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Tangentially related: I moved to old fashioned razor blades a few months ago and have actually hurt myself less since then. Bonus: It cost like a fraction of t

Tangentially related: I moved to old fashioned razor blades a few months ago and have actually hurt myself less since then. Bonus: It cost like a fraction of the price and you don't look like a teenager when shaving :-P

abakker 11y ago
As someone with a coarse beard, safety razors are the only way to go. A safety razor blade from feather lasts 2-3 shaves, while one of those 4/5 blade things from gillette clogs fast, and dulls completely before 1 shave is over. Safety razors really don't clog, and they're much cheaper.
- squiguy7 11y ago
  I bought a 50 pack of feather razors on Amazon for $10. I haven't bought blades since last year; granted I don't shave every day. I find I get around 4-5 shaves a blade.
- jschwartzi 11y ago
  I can get my safety razor to clog when I'm shaving my head. Otherwise I have the same experience.
jff 11y ago
I stopped getting razor burn when I switched from disposables to a safety razor, and it's no less convenient. My main complaint was the high up-front cost for the razor but I'm now seeing starter kits in Wal-mart in the $20 range which IIRC included razor, blades, brush, and soap.
Someone1234 11y ago
I assume by "old fashioned" you mean a safety razor, not a straight razor. Safety razors are indeniably cheaper long term (although expect to pay $100 ish to get a good handle, brush, bowl, blades, and soap). You'll likely break even after ten years (assuming $1.50 cartridges Vs. 10c blades). You'll also likely receive a closer shave with a safety razor. That being said... I did the whole safety razor thing. It was fun. But then I switched back to cartridges. Why? In order to get a good close shave with a safety razor while also minimizing the chance of nicks, cuts, and razor burn you need a good quality thick lather. Unfortunately creating a good thick lather can easily take ten minutes. You cannot really use off the shelf shaving foam or gel because it doesn't provide enough protection for a safety razor. So ultimately I decided I wanted shaving to be a 10 minute activity in the mornings, and not a 20 minute activity. Also creating lather isn't the most fun thing to do first thing after you wake up, in particular if you're working it hard (as you should). Cartridges are quick and easy. They're the ultimate lazy man's solution. And you can use off the shelf non-foaming gels (e.g. "King of Shaves Alphagel", "Gillette Fusion ProGlide Clear Shave Gel") in the shower (and, yes, wet-shaves are a must either way, buy an inexpensive non-electrical anti-condensation travel mirror (i.e. you tip hot water into a compartment behind the mirror)).
- epimetheus 11y ago
  I just use a gel with my safety razor and haven't had any issues. I shave my whole head daily too. I've been using a safety razor for more than 5 years now, and shaving my head for about 15 years though, so maybe it's just skill by rote. That said, I always have some disposable ones handy for quick work, misses, or for shaving in the shower.
  - mikeash 11y ago
    Same here. $20 handle, too. It took me a couple of tries to find a brand of blades and shaving cream that suited me, but the up-front cost was really cheap. I'm sure mileage varies.
- balls187 11y ago
  > Cartridges are quick and easy. They're the ultimate lazy man's solution. They're the penultimate solution. Not shaving is the ultimate in laziness. Which I adopted, both to saves time, and because it makes me look closer to my age.
  - JshWright 11y ago
    There are some occupations where that is not an option.
    - roywiggins 11y ago
      And some configurations of facial hair which make it unwise. If you're blessed with a rich and flowing beard, rock on. But if your natural state is a scraggly, uneven mess, just shaving it off regularly is by far the easiest option.
    - balls187 11y ago
      Certainly. And to each his own for facial hair preference. I was simply pointing out the ultimate in laziness is to not shave at all.
    - 11y ago
NoGravitas 11y ago
Just to let people know what 'a fraction of the price' means here, good brand double-edged safety razor blades can be had for about 10 cents a blade.
- mikeash 11y ago
  And at least for me, the blades last quite a bit longer too.
warfangle 11y ago
Tangentially related to your tangent: I just started laser hair removal on my face, and at $100/session for 2-6 sessions, it'll pay for itself in 1-3 years (I use a fresh blade every week). Plus no shadow/stubble.
douche 11y ago
When I shave (which is not often, aside from the neckbeard), I use an old, inherited Schick Injector[1]. I bought a batch of blades years ago on Amazon from Germany for a few bucks and haven't used them up yet - they never seem to actually get dull, so I just replace them when they start to rust. Never really understood the purpose of shaving cream - hot water has always been plenty effective enough, and any type of soap or lather or cream makes a mess and leaves my skin oily. I have a suspicion that, like women's cosmetics, hair shampoo, and neckties, shaving customs solely exist to vacuum money out of people's wallets and be inconvenient. [1] http://www.safetyrazors.net/schick/schick_razors5.jpg http://www.safetyrazors.net/schick/schick_razors5.jpg
- fencepost 11y ago
  As a quick tip: you can also sharpen those blades on your arm hair - 20-30 strokes and you'll be able to feel a real difference once the blades start aging.

abakker 11y ago

As someone with a coarse beard, safety razors are the only way to go. A safety razor blade from feather lasts 2-3 shaves, while one of those 4/5 blade things from gillette clogs fast, and dulls completely before 1 shave is over. Safety razors really don't clog, and they're much cheaper.

squiguy7 11y ago
I bought a 50 pack of feather razors on Amazon for $10. I haven't bought blades since last year; granted I don't shave every day. I find I get around 4-5 shaves a blade.
jschwartzi 11y ago
I can get my safety razor to clog when I'm shaving my head. Otherwise I have the same experience.

jff 11y ago

I stopped getting razor burn when I switched from disposables to a safety razor, and it's no less convenient. My main complaint was the high up-front cost for the razor but I'm now seeing starter kits in Wal-mart in the $20 range which IIRC included razor, blades, brush, and soap.

Someone1234 11y ago

I assume by "old fashioned" you mean a safety razor, not a straight razor. Safety razors are indeniably cheaper long term (although expect to pay $100 ish to get a good handle, brush, bowl, blades, and soap). You'll likely break even after ten years (assuming $1.50 cartridges Vs. 10c blades). You'll also likely receive a closer shave with a safety razor. That being said... I did the whole safety razor thing. It was fun. But then I switched back to cartridges. Why? In order to get a good close shave with a safety razor while also minimizing the chance of nicks, cuts, and razor burn you need a good quality thick lather. Unfortunately creating a good thick lather can easily take ten minutes. You cannot really use off the shelf shaving foam or gel because it doesn't provide enough protection for a safety razor. So ultimately I decided I wanted shaving to be a 10 minute activity in the mornings, and not a 20 minute activity. Also creating lather isn't the most fun thing to do first thing after you wake up, in particular if you're working it hard (as you should). Cartridges are quick and easy. They're the ultimate lazy man's solution. And you can use off the shelf non-foaming gels (e.g. "King of Shaves Alphagel", "Gillette Fusion ProGlide Clear Shave Gel") in the shower (and, yes, wet-shaves are a must either way, buy an inexpensive non-electrical anti-condensation travel mirror (i.e. you tip hot water into a compartment behind the mirror)).

epimetheus 11y ago
I just use a gel with my safety razor and haven't had any issues. I shave my whole head daily too. I've been using a safety razor for more than 5 years now, and shaving my head for about 15 years though, so maybe it's just skill by rote. That said, I always have some disposable ones handy for quick work, misses, or for shaving in the shower.
- mikeash 11y ago
  Same here. $20 handle, too. It took me a couple of tries to find a brand of blades and shaving cream that suited me, but the up-front cost was really cheap. I'm sure mileage varies.
balls187 11y ago
> Cartridges are quick and easy. They're the ultimate lazy man's solution. They're the penultimate solution. Not shaving is the ultimate in laziness. Which I adopted, both to saves time, and because it makes me look closer to my age.
- JshWright 11y ago
  There are some occupations where that is not an option.
  - roywiggins 11y ago
    And some configurations of facial hair which make it unwise. If you're blessed with a rich and flowing beard, rock on. But if your natural state is a scraggly, uneven mess, just shaving it off regularly is by far the easiest option.
  - balls187 11y ago
    Certainly. And to each his own for facial hair preference. I was simply pointing out the ultimate in laziness is to not shave at all.
  - 11y ago

NoGravitas 11y ago

Just to let people know what 'a fraction of the price' means here, good brand double-edged safety razor blades can be had for about 10 cents a blade.

mikeash 11y ago
And at least for me, the blades last quite a bit longer too.

warfangle 11y ago

Tangentially related to your tangent: I just started laser hair removal on my face, and at $100/session for 2-6 sessions, it'll pay for itself in 1-3 years (I use a fresh blade every week). Plus no shadow/stubble.

douche 11y ago

When I shave (which is not often, aside from the neckbeard), I use an old, inherited Schick Injector[1]. I bought a batch of blades years ago on Amazon from Germany for a few bucks and haven't used them up yet - they never seem to actually get dull, so I just replace them when they start to rust. Never really understood the purpose of shaving cream - hot water has always been plenty effective enough, and any type of soap or lather or cream makes a mess and leaves my skin oily. I have a suspicion that, like women's cosmetics, hair shampoo, and neckties, shaving customs solely exist to vacuum money out of people's wallets and be inconvenient. [1] http://www.safetyrazors.net/schick/schick_razors5.jpg http://www.safetyrazors.net/schick/schick_razors5.jpg

fencepost 11y ago
As a quick tip: you can also sharpen those blades on your arm hair - 20-30 strokes and you'll be able to feel a real difference once the blades start aging.