I'm trying to find a good nen's razor. Gave up finding a reasonable (less than $100) electric that gives a good shave. Been using the multiple packages of Gillette's but they're only good for one or two shaves. Do the old double-edges razors still exist? Still work? I used them decades ago.
Suggestions?
TIA
Are you using the disposables? They don't last long.
A while back I get a free Schick Hydro5 razor. Worked so well that I use it all the time now.
My beard is not all that heavy and I don't shave every day. What works for me is to wet it and soap it at the sink. Then, in the shower I start by washing hear, then lather up and shave using a plastic mirror in the shower. The beard is softened up and shaving is slick and easy. I get many shaves out of a blade.
If you are the kind of guy that has 5 o'clock shadow at noon, nothing is going to last long.
Ed Pawlowski wrote in news:__dOC.113671$ snipped-for-privacy@fx06.iad:
So I'm finding out. Seems like they used to last longer a year or so ago.
I think I tried that but not sure. I'll get another when I go to Walmart today.
Uncle Monster wrote in news: snipped-for-privacy@googlegroups.com:
I've thought about doing that for several years now. May finally do so.
On Sat 26 May 2018 09:20:02a, KenK told us...
How about your lunar plexus?
I use a high quality, carbon steel straight razor with conditioner instead of shaving cream. I sharpen the razor with a leather strop. I have not had to buy razor blades in many years.
Ever since being put on blood thinners 20 years ago I've been shaving with an electric razor and like Norelco type heads versus screen type. The screens may not catch a hair and it is even harder if they grow longer. I have a cheap battery operated screen for when I travel and it is OK for brief periods. You should be able to find an electric Norelco type razor for less than $100. I never buy new heads and think I have run through 3 Norelco's over the 20 year period and I shave every day.
The trick to getting a close shave with an electric is to use a pre-electric such as Williams Lectric Shave. Because the least amount of moisture on your skin creates enough drag that you'll get razor burn if you scrub to try to get a close shave, the lotion contains alcohol to dry your skin and silicone to lubricate the surface of your skin and the screen of the electric blades. I use a Philips Norelco AT810 which costs substantially less than $100 and gives me almost a month's use on one charge. The electric plus the pre-electric lotion will also end up costing you a lot less than razor blades and shaving cream.
Probably
Straight razor. Easy to use, last for decades. That, a hard Arkansas stone and a strop and you are good for the rest of your life. I have been susing mine since the 50s. I have two razors, use them alternately .
Unless you are charging the strop with an abrasive compound, they do not sharpen, merely form the edge.
KenK posted for all of us...
Interesting you brought this up. I was just doing a test myself. Of course this is another subjective opinion...
No electric razor will match a blade. The "screen" is like a spacer, while a blade is directly against the skin.
The blade manufacturers all use the same steel. I was told this by a knife dealer whom did extensive research. He also sells straight razors, which he does not use. He also sells double edge razors. Gillette 'Blue Blade' is what my father always used... Bottom line; they could use better steel but would not sell as many blades which would lead to less profit over time.
I tried a Harry's and am not convinced it's better. Caution: Their shave cream/gel smells very strong - which I can't stand. I think the blades are mounted too closely together and catch whiskers which cannot be rinsed out and one must run their thumb down the blades to clear the debris. I thought it irritated my skin when done. I just saw a Wallymart ad and they are selling the line of products.
I like the Mach 3 the best. I don't think the 5 blade Fusion is any better.
I tried a Schick blade years ago and did not like it. May be better now...
I do not shave every day and when I do I use this shave gel stuff I got at the barber shop. Works great and low odor.
When they shave my head they use this gel and a disposable razor. I don't recall if I have ever used a disposable razor.
Bottom line: DAGS and see if you can get coupons or trial razors. You may like something I don't which is fine. Please report back as to your findings.
...
When Schick quit making the two-blade cartridge for the variety I had used for (probably close to 20) years and all there is now are gew-gaw $20/cartridge monstrously-huge-handled and bulky things it seems, I thought to just get the old double-edge handle out and disappointedly, apparently it had gotten tossed at some time...so I bought a used one on eBay for about $5 w/ free shipping and have been using it for about three years now. It was difficult in small town to find blades for a while except for the really inexpensive Dollar General ones which are sharp-enough but just don't last more than a few shaves...with the apparently fairly widespread revolt over the state of razors, Wally-World has begun carrying the Wilkinson blades. Contrary to what somebody else said, clearly all the blades are _not_ the same; the Wilkinson will easily last a week, even on the wire-for-sideburns...
My choice, hands down for quick, simple and inexpensive.
My hands aren't steady enough/eyes good enough any more for the straight razor...
There is a lot more to the proper care and feeding of a good straight razor.
Mine is made from Damascus steel and could shave the fur off the buffalo on a nickel, then shave the buffalo off the nickel.
I don't use lotion and never had a problem. I'm curious enough to try it. My Norelco sits in a charging station and battery lifetime is usually razor lifetime. If you have a degree in electrical engineering you can replace it. In that respect it is like my Braun toothbrush. I still have that 20 year old corded Norelco which still works.
With the new battery Norelco's you could shave in the shower if you wanted.
I had a hospital roommate once that cut himself when his double edged old style blade broke in the razor and cut him. He got infected and was allergic to penicillin and had to be hospitalized. I don't even let a barber touch me with a razor.
I'm trying to find a good nen's razor. Gave up finding a reasonable (less than $100) electric that gives a good shave. Been using the multiple packages of Gillette's but they're only good for one or two shaves. Do the old double-edges razors still exist? Still work? I used them decades ago.
I use a high quality, carbon steel straight razor with conditioner instead of shaving cream. I sharpen the razor with a leather strop. I have not had to buy razor blades in many years. Unless you are charging the strop with an abrasive compound, they do not sharpen, merely form the edge.
There is a lot more to the proper care and feeding of a good straight razor.
Mine is made from Damascus steel and could shave the fur off the buffalo on a nickel, then shave the buffalo off the nickel. I use a ginsu knife I bought back in 1984 at a garage sale. Over the years I've used the knife to trim cinder blocks, cut schedule 80 black pipe, cut asphalt roofing shingles, slice prosciutto as well as shave every morning.
I've used an old-school Trak-2 since I started shaving regularly - about 45 years ago .. stock-up on name-brand blades - when they are on sale .. or occasionally drug-store blades < never dollar store blades > I've never had a problem with comfort or durability. .. shave gel - any brand that is on sale. A few times, when travelling - I tried Bic disposable - OK for 2 or 3 shaves .. hence disposable .. for me a Trak-2 blade or quality no-name will last 10 - 15 shaves. John T.
OOoohhh hard Arkansas stone ... mmm .. love the feel of that Damascus steel ! Yummy ! When you manly-men finish your religious sharpening rituals and finish shaving your friggin' legs .. maybe we'll get some work done eh ? John T.
Yeah, it's a terrible habit. Almost as bad as swilling Canadian whiskey on a Saturday night.
I am still using a Gilette Sensor that I have had for at least 20 years. The blades are, in my opinion, rather high priced, but they last me for a couple of months. I shave every day. The next time I need to buy blades, probably the end of this year or the first of next year, I am going to look at the economics of changing to a newer razor. That means comparing the prices of the blades.
Bill
It's worse than that. They introduce the latest/greatest blade which everyone tries and loves because it's so good, After a time, the company begins to degrade the blade quality so it wears out sooner and you have to buy them more often.
How do I know this? First hand experience.
Back in the early 60's, one of the big companies introduced one of the first stainless steel double-edge blades and mailed a sample blade in a sturdy package to most every address. I worked in the post office back then and was involved in this distribution.
The company also supplied a large carton of the blades to each post office for the mailmen to grab a handful so they wouldn't filch the ones that were supposed to be delivered.
These blades were great- sharp, smooth, and they lasted a long time. So I switched over to them and bought them for a few years- not noticing that the ones I was buying weren't as good as the ones the company gave the mailmen a few years back.
As it turned out, a few of the sample blades I had had found their way into hiding at the back of the bathroom drawer where they sat unseen for few years. When I eventually spotted them, I started using them instead of the current production ones I had purchased. The difference was day and night- sharper, more comfortable, longer-lasting.
I switched back and forth a few times and the performance difference held up so I know it wasn't just sample to sample manufacturing variation.
Lesson learned? When a latest and greatest new consumable product hits the market and you love it, buy up a bunch and store them away!
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