Does Anyone Use a Safety Razor?
Even when I had a full beard I would shave along its edges almost every day. Now that I’m sporting the Walt Mossberg look, I have more acreage to scrape than ever. I have been using a Trac-II style razor for a long time until I left it in a hotel last week.
I had flagged a post on Snarkmarket about a successful switch to a safety razor (a Merkur “Hefty Classic”) that intrigued me at the time, but now I am seriously in the market for a new razor. Question: Does anyone use an old-fashioned safety razor and would you recommend it?
Comments
I've been shaved by one once in a New York City barber shop. The experience was pretty cool, but I didn't think the shave was anything exceptional. I didn't tun out to be George Clooney.
I'm still loving the Gillette Fusion. The blades are expensive, but worth it. First, they last a long time. And second, that razor gives the best shave I've ever had. Even better, it has a revere side to do beard edge trimming. It might be worth checking out (even though super cool people use straight razors...my dad always used one, and I remember those barbers sharpening those razors on a leather strop when I was a kid).
Posted by Frank on August 31, 2007 at 7:31 AM
Frank, shaving is just a chore so I don't think I would ever have the patience to use a straight razor, cool as that would be. I am drawn to vintage shiny metal objects, hence the Merkur, but I will check out the Fusion. Thanks for the recommendation!
Posted by Tony Green
on August 31, 2007 at 8:37 AM
I've often thought about it as modern disposable razor blades are the ink jet cartridges of men's hygiene products. I did switch to the badger hair brush, mug and tube of shaving cream years ago and will never go back to the stuff in cans. I think I'm going to try this. Gauge my success by the amount of bandages on my face when you see me in the office.
Posted by Jim on August 31, 2007 at 10:42 AM
My dad is a big fan of the safety razor. It can be tough to find the blades sometimes (although they sometimes have them at the hardware store, for use in box cutters or something). I've used them on my legs sometimes, and they're super-sharp, so be careful until the blade blunts a little.
It's worth noting that I've given these types of razors to 2 different boyfriends in the past, and they were hooked!
If Jim wants to go really old school, he can switch to the bay rum shaving soap that comes in a cake - that works best with the badger hair brush.
Posted by Mrs. Harridan on September 2, 2007 at 10:49 PM
Jim and Mrs. Harridan, thanks for the advice and encouragement. I was planning to get just a razor, but got sucked in and bought the whole kit and kaboodle. From the overwhelming number of choices, I selected a razor and brush that I understood to be both popular and appropriate choices for a "beginner," a Merkur "Hefty Classic" and Vulfix #2233 brush. There didn't seem to be the same consensus in the category of shaving soap; I chose Truefitt & Hill Ultimate Comfort Shaving Cream. Probably the most critical component is the blade, so I postponed the final decision by ordering an assortment of five brands of blades from West Coast Shaving.
Posted by Tony on September 4, 2007 at 9:02 AM
I expect a full photo exposition of the findings. I've always wanted to go the straight razor route, but fearful of the slipup.
The photo of the safety razor reminds me of the Cosby Show episode when Cliff gives Theo the family razor to use for the first time and Clair is horrified and thinks Theo will cut himself horribly.
Posted by albert on September 11, 2007 at 11:08 AM
Albert, I ordered the blades from a different place, and they didn't come until today. So tomorrow's the day!
Posted by Tony Green
on September 11, 2007 at 11:08 PM
I began using a safety razor about 6 months ago and have really enjoyed it. I was getting a good shave from my Fusion razor but wanted to shave with a more classic method. No real need simply a desire and it has been great. I use a silvertip badger brush and various soaps and creams, (depending on my mood), a Merkur HD long handle and the blade that works best for me is a Crystal. Check out Badger & Blade.com if you haven't already. They'll answer every possible question about wet shaving you could have.
Posted by Hendu3270 on November 13, 2007 at 2:41 PM
Thanks for the link; I haven’t been to Badger & Blade yet. Of the five blades in the sample pack from West Coast Shaving, the only one I didn’t like was the Merkur. I would have to say my favorite is the Derby; it doesn’t shave any closer than the others, but it just seems to glide across my skin, and it’s the only blade I’ve never cut myself with. I ran out of Truefitt & Hill Ultimate Soap and am contemplating what to try next. Decisions, decisions...
Posted by Tony Green
on November 13, 2007 at 10:35 PM
I recently became interested in using a safety razor (I've only heard good things) and came across these very enlightening YouTube videos...
http://www.youtube.com/user/mantic59
Posted by Matt on May 2, 2008 at 12:34 PM
Matt, I found those videos, too, and mentioned them in a follow-up post a couple weeks later when I actually started wet shaving. Thanks for pointing them out; they are excellent! I’ve been shaving about six months now with a Merkur Hefty Classic and Derby Extra blades.
Posted by Tony Green
on May 2, 2008 at 11:33 PM