Old fashioned shaving & grooming

[drfuzzyballs]

I recently got a job that requires me to shave so I found the old fashioned safety razor I had bought years ago, on top of that I got one of the mugs and brushes for old fashioned shaving cream. The reason I did it was partly out of being frugal and also to reduce the amount of trash I produce. Anyone else doing this? Because you're a sucker if you're buying the proprietary blades the megacorps overcharge you for.

 

[REGENDarySumanai]

I plan on shifting towards it due to the cost benefits. Here's a good website for that kind of stuff.

 

[DuckofDoom]

I've been using a safety razor and brush for years now. There's something very relaxing about spending a few minutes each morning working up the perfect lather and shaving that way. I use a Merkur safety razor that I bought almost 20 years ago (although I hear their quality has gone down recently). Feather blades are my favorite. They're a tad more expensive than other brands, but still vastly more affordable than even the cheapest cartridge razor

 

[TheVoodooThatJewDo]

Why not just use one of the electric straight razors? Maybe its not quite as close of a shave, but its way quicker and cheaper and you still look clean shaven IMO. If not, just say your hair grows back very quickly. Fuck spending 5-10 minutes a day shaving when you can do it in 30 seconds and a razor lasts 10 years.

 

[ShahOfIran1979]

Here's how people shaved:

 

[drfuzzyballs]

Why not just use one of the electric straight razors? Maybe its not quite as close of a shave, but its way quicker and cheaper and you still look clean shaven IMO. If not, just say your hair grows back very quickly. Fuck spending 5-10 minutes a day shaving when you can do it in 30 seconds and a razor lasts 10 years.

If it's the kind that shaves you down to the skin those will wear out eventually so it can be hassle for the replacement heads. As compared to spending $7 for a pack of feather blades that will last well over a year at least.

 

[TheVoodooThatJewDo]

If it's the kind that shaves you down to the skin those will wear out eventually so it can be hassle for the replacement heads. As compared to spending $7 for a pack of feather blades that will last well over a year at least.

Idk what they are called but they cost like $10-$20 and last for many years. Its the kind you might use for a haircut with various attachments. Last one I bought was like $10 in Bangkok. Maybe they cost a little more in the states.

 

[TheOtherSideofMakeBelieve]

Idk what they are called but they cost like $10-$20 and last for many years. Its the kind you might use for a haircut with various attachments. Last one I bought was like $10 in Bangkok. Maybe they cost a little more in the states.
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I've tried a bunch of these and they always leave me with stubble. The foil blades mostly work but they're still not a replacement for an actual razor imo

 

[drfuzzyballs]

Idk what they are called but they cost like $10-$20 and last for many years. Its the kind you might use for a haircut with various attachments. Last one I bought was like $10 in Bangkok. Maybe they cost a little more in the states.
View attachment 8893104

I have clippers like a barber uses to shave my head at home but those usually aren't as clean and down to the skin as a blade shave. I've actually never bought shampoo before since I've been shaving my head since I was 18.

 

[TheVoodooThatJewDo]

I've tried a bunch of these and they always leave me with stubble. The foil blades mostly work but they're still not a replacement for an actual razor imo
View attachment 8893120

I don't like that foil shit. It rips hair out a lot of the time. The ones with the blades moving back and forth work fine IMO and are cheap. I just don't get all the extra money/effort to have have like .01 mm less hair.

I have clippers like a barber uses to shave my head at home but those usually aren't as clean and down to the skin as a blade shave. I've actually never bought shampoo before since I've been shaving my head since I was 18.

Yeah not quite as clean but way safer/quicker/cheaper and nearly the same thing IMO. Never made myself bleed with one. They don't pull hair out like the foil ones.
I don't use shampoo either, and I have hair. Its a scam IMO. Unless maybe you have tons of hair or not a lot of water. I do cold water, then hot, and then back to cold and my hair feels so smooth and clean after that.

 

[Beelzebub's Lawyer]

I have 1 electric shaver for overall shaving and 1 for stylizing.
Bought them after Gillette decided that men are evil, one of the best financial decisions I've made.
$15 or so for 3 replacement blades, each one lasts several months, the stylizing one doesn't need replacement ones.

It feels so good not fucking up your face with sharp blades while shaving.

 

[Pee Cola]

I've been meaning to give safety razors a go for years, not just for financial reasons but also because there are so many cool looking handles available.

However, being the lazy fucker I am, I started using an electric razor instead. It does a reasonable job when I shave every day and I'm not expecting a super-smooth finish. I use a disposable cartridge razor (not Gillette) maybe twice a month, usually on a date night or if I'm going somewhere nice.

Idk what they are called but they cost like $10-$20 and last for many years. Its the kind you might use for a haircut with various attachments. Last one I bought was like $10 in Bangkok. Maybe they cost a little more in the states.
View attachment 8893104

Beard trimmers are great. I used to use my Wahl hair clippers* for that purpose, but that's a tad unwieldy unless I want to go complete deforestation. They're great for turning a whole bunch of hair into stubble quickly and it's much harder to go from moderate beard to clean-shaven with just razors alone.

* I went over to buzz cuts during the coof, and stuck with that look for a couple of years afterwards. I well and truly got my money's worth out of those clippers

 

[Not A Cat Person]

I would also highly recommend safety razors to women as well. Try the Merkur 15C with Feather or Astra blades. The "open comb" design is meant for men's beards but when shaving legs and armpits it helps keep the razor going straight in the direction you want instead of accidentally slicing sideways.

 

[Amateur Shoelace Tyer]

I bought into the Leaf Razor hype and it has been the most pleasant shave so far. I absolutely half-ass lathering too, sometimes I don't even bother and just use hair conditioner or lotion if I'm just touching up and it works great still

 

[REGENDarySumanai]

I would also highly recommend safety razors to women as well. Try the Merkur 15C with Feather or Astra blades. The "open comb" design is meant for men's beards but when shaving legs and armpits it helps keep the razor going straight in the direction you want instead of accidentally slicing sideways.

Another safety razor recommendation would be Henson AL13. If you want a good bathing soap, I highly recommend Pre de Provence, as it is one that I have personally used.

 

[JohnnyG]

I've had a Merkur Progress for many years. Main feature is the adjustable blade gap.

Bought a 100 pack of double edge blades like a decade ago for $8 and still working through them. And a heated (anti-fog), lit shower mirror.

 

[gampboonerisms]

Anyone else doing this?

Fuck yes. There was an "As seen on TV" trend when I worked for wallymarkus and people wanted to buy the razors for 15 fucking dollars. I was constantly telling people the cheaper alternative on the shelf, or if they could wait until day light (I worked night shift) they could go to dollar tree for the exact same shit.
I don't like to shave, but when I do, safety razors are my favorite way.
Imagine paying for disposable plastic and getting 6 uses out of 6 lined blades.
A frothy shave soap is awesome, but the homemade soap I did also works for a clean lubrication.

 

[darksydephloyd]

I have used a safety razor for over 10 years now but never found using a brush necessary. I just use the same soap I wash my face with and shave in the shower, lathered by hand. What might I get from using a brush? I have tried it before but it seemed like a waste of time and I didn't shave any better. In fact, I can usually just skip the soap when I'm doing little touch ups on hairs I missed in the shower, while my skin is still wet and I'm looking in the mirror after the shower.

 

[OutInTheRain]

I use a brush and shaving soap. A thing of Proraso will last you over a year, even if you are shaving every morning. For razers it depends on how fast you shave. A safety razer if you take your time. Low end cartridge razer if you want to be shaving for less than 10 seconds.

Prepping your face is the most important part. Showering, letting your pores open up and the stubble soak will make it much more pleasant. Using something more than Barbasol for shaving cream. As I said earlier I use soap and a brush to lather up. Proraso works great for me and I haven't had much experience with other brands. As well, everyone's skin is different.

 

[Agamemnon Busmalis]

Another safety razor recommendation would be Henson AL13. If you want a good bathing soap, I highly recommend Pre de Provence, as it is one that I have personally used.

Those are great. I've got the TI22 at home for the additional weight, but keep a regular AL13 for travel. Also a Merkur I keep for backup but think the handle is just too short.

I use Shark razor blades and Cella shave soap. Really like the almond scent.