favorite double edge razor blades?

I have traditional (double-edge) safety razor, but I rarely use it. I'll stick to my Harry's blades.
 
Lawson_Stone said:
...Feather always struck me as "scary sharp" and the others aren't quite sharp enough....
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When I began using a safety razor I read many comments regarding the sharpness of Feather blades. Some of the commenters were concerned about the reputed keenness of the Feathers and a few claimed that they cause more nicks and cuts. But that never made sense to me--any razor blade is sharp enough to quickly peel your face like an apple (which they won't in a safety razor, hence the name), and small differences in sharpness really shouldn't matter in this regard.

At the risk of gratuitous overthink, it's worth considering the fact that safety razors and their blades are produced by several manufacturers, and razors are offered in many different designs. Blades and razors are interchangeable and each combination of razor and blade constitutes a unique instrument. Therefore, the design of the razor, and the precision and consistency of manufacturing processes for both razor and blade, have something to do with how a given combination will shave.

In the three razors I use Feathers do seem to give a better shave. But in my experience, Feathers are no more aggressive than, say, your average weasel.



frank-zappa-weasels-ripped-my-flesh-l.jpg
 
I have tried a bunch of different manufacturers blades and ended up back with Wilkinson Sword Classic.
 
I use two bladed disposables with a lubricating strip. I lather with whatever bar soap I shower with. Oh, and I shave in the shower.

I put shaving in the same category as wiping my tush. I wanna get the job done, but its probably never gonna be a hobby.
 
After a surgery a while back I was put in blood thinners for a while, and switched to a Braun electric. Still use it, just replace the shave head as needed.
 
Bill said:
After a surgery a while back I was put in blood thinners for a while, and switched to a Braun electric. Still use it, just replace the shave head as needed.
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How do you like the Braun?
I have a Norelco weed whacker that I use for when I don't care how good the shave looks, and the Norelco does just that.
 
Anyone have a suggestion on a good starter kit? Y’all are making me want to try a safety razor instead of my Mach3.
 
texasclouds said:
Anyone have a suggestion on a good starter kit? Y’all are making me want to try a safety razor instead of my Mach3.
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I got a combo from wetshavingclub, but it looks like they don't sell blades anymore. I already had a brush and just used regular can shaving cream until I picked up some proraso.
 
texasclouds said:
Anyone have a suggestion on a good starter kit? Y’all are making me want to try a safety razor instead of my Mach3.
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I bought this one over three years ago. It's been good. https://www.amazon.com/Weishi-Nosta...3798781&sprefix=safety+razors,aps,167&sr=8-12

Some cheaper razors have to be taken apart to change the blade. That is a pain. You want at least this level, as in this one in the link above:

51jGfrGQm1L._SL1200_.jpg


Now, I threw away my Gillette safety razor maybe 30 years ago when blades became pretty much unavailable. It had an adjustable blade exposure, like this one:

https://www.amazon.com/VIKINGS-Empe...3798781&sprefix=safety+razors,aps,167&sr=8-19

The non-adjustable razors are still a bit adjustable; you just tighten the blade clamping a bit more or less.

These are the blades I use now: https://www.amazon.com/BIC-Chrome-P...799292&sprefix=bic+razor+blade,aps,188&sr=8-2

Note the high rate of satisfaction with them. Check the user ratings.
 
I've got one of the self-cleaning Brauns after my surgery. I used it about twice. Despite starting out with electric razors, I switched to blades about 40 years ago (after having a full beard for about 18 months). Haven't ever wanted to go back. I was hoping technology had improved in the intervening time, but the Braun either in dry or wet mode still doesn't even come close to the regular razor.
 
texasclouds said:
Anyone have a suggestion on a good starter kit? Y’all are making me want to try a safety razor instead of my Mach3.
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I've never gotten consistent results from a butterfly razor, and prefer fixed heads, like this one:

Merkur Mk34c Double Edge Razor with Heavy Duty Short Handle https://a.co/d/5ohlR60

Since I occasionally drop them, a solid handle and connection to the head is important. You'll wind up with a few before you find your favorite.

I'd suggest you get a sample pack of blades, or just plan on trying a few different types. What works with your technique and beard is personal.

For shave cream, I prefer Proraiso or Taylor of Old Bond Street. Five a fragrance you like.

And a decent but not too expensive pure badger brush. You can upgrade if you stick with it.
 
texasclouds said:
Anyone have a suggestion on a good starter kit? Y’all are making me want to try a safety razor instead of my Mach3.
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There are many to choose from on Amazon. This thread has aroused my interest as well. I probably don't even have a safety razor anymore. I have been using disposables for a long time,
and have found that Personna twin blades work well for me - and are cheap (bag of 10 at the Dollar Store).

The thread reminds me of the time long ago when I was working in India - and arrived there minus my suitcase. So I had to buy a few things locally, including a shaving kit. What I could
get was a double edge and blades of questionable quality - and "Shaving Cream" in a tube like toothpaste. The results were predictably awful. Definitely not the "Good Old Days"!

Dave
 
DaleB said:
I suggest you toss the blades that come free with it, they're worth what you paid for them.
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Yes. If you use them, they'll give you a bad impression of safety razor shaving.
 
Clip4 said:
Seriously, you guys fly airplanes and decide to manage the cost of razor blades?
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Maybe for the same reason many of us drive old vehicles?

Even if the blades cost twice or three times as much I'd still use them. What I DO find ridiculous are the disposables with any more than two blades in them. Where does it stop?
 
Clip4 said:
Seriously, you guys fly airplanes and decide to manage the cost of razor blades?
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More to the point, I spend a fraction of the money for the same or better result, and enjoy it more, while throwing away less plastic and packaging. If there's a problem in that I haven't found it.

I get so tired of this silly "You fly an airplane, you should just throw away money on crap that makes no sense" attitude. If I could afford a TBM or Pilatus and a pilot to fly it, I'd still shave the same way.
 
Dan Thomas said:
Maybe for the same reason many of us drive old vehicles?

Even if the blades cost twice or three times as much I'd still use them. What I DO find ridiculous are the disposables with any more than two blades in them. Where does it stop?
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At Gillette it stops with the $170 five blade Bugatti heated razor. I do love their Fusion 5 blades, they cost about as much as a minute flight time in a 182.
 
This is starting to look more and more like the high wing/low wing debate, so here is my take. If you fly a jet, your razor is electric, high wing is disposable multiple blades, low wing is safety razor and if course if you fly a tailwheel you can only have a Solingen blade straight razor or better grow a beard.
 
DaleB said:
More to the point, I spend a fraction of the money for the same or better result, and enjoy it more, while throwing away less plastic and packaging. If there's a problem in that I haven't found it.

I get so tired of this silly "You fly an airplane, you should just throw away money on crap that makes no sense" attitude. If I could afford a TBM or Pilatus and a pilot to fly it, I'd still shave the same way.
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Many aircraft owners are notoriously cheap when it comes to maintenance. Why should we be surprised that they try to save money on razors too?
 
Clip4 said:
Seriously, you guys fly airplanes and decide to manage the cost of razor blades?
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I had the same smirk. The issue of cost always seems to come up when discussing safety razors. Maybe this arises from a general sense that we're being gouged by razor manufacturers, and the realization that all of the alleged technical advancement incorporated into razors on the market today is nonsense and marketing hype. Gotta introduce something new every year to be a player in the market. Once you find that the closest shaves you've ever experienced were obtained with a single, sharp blade in a simple razor...well, I guess the princely sums demanded for modern articulated multi-blade shaving "systems," based on their disingenuous hype just seems like a cruel hoax. Perhaps after blowing so much money on what are essentially deceptive gimmicks, using a safety razor is like giving a big middle finger to the companies that have been shamelessly ripping us off all these years. One sharp blade is all you need

From my own perspective, cost had nothing to do with it. I had heard that safety razors delivered excellent results and wanted to give them a try, and I've never gone back. However, when I'm on the road I pack BIC single-blade disposables (the cheap ones with the orange handle) because they're small and lightweight and work well, but that's another thread.
 
Roger Wilco said:
I had the same smirk. The issue of cost always seems to come up when discussing safety razors. Maybe this arises from a general sense that we're being gouged by razor manufacturers, and the realization that all of the alleged technical advancement incorporated into razors on the market today is nonsense and marketing hype. Gotta introduce something new every year to be a player in the market. Once you find that the closest shaves you've ever experienced were obtained with a single, sharp blade in a simple razor...well, I guess the princely sums demanded for modern articulated multi-blade shaving "systems," based on their disingenuous hype just seems like a cruel hoax. Perhaps after blowing so much money on what are essentially deceptive gimmicks, using a safety razor is like giving a big middle finger to the companies that have been shamelessly ripping us off all these years. One sharp blade is all you need

From my own perspective, cost had nothing to do with it. I had heard that safety razors delivered excellent results and wanted to give them a try, and I've never gone back. However, when I'm on the road I pack BIC single-blade disposables (the cheap ones with the orange handle) because they're small and lightweight and work well, but that's another thread.
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Better yet, using a straight razor, which eliminates ALL subsequent purchases, is the way to bail on the whole "Big Shaving" racket.
 
Lawson_Stone said:
Better yet, using a straight razor, which eliminates ALL subsequent purchases, is the way to bail on the whole "Big Shaving" racket.
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I'm not ready to "lose face" over a shaving debate...:)

I remember reading stories of POWs in WWII Germany that had to find stuff to shave with. Broken glass or pottery was common. The broken edge of a glazed ceramic plate is amazingly sharp.
 
I like the multi blade thingies like the Mach3 or Harry's. I just find the expense above what a Merkur handle with Feather blades can do is not justified.
 
texasclouds said:
Anyone have a suggestion on a good starter kit? Y’all are making me want to try a safety razor instead of my Mach3.
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This is the forum I stumbled over which got me in to safety razor shaving, and good soaps and balms. https://old.reddit.com/r/wicked_edge/
On the right hand side as you scroll from the top you'll see lots of really useful info on getting started, tips, things to look for, and of course how to get started. I personally ordered my starter kit from a store called Maggard (linked and reviewed from that page), which has great bundles. You can also just pick a handle/razor, pick a sample pack of blades, and use a can of shaving cream if you want to get the feel of it first. But getting a simple brush and simple bowl and soap is fun too.
You can get a full starter setup for less then 50 bucks, and that set will last a very long time. Or you can approach it like a hobby, and get a few more things to try out various soaps, brushes, and blades.
 
I wouldn't buy a 'kit' and stay away from shaving forums. Just like the coffee people, those forums are populated by folks who let this become way too big a part of their identity.
Buy a handle. Buy a variety pack of blades. Buy a can of shaving foam --> shave
 
weilke said:
I wouldn't buy a 'kit' and stay away from shaving forums. Just like the coffee people, those forums are populated by folks who let this become way too big a part of their identity.
Buy a handle. Buy a variety pack of blades. Buy a can of shaving foam --> shave
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Yup. Way too many people get completely wrapped around the axle about way too much stuff. There’s theoretical perfection and there’s the practical aspects of real life.
 
weilke said:
I wouldn't buy a 'kit' and stay away from shaving forums. Just like the coffee people, those forums are populated by folks who let this become way too big a part of their identity.
Buy a handle. Buy a variety pack of blades. Buy a can of shaving foam --> shave
Click to expand...

DaleB said:
Yup. Way too many people get completely wrapped around the axle about way too much stuff. There’s theoretical perfection and there’s the practical aspects of real life.
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Sort of like ... airplane people?

"The Dude: Yeah, well, you know, that's just, like, your opinion, man."
 
Dan Thomas said:
I'm not ready to "lose face" over a shaving debate...:)

I remember reading stories of POWs in WWII Germany that had to find stuff to shave with. Broken glass or pottery was common. The broken edge of a glazed ceramic plate is amazingly sharp.
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Once you get the knack of it, which doesn't actually take long, the straight razor produces fewer nicks and less razor burn than other razors, plus the shave "lasts" longer. Even by the end of the day, I still feel clean shaven. I can't explain it. I can shave with the straight, a safety razor, or a multi-blade thing, and afterwards they can all feel equally smooth. But by day's end, the multi-blade shave has faded and I'm stubbly. The safety razor is okay, but the straight shave still feels good. I have no idea what the mechanics of this are, but I have done all three and that's my experience.
 
Roger Wilco said:
I had the same smirk. The issue of cost always seems to come up when discussing safety razors. Maybe this arises from a general sense that we're being gouged by razor manufacturers, and the realization that all of the alleged technical advancement incorporated into razors on the market today is nonsense and marketing hype. Gotta introduce something new every year to be a player in the market. Once you find that the closest shaves you've ever experienced were obtained with a single, sharp blade in a simple razor...well, I guess the princely sums demanded for modern articulated multi-blade shaving "systems," based on their disingenuous hype just seems like a cruel hoax. Perhaps after blowing so much money on what are essentially deceptive gimmicks, using a safety razor is like giving a big middle finger to the companies that have been shamelessly ripping us off all these years. One sharp blade is all you need

From my own perspective, cost had nothing to do with it. I had heard that safety razors delivered excellent results and wanted to give them a try, and I've never gone back. However, when I'm on the road I pack BIC single-blade disposables (the cheap ones with the orange handle) because they're small and lightweight and work well, but that's another thread.
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One sharp blade is all you need. When I use a razor with one blade I get an unsatisfactory shave.
 
Clip4 said:
... When I use a razor with one blade I get an unsatisfactory shave.
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If you're happy with your current shaving rig, that's great--stick with it. If you happen to try using a safety razor, please let us know which blades you prefer.
 
weilke said:
...stay away from shaving forums. Just like the coffee people, those forums are populated by folks who let this become way too big a part of their identity.
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Couldn't agree with you more. Why waste precious time mining those treasure-troves of knowledge and expertise, compiled over decades and filled with observations and first-hand experiences offered free-of-charge by people who are not trying to sell you anything? Pure craziness.
 
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Lawson_Stone said:
Once you get the knack of it, which doesn't actually take long, the straight razor produces fewer nicks and less razor burn than other razors, plus the shave "lasts" longer.
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The straight razor...I prefer to leave that instrument to professionals. All of the straight razor shaves I've had have been first-rate, but none have been noticeably better than what I get using my Muhle R41 with a Feather blade.
 
MedExpress form....sharpest double edge razor in aviation. Damned if you do...damned if you don't. LOL
 
This thread inspired me to try some different blades, after having used Feather blades for several years. I ordered some Kai and Bic blades and have been using them for a few weeks now. Both are very good. I still find that the Feather blades cut better, but the difference is barely perceptible. All three brands seem to be at their best for 4-6 shaves before they lose their edge (ahem). Verdict: I could be satisfied with any of these three blades.

Extra Credit Essay:

I was also inspired to buy a new razor, and decided to go upscale. I have been shaving with a Muhle R41 and a Merkur 38C for many years. The Muhle is infamously aggressive and requires a deft touch, but the reward is the closest shave I have ever had--even compared to straight razors. The Merkur is less aggressive and more forgiving than the Muhle--and while it doesn’t cut as close it does deliver a good shave. I also own a Parker Butterfly which…well, at least it’s fun to watch the little doors swing open and closed when you twist the knob on the end of the handle (that’s the best thing I can say about it).

Timeless Razor company produces exquisitely crafted razors that, until now, I would never have considered due to the outrageous price. But the Timeless design features a head that positions and arches the blade precisely and holds firmly it in place, something that other razors lack. And the fact that the Timeless razors are precisely CNC machined out of high-quality stock (stainless, bronze, or titanium) really appeals to me. I ordered a razor with the spiral handle, open comb, and “medium aggressive” head. I specified polished titanium, for its light weight and pure beauty (and, I figured, if titanium is good enough for the SR-71…). So, the Timeless razor that I have is, in nearly every respect, overkill, including the price tag. But the real question is, how does it shave? And the answer to that question is, fantastic! The medium aggressive head delivers a shave that rivals the ultra-aggressive Muhle R41, and while the Muhle still wins it does so just barely. Meanwhile, the Timeless is the most comfortable safety razor I’ve ever used and is at least as forgiving as the Merkur. Oh sure, it’s possible that my impressions of the Timeless Razor could be biased by the fact that I spent decadently to get one (about 5 times the cost of the Muhle), and therefore of course, I’m desperate for validation. But when I do my best to be as objective as I can possibly be, I have to admit that the Timeless really is that good. No regrets.

We now return to our regularly-scheduled programming.
 
I have long enjoyed the Merkur Progressive razor. Recently I've been trying the Gillette "Perma-sharp" blades and like the every bit as much as Iridium blades I've always used previously.
 
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