I got pretty obsessed with safety razors and wetshaving a little while ago. The blade is unquestionably less forgiving than your standard 3-5 blade Shave System™, and you have to unlearn some sloppy technique that pivoting-head razors promote. I.e. you have to pay attention to the angle at which you're placing the blade against your skin.
But I pretty quickly got to a point where cuts were even less common than they were before I started using the safety razor, and I think my experience is pretty much the norm for anyone who sticks with it for 5-10 shaves. It takes a bit longer, but it's a better shave with less irritation, and the ritual of it is a lot of fun.
And some of the shaving creams that you apply with a brush (I'm thinking specifically of Taylor of Old Bond Street's rose-scented one) smell absolutely incredible.
I am very obsessed with safety razors. Been hooked on it for about 2 years now and haven't gone back: 1) save a ton of money 2) feel like I have that "best shave of my life" at least once a week. 3) local product I use is much better for the face.
It is definitely an adjustment, I'd venture to say it took me about 3 months of experimenting (shaving 3-4 times a week) before I was getting extremely close shaves. The best analogy I've heard is that using a safety razor is like driving a manual sports car. It's a lost art of being a man.
I started with a basic $20 razor and common mekur blades... But about a year ago I upgraded to Markur Futur, and more recently switched to Feather (japanese) blades. If you haven't tried the Feather blades, definitely encourage you to do so.
I personally like the Derby blades I picked up off of Amazon, they still get just as close as anything else I've used, but they somehow feel 'softer' than all the others. Perhaps more forgiving is a better phrase. What's so great about the Feathers?
Feathers are made by a Japanese surgical tool company. They are considered by many to be the sharpest blade you can purchase.
That said, practice with Merkur or Derby's before you graduate to feathers.
I bought the Derbys on Amazon as well (100 pack for 15 bucks! Two year supply, basically, instead of a stretched 2 month supply for 30 dollar Gillettes) but I have to say I prefer the feeling of the Merkurs. Still, the price is right for the Derbys, though I do want to try feathers in the future.
I second the softer feel, the Feathers seem a lot less stiff than the common merkur blades I was using. They also feel sharper, I think the blade conforms better against my boney face and less irritation.
I've been meaning to order this actually, maybe I'll do it today.
Comments
I got pretty obsessed with safety razors and wetshaving a little while ago. The blade is unquestionably less forgiving than your standard 3-5 blade Shave System™, and you have to unlearn some sloppy technique that pivoting-head razors promote. I.e. you have to pay attention to the angle at which you're placing the blade against your skin.
But I pretty quickly got to a point where cuts were even less common than they were before I started using the safety razor, and I think my experience is pretty much the norm for anyone who sticks with it for 5-10 shaves. It takes a bit longer, but it's a better shave with less irritation, and the ritual of it is a lot of fun.
And some of the shaving creams that you apply with a brush (I'm thinking specifically of Taylor of Old Bond Street's rose-scented one) smell absolutely incredible.
I am very obsessed with safety razors. Been hooked on it for about 2 years now and haven't gone back: 1) save a ton of money 2) feel like I have that "best shave of my life" at least once a week. 3) local product I use is much better for the face.
It is definitely an adjustment, I'd venture to say it took me about 3 months of experimenting (shaving 3-4 times a week) before I was getting extremely close shaves. The best analogy I've heard is that using a safety razor is like driving a manual sports car. It's a lost art of being a man.
I started with a basic $20 razor and common mekur blades... But about a year ago I upgraded to Markur Futur, and more recently switched to Feather (japanese) blades. If you haven't tried the Feather blades, definitely encourage you to do so.
http://www.truefittandhill.com/catImages/large_MerkurFuturSa...
http://www.fendrihan.com/images/feather_10.jpg
I personally like the Derby blades I picked up off of Amazon, they still get just as close as anything else I've used, but they somehow feel 'softer' than all the others. Perhaps more forgiving is a better phrase. What's so great about the Feathers?
Feathers are made by a Japanese surgical tool company. They are considered by many to be the sharpest blade you can purchase.
That said, practice with Merkur or Derby's before you graduate to feathers.
I bought the Derbys on Amazon as well (100 pack for 15 bucks! Two year supply, basically, instead of a stretched 2 month supply for 30 dollar Gillettes) but I have to say I prefer the feeling of the Merkurs. Still, the price is right for the Derbys, though I do want to try feathers in the future.
I second the softer feel, the Feathers seem a lot less stiff than the common merkur blades I was using. They also feel sharper, I think the blade conforms better against my boney face and less irritation.
I've been meaning to order this actually, maybe I'll do it today.
http://westcoastshaving.com/index.php?main_page=product_info...
I'd be interested in knowing how many of the safety razor using folk in here made the switch after this
http://www.shaveblog.com/2006/03/welcome-new-york-times-read...
did a lap of the internet a little while back.
I made the switch after coming across it, haven't looked back.