" alternative to buying cartridges in Boots) is £14 for 6 blades and a bottle of King of Shaves serum will cost about £6 for 6 weeks' supply. I make that very close to £175 a year. Every year. :D
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1-5, what razor, brush, bowl, soap and blades? Total outlay, £000.00. Beards! FTW!!! :p

And you missed out aftershave. I still have (somewhere - in the loft, probablyu!) a bottle of Old Spice that an aunt gave me for my 21st (by which time I already had a full beard.)
 
When I first started DE shaving, I used empty shave soap bowls for a shaving bowl. I replaced with with a wide cappuccino mug which was awesome. Until I dropped it. Now I used a cupped hand to whip up my lather.
 
omens said:
Derby blades are quite "safe" for beginners. However, there are other blades which are sharper and give an even closer shave. They're best saved for once you've gained proficiency in shaving with a DE razor.
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Thats probably why I haven't cut myself yet, other than knocking a spot off the top of my head :) What would you recommend as the next stage in razor blades
 
jakeblu said:
Thats probably why I haven't cut myself yet, other than knocking a spot off the top of my head :) What would you recommend as the next stage in razor blades
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I bought a sample pack of blades and tried each pack for 3 shaves before moving on. This was from a few years ago but here's what I found:

Derby - very forgiving, best for beginners
Astra - a bit sharper than Derby so good for next step up
Lord Platinum - similar class to the above two
Treet - great all round blade
Personna Platinum - another good blade, probably not as good as Treet
Wilkinsons - sharper, the first of the more "aggressive" blades (ie more easy to cause cuts and nicks, razor burn etc if you've never used it before or are new to DE shaving)
Gillette 7 o'clock yellow - very aggressive, but one of the best shaves
Feather Edge - very aggressive but very close shave. I'll still get a nick if I'm not concentrating enough and that's after 6-7 years of DE shaving and using Feathers almost exclusively for the last five years.

The blade I hated most was Shark.

As with anything, YMMV - you will prefer some blades over others. A sample pack is a good way to find what you enjoy. Having written the above summaries, I'm tempted to buy the same sample pack again and see what I find now that I have a little more experience.
 
Nod said:
1-5, what razor, brush, bowl, soap and blades? Total outlay, £000.00. Beards! FTW!!! :p
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But you need beard oil, right? All the adverts say you need beard oil....

omens said:
The blade I hated most was Shark.
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I just opened my first pack of Shark this morning :) Close enough shave but I never really enjoy Monday's shave as much as Tuesday's.
 
JonathanRyan said:
But you need beard oil, right? All the adverts say you need beard oil....
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Bacon grease spilling from the sarnies works better! (NOT an option for some!!!) I would have shaved my beard off once they became the face wear of choice for the hipster brigade but I get horrendous razor rash from any type/method of face scraping so it's stayed. Saves me hours (if not days) over the course of a year too.
 
Will after some thought and watching a few YouTube videos I have purchased a safety razor starter kit with comes with a selection of blades so enough to keep me shaving for almost a year if the blades last approximately 2 weeks each. Just waiting now for it to arrive so I can ditch my Gillette Fusion power thingy.
 
ian-83 said:
Will after some thought and watching a few YouTube videos I have purchased a safety razor starter kit with comes with a selection of blades so enough to keep me shaving for almost a year if the blades last approximately 2 weeks each. Just waiting now for it to arrive so I can ditch my Gillette Fusion power thingy.
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Nice. I find a blade lasts about a week. But that's partly because they are so cheap I don't feel the need to struggle on if one starts dragging :)

Find the blade you like and then just buy 100 of them. That will keep you going for years.
 
I stuck to Merkur blades for a long time but recently changed to Feather blades. Unbelievable difference, they glide thought the stubble like it's not there. I would never go back to multi blade razors now. I think maybe sometimes newer technology really doesn't improve on the past.
 
I've got a Muhle R89 and a parker variant . I found the muhle too harsh and stopped using it for ages, the variable parker is just fine though :) Either use feather or derby blades.
 
Does anyone here who shaves electrically use shaving Oil ?

I was just wondering would it make the shave smoother and make the shaver just glide over your face.
 
Professor1991 said:
Does anyone here who shaves electrically use shaving Oil ?

I was just wondering would it make the shave smoother and make the shaver just glide over your face.
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I use shaving foam with my Philips razor which works very well.
 
Well a couple of weeks in and it's definitely a nicer shaving experience. Not had too many cuts and nicks thankfully. Just trying to find the best way to do under the nose area and not miss any bits!!

Does anyone know where I can find a list of blades sharpness? Got a mixed set of blades and want to see how they all compare.
 
ian-83 said:
Well a couple of weeks in and it's definitely a nicer shaving experience. Not had too many cuts and nicks thankfully. Just trying to find the best way to do under the nose area and not miss any bits!!

Does anyone know where I can find a list of blades sharpness? Got a mixed set of blades and want to see how they all compare.
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Oh, you're going to regret asking that...... :D Happy Geekery.

https://www.refinedshave.com/razor-blade-sharpness-summary/

Also note that some blades actually get sharper on the second day. I think their teflon style coating wear off. So far I think my favourite is Voskhod. I also like their minimal packaging.
 
JonathanRyan said:
Oh, you're going to regret asking that...... :D Happy Geekery.

https://www.refinedshave.com/razor-blade-sharpness-summary/

Also note that some blades actually get sharper on the second day. I think their teflon style coating wear off. So far I think my favourite is Voskhod. I also like their minimal packaging.
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Thanks for that,

This is the blade pack I have https://shavelounge.co.uk/product/de-razor-blade-sample-pack-1/, except I have Gillette yellow blades instead of the Rockwell ones. Have started with the Astra platinum. They seem sharp compared to my previous Gillette Fusion razor.
 
Think I am into a downhill slope to a new hobby now!! What shaving bowls are people using to lather up?
Currently just using an unused plastic kitchen bowl but wondering if something more dedicated is a good idea? Bit of Google research says a bowl with texture works best?
 
ian-83 said:
Think I am into a downhill slope to a new hobby now!! What shaving bowls are people using to lather up?
Currently just using an unused plastic kitchen bowl but wondering if something more dedicated is a good idea? Bit of Google research says a bowl with texture works best?
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I use Wilkinson shaving soap. It comes in a blue plastic bowl and whips up into a rich, creamy, lather. I like Trumper's Extract of Limes Hard Shaving Soap too, and I have one of their wooden shaving bowls, but the soap is just too expensive for me to use regularly. It doesn't seem to matter which bowl I use, they produce the same results.
 
ian-83 said:
Think I am into a downhill slope to a new hobby now!! What shaving bowls are people using to lather up?
Currently just using an unused plastic kitchen bowl but wondering if something more dedicated is a good idea? Bit of Google research says a bowl with texture works best?
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I got a very cheapo metal combined bowl and razor stand off of Amazon. It tidies up the bathroom shelf and isn't too bad. I keep an eye out when I pass charity shops in case I spot something pretty. But if anybody wants to buy me this.....

https://www.etsy.com/uk/listing/618...ng-bowlpot-with-lather?ref=shop_home_active_3

MartynK said:
I use Wilkinson shaving soap. It comes in a blue plastic bowl and whips up into a rich, creamy, lather. I like Trumper's Extract of Limes Hard Shaving Soap too, and I have one of their wooden shaving bowls, but the soap is just too expensive for me to use regularly. It doesn't seem to matter which bowl I use, they produce the same results.
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I'm surprised you find the soap expensive. It's £10 for 85g. I bought a 150g softer shaving soap about 3 months ago and it's about half used up. Even the expensive soaps are way cheaper than King of Shaves or similar.
 
JonathanRyan said:
https://www.refinedshave.com/razor-blade-sharpness-summary/
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Interesting that my own experience of some of those blades vastly differed. I think it must be a highly subjective assessment.
ian-83 said:
Think I am into a downhill slope to a new hobby now!! What shaving bowls are people using to lather up?
Currently just using an unused plastic kitchen bowl but wondering if something more dedicated is a good idea? Bit of Google research says a bowl with texture works best?
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You can get shaving bowls designed for generating lather. TBH I can generate decent lather using my cupped palm as a "bowl". But I used to enjoy a large cappuccino mug or cup as my shaving bowl. I would soak it in hot water to help keep the lather warm. Much more luxurious experience. I think I dropped it one day, it broke and I never bothered replacing it.

As for soaps or creams, I tried both TOBS and Trumpers soaps and always found the lather a bit on the thin or watery side. I've since switched to Trufitt & Hill shaving cream and the lather is more creamy and thicker than I could generate from a shaving soap. I did try a dab of shaving cream in the brush and then use soap to create a "superlather" which was nice but a bit unnecessary.
 
omens said:
Interesting that my own experience of some of those blades vastly differed. I think it must be a highly subjective assessment.
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It could be. It could also be that it's a highly accurate but basically useless assessment :) There are some links showing that the guy doing the tests is an über geek but he warns that they possibly aren't that relevant (sharpest != best).

Several factors will influence how sharp the blade appears including razor and technique. And then there's the quality control issue. A multi layered item packaged and delivered half way around the world for <20p is probably going to have a fairly wide tolerance from batch to batch.
 
Before I go and fork out £18 odd on some gillette fusion blades again, any better ideas for a razor?

I dont shave much, go over my stubble 3 times a week with a trimmer and wet shave at same time but only neck and cheeks. So sides, jawline, upper lip and chin are untouched. Did try Lidl cartridge blades but cut me to ribbons, fusion never does. I use the single blade on the back a lot for edging above jawline, would a safety one be better?
 
cambsno said:
Before I go and fork out £18 odd on some gillette fusion blades again, any better ideas for a razor?

I dont shave much, go over my stubble 3 times a week with a trimmer and wet shave at same time but only neck and cheeks. So sides, jawline, upper lip and chin are untouched. Did try Lidl cartridge blades but cut me to ribbons, fusion never does. I use the single blade on the back a lot for edging above jawline, would a safety one be better?
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Google says that 18 quid will buy you 8 blades.

That's a tight budget but for about half that you could buy a Gilette 7 O'clock sharp razor and blades off of the 'bay - or you could spend 15 quid on a heavyweight Weishi from Amazon and splurge the other 2 quid on blades (you'd get about 10).

If you hate it then drop it in at a charity shop and go back to your fusions. But I bet you prefer it :)

[Note: I don't know if the 6 quid Gilettes are any good but their blades are. Lots of people rave about the 15 quid Weishis.]

You might also get better results from using shaving soap rather than one of the fancy gels/oils. Again a small investment will tell you if it's worth it for you.
 
cambsno said:
Before I go and fork out £18 odd on some gillette fusion blades again, any better ideas for a razor?

I dont shave much, go over my stubble 3 times a week with a trimmer and wet shave at same time but only neck and cheeks. So sides, jawline, upper lip and chin are untouched. Did try Lidl cartridge blades but cut me to ribbons, fusion never does. I use the single blade on the back a lot for edging above jawline, would a safety one be better?
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I've been using Gillette for many years, from the original Mach 3 through all the 'upgrades' to the latest Fusion 5 Pro glide [pretty much the modern Mach 3] - I haven't so much as had a nick, and I like to get my shave over with as quick as possible. You can glide sideways across your face casually and never cut yourself. I love that blade on back too. They have definitely improved over time, I got a cheap pack of the older Mach 3 blades a while back, had to root out an old handle [clever strat that, changing the handles for the newer blades] and they felt a bit rough and didn't feel quite as secure or fool-proof as the latest ones. The coating wasn't near as good on those, they also only had 4 blades where the new ones have 5 - though at the time they seemed great - also they didn't have the back blade. When you get used to better it's hard go back.

I can appreciate what people see in safety razors, my Dad used to use them, he liked his little foam bowl and brush - it's how I learned to shave, but ... I used to slice myself up pretty good. I tried dozens of cheapo disposables too, also had a few electrics along the way, but nothing ever came close to the Gillette Fusion heads for me. They just work really well. It's almost impossible to cut yourself, you would have to really want to, then you'd find a way I'm sure.
 
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Decided to do a test of DE safety against my Gillette Fusion razor. Did half a side of the face with each using a Proraso soap. Have to say ease of use the Gillette won. Still getting to grips with getting the angle right and best direction of attack with my safety razor.

What surprised me most was both sides felt smooth, better than when I used the Gillette with foam from a can. And I couldn't really tell any difference but two days later the Gillette side the stubble was definitely longer than the safety razor side.
 
Cagey75 said:
I can appreciate what people see in safety razors, my Dad used to use them, he liked his little foam bowl and brush - it's how I learned to shave, but ... I used to slice myself up pretty good. I tried dozens of cheapo disposables too, also had a few electrics along the way, but nothing ever came close to the Gillette Fusion heads for me. They just work really well. It's almost impossible to cut yourself, you would have to really want to, then you'd find a way I'm sure.
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Yes, exactly. I've been wet shaving for nearly 50 years and used a DE safety razor for most of them. Tried a Mach 3, liked it and haven't gone back. The blades are pricey but last a reasonable length of time, and you have to try really hard to cut yourself! Much easier to draw blood with a 'safety' razor...

Of course, safety razors got the name because they're safer than an open (cut throat) razor. :D
 
JonathanRyan said:
.....or you could spend 15 quid on a heavyweight Weishi from Amazon and splurge the other 2 quid on blades (you'd get about 10).

If you hate it then drop it in at a charity shop and go back to your fusions. But I bet you prefer it :)
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Just bought my second DE razor from amazon a £15 Weishi :) I fancied trying out a long handled one, my Edwin Jagger is a little short, and didn't want to spend a fortune.
 
shaving has never been a thing for me and when i do bother to scrape a razor across my face it's usually a gillette mach 3
iv'e been blessed ( or cursed take your pick ) with having very little facial hair it only grows on my chin, nothing at all on my cheeks or neck which is great i have to wait 3 days before stubble starts to appear on my chin :)

my razors go rusty before they blunt :(
 
Well I have decided after numerous attempts to give up trying to use a safety razor. I have tried about 5 different blade types and I don't seem to get along with any of them. I can't get the correct angle right on my neck which results in bad razor burn after and also I get numerous cuts every time. So glad I got an alum block to stem the bleeding.

I have found though using a proper shaving soap and brush instead of a spray can of foam my Gillette Fusion razor works a lot better and the blades are lasting longer. So think I am going to stick with this formula and ditch the safety razor.
 
I can't say I find Safety Razors interesting but I quite like the Merkur Futur. It has something that just tickles my fancy enough to make me want to desire it.
 
There's more than one thread discussing safety razors but since this was the most recent one, I'd thought I'd post this here.

I keep my razor in my washbag. On occasion, I've reached in and cut myself on the razor. Just a nuisance more than anything else since it can smart. Anyhoo, I bought one of these:
https://www.muehle-shaving.com/en/S...lade-guard-for-safety-razors-from-MUEHLE.html

Amazon and eBay both have them for sale. Covers the blade whilst it's in the wash bag.
 
Cobra said:
I doubt it, I / we used to use a small electric razor if we needed to shave an animal, for skin testing or cardiac punctures.
A small hand held scalpel blade for shaving the marginal ear vein was the best way for that one.

And before you bite my head off, a lot of it was quality control for things like Insulin, heparin and warfarin.
Plus leukaemia research.

Many of the medical drugs in common use today, were still in the trial stage back then...
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@Cobra Well I’ll be damned, I bet I’m the only one here who knows what you are talking about :). Didn’t shave for cardiac punctures though as they were always terminal :(.
 
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