Anyone using double edge razors?

[Corey]

I'm on my last cartridge for my Gillette Fusion. So, instead of paying the 10 or 12 bucks for 4 cartridges, I've sprung for a double edge razor. I've read some good things about them, but was wondering if anyone here was using one. If so, what kind, and what blades are you using?

[smileyman]

I am on the Gillette right now cause they had good coupons! But I will gladly cut my face with almost anything...The Gillette shave gel rocks BTW.

[Adeptus_Minor]

Well, you know I am.
A few of the more popular brands are:

Derby Extra
Gillette 7 o'clock 'SharpEdge' (yellow box)
Gillette Platinum (aka. 'Blue Swedes')
Israeli Personnas
Crystals (similar to the Personnas)
Feather


Check out the blade sampler packs from West Coast Shaving.
That's how I got started.
You'll want to stick with one type of blade for a few weeks to get your technique down and then try different types to see what works best with your razor.
Speaking of which... what DE did you end up getting?

[the chi]

Im curious, (and lazy) what exactly is this doule edged razor phenom? Laymans terms...

[Adeptus_Minor]

Simply put... sometimes, despite marketing, old things are still better than new.
Though 3, 4, 5, eleventy-dozen blades in a cartridge might slice through a 3 day growth like a hot knife through butter, it isn't necessarily giving you a comfortable shave. Also, a lot of people (myself included) have issues with ingrown hairs because of the whole "lift and cut" method.
Or, to hear it a bit more eloquently put, consult Mantic http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ufG1dPmVo8Q&feature=PlayList&p=2DB6D82F52BA7608&index=6

[the chi]

Interesting, thanks for the tutorial! :lol: I wonder if I should look into getting one for my legs...mmmm....

[Adeptus_Minor]

Well, I shant lie.
It does take more time because you're not whisking away all the hair in a single pass, but once (if) you get a feel for it, you won't mind setting aside a few extra minutes for it.

The other part of old style shaving is, you can get away from the modern canned goo. When you can find products that actually smell good and make your skin feel good, shaving becomes less of a chore and more like something you look forward to.
Of course, this is also where what you save on the blades is balanced out by what you spend for some shaving soap from England, a badger hair brush, a mug and/or scuttle.. etc. :whistle:

For me there was another draw... I love old stuff.
I've only been into DE shaving since last March or April and I've already amassed a small collection of razors my father's age and older. One of my favorites is old enough that my 82 year old grandfather could have had it as his first razor.

Yeah... I'm turning into a bit of a shavegeek

[the chi]

Well, I shant lie.
It does take more time because you're not whisking away all the hair in a single pass, but once (if) you get a feel for it, you won't mind setting aside a few extra minutes for it.

The other part of old style shaving is, you can get away from the modern canned goo. When you can find products that actually smell good and make your skin feel good, shaving becomes less of a chore and more like something you look forward to.
Of course, this is also where what you save on the blades is balanced out by what you spend for some shaving soap from England, a badger hair brush, a mug and/or scuttle.. etc. :whistle:

For me there was another draw... I love old stuff.
I've only been into DE shaving since last March or April and I've already amassed a small collection of razors my father's age and older. One of my favorites is old enough that my 82 year old grandfather could have had it as his first razor.

Yeah... I'm turning into a bit of a shavegeek

:lol: Shave geek huh? If it helps, I have an antique style, cant remember what its called, but watch any old western where they use the flip blade and the leather strop, thats what ive got. According to family legend, some member of my family lived in the same town as Wyatt Earp and that was his razor. I still have the original cardboard and leather case too...

You mentioned the accessories, is it something I could do in the shower with my bath stuff or is it more high maintenance?

I know my guy might like it, he has super sensitive skin and he HATES shaving because it causes him pain and irritation like the video showed.

[Corey]

I'm switching because my skin is getting torn up no matter what I do, so I need to do something. I kept coming across recommendations for double edge razors to help (as well as proper lather techniques) so I figure it's as good a time as any to switch. Picked up a nice looking Parker 22R from Amazon that should be here tomorrow. If it works well, it will end up paying for itself in the savings from buying the blades over buying cartridges for a Fusion or Mach 3. 10 blades for 6 bucks beats the shit outta 4 cartridges for $10 or $12. More if I buy bulk. That alone is almost worth it.

[Adeptus_Minor]

:lol: Shave geek huh? If it helps, I have an antique style, cant remember what its called, but watch any old western where they use the flip blade and the leather strop, thats what ive got. According to family legend, some member of my family lived in the same town as Wyatt Earp and that was his razor. I still have the original cardboard and leather case too...

You mentioned the accessories, is it something I could do in the shower with my bath stuff or is it more high maintenance?


Ah yes... a straight razor (aka. 'cutthroat' :panic:)
A lot of people still use those and wouldn't use anything else.
To see one in action:
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=MdqmEPvKZxM


And yes, you could use a DE or straight in the shower if you so desire.
The key elements are prepping the area to be shaved (hot water, soap) a good, slick, cushioning lather, and taking your time with the razor itself.

Corey, I've heard good and bad about the Parkers. It could just be shaver elitism, but if you feel like you aren't getting good results with it, let me know and I'll let you borrow one of my 1930's Gillettes to use as a comparison.
(clean & Barbicide sanitized, ofc)

[Corey]

Corey, I've heard good and bad about the Parkers. It could just be shaver elitism, but if you feel like you aren't getting good results with it, let me know and I'll let you borrow one of my 1930's Gillettes to use as a comparison.
(clean & Barbicide sanitized, ofc)

I noticed the bad reviews tended to be aimed at the 3 piece designs and their flimsiness. I believe (though I'm not sure) that the one I picked up is a simple one piece with a screw open butterfly design and no removable pieces. The reviews for it were all positive. I liked the look of some of the Merkur's, but I'm not quite ready to part with $100+ quite yet, even if it's precision german engineering and all that shit. I'm hoping that the Parker is solid and the differences will be almost entirely in blade selection. The one I purchased comes with 10 7AM Platinum blades for me to tinker with. I've got my eye on some of the Feather blades, but read a few things saying they're more for experienced types and they're sharp as hell. Seems like a nice plateau to aim for.

[Adeptus_Minor]

I'm using a Feather in my '51 Super Speed right now and it's great.
I had only used one in my Weishi before (chinese Super Speed knockoff) and it just didn't work well for me. In the '51 it's a whole 'nother story.

(the Super Speeds are butterfly-door razors, btw)

Anyway, good luck with that Parker and let me know if you want to try something different.

[askmrjesus]

And I thought watch people were weird. :lol:

JC

[Adeptus_Minor]

I'm surprised you aren't still using one, old man. :whistle:

[askmrjesus]

I'm surprised you aren't still using one, old man. :whistle:

Too much bleeding for my tastes.

When I was a kid, they were known as "safety" razors, and they were very safe, until you put a blade in them. :lol:

JC

[Adeptus_Minor]

...says the man with stigmata

[askmrjesus]

...says the man with stigmata

Hey, if you bled just because it was a holiday, you'd be nervous too.

JC

[Adeptus_Minor]

Hey, if you bled just because it was a holiday, you'd be nervous too.

JC

I call bullshit.
You let those Romans nail you up and faked your death just to get out of paying the check for the Last Supper.

[askmrjesus]

I call bullshit.
You let those Romans nail you up and faked your death just to get out of paying the check for the Last Supper.

Oh come on man, I might be Jewish, but I'm not that fucking Jewish.

JC

[Racerboy]

Wow...accessories are really pricey...but I am sure well worth it

[Lamnidae]

i had one


loved it. it was actually one of my grandfather's old razors....


damn nice shave, but yeah gotta take your time w/ it....




unfortunately it turned up missing somewhere between my moves from Kwajalein to Afghanistan to CONUS...... I have been thinking of getting another one, but miss the sentimentalness (is that a word?) of my late grandfather's razor.

[Amber Lamps]

I do believe we have now had it all on this board... btw I have a few really old shavers back in Michigan at my Step mom's. A couple from my grandpa and 2 or 3 from my dad . Since my dad was born in 1923 I'd imagine that they are pretty old.

[Corey]

I do believe we have now had it all on this board... btw I have a few really old shavers back in Michigan at my Step mom's. A couple from my grandpa and 2 or 3 from my dad . Since my dad was born in 1923 I'd imagine that they are pretty old.

You may want to look into snagging them and using them if they're still in shape. A 4 pack of Fusion refills at Target is now $14, and the Mach 3 refills are $13. An 8 pack will set you back $20. Fucking criminal.

[Amber Lamps]

You may want to look into snagging them and using them if they're still in shape. A 4 pack of Fusion refills at Target is now $14, and the Mach 3 refills are $13. An 8 pack will set you back $20. Fucking criminal.


No thanks,I'm cool with my Braun or using the Fusion. :idk: I honestly got almost a year or so from a 4 pack of Fusion blades but I only shave about once a week. The way I understand it is that the 1st blade gets dull,then the 2nd,the 3rd,etc. You're only really using any two or poss. three blades at one time. Anway,I got the Fusion for X-Mas 2 years ago and I just recently bought my 2nd pack of blades. I started shaving with a DE razor,no thank you.

[Corey]

No thanks,I'm cool with my Braun or using the Fusion. :idk: I honestly got almost a year or so from a 4 pack of Fusion blades but I only shave about once a week. The way I understand it is that the 1st blade gets dull,then the 2nd,the 3rd,etc. You're only really using any two or poss. three blades at one time. Anway,I got the Fusion for X-Mas 2 years ago and I just recently bought my 2nd pack of blades. I started shaving with a DE razor,no thank you.

Fuck, I wish I got that. I go through the 4 packs in about a month and a half, two months if I'm lucky. And once those blades start getting dull, it's painfully obvious. My face breaks out like crazy and I start getting wicked razor burn. Electric razors are useless on me. It looks like I have a 5 o'clock shadow about an hour after I shave. If I can avoid all that and save money, I'm all for it.

[Mr Lefty]

interesting this came up... I forgot my razor while at my parents house... and had about two weeks of stubble to shave off (about 3 days for the rest of you) so I grabbed a 2 blade cheepy that was sitting in my parents extra bathroom.... best shave I've ever had... cut so much better than the fusion I've been using.

[anthonyk]

How many shaves do you get out of the DE blade?

[Amber Lamps]

interesting this came up... I forgot my razor while at my parents house... and had about two weeks of stubble to shave off (about 3 days for the rest of you) so I grabbed a 2 blade cheepy that was sitting in my parents extra bathroom.... best shave I've ever had... cut so much better than the fusion I've been using.

Maybe you were using a better lather....hahahahaha! Or maybe it's relative because you went so long. Besides,are you turning on the vibration? The vibration makes all of the difference!:whistle: Oh and I just replaced the battery after 2 years too.

[Mr Lefty]

yeah even with the vibration... :idk: and honestly... when I wait that long... i usually have a horrible time shaving... even with a new blade it pulls bad... but I think that's more because my facial hair isn't very thick... :idk:

[Amber Lamps]

Ahhh I don't know. I'm tired of shaving all together! I wonder if they can permanently laser all my unwanted facial hair off?

[Corey]

Ahhh I don't know. I'm tired of shaving all together! I wonder if they can permanently laser all my unwanted facial hair off?

I know chicks who've done it, so I don't see why not.

[Lamnidae]

interesting this came up... I forgot my razor while at my parents house... and had about two weeks of stubble to shave off (about 3 days for the rest of you) so I grabbed a 2 blade cheepy that was sitting in my parents extra bathroom.... best shave I've ever had... cut so much better than the fusion I've been using.

yup yup. WB Princess Ebbs.




BTW they typically go w/ this now a days..... Give away the razors for cheap.... Sell the blades high.... *shrugs*

[Corey]

How many shaves do you get out of the DE blade?

From what I understand, it depends on a few things, but the average is 5 to 6 shaves from what I've seen. That's about what I'm getting with the Fusion before the cartridges turn my face into ground beef.

[Lamnidae]

From what I understand, it depends on a few things, but the average is 5 to 6 shaves from what I've seen. That's about what I'm getting with the Fusion before the cartridges turn my face into ground beef.

i get about 3 or 4 before it really starts to pull, then i shave one more time, then toss the fukker.

[Amber Lamps]

From what I understand, it depends on a few things, but the average is 5 to 6 shaves from what I've seen. That's about what I'm getting with the Fusion before the cartridges turn my face into ground beef.


That sounds about right since I only shave about once a week. I get around 2-3 months from a cartridge.

[Corey]

That sounds about right since I only shave about once a week. I get around 2-3 months from a cartridge.

I envy you. Every other day for me. Change cartridges every week to week and a half. I hate being clean shaven, but it's part of the job requirements.

[Adeptus_Minor]

How many shaves do you get out of the DE blade?

It varies.
Anywhere from two to six or seven.
The great thing is, I don't feel like I'm wasting a lot of money if I don't get six or seven shaves out of a blade. With the Mach 3 & Fusion, I found myself using a cartridge well past its prime just to get my moneys worth out of it.
This resulted in uncomfortable shaves in addition to the ingrown hairs and such that I was getting even when it was fresh.

[anthonyk]

Yup, I stretch those Fusion cartridges out as long as I can. Good info guys! :dthumb:

[Smittie61984]

Too much bleeding for my tastes.

JC

Don't you bleed wine???

I love the straight razor. I'd never use one on myself because I don't have steady hands but when my barber used them, it was my favorite part. Well besides his smoothing lisp voice, man breasts, and unmatched hatred of black people.

My new hair cut person uses them now. Despite she's a cute little Asian, I just don't feel comfy with a girl having a knife to my throat. I know a lot who would pay big money for that opportunity.

[Adeptus_Minor]

There are some gorgeous straight razors out there, but I don't trust myself to not fillet my own cheek.
With the safety razor, the most I get is a nick or a weeper. With the straight razor, things can be a bit more dramatic.
Straights also need a lot of upkeep. Stropping regularly, honing periodically (and honing a razor is not the same as honing a pocket knife), keeping them wiped down if they're carbon steel, etc.

I'll probably get around to trying one eventually. I have one that I picked up a long time ago, but I've never cleaned it up properly or acquired the strop or related paraphenalia.

[Sixxxxer]

I've heard using Conditioner as the Lather works VERY WELL With a Mach three of Fusion type Razor...I havent tried it yet...but I will...And are you guys shaving correctly?? Go with the grain not against.

Nothing like a Freshly Shaven Beaver though...Good lord do I love a clean snatch...

Oh sorry...Wrong Topic...Lol

[Adeptus_Minor]

I've heard using Conditioner as the Lather works VERY WELL With a Mach three of Fusion type Razor...I havent tried it yet...but I will...And are you guys shaving correctly?? Go with the grain not against.


I have tried conditioner when I was out of shaving cream.
It lubricates and it does the job of beard softening, but it isn't always ideal on my skin.

And with a single blade razor, you can shave against the grain.

[Sixxxxer]

I was talking about a Mach 3 Type Blade going against the Grain...

My skin isnt that sensative so I can handle a Mach 3 over a Single Blade...But It looks like a closer shave when done properly.

[Corey]

Razor came today. The quality seems to be very good. It has a very good weight to it and a solid feel. And it's fucking bling bling shiny happy time. Can't find my damn shaving brush or shaving soap so I may have to sneak out here in a bit and get replacements.

prepare for bad cameraphone pics:

http://farm4.static.flickr.com/3587/3313891933_2d252d66e8.jpg

http://farm4.static.flickr.com/3471/3314716972_78e2703fe1.jpg

http://farm4.static.flickr.com/3429/3314719210_5466a6071c.jpg

[G-Rex]

I'd still be afraid I'd slice my jugular with that thing. :lol:

[Adeptus_Minor]

You really can't, Tracy.
There's only || much blade showing out of the shaving head, and it has a safety bar that extends beyond the exposed blade so that you have to angle it to cut your beard. You can nick yourself decently if you're drag it sideways or press down, but that's why you have smart people who remind you not to do it that way.
:dthumb:

[Adeptus_Minor]

Oh, and 'grats on the new shaver, Corey.
I hope it works well for you.
I just sent one of my 1930's Gillettes off to a guy for re-plating.
I'll post up pics when I get it back.

[Corey]

Alright, quick update:

I've done two shaves with this thing and it kicks ass. I nicked myself the first time, but that's totally my fault for trying to do a quick shave. Still, my face was smooth as hell and it was a good shave with no irritation or bumps. Just got done with a proper shave. I took my time and took a hot shower to get my skin ready. It was an excellent shave, very smooth with no nicks this time. Went with and against the grain, and already I can tell a huge difference. If I went against the grain with the Mach 3 or Fusion, my face would feel raw and destroyed. This time, it feels fine, and with a damn close shave. We'll see in a day or two if there's any irritation, razor burn, or ingrown hairs. Got my fingers crossed.

[Adeptus_Minor]

Consistency comes with time and a lot of practice.
I'm over a year into it and still tweaking my technique.
Glad to hear it's working out for you so far.
:dthumb:

[Papa_Complex]

I'm old enough to remember when those were called "safety razors" :lol:

[Lamnidae]

I'm old enough to remember when those were called "safety razors" :lol:

Damn.


Suprised you haven't turned to dust yet.

[Papa_Complex]

Damn.


Suprised you haven't turned to dust yet.

The bandages are holding it in.