Safety razor / badger brush shaving?

Anyone else use a double edge safety razor for saving over those marketing gimmick Mach 5's?

I switched for pure cost savings alone and couldn't be happier. I have been shaving this way for about 8 years now. Nothing is better than my Merkur HD + Edwin Jagger best badger brush and some Proraso cream. Of course I have many other creams / soap in the rotation depending on mood. What is your favorite shaving creams / shaving setup?

 

i switched to a DE razor setup about 3 years ago for the cost savings. So worth it. I did use the brush and cream for a while, but then went back to standard shaving gel to save time.

Merkur 34C razor with Crystal blades

 

I still use a Fusion for my head because it's easier around the ears, but if I've been out on the road and haven't shaved in 3-4 days, I'll use the straight to mow everything down before going in to clean up with the cart.

http://www.badgerandblade.com

Good site, and covers many gentlemanly indulgences.

 

Nice setup! I am also on B&B site.

 

Nothing like 5 oclock shadow on your mellon..

 

i can't shave...
my hair is very curly and if i shave a lot of it curls right back into the (or another) folicle before it even breaks skin
this causes my face to get very angry and infected

i thought maybe a sharper/closer/cleaner razor would take care of this
so, i tried this whole bit... nope... same deal

the good news is: i spent $20 on a hair clipper about 5 years ago, and that's been chopping the hair off my face, without an extra penny added, ever since
it doesn't get very close... but, it gets as close as i can get, without having those problems

 

I've been using a DE razor and badger brush for the past 6 months. Couldn't be happier and it doesn't really take too much more time. Proraso cream FTW. Then some Aveda post shave. Quality of shave is awesome and cost is much less. I got $10 in blades which should last 2 years. I got a stainless razor from FastTech for $5. A little extra for a stand and badger brush and no more expensive Gillette razors.

 

Ya.. the first few shaves (or months with a straight) are time consuming.
There is a learning curve and if you push it, it will be a painful lesson (lesson 1, if you have a dog that loves you, close the door!)

After shaving for a year with a straight, I went back to shaving in the shower as I have done for most of my life. VASTLY improved shaves due to the super hydration, and it doesn't take any more time than shaving with a cart.

Shaving the pits is even faster... 2-3 strokes and it's done. The carts clog so quickly that it was always an ordeal (I trim them down once a month or so).

 

Gonna bump this thread nearly 2 years later because I joined the safety razor club tonight. I first started researching straight edge razors and safety razors when I was in the army. I always had razor burn from the cartridges and the cost to shave every day really added up! Seriously, Gillette should give a huge military discount considering soldiers are probably their biggest market. I ruled out the straight edge just because the likely hood of cutting myself significantly increased and I don't have a burly beard that justifies such a brutal device!

Anyways, every time I researched it, I found that people switch to safety razors for cost/better shave. Fast forward 5 years and I am in college. I quit shaving as often since I don't have to waste the money and just keep it clean with a trimmer. Oddly, I missed shaving but could never justify dishing out $10-20 for cartridges. I bought an entry level saftey razor and 100 blades for $40. I splurged on the products and just replaced what I had (standard store stuff). Everything is Taylor of Bond St and I could not be happier with the scent. Anyways, the intial cost of everything was under $100 and should last me a very long time.

My first shave was tonight. I watch a few youtube videos, most of which had the user cut themselves. That made me nervous. I did a few dry runs without a blade to get comfortable with the handle. Took a nice, long hot shower and then got to it. I took my time and enjoyed the whole process. I look forward to the next shave already.

First impressions are that I smell like a man. Seriously. Then of course how smooth the shave went. I missed a few spots but 2 passes seemed to work pretty well for roughly a weeks growth on my face.