Home Forums Hunting & Shooting Hunter's Campfire Considering a safety razor

Being military, I have to shave everyday. And being of Irish decent, I cant skip a day. But...

I have tried all of the expensive, fancy razors...they just don't seem to cut all too close. With all the emphasis on 'sensitve' skin and such, the razor doesnt give a close, clean shave. I've tried everything from Mach III to the Schick Hyrdo 3 and 5 blade...etc.

I have no been considering a safety razor. For one, they are said to get MUCH closer,second only to a straight razor (no trying that) The repacement blade are FAR cheaper and the razor handles just plain look cool. I'm conidering something like this from Duluth Trading Co.

http://www.duluthtrading.com/store/mens/...-man/71029.aspx

Who has used, or uses, this type of razor? What is your recomendations or suggestions. Should i use regular store bought shave cream or get a cup and brush and go that route? Maybe some shave soap? Thanks in advance.

Oh, and I will have a ALUM block as well for the nicks and such...

http://www.duluthtrading.com/store/produ...mmended_product

I actually have the original safety razor I used while in the Army and still use it. Of course, being old fashioned, I still use a mug and brush for the lather! LOL

A safety razor may be closer, but it will mean having to take more strokes to do so.

Last but not least, your angle will be more critical, otherwise you WILL nick yourself! LOL

Good Luck and thank you for your service!
Keith

Thinking about going back to a safety razor myself. The double/triple/multi blade ones are expensive, and my beard is like wire, so I use up a blade pretty quickly.

My girlfriend bought me a set for my birthday. Have to say, I prefer it to the current multi blades. It does take a bit more time, and a few more strokes, but it just feels better.

I keep looking for one in antique stores. When I find one that suits me, I'm making the switch.

I made the switch several years ago and will never go back. A good site for supplies- http://www.royalshave.com/

As far as shaving soap, for many years I've shaved in the shower using good old hand soap. You'll get a closer shave in the shower or right after one because the whiskers will be softer.

Proraso shave soap, Feather blades, badger hair brush, and any vintage Gillette razor.

I have a Gellete Saftey Razor that was US Army Issue from WWI, came in a nice khaki case and its own little mirror. As others have said the shave is closer and does a better job if you have heavy growth. Bath and Body Works sells a mens shaving cream in the tube(similar to tooth paste) that works well and travels better than a mug and brush.

My face has always burned liked fire and became oily after shaving. I tried to avoid shaving or use the beard trimmer to keep it as close as possible without dragging a blade across my skin. I tried various razors, shaving cream, electric razors and techniques including shaving in the shower.

About six years ago I read a thread on wet shaving and decided to give it a shot after finding a couple of my great grandfathers safety razors. I bought a sample pack of blades like this,

https://www.detailsformen.com/ProductDetail.aspx?ProductID=593&gclid=CLr7rKD5xLYCFQgHnQod12cAYw

I started out with a brush and a recommended soap and decided that simply took too much time. I tried all the blades for a week at a time and settled on the Feather. The Feather was reported to be the sharpest blade and not recommended for new guys but I only nicked myself a few times.

My great grandfathers razors are brass and tended to turn blue so I bought a Merkur Classic and two 100-packs of Feather blades, with Edge Ultra-Sensitive cream I can shave every day without issues although I typically skip a day.

The 2-4-6 blade disposables crack me up, I think that is the same as 2, 4 or 6 passes so I used the Bic disposable single blade before switching to the safety razor.

I shave in the shower and use a Mach 5. First pass I go with the grain and the second pass I go against the grain. It isn't that close after the first pass, but I couldn't imagine anything closer after the second pass.

Do you ever go back against the grain?

I go against the grain, and it is a close shave, but not the close I have seen wwith tese types. I'm gonna give it a try and see how it goes. Buying these stupid expensive cartridges all the time is crazy. A 10 pk of blades is $1.95 at the BX for a safety razor.

Well, I got everything ordered up. Time will tell if this works out for me...

Classicshaving.com. Great place. I use the classic Merkur with the Israeli blades. The blades aren't on that site. But you can get 100 at a time on Amazon for $20 or so.

I ordered a Merkur Long handle and a small pack of blades for now. I also got a Badger brush, Stand, Soap cup and Soap. Everything from Amazon.

You should know that it's not the same as the stuff you were using.

Typically, a good quality handle will have some weight to it. Normally, that weight should be sufficient for shaving. No need to press down. But I've had good quality ones that were light. Just gotta know how hard to shave. It doesn't take much.

For the record, I'm Irish as well. And in the Corps, had to shave down, sideways, and up. Sometimes twice a day. Which is hell on fair Irish skin as you know. I still shave down and sideways. Out of habit I guess. Good luck.

I am seriously thinking of going to a straight razor. A good one costs a bunch and anything less if not worth a dime. I shave my cheeks, neck and head about every other day.

Please let us know how you like your new system.

And thank you for your service. You and those who are standing at your side are the finest this nation has to offer.

There are several sites, the art of shaving, classic shave, I go to royal shave. Try the Merkur, and Derby blades, Straight razor is the ultimate. I have one, but cant bring myself to shaving the neck area with it. And thank you for serving

I use my grandpa's. When he passed, I claimed his safety razor, my cousin got is mug and brush. Wish I had the whole set.

I ordered a 100 pack of Feather's from Amazon but they didn't show up after several weeks, I contacted the seller and was sent a replacement pack and the first set arrived. That has me set for quite a while now.

Those who are really into wet shaving recommend the sample packs and trying different soaps and creams.