old school shaving

What do you guys use to shave? I was just curious if anyone around here has gone old school when it comes to getting rid of those facial whiskers.

For the last year or so I've been using a traditional safety razor. I was using a Mach3, but I use to get a lot of ingrown hairs on my neck. After having switched, they've all but disappeared. Plus, there's just something inherently cool about breaking out the badger brush, a bowl of shaving soap and then whipping it into a good lather.

So is anyone here really old school/ hardcore and use a straight razor?

Here's what I use to get the job done...

Merkur 34C Heavy Duty Safety Razor

Feather Double Edge Razor Blades

Edwin Jagger Silver Tip Badger Shaving Brush

Tabac Original Shaving Soap

 

Got that razor and brush, but I use The Art of Shaving unscented lather. As a pre-oil the wifey made me a base of avocado oil with Grapefruit, lemongrass, some sandalwood, and orange peel essential oils. Really wakes you up and costs a lot less

 

I use an electric razor. Unless its a formal thing then I use just a razor.

 

mach 5.

Is this any better? If so why?

 

My Christmas to me this year is a safety razor, F*** paying $15.00 for 3 damn blade on a Mach 5. I used to use a straight razor, but it screwed up my face and shaving on a boat is precarious anyways...
Edit: I like some of the ones on taht site, cheaper too...

 

Waaaaaayyy better than that pos mach5. All it does is irritate your face more because there's more blades to pull hair out. Plus they go dull with a quickness. You get a way closer shave with the safety razors

EDIT: And a 10 pack of blades is about 3-4 bucks at a drug store. They last for a good month I've found and when they get dull you flip em

 

Hmm. I might have to try this out. Any one use that "Razor Pit" Sharping tool?

 

I'm not sure why. All I can tell you is that it gives a closer, smoother, less irritating shave. One blade is better than 3 or 5. I can also tell you it's sharp as hell. With a new blade and the wrong move, you'll bleed. You learn what not to do fairly quickly though.

 

Could I possibly use that to shave my head?

 

I don't see why you couldn't. But, with a safety razor, you have to pay a little more attention to the angle you hold it at while shaving. It that regard, it's a little less forgiving than the Mach3's/ Sensors/ etc. That may make it a bit tricky the first few times you do it... until you get the feel of it.

Edit: I forgot to mention... your choice of blades makes a big difference too. I've tried 3 different brands and the best I've found are the Feather blades (link in first post).

 

Those expensive Gillette type disposable razors are giving you razor bumps and irritation because they actually shave TOO close. With a multiple bladed razor, and those fancy rubber strips, they pull the hair up from the follicle and then cut it. The result is after it's cut, the end of the hair is recessed. That's why your face feels so damn smooth. Problem is that sometimes the end of the hair grows in under the skin instead of out of it's original hole. Now you shave again over the resulting bump and you're a bloody mess. The safety razor having only one blade and no fancy rubber strip doesn't pull the hair up out of the follicle. It just cuts it off flush with your skin so there's no way it becomes an ingrown hair. There is technique for getting the best result from a safety razor. The other thing that's great about them is they don't plug up when you have a couple days growth. With my Merkur I could shave my whole face without rinsing the razor and it just keeps working. I use an olive oil soap from the health food store, it's like $1.50 a bar and lasts forever. If I have time I use my badger brush.

 

Anyone ever use straight razors?

 

I'm chicken.. bock, bock, bock.

 

I want to try it out, Chick at AOS told me to youtube it. Said the instructional vids were actually really good and dead on

 

hahahahaha

 

Yeah I'm kinda afraid to try it too....lol

 

Good to see I am not the only one out there not using the plastic disposable stuff to shave.

I have been using this safety razor for about 5 years and love it.

Merkur Futur
http://www.westcoastshaving.com/Merkur-Futur-Safety-Razor-Matte-Chrome_p_51.html

Col. Conk shave soap , Amber glycerine or Bay Rum
http://www.colconkproducts.com/index.php?main_page=index&cPath=3&zenid=jhgptb15bkpbsijlllkld24or3

 

Nice razor. Being adjustable, does it hold it's position solidly once adjusted? Also, does it flush out easily? It looks like the bottom of the head is closed in.

 

It is pretty stiff to turn, I wouldn't attempt to turn it with a blade in it. I wasn't sure how close I wanted the razor to be when starting to use it, so I went with the adjustable one. It flushes out fairly well, a little soap build up over time but nothing major.

 

I just came across this thread and I'm interested in trying this out. I use a Mach 3 right now. What do people prefer, Adjustable or Non Adjustable Safety Razor? Is it easy to get a nice close shave? How long does it take to shave? I got a razor from my Grandfather that was made in 1932 and used in WW2 that I'd like to use, I imagine it will still use a standard blade?