Double-edge shaving for dollars and sense
Like most men I shave some part of my face daily. Like some I've been cursed with ingrown hairs to be plucked with tweezers one by one. For many years I simply grew and cultivated a beard so I would only have 50% of the work.
In my attempts to get a closer, irritation-free shave I've tried electric shavers (Philips Norelco, Remington Microflex, Panasonic Wet/Dry), cheap disposables (Target, Safeway), expensive disposables (Schick, Schick Quattro), and of course the ritualistic Gillette upgrades (Sensor, Sensor Excel, Sensor 3, Mach 3, Mach 3 Turbo, Fusion). I've also experimented with creams, soaps, pre-shave, post shave, shaving brushes, sunscreen, lotion, and bump stoppers among others.
Until recently one technique I never felt brave enough to try was a double-edge safety razor. A safety razor is essential a very thin razor blade sandwiched between two metal "guard" plates but the thought of taking a razor blade to my face had me scared straight.
Then along came an Amazon recommendation and a video review so straight forward I decided to brave it. I settled on the following setup for my virgin excursion into straight territory:
- Merkur Model 180 Long Handled Safety Razor ($38)
- Deluxe Chrome Safety Razor and Shaving Brush Stand ($22)
- Box of 10 Merkur Double Edge Razor Blades ($6)
- My Nik is Sealed Styptic Pen ($12)
- New brush, new cream ($40)
To get started I only needed the safety razor and blades but buying shaving gadgets is always fun so I splurged on some other items.
I shared my experience with my best friend as a stream of daily updates:
Day 1
I just had the closest shave of my life. I was so nervous I was shaking. Psychologically I thought "I'm going to slice my face open". I managed however with only 1 nick to my adam's apple. After I washed up and took a closer look I noticed the places I'd missed (i.e. was most scared to shave); my jawline and near a mole on my neck. So I re-lathered those areas and approached them with focus and patience telling myself 'angle the handle, let the guard guide you, take your time'. After the second pass I was already feeling more confident.
I just had the closest shave of my life. I was so nervous I was shaking. Psychologically I thought "I'm going to slice my face open". I managed however with only 1 nick to my adam's apple. After I washed up and took a closer look I noticed the places I'd missed (i.e. was most scared to shave); my jawline and near a mole on my neck. So I re-lathered those areas and approached them with focus and patience telling myself 'angle the handle, let the guard guide you, take your time'. After the second pass I was already feeling more confident.
Day 2
A closer shave than day 1, no nicks or cuts, no razor bumps whatsoever. Two full passes this time. Confidence level up to 75%. Shave duration is 2-3 times longer than with Gillette. Also, questioning my new badger brush a bit, will wait and see how it breaks in. Ordered some new shave soap to compare with the Lab Series. Feeling manly.
Day 3
On a tip from a competing manufacturer I got my face nice and soapy by running the badger brush under water after dipping it in the cream. So now I have a good lather method with my existing cream to compare the new cream with. My confidence level is at 90% now but I wish I didn't have a throat. I'm wondering if it's messed up just as it always is or if I need to start pulling out some ingrowns or something. Also this mole on my neck, I'm definitely not approaching it with a straight razor I think I'll mow it with an electric razor instead.
Day 4
13 hours have passed since I shaved before work this morning. Viewing my reflection in the mirror as I wash up for bed, it looks like I shaved 10 minutes ago.
13 hours have passed since I shaved before work this morning. Viewing my reflection in the mirror as I wash up for bed, it looks like I shaved 10 minutes ago.
Day 5
I've just about mastered the shave. No fears, easy going, thinking how funny that on day 1 I was terrified and now I shave so freely. This new shave cream is pretty bad, it's gets sticky very quick and makes the razor pull. Not a fan of the new shaving brush either, it's twice as big as my other brush and creates a huge wet mess all over the sink. Switching back to my regular stuff.
Day 6
Switched back to old brush and cream, my shaving routine is now only slightly longer than with a Gillette. For an even closer shave I make two passes. The neck thing is definitely a remnant of my old shaving technique which has been healing steadily and I'm able to go over the mole now without any problems. Straight razor is the way to go!
Day 7
Time to switch blades. By my calculation, buying a 10-pack of blades doesn't save me much money over the Gillette as I can use a Mach 3 blade for almost 2 weeks before needing to be replaced. But, buying a 100-pack of blades will save me a ton of money. Also, the wastefulness that comes with using Gillette has always irked me - so much packaging, so much plastic, none of it recyclable - all for a mediocre shave that butchers my neck. I'm so happy I switched to a straight razor, it feels like I'm doing the right thing on so many levels.
It's been 3 weeks now and I'm still mastering my technique. In my continued quest for the perfect shave I'm still going to try different blades, pre-shave, post shave, and shave soaps but for now I'm sticking with the straight razor. I can't imagine switching back to an electric or a disposable again.
Adjusting to a safety razor took less than a week and everything about it feels good. I was partly motivated by environmental concerns, partly by cost saving, and mostly in my desire to get a close shave without razor bumps. 15 years from now my son will inherit the same Merkur I'm using today and with any luck, digging around grandpa's old stuff I might find the one he used 20 years ago.
Update: since first posting this I realized I had to revise the title. Originally the title referred to "straight razors" but those are not the same as safety razors. I'm not that brave!
