Open Mike: Razor Love (OT)

Oh, this is so off-topic, and that's bound to annoy a few people. If you're one of those, I'm sorry.

This post is about...well, razors. But before we get to that, here's the song. It's not high period Neil Young. In his later work you have to pick and choose; there are great songs here and there, but even the albums are spotty, with whole albums being indulgent messes that are all but musically worthless. Neil does what he wants. "Razor Love" is a beautiful song, though, IMHO. But I digress.

So here's the razor saga...

Money's growing ever tighter, and I worry about my taxes from about now until April every year anyway. And I'm Scottish by blood if not by birth, and my "cheap gene" can go into overdrive at the drop of a penny. A few years back I researched razor blades, settled on Gillette's three-blade cartridges (the main recommendation of Consumer Reports or Wirecutter, I disremember which), looked around for the cheapest price, and bought a whole bunch of them in bulk. That supply is running low now, and soon I have to lay in some more.

And the trouble is, I don't really like those carts. Sure, they work fine. But I like the five-blade carts better. So I head over to the local grocery store to window-shop, and guess what?

Well, you know there's been inflation. And, of course, a major problem of America post-1980 is that most every system is designed primarily to make rich people and rich companies richer. That's the problem with health care, for example. It's designed to make people money, not to make people healthy. Not primarily. For instance, my next bottle of this...

...is going to cost $179.00. It's a mild steroid I have to drip into my eye every day. Hell, that's almost as expensive as printer ink! I'd bet pretty serious money that the plastic bottle and the box the bottle comes in costs the drug company more than what's in it. Adding insult to injury, a brand-new bottle is only half full. The system that set up the cost of this was not designed to benefit me primarily, that seems certain. The benefit to me is only grudgingly accommodated, while they stick me up for my doubloons like a gang of dragoon-brandishing highwaymen.

Anyway, so it is with shaving these days: in America we use disposable multi-blade cartridges set in proprietary plastic head units almost exclusively. Why is that? Probably primarily because it makes the providers wealthy. Gillette is very, very wealthy: it earned US$10.3 billion in 2022. And where that rubber meets the road is that four of the fancy five-blade carts I'd like to use—those aspirational cartridges I yearn for but cannot quite grasp, you might say—cost almost eighteen dollars at the local grocery store. That's more than four dollars per cartridge; you can do arithmetic.

Yes, one can get the price down to below $3 per cart on the internet, and yes, there are competitor companies that make a handsome profit while undercutting Gillette (there's lots of room there, no doubt). But I have finally at long last balked. Balked but good. I'm not going to go along any more. And therein lies my anxiety, my anxiety being probably what this post is really about.

Supply? Just Supply?
I happened to see an ad on YouTube for a company called "Supply." Which, by the way, has to be the worst company name since Schiit. That's pronounced shit. And no, I'm not kidding, nor and I making it up. Schiit makes stereo gear; it's been said that audiophiles can be anal retentive, but that's ridiculous. Supply, the company, makes injector razors, a type of single blade razor that's been around for eons and has been experiencing a minor renaissance lately because of...Supply. Injector blades cost only about a dollar per blade. Ahh! Compared to carts, that was music to my ears.

It turns out that, as you might have guessed, there is a whole "community" of shaving hobbyists, with forums and review videos and the whole nine yards. Shaving with single blades is called "wet shaving"—another dumb name, because of course you use multi-blade cartridges wet and there are even electric shavers you can use wet. But never mind. Anyway, I came across a wet-shaving video guru who said that if you're new to wet shaving or coming back to it after decades, you should probably start with a plain old-fashioned double-edge razor. And I gradually came around to that point of view.

The environmental aspect alone is pretty persuasive. Another manufacturer, Henson Shaving, makes that point visually:

Multi-blade cartridges can't be recycled, and we add billions of them to landfills every year.

Here's the lowdown on double-edge (DE) razors, also called safety razors: in the old-American, when-men-were-men manner, you spend the money on the razor, and the blades are cheap. Of course, you can buy razors that are anywhere from very inexpensive to very expensive. You can buy everything from vintage antiques to high-precision razors made by companies that machine aerospace parts. There is a database telling you what years classic Gillette TTO (twist-to-open) Super Speeds were made—this one, from a company that restores them, was manufactured in 1957, same year I was, and don't think I wasn't tempted. The set of the blade and the closeness of the shave on a safety razor are described in increments from "mild" to "aggressive," and on some razors these increments are fixed, whereas others are adjustible, either in setup or on the fly. A mild razor doesn't provide as close a shave, but is less likely to irritate your skin or give you a nick. An aggressive razor is the opposite.

DE razors come in three main constructions: TTO, which has a top or cap that's split in half and opens up butterfly-style to accept the blade; two-piece, which you unscrew from the bottom of the handle, releasing the top from the plate, which is fixed; or three-piece, in which the top unscrews from the handle at the top, releasing a base or plate that sandwiches in between the two. For no good reason at all, I decided that I prefer three-piece razors. Less to go wrong?

Three-piece safety razor, compliments of The Soap Refillery.
L to R: cap or top, with screw post; base or plate; and handle.

In terms of materials, cheap DE razors are made out of metals that are moldable like plastic, chiefly zinc alloys (camera manufacturers prefer magnesium alloys, but for the same reason). More expensive ones are made by machining solid metals. Plated brass seems to be the ne plus ultra, but aluminum, stainless steel, and many other metals are also used, sometimes chrome (or even gold!) plated, or not.

As you might imagine, there's a zillion makes and models of razors out there. One I got talked into by a video isn't available outside of Europe. Another one I got talked into by a video isn't available anywhere, period. Some are out of my price range. Some seem silly, like those gold-plated ones. Some make me suspicious that I'm succumbing to gearheadism (in the razor world it's called RAD, for razor acquisition disorder), like that refurbished 1957 model.

The one I chose is interesting. It's from a Canadian company called Rockwell. It sort of splits the difference between the adjustable type and a standard three-piece by providing you with three plates (the middle part), each of which provides two levels of angle / degrees of aggressiveness. You flip any of three plates to get a different number between one and six. The number that is facing outward and visible is the one that's operative. This means the razor can be configured at one of six levels between mild and aggressive. Secondly, they make exactly the same design in both a cheaper chrome-plated zinc alloy version, the 6C, for $60, or a machined stainless steel version, the 6S, for twice the price. (I'm not sure of this, because it's Saturday, but I believe the 6C is designed in Canada and made in China, and the 6S is designed in Canada and made in the USA.) Not only that, but if you're really cheap (ahem, tugs on collar), they'll sell me you a variant of the 6C with only one plate, the No. 1 mild and No. 3 middlin' plate, called the 2C, for only $40. Add to Cart, click.

Rockwell 2C (looks identical to the 6C)

So my anxiety? It's that I've done another deep dive on an unfamiliar product category, gotten carried away, and wasted my money on something I'm not going to use. It would not be the first time. Hence this post, because no doubt it will inspire comments from readers which will educate me, and I love when that happens.

But here's the kicker: I have incentive not to fail in this. Yet another YouTube guru recommended Astra Superior Platinum razor blades as a good go-to basic brand, and guess what? Those cost less than eight and one-third cents per blade.

Even if I don't like shaving with a safety razor, I have a feeling I'm going to stick with it pretty doggedly to see if I can get used to it. Because 8.28¢ per blade. Serenades my cheap gene all day long. That's what I need. I do not need to be feeding Gillette's cash hoard by spending $4 for one single shaving cartridge.

Sorry about the off-topic post, and sorry that it took so long to write. Yer fren',

—Frugal Mike

Original contents copyright 2023 by Michael C. Johnston and/or the bylined author. All Rights Reserved. Links in this post may be to our affiliates; sales through affiliate links may benefit this site. As an Amazon Associate I earn from qualifying purchases. (To see all the comments, click on the "Comments" link below or on the title of this post.)

Featured Comments from:

Charlie Ewers: "I've been using a Rockwell razor, along with their blades—I bought a 'kit'—for over a year now, after a lifetime of using disposables. Once I found the right plate (for me it's No. 3), it's been smooth sailing, and the blades last a surprisingly long time. Good luck with your conversion."

Rich Jacobson: "Shaving can be a chore, or it can be an obsession. Have you started looking at shaving creams and brushes yet? That’s where the real money starts to flow. Look at it this way, as obsessions go, it’s way cheaper than photography, watch collecting, or high end audio gear."

Jack Mac: "I have very recently gone back to a double edge safety razor. I went Henson. I too got tired of spending more than Leica-type prices for Gillette cartridges that have inflated in price worse than higher education tuition. The difference in the quality of a close shave has to be experienced to be believed. Gillette should be embarrassed, but instead they are laughing all the way to the bank."

Jerzy: "I'm a big razor fan. They are simple, well-crafted and cheap in the long term. Just try them, no matter which one. And it's easier to operate with something with some weight. But the best part is a brush with soap. Worth trying.  :-) "

Albert Smith: "I was forced to be clean shaven for my job no matter how much of a hassle, so I looked forward to retirement so that I could escape that chore. But my thick dark beard has turned to pure white and I tire of all the Santa jokes, so I'm still married to the task of shaving.

"A little comic relief on the topic. The fake commercial linked from YouTube from the '90s takes the multi blade razor thing to its logical conclusion."

Many readers (paraphrasing): I'm a BOGG (beardy old grumpy guy) [laughing till I cry emoji]

Mike replies: I was too, I get it

Jon Schick: "I made the move to safety razors a few years ago, largely driven by environmental concerns about the amount of unnecessary plastic that is designed into any of the wet shave alternatives but also because the design and build of the thing (actually Gillette in my case) is simple and elegant. The daily routine takes a little longer and takes a little more care, but I wouldn't go back. You need a nice stand and brush too though!"

Mike replies: You've got a good name for a comment about shaving. Any relation?

MikeK: "I went this route a few years back, for much the same reasons (waste and cost). I didn't do your level of research, not even close, but I got (I think) a Merkur, which is German. I actually much prefer it. The shave isn't as close as a modern multi-blade contraption (I hadn't researched the varying closeness of plates) but neither does it tear my skin off. Previously I could only shave every other day at most due to that—nowadays it's just due to laziness.

"One other thing you might find, I certainly did, is that you like shaving with it. It's a nice object and it feels good to use, like using a good quality kitchen knife or a well engineered tool. You might take pleasure in the process (which harks back to your post the other day). Lastly, my partner also found herself sick of the cost and waste of razors, so she bought one too—apparently there is no practical need for a ladies' razor to be pink...."

Mike replies: Part of this, admittedly, is my recent resolution, in that post you mentioned, to enjoy what I have to do anyway. I've always disliked shaving, for no other reason than long habit and laziness. Why not enjoy it instead?

Comments

[glenn brown]

Mike,If you are really sorry then don't do it. Say to yourself it is a photography site and delete it, I feel better when I write a rant and then delete it. As for Razor blades you can always use electric shavers, I have every morning for 50 years and NOTHING goes to the landfill except the shaver when it wears out after thousands of shaves. It will save you a fortune.

[Rob L.]

I spent $40 15..no, 25!! years ago on an electric razor that still works like a champ. I'm lazy, reasonably well shaven when I need to be, and don't cut myself which is what I do with a real razor:) Anytime I'm a place where I can't use an electric razor, I don't need to shave, so it works for me:)A little cleaning and oiling twice a year and that's all it takes, although pretty sure the battery is shot.

Shaving is a lot like coffee to me - a simple, GOOD cup of Joe is a thing to treasure and not as easy as it looks, the fancy stuff is rarely worth it, and folks LOVE to make a fetish out of it regardless...but heck, I don't drink coffee, so whaddaiknow?

[ASW]

Your post immediately made me think of one of my favorite lines, from one of my favorite characters, from one of my favorite shows.

"I mean, it's one banana Michael. What could it cost? 10 dollars?" -- Lucille Bluth, Arrested Development.

I consider myself lucky in the testosterone game. I have enough to grow a decent beard, which I've kept for well over a decade, but not enough that I have to shave regularly. In contrast, my dad and my brother can both grow a decent hipster beard in a day and a lumberjack-special in less than a week. No thanks.

It helps that my work (wildlife/evolutionary biology, mostly in the field) permits significant grooming and wardrobe freedom. That's great, because ever since puberty I have despised shaving. Like yourself, I am also fundamentally thrifty (Scottish on my mother's side, all the way back to Robert Burns). In high school I asked for a set of hair clippers for a birthday or Christmas gift and I'm still using them to do my own haircuts 30 years later. As best as I can recall, I have paid for only one haircut in that time, in hopes of looking presentable for a wedding (not my own!). The rest of the time it grows until it gets in the way and then I mow it back to 1/4 or 3/8 of an inch and start over. When necessary, I use the same hair clippers to reign in my beard and that's good enough for me.

[Richard Tugwell]

But... I thought you had a beard?

[Not since 2016 or so. But that's one more solution to the shaving problem.... --Mike]

[SamPieter]

I bought a 100 pack of Personna double edge razor blades in 2012 for $16.
Bought another pack in 2016 for $10
They’re now $15

https://amzn.to/3LF4KJ2

(Hmm I went through a hundred in 4 years and am now on my second pack, still having about 20 left. that means that I shave a lot less. I have a feeling that even accounting for the covid period where we all stayed at home in week-long beards (right?) my shaving regime is quite different now)

[PDLanum]

Shaving - it's for the "other" naked apes.

I have not had a clean shave since Oct. 1976. My wife and son have never seen me cleanshaven.

I trim my face once a week and since I am also bald on top, that is the only place the foil razor (part of the clipper cache of tools) touches me.

Razors - Phfff wast of money and time.

[Nic Dade]

Let us know when you've dug down another layer and reached the straight razors. One purchase lasts a lifetime (or two if you inherit). Your consumables are soap, and every 20 years or so a new strop.

[Pierre Charbonneau]

I have been using the Rockwell 6S stainless steel with the dull surface for the last 3 or 4 years and plate number 3.
I love it.

I shave about every 4 to 7 days as I prefer to not to be rushed as I proceed. No complaint from the lady.

[Kye Wood]

Philips 9000 Series electric shaver.

Job done. Problem solved.

Moving on.

And yes, I was once a blade shave connoisseur. So my recommendation is no indolent scribble.

[I never would have thought it was! But, not for me. My face feels weird ALL DAY after shaving with an electric. And they're way too expensive to try out various different ones. --Mike]

[Kenneth Wajda]

I use a 5-blade razor and recently started shaving sideways across my face instead of top down and noticed it works better and the blade lasts tremendously longer. Try it.

[Mark L]

As soon as I could I grew a beard, one day on a whim I shaved it off and looking back at me in the mirror was my father...
I was horrified and have worn a beard for the rest of my life.
Sod shaving, life's too short as it is.

[Tim]

I always had a problem with the shaves the three and four blade cartridges gave me so I used 2 blades until I couldn’t get them easily anymore. Around that time 4 years ago, my brother got me a safety razor. A Merkur.

I tried a ton of different blades. The Feather ones were nice but too sharp for me. Gillette Platinum were pretty good. But my hands down favorite is the Bic Chrome Platinum. I buy them on ebay. I find I get about two weeks per blade, and since I bought several hundred, I should be good for a bit. In a year or so maybe I’ll finish off buying a lifetime supply.

[Peter Croft]

Any time I need a new blade, I visit William, of Occam's fame. Infinitely renewable.

[c.d.embrey]

I have not shaved since I was discharged from the US Army during the 1960s.

[Malcolm]

I have used the two-bladed Gillette Sensors for decades; I have no time for five-bladed cartridges.

I also once tried a cut-throat. One bleeding face later and that was the end of that experiment. However, I found it again yesterday ...

One thing I like is a badger bristle brush and expensive soaps. However, you need so little on your brush the tubs last for six months, so good value in the long run.

[Niels]

When I got a blood clot in the brain and was relieved from career expectations, I happily stopped the tiresome practice of daily close-shaving.

I now use an electric hair trimmer once a week to cut the growth down to 2-3mm (I don't like close-shave electrics either).

My wife complains; she says it stings when I kiss her, but she complained before as well - unless I shaved twice a day - which I wouldn't do for anyone.

[Dave B]

Retired in 2005. Started growing my beard that afternoon I walked out the door. Bought an electric trimmer the next day. $20(?). Year or so later, I bought a Harry’s razor set, one handle 2 blade set. Blades last me 2+ years each. Never looked back. You do the math. (Oh, I never buy refills…cheaper to buy the set…YMMV!)

[Richard G]

Several, or more years ago I was on holiday by the sea and in the store I saw a battery operated vibrating five bladed Gillette razor. I went back to the house and researched safety razors and bought online a German Solingen steel Merkur brand razor and a packet of those same Astra razor blades you linked to. That packet is still going. I get up early and finish work late. A heavier razor doesn’t skitter across the face. I shave twice too: once with the grain and then across. And it’s a ritual, like the US admiral’s admonition to make your bed in the morning. A proper shave is part of my armour.

PS Randall Monroe in his XKCD comic spoofed the absurdity of progress giving a timeline which includes Gilette releasing the 23 bladed shaver. That was likely after I saw the earlier abomination of the powered vibrating 5 blade version.

[Ilkka]

I have a double edge razor. Cheap but shiny and made from solid metal. Works well. I just bought a pack of six blades (5 plus one free) and it cost less than a dollar. I don’t shave every day anymore so electric shaver doesn’t work for me. Used one when went to work every day. Old style double edge shaver works well but takes some skill (and care) to get started. Can’t justify spending tens of dollars for shaver blades every month.

[Dogman]

I have a beard. But I still shave my neck and, on occasions, my cheeks. No, not THOSE cheeks!

Gillette Atra razor and blades. Been around forever. Cheap razor, relatively cheap blades, lasts a long time and shaves close enough for me. I shave in the shower. I take my bath soap bar and rub it on my wet face to provide some lubrication and swipe-swipe. Not obsessing, no big deal. It's just shaving.

[Carl Siracusa]

I've been using a Henson AL-13 razor (with Astra blades) for about two years now. It's been a long learning curve, and I used to nick myself a lot at first. Then I discovered I wasn't tightening the handle firmly enough, exposing more of the blade than the razor is designed for. Since then, no problems. It sure is cheaper than a cartridge razor, shaves closer than an electric, and is less irritating than either. Plus they have good customer support and a 100-day money-back guarantee if not satisfied. Happy customer.

[Jeff1000]

I just use electric hair clippers set to the lowest setting and hack everything off my head and face. I do shave the neck area under the jawline, but since it’s such a small area one disposable razor can last six months or more. With this regimen I’ve been able to eliminate shampoo and conditioner as well as cutting way back on the disposable razor expense, but I’ll grant that it’s not for everybody.

[gary bliss]

Mike --

It is a very personal thing and every face/beard is different. I find that i cannot blade shave daily without tearing up my face so i must mostly use an electric. But every few weeks -- particularly for an evening when i wish to impress the lady-in-my-life -- i blade shave with a five-blade cartridge. OMG is that a close shave; much more so than the electric. She absolutely notices too. It is a little treat for us both.k

On this tempo the carts last maybe a year? Whatever, it is long enough that i don't worry about the cost. "Yes" i find the five blades work better than the three or what-i-remember of the double-edge (fifty years back).

I must say that the electrics are not cheap either: my Braun 9 has a $60 replacement head with advertised 18 month life (but i run to 30 months or so). Still, that's $2/month added to the $2/month cost of cleaner (i use third party) and $2.5/month capital cost (6 year life), yields easily $6.50/month. But at Braun prices that would be roughly double my figure.

I note that, regarding the shaver itself, the battery packs fail and are close to unreplaceable. Even if, as i have, you *do* manage to do so, pretty shortly thereafter the plastic structures holding various oscillating parts or shafts will wear out, making the frame unusable. So six years or so is a good estimate of service life i think.

My experience on shavers -- since 1990 -- has been exclusively Braun; perhaps Panasonic is cheaper in service life terms; i do not know. My face dislikes the rotary heads of Norelcos.

The point is that shaving ain't free however you you "cut" it.

-- gary ray

[John Krumm]

Totally on topic. Most photos are sharp, and yet most are dull.

[robert e]

Welcome to the club, Mike! I started "wet shaving" around ten years ago. I got fed up with the cost of multiblade cartridges, and hated throwing that bit of plastic in the trash every week or two.

You've already avoided my first two mistakes: a too-sharp blade (Feather) and a too-cheap razor. Happy now with a long-handled brass Parker butterfly. Parker having a good rep and still being affordable. But I recently had good luck with a cheap razor I bought for travel--the "Goodline" butterfly sold at CVS for around $12, with blades, my recommendation for anyone wanting to dip their toe on the cheap. It's not just me, either; it has a good reputation in shaving circles.

Don't get me wrong, I think multiblade razors with lubricating strips do a better job in a shorter ⏰, but at a cost in both money and autonomy that I resent, and they're nowhere near as pleasurable to use.

But forget razors for a second. I suggest everyone try a decent shaving brush with their favorite soaps. Like most of us, I'm too young to remember that shaving cream in a can is a tradeoff, and after using a brush, I decided that the tradeoff isn't for me, and terrible for the environment. One of those tradeoffs is the freedom to use just about any soap you want to lather up your face. I've encountered few soaps that I can't work up into a rich, satisfying, warm lather with my bargain badger brush.

Shaving oils and lotions are very different options, also worth trying, but the cheapskate in me prefers brush and soap (as do the fidgeter and the ritual lover).

None of the above are for everyone, but you won't know if they're your thing unless you try. Enjoy yourself!

[Robert Roaldi]

I hope we're not going to get an off-topic post on manscaping someday.

[Pak]

I've switched to a safety razor for the last 2 years and I've never looked back. I think I read somewhere that the secret that Gillette never shares with anyone is that actually only the first blade does any of the work, so a single blade safety razor is all you'll ever need.

I've got a Merkur 34C and a Muhle something or other .. but both give me incredible shaves on whatever blade I put into them: Feather, Parker, Derby, Wilkinson, whatever!

One thing I do enjoy is the pre-shave cream from Proraso (their menthol one!) and using shaving brush and soap. In Italy, the Proraso cream is like 4 Euro ... opposed to 5x-10x the price in Paris!

The manual razor, pre-shave cream, shaving soap, and brush is an incredible luxury in this modern digital, product driven world.

[JimF]

I use generic Atra twin blades and they last a very long time. I don’t shave daily any more but I find that if I clean the blade with an expired tooth brush while I’m shaving they last much much longer. Months for a single blade. I hope saving money doesn’t cost you too much.

[Steve Rosenblum]

Having gone down this rabbit hole myself a few years ago (including quite an exploration of shaving brushes, creams, pre-shaves, etc.) I will say that there is a significant learning curve to achieving a good shave with one of these double edged razors vs the pivoting 5 blade Gillettes and great virtue in keeping it simple. So time must be invested in a learning curve. Secondly, cost and complexity of both the gear and the process don't necessarily lead to the best shave. To wit: The best shave cream I discovered, and continue to use, is "Natural Shaving Cream" by Pacific Shaving Company. Comes in a tube and you just rub it on your face with your hands--no brush necessary. Made of great smelling natural ingredients,and slick as hell. One tube lasts a very long time. Secondly, despite having tried multiple highly lauded double edged shavers, the simple Henson AL13 does a fine job without ripping up your face for a mere $69.99. They will throw in 100 blades for $9.99.

[David Dyer-Bennet]

Haven't shaved since 1990. That's both cheap AND easy! (Which puts one poster almost 20 years ahead of me, but I hadn't started shaving yet in 1968.) I remember using an injector razor and solid or tube soap, and a brush.

And the prices on the things now do not leave me at all likely to start. Dunno if it's genetic, I think it's mostly being old and not having made especially secure life choices, so we don't really believe in things staying good.

[Zave Shapiro]

As you were taught with a hammer or a baseball bat "let the tool do the work". I often shave twice a day - no pressure, no snags, no cuts. Once with the grain, once across; if I'm going for the cheap record then third time against, but that's only with more than twenty shaves on the blade. No music, no rush, just a moment to pamper yourself - a slippery aromatic soap and a pair of wool socks and I'm good to go.

[Graham]

FWIW, I've been using Supply (I'm referring to the company there) stuff since they first launched as it seemed like a good way of getting some plastic disposable crap out of my life. They've slowly moved away from glass and metal to plastic disposable crap with their creams and whatnot, but you only buy the razor thingie once and it lasts forever. Their blades have gone much more expensive but also much higher quality - they can easily last me a couple of weeks per blade and the shave quality is excellent.

[Jane Harrisson]

I swapped back to a three piece razor (yes, ladies shave other bits instead!) and haven't looked back, soo much sharper than the expensive ones (I noticed they are now hawking their "disposible packaging", completely missing the point, sigh). Much less waste, too. Once my small supply of disposables is gone (bought for taking on holiday) I won't be replacing them.

[Woz]

I switched to a German Merkur 34C as a 'test' years ago, expecting to upgrade later, but I've never needed to. Like others on here, I tend to prefer the less sharp blades. I tried Feather and they're wicked and a bit risky!
Others have said it, but I'll re-iterate, it's a learning process! I can now shave pretty quickly with no nicks, but at first it was a bloodbath!

Oh, I've also picked up a couple of vintage DE razors from antique and what we in the UK call Charity shops (second hand donated goods).
I stick them in the dishwasher on a hot was and they come out like new!

[Richard Tugwell]

I always wonder what the Romans did? Not to mention toilet stuff....

[serge silberman]

I switched the DE razor blades about 7 years ago & my wife says I look better shaved. Bought a used Gillette superspeed on ebay and never looked back!

[Earl Dunbar]

Welcome to the club. I switched about 15+ years ago after a Schick cartridge razor tore strips of epidermis off of my face. I bought a heavy gauge Mühle razor which is beautifully made, durable, etc. But eventually I decided it wasn’t quite right in the hand, or at least I wasn’t able to be as proficient with it as I wished.

I’ve gone through other vintage razors - I really liked a Schick Stainless until it gave up the ghost; fit and finish wasn’t up to that of the Mühle.

Last year or so a friend (seller of vinyl :) ) offered a Gillette Adjustable at a great price, so I jumped on that and have not been tempted since. (Note: If I wanted another razor, it would probably be a Rockwell.)

As for blades my #1 is Feather. All DE blades are very cheap by cartridge standards, of course, but the Feathers are probably the most expensive, and by a lot. And because I am just as Scottish as you my next stash will probably be Astra Superior. They are sharp (enough) and very smooth. Same for the Gillette Bleu a “French’ blade made in … Russia, but aka Swedish Gillette. ¯\_(ツ)_/¯

If I come across another Adjustable at a good price, it’s yours.

[Patrick Perez]

Like a few others, I use Merkur shaving gear, I bought it as a set with stand, badger brush, and soap holder. I don't recall what I paid, but it was at least 15 years ago. I use Taylor of Bond Street shaving soap.

I fell down the shaving rabbit hole on the internet and 'researched' lots of ways to shave. I had become frustrated with the multi blade arms race. I had been shaving with a 2-blade cartridge that I liked due to its pushbutton cleaner of the space between the blades, but it got discontinued. I found the increase of blades increased my incidence of ingrown whiskers. I totally understand why servicemen in the armed forces are exempted from shaving standards since this is a problem far more for their skin.

After a brief foray into injector style, I landed on double-edge safety razors. That Merkur is one hefty device. I find it is easier to control with a light touch. A light razor requires a strong grip to control. Here, as in hifi tonearms, mass is your friend, giving a solid platform for stability.

I use Feather platinum coated blades, shave every 2 or so days. By routine, I change the blade on the first of the month, but honestly, I could go longer. How much longer? No idea. I buy them from Amazon 100 at a time. I might have enough on hand to last until retirement in 10 years.

Patrick

[B.J.Scharp]

I switched to DE razors well over a decade ago now. Money was definitely a factor, but it also helped me get rid of ingrown hairs, a common side-effect of the multi-blade cartridges.

And back then I paid 50 bucks for what was probably a life-time supply of blades at 5 cents a piece. If that won't last me till retirement...

As someone else said: The handles are generally BIFL (buy it for life) items, so once you've picked one that suits you, you can just stop worrying about it and go on with your life.

By her request, I got my wife a lady-version too, to her great pleasure. The price mark-up on lady-catridge-razors is, amazingly enough, even bigger than on the non-pink variants.

[David]

Happy to read about your shaving experiences.

I think a 'best shaving solution' really comes down to individual hair types. I have quite thick hair, and never found an electric razor that works. Others will have a different experience. I used disposable for a while, but mostly gave them up for the same reasons everyone else does (I still have some for travel use, when I'm lazy).

Initially I purchased through a store that sold 'sample packs' of blades, so I could sample a few different brands. Some people swear by the cheaper blades (I've found them inconsistent and won't last as long) and others swear by the (relatively) more expensive ones. Sample packs allowed me to experiment, then buy in bulk.

I now use a safety razor, at first with Polsilver blades, now a Feather razor with Feather blades. It's a great shave if I take a couple of extra minutes, and now that I've found a combination that works for me, it's very cheap. Once you find a combination that works (and give it time to make sure you're happy).

I only wish I had committed years ago, the savings would have been vast.

David

[Phil]

Another one here who's been using a safety razor for years. In fact I've never used a multi-bladed razor – before this I'd only ever used electric shavers.

Initially I tried using a brush and a bowl of soap, because it seemed like the "proper" way to do it. But I found I couldn't consistently get the consistency right. Eventually I heard of shaving oil, tried that and haven't looked back. More consistent, plus I can see what I'm doing without soap in the way! One tiny bottle lasts me ages.

[robert e]

P.S. The pleasure I often get from a good DE razor is not so distant from the pleasure I often get from a good mechanical all-metal camera.