I used to hate shaving, so much so, I’d put it off for weeks on end. Luckily for me, my facial hair doesn’t grow all that fast, so I could get away with it more than some blokes can.
I was told by a friend in upstate New York to try the old fashioned safety razors and the soap bars frequently associated with it – not totally convinced it would be such a big improvement, I checked the prices of a replacement blade. Each double-edged blade can cost as little as 20pence each versus £2 or even £4 each for the moden multi-razor blades, I decided I might as well try it out. I ordered all my kit from www.gentlemans-shop.com and set about trying it.
Bloody hell! No longer do I have a horrendous lobster-red rash on my throat and underchin area, and no irritation whatsoever! Granted, it wasn’t a close shave – for that, I’d need to go “against the grain” – but this is early days, I’d needed to learn how to handle the razor properly, eventually taking the plunge to do it. It irritated like hell. I changed razor blades, and it improved a little, and again to another blade manufacturer where it is nearly perfect.
It’s amazing how different blade manufacturer can be so different! I know can shave with the confidence of not having an inflamed, rashy, spotty raw throat, and get a smooth close shave.
If you have a problem shaving, I’d strongly suggest trying the old fashioned route.
As for my friend, he got himself one of those straight blades (see picture below)!!! Good luck to him!!
Comments
oohh that straight blade looks scary doesn’t it. just hope he doesn’t get alzheimers…
I’ve used the straight edge. Shaves wonderfully. The only issue I had with it was the constant need to sharpen it. But, boy, when it’s sharp, it shaves well.
I’ve never tried that double edge razor, I’ll have to give it a try.
I’ll stick to my electric every few days, does the trick
Has anyone looked at the edge of various maker’s double edge blades under a 10 power magnifying glass, or, better yet, a microscope, to see if they can see a difference in the blade edges?
I looked at a Schick and a Merkur under a 10X glass. The Merkur has a rough edge. The Schick has a much smoother edge.
I checked this out after using one of each blade. The Schick gave me 25 good shaves before it started pulling,
The Merkur blade gave me a worse (it pulled more) shave on the first shave than the Schick did after 25 shaves.
I used to get 60 good shaves out of the Gillette Blue Blade. Now I am doing good to get 30 out of stainless steel, platinum, etc.
Seems the blade makers are just not putting as good of an edge on their blades just so they will get duller faster.
I have not tried the Feather Blades yet, but have ordered some, as they have a reputation for sharpness.
A person should be able to tell just how long, comparatively, a blade will last just by looking at its edge under a microscope.
The whole thing seems to be a “sting” operation though, as sharp blades could go out for weeks and then the makers of these blades start sending out less sharp ones.
It does seem near miraculous to me that in a century no one has come up with a way to sharpen and strop these double edge blades.
You might be onto something there!
I think it’s quite difficult to sharpen and strop the double edge blades as they are so thin to begin with, and I think our efforts would not produce a consistent result along the length of the blade.
I have a batch of 100 Derby blades for £7, they aren’t the smoothest, but I find these are marginally better than Merkur and Wilkinson’s Swords.
Due to work time commitments, I don’t have enough quiet time to try out the feather blade as I don’t want to rush that one!
I would suggest you visit http://www.shavemyface.com – it has a fantastic forum!
Personally I think 30 shaves is a bit much, although I do agree about the Merkur blades. Typically I get about 5 good shaves per blade, then dispose of it. If I try to stretch a blade further I tend to see weepers and/or nicks.
If you search the previously mentioned forum, look for posts regarding the blade sampler pack. One absolute is shaving is that no one brand of blade is best for everyone. So you find that blade which works best for you through trial and error. Feather blades are the perfect example. Many people swear by the ninja assassin sharpness, while others swear at that same sharpness. Personally Derby blades work well, but Feathers are my blade of choice.
That sure is once sweet straight razor!
Re. Stropping double edge blades, there are a few items from way back when to look at. There’s the Rolls Razor, a UK made razor that has a case incorporating a hone and a strop. There’s the Valet Autostrop razor which has a series of roller bars through which you pass the supplied leather strop. I’ve also seen a contraption called the Monkey rotary strop into which you place the blade and two abrasive rollers strop each side.
I started using a straight razor (or ‘cut throat’) twenty years ago, and I haven’t looked back since. I started with a very good used razor, and purchased a set of fine new ones by Dovo. There is no comparison! Once you get used to holding it (took me a week, and no, no injuries, thank you) you’ll find it smooth as silk, effortless and extremely fresh and clean. Since the blade is much broader than any disposable, you take of more stubble in one sweep, and there’s no need for cumbersome ’scratching’. Stropping is only a minor skill, and using two razors alternately will keep them sharp for at least 5 years – without having to use good steel as a disposable material. Granted, the first shave is a bit of a challenge, and probably not for the faint-hearted, but once mastered there is no real danger. You’ll find the blade will ’set’ to your hand, and will only improve in smoothness with the passing of time. One tip: go for good shaving soap and a brush, no rubbish from the can, and take your time lathering. I inherited my fathers’ block of alum (for ‘little knicks’) but that’s almost 50 years old now, and hardly ever used. Naming disposable ’safety razors’ is, in my conviction, just a very clever advertising gimmick – courtesy of messrs. Gilette.
I have in my possession a Monkey Rotary Strop. Does anyone know if it is worth anything, to a collector perhaps?
where can i get a shaving blade like the one from the picture above?
doesn`t matter if is not the same brand as the one from above
Frank – if you are in the UK, there are many small shaving boutiques such as http://www.timothyedwards.co.uk which sells them.
Ebay is another place, there’s plenty of those on the site, but make sure you get advice on sterilisation before you buy second hand razors of any type, even if the seller claims it is new.
In the US, I guess you might find something on shavemyface.com.
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