8 ms·

Old fashioned safety razors are still very much a thing [0], 30$ for a handle and another 30$ for 100 blades, I switch blades every 2 weeks.

by shpx 10y ago

pcunite 10y ago
I'm interested in getting this type of razor. Is there a standard? Interchangeable blades?
- zachrose 10y ago
  Yep, you want "double-edged razor blades."
- MawNicker 10y ago
  I have this: https://www.amazon.com/dp/B011L8WJIA/ https://www.amazon.com/dp/B011L8WJIA/ I'm very satisfied. Not coming apart is a significant feature. The case is nice too; I've used it several times to look at the back of my head. I haven't found any blades that don't work. As far as I know they're all the same.
  - MengerSponge 10y ago
    I love my butterfly too! It's a different brand with a similar mechanism.
- mikestew 10y ago
  That's the great thing about double-edged razors: you can recognize the correct blade on sight. The box is distinctive as well. Meaning you'd have to try really hard to buy the wrong blade. I mean really hard, given that a blind person could buy the right blades by feel.
  - awill 10y ago
    Yea, nothing could go wrong in that scenario....
- shpx 10y ago
  Most razors are for double edged blades. All double edge blades are interchangeable. My understanding is that there are also single edged razors that don't work with double edged blades, but they are way less popular. /r/wicked_edge has a guide here [0] basically, buy a Vintage Gillette Super Speed Razor on ebay (or really anything you want, handles can't be that different, they're just 3 pieces of metal) and a pack of sample blades on tryablade.com [0] https://www.reddit.com/r/wicked_edge/wiki/de_kit https://www.reddit.com/r/wicked_edge/wiki/de_kit https://www.reddit.com/r/wicked_edge/comments/4exeep/beginners_tips_gear_and_product_suggestions/ https://www.reddit.com/r/wicked_edge/comments/4exeep/beginne...
  - crdb 10y ago
    Excellent first link, which led me to their "to avoid" list. It mentions that "Soapworks Ltd" is now making shaving soap for various companies, including Trumper, and that this soap does not lather. I've always found the reviews for Trumper soap incomprehensible as it never lathered and if by miracle some lather was produced, it would not stay longer than half a minute...
  - tomjen3 10y ago
    The only single edge razors I know of are the old straight edge razors (think the old west razors, http://www.westcoastshaving.com/Straight-Razors_c_9.html http://www.westcoastshaving.com/Straight-Razors_c_9.html) and the newer shavette (https://www.amazon.com/Dovo-Shavette-Straight-Razor-Handle/dp/B001GMVNXO https://www.amazon.com/Dovo-Shavette-Straight-Razor-Handle/d...) which is basically the straight edge razor but with a removable blade. I haven't heard either being refered to as a single-blade razor, though.
    - DanBC 10y ago
      You can buy single edge razors for craft. Here's some for window scraping: https://www.amazon.co.uk/BOHLE-Spare-Blades-Laminated-Scraper/dp/B0042EVE0A https://www.amazon.co.uk/BOHLE-Spare-Blades-Laminated-Scrape... Here's some that claim to be single edge and for shaving: https://www.amazon.co.uk/Gem-Personna-single-stainless-blades/dp/B000R9EX5M/ https://www.amazon.co.uk/Gem-Personna-single-stainless-blade...
- deleted 10y ago
  [deleted]
- bereasonable 10y ago
  I bought a handle from eBay for $1.50 shipped from China. The most expensive thing was the brush, which is (or, at least claims to be) badger hair. That was $12 shipped. My understanding is that different blades suit different complexions. For example, the platinum blades I've tried are too sharp and irritated. Get a sampler with a few dozen blades for $10-$15. Then get the blade you like for $20 for 100 blades.
  - ldiracdelta 10y ago
    I would have to caution against a cheap safety razor handle. The gap between razor and the guards around it are very key. Once I switched from a cheap handle to a [$30 Merkur](https://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B000NL0T1G/ref=oh_aui_search_detailpage?ie=UTF8&psc=1 https://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B000NL0T1G/ref=oh_aui_sear...) the experience was much improved. I still use the cheapest blades I can find at [$8/100 blades](https://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B000NL0T1G/ref=oh_aui_search_detailpage?ie=UTF8&psc=1 https://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B000NL0T1G/ref=oh_aui_sear...)
- tomjen3 10y ago
  I have one that I purchased some years ago. Basically they all use the exact same type of blade, which looks like this: http://www.techsnippets.net/wp-content/uploads/2014/12/best-safety-razor-blade-is-feather.png http://www.techsnippets.net/wp-content/uploads/2014/12/best-... Basically the old razor blades that appear in movies when people have to cut themselves :) The biggest difference from modern razor blades, other than taking up much less space, is that they are manufactured by different companies and so there is real competition, which makes them massively cheaper. That said I still haven't been able to get near as good a shave with them as I do with the Gillette power thing that I have, which annoys me.
- nibs 10y ago
  Strange that no one has mentioned Rockwell [1]. I use the original model in the shower without soap. I use Shark blades and they have been better than the Astra I had. [1]: https://www.indiegogo.com/projects/rockwell-model-t-razor-blades-shaving-perfected#/ https://www.indiegogo.com/projects/rockwell-model-t-razor-bl...
  - BostonEnginerd 10y ago
    Interesting! I have an old Gillette which has the exact same design. I picked it up for $5 at some thrift store. Cleaned it, sterilized it and it's been great for years. My current razor (seldomly used as I'm bearded now) is a Weber DLC coated DE razor. It works nicely and doesn't get gummed up with cut hair.
nathancahill 10y ago
2 weeks! I switch every 2 days. Love the sharp blade feel.
- j_s 10y ago
  I've heard that the dullness is caused by corrosion more so than cutting anything... the recommendation was to store the blade in alcohol to prevent corrosion and keep it sharp. Does anyone know if there is any truth to this?
  - crdb 10y ago
    I would say it's use, and in my experience it depends on the blade. Most recently I bought a 100 pack of each of Feather and Derby blades (the latter were so cheap, it was hard to resist...). The Derby literally blunted during the shave, whilst a Feather remains acceptably sharp for (i.e. starts tugging after) about a week of daily shaves. You can tell the difference when you change the blade and there is slightly less tug.
    - nathancahill 10y ago
      Feather blades <3
    - sithadmin 10y ago
      Feathers are okay, but I somehow have way better results with Gillete 7'O Clock's (the sort in the yellow boxes). Cleaner shaves and more comfortable during use.
      - Trundle 10y ago
        Anyone reading this comment thread curious about trying shouldn't just go with feather because crdb likes them or gillete 7 o clocks because sithadmin likes them. Different blades can make a huge difference and different people have different results. Pick up a blade sampler pack and try a bunch, pretty much every shaving store/amazon has them.
basch 10y ago
$30 for a handle? they are 2-5 on aliexpress
- taneq 10y ago
  Are those ones as nice? Serious question, it seems silly to compromise on something that you're going to use daily (or close thereto) just to save $10-$20 (once you factor in shipping). Then again if you can't tell the difference, might as well get the cheaper one.
  - basch 10y ago
    2.27 shipped http://www.aliexpress.com/item/Safety-Razor-Complete-Men-Shaving-Kit-Double-Edge-Blades-Beard-Remover-Stainless-Steel-Traditional-Double-Edge/32671420120.html?ws_ab_test=searchweb201556_7,searchweb201602_2_10057_10056_10055_10049_10017_405_404_10059_407_10058_10040_10060,searchweb201603_1&btsid=de0ccc0f-5c06-48e4-869b-a4619e4b125b http://www.aliexpress.com/item/Safety-Razor-Complete-Men-Sha... vs 32 shipped https://www.amazon.com/VIKINGS-Double-Swedish-Platinum-Manliness/dp/B011L8WJIA/ref=sr_1_1_a_it?ie=UTF8&qid=1469078503&sr=8-1&keywords=viking+razor+butterfly https://www.amazon.com/VIKINGS-Double-Swedish-Platinum-Manli... they look like roughly the same thing to me. the other style, for under 3 shipped. http://www.aliexpress.com/item/Vintage-Retro-Useful-Durable-Classic-Chrome-Men-s-Manual-Hand-Safety-Razor-Double-Edge-Shaver-free/32421918445.html?ws_ab_test=searchweb201556_7,searchweb201602_2_10057_10056_10055_10049_10017_405_404_10059_407_10058_10040_10060,searchweb201603_1&btsid=de0ccc0f-5c06-48e4-869b-a4619e4b125b http://www.aliexpress.com/item/Vintage-Retro-Useful-Durable-...
    - taneq 10y ago
      They sure look the same to me... I suspect that a lot of the 'niceness' will come from the feel of it in your hand, high-chrome stainless feels really solid whereas cheaper alloys can feel kind of tinny. ...oh wow, that price includes shipping outside the U.S.? I'm gonna buy one of the cheap ones, will report back how nice it is. Edit: "This product can't be shipped to the selected region." After explicitly saying "Free shipping to $country" on the product page. Impression of AliExpress reduced somewhat.
wtbob 10y ago
I bought an even-older-fashioned straight razor for $75 very nearly fifteen years ago, and it's still working just fine. I've spent more on strops since then.

Old fashioned safety razors are still very much a thing [0], 30$ for a handle and another 30$ for 100 blades, I switch blades every 2 weeks.

by shpx 10y ago

Old fashioned safety razors are still very much a thing [0], 30$ for a handle and another 30$ for 100 blades, I switch blades every 2 weeks.

pcunite 10y ago

I'm interested in getting this type of razor. Is there a standard? Interchangeable blades?

zachrose 10y ago
Yep, you want "double-edged razor blades."
MawNicker 10y ago
I have this: https://www.amazon.com/dp/B011L8WJIA/ https://www.amazon.com/dp/B011L8WJIA/ I'm very satisfied. Not coming apart is a significant feature. The case is nice too; I've used it several times to look at the back of my head. I haven't found any blades that don't work. As far as I know they're all the same.
- MengerSponge 10y ago
  I love my butterfly too! It's a different brand with a similar mechanism.
mikestew 10y ago
That's the great thing about double-edged razors: you can recognize the correct blade on sight. The box is distinctive as well. Meaning you'd have to try really hard to buy the wrong blade. I mean really hard, given that a blind person could buy the right blades by feel.
- awill 10y ago
  Yea, nothing could go wrong in that scenario....
shpx 10y ago
Most razors are for double edged blades. All double edge blades are interchangeable. My understanding is that there are also single edged razors that don't work with double edged blades, but they are way less popular. /r/wicked_edge has a guide here [0] basically, buy a Vintage Gillette Super Speed Razor on ebay (or really anything you want, handles can't be that different, they're just 3 pieces of metal) and a pack of sample blades on tryablade.com [0] https://www.reddit.com/r/wicked_edge/wiki/de_kit https://www.reddit.com/r/wicked_edge/wiki/de_kit https://www.reddit.com/r/wicked_edge/comments/4exeep/beginners_tips_gear_and_product_suggestions/ https://www.reddit.com/r/wicked_edge/comments/4exeep/beginne...
- crdb 10y ago
  Excellent first link, which led me to their "to avoid" list. It mentions that "Soapworks Ltd" is now making shaving soap for various companies, including Trumper, and that this soap does not lather. I've always found the reviews for Trumper soap incomprehensible as it never lathered and if by miracle some lather was produced, it would not stay longer than half a minute...
- tomjen3 10y ago
  The only single edge razors I know of are the old straight edge razors (think the old west razors, http://www.westcoastshaving.com/Straight-Razors_c_9.html http://www.westcoastshaving.com/Straight-Razors_c_9.html) and the newer shavette (https://www.amazon.com/Dovo-Shavette-Straight-Razor-Handle/dp/B001GMVNXO https://www.amazon.com/Dovo-Shavette-Straight-Razor-Handle/d...) which is basically the straight edge razor but with a removable blade. I haven't heard either being refered to as a single-blade razor, though.
  - DanBC 10y ago
    You can buy single edge razors for craft. Here's some for window scraping: https://www.amazon.co.uk/BOHLE-Spare-Blades-Laminated-Scraper/dp/B0042EVE0A https://www.amazon.co.uk/BOHLE-Spare-Blades-Laminated-Scrape... Here's some that claim to be single edge and for shaving: https://www.amazon.co.uk/Gem-Personna-single-stainless-blades/dp/B000R9EX5M/ https://www.amazon.co.uk/Gem-Personna-single-stainless-blade...
deleted 10y ago
[deleted]
bereasonable 10y ago
I bought a handle from eBay for $1.50 shipped from China. The most expensive thing was the brush, which is (or, at least claims to be) badger hair. That was $12 shipped. My understanding is that different blades suit different complexions. For example, the platinum blades I've tried are too sharp and irritated. Get a sampler with a few dozen blades for $10-$15. Then get the blade you like for $20 for 100 blades.
- ldiracdelta 10y ago
  I would have to caution against a cheap safety razor handle. The gap between razor and the guards around it are very key. Once I switched from a cheap handle to a [$30 Merkur](https://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B000NL0T1G/ref=oh_aui_search_detailpage?ie=UTF8&psc=1 https://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B000NL0T1G/ref=oh_aui_sear...) the experience was much improved. I still use the cheapest blades I can find at [$8/100 blades](https://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B000NL0T1G/ref=oh_aui_search_detailpage?ie=UTF8&psc=1 https://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B000NL0T1G/ref=oh_aui_sear...)
tomjen3 10y ago
I have one that I purchased some years ago. Basically they all use the exact same type of blade, which looks like this: http://www.techsnippets.net/wp-content/uploads/2014/12/best-safety-razor-blade-is-feather.png http://www.techsnippets.net/wp-content/uploads/2014/12/best-... Basically the old razor blades that appear in movies when people have to cut themselves :) The biggest difference from modern razor blades, other than taking up much less space, is that they are manufactured by different companies and so there is real competition, which makes them massively cheaper. That said I still haven't been able to get near as good a shave with them as I do with the Gillette power thing that I have, which annoys me.
nibs 10y ago
Strange that no one has mentioned Rockwell [1]. I use the original model in the shower without soap. I use Shark blades and they have been better than the Astra I had. [1]: https://www.indiegogo.com/projects/rockwell-model-t-razor-blades-shaving-perfected#/ https://www.indiegogo.com/projects/rockwell-model-t-razor-bl...
- BostonEnginerd 10y ago
  Interesting! I have an old Gillette which has the exact same design. I picked it up for $5 at some thrift store. Cleaned it, sterilized it and it's been great for years. My current razor (seldomly used as I'm bearded now) is a Weber DLC coated DE razor. It works nicely and doesn't get gummed up with cut hair.

nathancahill 10y ago

2 weeks! I switch every 2 days. Love the sharp blade feel.

j_s 10y ago
I've heard that the dullness is caused by corrosion more so than cutting anything... the recommendation was to store the blade in alcohol to prevent corrosion and keep it sharp. Does anyone know if there is any truth to this?
- crdb 10y ago
  I would say it's use, and in my experience it depends on the blade. Most recently I bought a 100 pack of each of Feather and Derby blades (the latter were so cheap, it was hard to resist...). The Derby literally blunted during the shave, whilst a Feather remains acceptably sharp for (i.e. starts tugging after) about a week of daily shaves. You can tell the difference when you change the blade and there is slightly less tug.
  - nathancahill 10y ago
    Feather blades <3
  - sithadmin 10y ago
    Feathers are okay, but I somehow have way better results with Gillete 7'O Clock's (the sort in the yellow boxes). Cleaner shaves and more comfortable during use.
    - Trundle 10y ago
      Anyone reading this comment thread curious about trying shouldn't just go with feather because crdb likes them or gillete 7 o clocks because sithadmin likes them. Different blades can make a huge difference and different people have different results. Pick up a blade sampler pack and try a bunch, pretty much every shaving store/amazon has them.

basch 10y ago

$30 for a handle? they are 2-5 on aliexpress

taneq 10y ago
Are those ones as nice? Serious question, it seems silly to compromise on something that you're going to use daily (or close thereto) just to save $10-$20 (once you factor in shipping). Then again if you can't tell the difference, might as well get the cheaper one.
- basch 10y ago
  2.27 shipped http://www.aliexpress.com/item/Safety-Razor-Complete-Men-Shaving-Kit-Double-Edge-Blades-Beard-Remover-Stainless-Steel-Traditional-Double-Edge/32671420120.html?ws_ab_test=searchweb201556_7,searchweb201602_2_10057_10056_10055_10049_10017_405_404_10059_407_10058_10040_10060,searchweb201603_1&btsid=de0ccc0f-5c06-48e4-869b-a4619e4b125b http://www.aliexpress.com/item/Safety-Razor-Complete-Men-Sha... vs 32 shipped https://www.amazon.com/VIKINGS-Double-Swedish-Platinum-Manliness/dp/B011L8WJIA/ref=sr_1_1_a_it?ie=UTF8&qid=1469078503&sr=8-1&keywords=viking+razor+butterfly https://www.amazon.com/VIKINGS-Double-Swedish-Platinum-Manli... they look like roughly the same thing to me. the other style, for under 3 shipped. http://www.aliexpress.com/item/Vintage-Retro-Useful-Durable-Classic-Chrome-Men-s-Manual-Hand-Safety-Razor-Double-Edge-Shaver-free/32421918445.html?ws_ab_test=searchweb201556_7,searchweb201602_2_10057_10056_10055_10049_10017_405_404_10059_407_10058_10040_10060,searchweb201603_1&btsid=de0ccc0f-5c06-48e4-869b-a4619e4b125b http://www.aliexpress.com/item/Vintage-Retro-Useful-Durable-...
  - taneq 10y ago
    They sure look the same to me... I suspect that a lot of the 'niceness' will come from the feel of it in your hand, high-chrome stainless feels really solid whereas cheaper alloys can feel kind of tinny. ...oh wow, that price includes shipping outside the U.S.? I'm gonna buy one of the cheap ones, will report back how nice it is. Edit: "This product can't be shipped to the selected region." After explicitly saying "Free shipping to $country" on the product page. Impression of AliExpress reduced somewhat.

wtbob 10y ago

I bought an even-older-fashioned straight razor for $75 very nearly fifteen years ago, and it's still working just fine. I've spent more on strops since then.