Sly Bald Guys Forum
Head Shaving, Grooming & Care => Safety Razor Head Shaving => Topic started by: Mikekoz13 on July 03, 2011, 05:59:04 PM
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I'm intrigued by double edged safety razors and thought I might give one a try for shaving my face. I'll still use the HB for the head.
So............. tell me what you think of them, what brand you use, and what blades are your favorites. A few suggestions on web sites would be nice too!
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Brave dude! I remember hearing the sound of the double edged safety razor as my father shaved his face. I also remember sneaking a try with a very new and developing beard--and the resulting blood. I'll stick with the newer systems, but the memories of that sound, the smells, and all the other associations of my father's rituals removing his beard will be with me forever.
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I'm intrigued by double edged safety razors and thought I might give one a try for shaving my face. I'll still use the HB for the head.
So............. tell me what you think of them, what brand you use, and what blades are your favorites. A few suggestions on web sites would be nice too!
Mike: I use one. It's definitely worth giving a shot...you can start with a retro one like our dads used, available on ebay. Or you can invest in a nice new one. Mine is a Merkur. You have to modify your technique a bit, namely the angle at which you hold it to your face and most importantly, you don't apply much pressure if any at all. I'd suggest a sample pack of blades so you can see a preference.
And even though you plan to stick with the Headblade for your dome, you"ll have to at least give the DE a try on your head. It really does a great job, just takes a bit longer.
PM me with any other questions or if you need a link or two!
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Make sure you stock up on toilet paper. (There will be blood).
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I'd really like to get one for the sole fact that I could theoretically hone the edge on one of those blades multiple times.
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The only way to go for shaving your face
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Agree Saint those memories are good. I too sneaked in a shave ith his razor don't remember cutting myself. One of my fondest memories is my dad taking me to the barbershop for my first shave, I think I was like 12-13. Funny how I have a difficult time growing a beard. :x!
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Mike,
I have tried a double edge razor before but have gotten more nicks from using one. I need more practice I guess. I do know about not using too much pressure.
Good luck. Let us know how it goes for You.
:)
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I have very coarse facial hair. I've never had a better shave than that of my double edge razor. I have shaved my face exclusively with a double edge razor for at least 10 years. Prior to that I'd tried many triple-blade options. All of which provided good shaves.
However, I have sensitive skin. I've discovered that while I have to be a bit more meticulous and slow with a DE, I make fewer passes. Fewer passes, I assume, has resulted in less irritation. As a result, the overall time spent shaving is less.
That said, using the DE also meant I was using mug soap and applying it with a natural bristle brush. When I used the Mach 3, for instance, I used Edge gel. I don't know why, but I never tried mug soap with the Mach 3, and conversely, I've never used anything but mug soap with the DE. For all I know the better shave is a result of the mug soap and the brush.
In either case, I always shave in the shower with a mirror.
I've always been sentimental. I like shaving with the same razor my grandfather used, along with the same vintage Old Spice shaving mug. I never knew my grandfather (he died prior to my birth), but he handed it down to my father who prefers the more modern razors.
(I also drink my morning coffee from a mug my late aunt used. I remember over 35 years ago the ritual with which she drank her coffee from that mug. Spilling about a third of the coffee into the saucer for it to cool. She'd even set the mug back down into the saucer. Then, she'd go flip the bacon---come back to her mug, and pour the cooled coffee from the saucer back into the mug. While I just drink scorching hot coffee straight from the same mug, I think of her ritual every time I pour a cup. When I pick up that razor, I often wonder about the ritual my grandfather must've gone through while using it.)
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Dude.... I love the stories about your Grandfather and Aunt. Awesome.
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Been using a DE daily for face and head for over 10 years.
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Make sure no vampires are lurking around... >:D
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I just started wetshaving. I was using a merkur hd 34c and I just upgraded to a merkur futur. I use them to shave my head and face. Mind you shaving with a double edge safety razor takes some practice and you have to prepare your face. The initial investment is a little expensive (for me at least,) however the benefits are immense. I was getting nasty neck irritation when I was using the five bladed torture device know as the fusion. I currently use merkur razor blades and I found a diamond in the rough with persona double edged razor blades.
I shave using vanderhagen shaving soap and real shaving, shaving cream with an inexpensive tweezerman badger hair brush. At first I got nicked up on my neck, because I was putting too much pressure on the handle. Here are some links for wetshaving with an old school double edged safety razor. These guys have helped me out a lot. Let me know if their is anything else I can to help.
http://www.youtube.com/user/mantic59
http://mantic59.blogspot.com/
http://www.youtube.com/user/geofatboy
http://www.amazon.com/gp/search/ref=a9_sc_1?rh=i%3Aaps%2Ck%3Awet+shaving&keywords=wet+shaving&ie=UTF8&qid=1315495104
http://www.shavenation.com/
Shop around to get the best prices for products. Its going to take some extra time to prep but its so worth it. I get a nice shave. The razors themselves are inexpensive. The stainless steel razor handles will last almost forever if you take care of them. They blow away the multiblade torture devices.
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Great info Grizzly! Thanks!
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Your welcome. I am enjoying the forums. Its nice to hop on a forum where the participants have manners and are helpful. You will love shaving with DE razor once you get your technique down. To be honest my neck got nicked up a lot the first two weeks. I am using an adjustable de razor now and its much better.
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Make sure you stock up on toilet paper. (There will be blood).
I respectfully disagree. I use "my nic is sealed," for the occasional nick. I haven't gotten a bad cut yet. You can minimize nics and cuts with proper preparation and shaving technique. I'm sure you are just kidding. ;D
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Nope, not kidding. Back in the day we used little bits and pieces of toilet paper on the nick or two that we might get on occasion.
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Nope, not kidding. Back in the day we used little bits and pieces of toilet paper on the nick or two that we might get on occasion.
I used toilet paper as well when I using the fbtd (Five Bladed Torture Device.) My nic is seal seals the nic, has antiseptic in and aloe. Stings like hell but works.
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Dipped my toe into the DE shaving realm. I did my first shave this morning. It wasn't the closest but I know it was due to technique. There was less neck irritation which is why I started it in the first place. There wasn't much blood letting but there again, it was due to technique I'm sure.
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I'm thinking about it myself Doug, so this is good to hear. What razor did you get?
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Admittedly I went on the cheap side of the spectrum, especially since I'm just starting out. I got one locally from a Sally's Beauty Supply. I also got some Wilkinson blades from Wally World which are suposedly not bad.
Eventually I'd like to get the Mekur mentioned here (http://www.slybaldguys.com/smf/index.php?topic=15903.0) I've read great reviews about it online.
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I love my DE safety razor. Been using it for about two years along with a badger brush on my face. I like the Derby blades. Not as sharp as Feather but I don't get all the nicks with Derby. I find I get less irritation on my head shaving in shower but get a better shave with my face at the sink. So I shave with a cartridge blade right now in the shower for my head every other day and my DE at the sink every day...except Saturdays. I take Saturdays off from all shaving.
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I love my DE safety razor. Been using it for about two years along with a badger brush on my face. I like the Derby blades. Not as sharp as Feather but I don't get all the nicks with Derby. I find I get less irritation on my head shaving in shower but get a better shave with my face at the sink. So I shave with a cartridge blade right now in the shower for my head every other day and my DE at the sink every day...except Saturdays. I take Saturdays off from all shaving.
If I might ask...Where do you order your Derby blades, ycartt?
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Might have been West Coast Shaving. I get a lot of stuff there. Got 100 blades for around $20.
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I joined the DE world yesterday. Ordered a Merkur 34C on Amazon and it got broken in yesterday. Used it quite successfully around the beard and on my neck area. Tried it a bit on the dome and loved the result with the exception of one nick - but the shave was simple and smooth where I used it. Wasn't quite brave enough to do the back ofmy head...
Went with the 34C since I read on Badger and Blade that it was a good starter. Think I should hav egone wiht one with a long handle - my hands are not that big and even so the handle just feels small to hold. So if you've got catcher's mitts without a glove on I would say go with a long handled model if you're gonna make the jump.
Face shave seemed smoother and certainly seems to be lasting longer than it haswith the fusion or the rite aid knockoff of the same.
So far I've only tried the Merkur blade that came with it, also have some BigBens and Feathers to try.
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I use a DE razor on face and neck. Definitely a learning curve but I find way less irritation. I started wet shaving because of the prices of blades. I still use the headblade on the head though.
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With the exception of a few years, I almost exclusively used DE razors. In spite of the initial overhead costs, the blades cost less (I use Wilkinson from the dollar store,) with proper use, one can have a wonderful shave, and they look totally cool.
I practically don't shave my face anymore, but I use a gold plated Gillette New Type, which I found in an antique store. I refurbished the case, and sterilized and cleaned the razor. I love using that over these modern do-hickeys.
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Hi, new to this forum so bear with me!
I was converted to DE shaving about 2 years ago and wouldn't go back to any other type of triple blade system at all. I'm very fortunate that my office is just round the corner from one of the most famous barber's in London, George Trumpers. I use their sandlewood shave cream, with a best badger brush and Dovo blades.
I use an alum block post shave and then a good slug of moisturiser.
It did take a while to get to grips with DE shaving, but now I have mastered it, I have never found anything that shaves as close and costs as little. I have become a shaving bore to the guys at work and have managed to even convince some to ditch their multi-blade plastic horrors for the joys of a traditional DE shave.
Matt
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Count me in as another member of the DE shaving faithful. I have only been shaving my face for five years but I started because I read somewhere that DE shaving was the best way to avoid ingrown hairs and razor bumps. After wearing a full beard for 30 years, I was tired of not really having the option to be clean shaved because of the skin issues.
I went all in with a silvertip badger brush and an Edwin Jagger razor. There was a learning curve for me that was probably a lot steeper than it would be for someone who is transitioning from cartridge shaving to DE shaving, but on the other hand I didn't have to 'unlearn' any habits that are counter productive to shaving with a DE.
I can see that there are several members here that use the DE to shave their heads. I am not one the brave ones in that regard, but for my face, there is no other way to go.
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I have very coarse facial hair. I've never had a better shave than that of my double edge razor. I have shaved my face exclusively with a double edge razor for at least 10 years. Prior to that I'd tried many triple-blade options. All of which provided good shaves.
However, I have sensitive skin. I've discovered that while I have to be a bit more meticulous and slow with a DE, I make fewer passes. Fewer passes, I assume, has resulted in less irritation. As a result, the overall time spent shaving is less.
That said, using the DE also meant I was using mug soap and applying it with a natural bristle brush. When I used the Mach 3, for instance, I used Edge gel. I don't know why, but I never tried mug soap with the Mach 3, and conversely, I've never used anything but mug soap with the DE. For all I know the better shave is a result of the mug soap and the brush.
In either case, I always shave in the shower with a mirror.
I've always been sentimental. I like shaving with the same razor my grandfather used, along with the same vintage Old Spice shaving mug. I never knew my grandfather (he died prior to my birth), but he handed it down to my father who prefers the more modern razors.
(I also drink my morning coffee from a mug my late aunt used. I remember over 35 years ago the ritual with which she drank her coffee from that mug. Spilling about a third of the coffee into the saucer for it to cool. She'd even set the mug back down into the saucer. Then, she'd go flip the bacon---come back to her mug, and pour the cooled coffee from the saucer back into the mug. While I just drink scorching hot coffee straight from the same mug, I think of her ritual every time I pour a cup. When I pick up that razor, I often wonder about the ritual my grandfather must've gone through while using it.)
And I thought my great grandmother was the only person who did this coffee-saucer trick! Must have been this era of ppl. Good memories!
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I just started off with DE razors and so far I'm loving it!
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Another Merkur user here, and the Merkur blades are terrific. But ONLY on my face. I've tried it on my head once or twice with unfortunate results. Luckily, I come from a time when a DE was the norm and Remington was fighting to get even a small market share. If I'm really pressed for time I don't really need foam or some other shaving medium. Also, the Merkur razor and blades are almost an economy measure. Look at the price of five blades from Gillette or Shick or whomever. A Merkur blade lasts a very long time and is less expensive for ten then the going rate for five single edges.
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I use a merker shorty with feather blades. Same routine for 10 years and I would never to back. It's the most comfortable shave you can fine. The blades are extremely cheap and you are also extending its legacy by not falling into the trap of the marketing monsters. My grand father used the same type of blade in WW2 and there is a reason the DE razors are still around. Simply amazing
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www.badgerandblade.com
Best resource out there for shaving! Be forewarned though, they also have a fountain pen section!! As well as tea, BBQ, etc......, all of the manly stuff. A very fine bunch of gentlepeople there (men and women)!! Enjoy the adventure!! I myself got sick of the price of blades and discovered them about 2.5 years ago and have never looked back!! I have even started DE shaving the dome, although for quick mornings I do still use my HeadBlade.-Keith
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Double Edge Safety razors are my latest fascination for three reasons. This method of shaving is a skill that must be acquired and this offers me a challenge. Secondly, it brings a connection with the past, the good old days when there seemed to be more quality time available. Shaving is my personal grooming space and I like to take my time. It makes me feel good about myself. (I have a similar affection for fountain pens and tobacco pipes.) Lastly, I like the idea of not supporting the multimillion Dollar cartridge industry.
A few weeks ago I bought myself a cheap famous South African DE Brand made by “Lion”. It has a plastic handle. I don’t like cheap but the sad thing is I do not have many options. I have yet to find a shop here in SA where I can walk into and buy a quality DE razor like a Merkur, Gillette or a Parker. I know I can order one on a website but I have never done made a purchase online before as I hate the idea of paying import duties. So my plan is to scout around antique shops and flea markets until I find one. I will even buy one from someone whose grandpa has kicked the bucket as I don’t mind sterilising it.
So far my experience has been positive. I love the whole Badger Brush and shaving soap ritual, no other shaving method equals it. I get a close shave for next to nothing and I intend practicing it until I become a DE master.
For my head, there is nothing like the HeadBlade. Perhaps one day I will pluck up the courage to do my head with a DE.