Old-school shaving

[UnUnOctium]

Thought I'd share this since I can't believe I hadn't done it earlier.

A few months ago I did a read-up on shaving and double-edged safety razors. I remember seeing an article (might've been wellcultured.com; love that site) on shaving with many people claiming how double-edged razors (i.e. the razors your grandfather used to shave with) are just better than the cartridge razors by Gillette, Schick, etc.

I dug a little deeper (googled for 15 minutes ) and found some forums dedicated to shaving. In there it was DE razors or nothing. After reading that, I remember looking for names but to my dismay, didn't find any local suppliers. After that, I forgot about it.

Well, a few weeks ago, I received this (http://www.mantality.co.za/shave/razors/doubleedge-razor-chasing.html) as a present.

I never knew a shave could be this good!

No razor burns, no tangible trace of hair left. There is a bit of a learning curve (even after 8 years of using cartridges) so my first shave did have 2 cuts but now it's actually enjoyable shaving. It's become something of a ritual.

Anyways, I really recommend it for any men out there that were curious and just needed some testimonials.

 

[ToxicBunny]

Holy crap tastic..... R400 for that?!?!?!?

I paid about R60 - R80 for mine, WITH 4 blades... (Granted is a Lion razor, but hell it works bloody well)

 

[Hamster]

Be a man

 

[UnUnOctium]

Holy crap tastic..... R400 for that?!?!?!?

I paid about R60 - R80 for mine, WITH 4 blades... (Granted is a Lion razor, but hell it works bloody well)

It's worth every Rand

Be a man

Yea, I was thinking about straight razors but it would probably become a real bloodbath. My tombstone would read "He aimed too high, he had shaky hands, he will be remembered"

 

[ponder]

Be a man

Yea, I was thinking about straight razors but it would probably become a real bloodbath. My tombstone would read "He aimed too high, he had shaky hands, he will be remembered"

I have two straight razors but both are blunt and I don't have the tools to sharpen them.

They are actually easy to use once you get the hang of the blade angle & pressure. First few times you use them you are so schit scared of taking your head off you are really cautious so it does not turn into a bloodbath. Think I had 3 nicks on my first shave and 2 on the second and after that it was a bloodless affair. They shave even better than the double edged safety razors which I also use.

 

[UnUnOctium]

I have two straight razors but both are blunt and I don't have the tools to sharpen them.

They are actually easy to use once you get the hang of the blade angle & pressure. First few times you use them you are so schit scared of taking your head off you are really cautious so it does not turn into a bloodbath. Think I had 3 nicks on my first shave and 2 on the second and after that it was a bloodless affair. They shave even better than the double edged safety razors which I also use.

Do you have a strop? I'm guessing that now you use the DE razors since blunt straight razors sound like a recipe for pain and disaster.

 

[guest2013-1]

+1 Never owned one but did get a professional shave once with one of these bad boys. I was as smooth as a baby's behind. No cartridge razor has EVER been that smooth and I hate shaving with them

 

[ponder]

Do you have a strop? I'm guessing that now you use the DE razors since blunt straight razors sound like a recipe for pain and disaster.

Nope, I don't have a strop and I don't have a fine enough wet stone. I got the razors second hand (antiques) from the UK already sharpened. Yes, I would prefer pulling each individual hair out with tweezers than using a blunt razor, less painful.

 

[ToxicBunny]

It's worth every Rand

Even at R400 it will pay off very quickly.. but i'm just saying R400 for that is a bit excessive when you can by a Lion branded safety razor and 3 blades for like R20 (i checked at the shop yesterday... i got my estimate wrong)..... even if you have to replace the thing once a year, it will still take forever to match up to the R400 you paid for your safety razor alone.

 

[ToxicBunny]

Nope, I don't have a strop and I don't have a fine enough wet stone. I got the razors second hand (antiques) from the UK already sharpened. Yes, I would prefer pulling each individual hair out with tweezers than using a blunt razor, less painful.

I can make a plan on the sharpening thing... or if you're feeling like a trip one Saturday morning, there is a guy at the Shongweni Farmers market who will sharpen anything you bring to him.

 

[fastesthamster]

Even at R400 it will pay off very quickly.. but i'm just saying R400 for that is a bit excessive when you can by a Lion branded safety razor and 3 blades for like R20 (i checked at the shop yesterday... i got my estimate wrong)..... even if you have to replace the thing once a year, it will still take forever to match up to the R400 you paid for your safety razor alone.

Don't underestimate the difference a good handle makes. I started with the Lion brand, and moved to a more expensive handle (bought at an antique shop actually). Weight and blade angle make a difference to the shave. Keep an eye open at antique shops, you can pick up a good quality handle for between R100 and R150.

 

[I.am.Sam]

does the double-edged safety razors and the shaving knife use the same blades

cause sometimes i go for a shave and they use the shaving knife but it never ever gives me a clean shave

 

[Cadavre777]

Also use a DE safety razor, bought one to try it out and haven't looked back. I've found the blades you buy at Clicks (Supermax I think they're called) work better than Lion's blades.

If anyone is looking for an affordable straight razor with a fixed blade, there is a barber shop in Brakpan that sells them for R150. Not sure if they have any strops.

does the double-edged safety razors and the shaving knife use the same blades
cause sometimes i go for a shave and they use the shaving knife but it never ever gives me a clean shave

Most of the straight razors on the market use the same blade as the DE safety razor to save on time and effort, however, traditional straight razors have a fixed blade that you need to hone and strop (essentially just sharpening and removing any bur... this is easy to mess up if you're not experienced).

 

[ToxicBunny]

Don't underestimate the difference a good handle makes. I started with the Lion brand, and moved to a more expensive handle (bought at an antique shop actually). Weight and blade angle make a difference to the shave. Keep an eye open at antique shops, you can pick up a good quality handle for between R100 and R150.

I'm not, but as a way to start out, the Lion ones are great.... but I also do think R400 for a handle does seem a bit excessive.

 

[ponder]

I can make a plan on the sharpening thing... or if you're feeling like a trip one Saturday morning, there is a guy at the Shongweni Farmers market who will sharpen anything you bring to him.

Thanks for the offer

There is actually a guy in DBN somewhere that runs a business sharpening stuff for most hair salons etc. He does trips to salons etc to collect what needs to be shapened and then delivers again. He told me to drop off my stuff with one of the local salons and he will take care of it, I've just never gotten round to it.

 

[thisgeek]

I also use a safety razor (when I bother to shave), love it to bits. The handle is quite old and has a comfortable weight. I've seen those lion razors, and they're cheap plastic crap. If you enjoy using that, you're going to LOVE using a proper handle.

My biggest problem with using safety razors is finding replacement blades. Haven't been able to find any for ages.

 

[srothman]

I shave using a Dovo 6/8 straight razor. With the exception of DE razors it is probably the smoothest shave you will ever get. Initial investment to get everything to start out with can run expensive, but it is very rewarding. Having never used DE razors before I am quite curious, but I love the straight razors. It is probably the time you can feel super bad-ass and totally pampered at the same time.

DE/straight razor shaving is not for the guy who wants to just get it over and done with, but for those few willing to take the time to spoil themselves a bit, it is well worth the effort.

For those of you keen on wet shaving, go check out the Badger and Blade. (http://badgerandblade.com/)

It is actually surprising what a big fraternity of wet shavers there are, and how much more complicated (and rewarding) the art of wet shaving is.

 

[DCS]

I am actually amped to give this a go, though was wondering what this would do to a mole... Its not a very big one and is actually strategically placed to make me look handsome , so dont really want to get it removed...

So would shaving like this over a mole leave me moleless, bloody and ugly?

 

[srothman]

Most of the straight razors on the market use the same blade as the DE safety razor to save on time and effort, however, traditional straight razors have a fixed blade that you need to hone and strop (essentially just sharpening and removing any bur... this is easy to mess up if you're not experienced).

The ones with replacable blades, or shavettes, are actually more difficult to wield that the properly "forged" straights. Yes, it does make it easier to replace and prepare, but I've personally never liked them. I have a Dovo shavette that I use to touch up here and there if need be, but I by no means use it on my whole face.

The way I see it, shaving is something that all of us (or mostly all of us) need to do, and instead of seeing it as a chore that needs to be done quick, fast and with little effort as possible, rather turn it into some quality "Me Time" and enjoy it

 

[srothman]

I am actually amped to give this a go, though was wondering what this would do to a mole... Its not a very big one and is actually strategically placed to make me look handsome , so dont really want to get it removed...

So would shaving like this over a mole leave me moleless, bloody and ugly?

How do you currently shave? Electic? *spits* ;-)

I suggest just shave around it, and then just tidy up either with an electic or a small shavette.