Extend the life of your shaving razor exponentially without spending $299 for a sapphire blade

[yRaz]

Yeah, for me, Feather blades win with Astra blades a very close second. Throw a hot, moist towel around my face, put on some pre-shave oil, mix my Proraso shave cream with a few drops of water, lather it up in a bowl with a badger hair brush, apply to face, slap a Feather blade on, when done wash with cold water and throw on some no-alcohol after shave balm from Proraso (I LOVE their products, lol) and boom...no razor burn. For someone who used to get it all the time, the time and effort put into wet shaving is totally worth it.

switching to an old fashioned shave routine has made it something I look forward to every morning instead of being a chore that I "have to do". It has become part of my morning ritual although I've never used a pre-shave oil. What does the pre-shave oil add to your shave?

 

[Evernessince]

Yeah, for me, Feather blades win with Astra blades a very close second. Throw a hot, moist towel around my face, put on some pre-shave oil, mix my Proraso shave cream with a few drops of water, lather it up in a bowl with a badger hair brush, apply to face, slap a Feather blade on, when done wash with cold water and throw on some no-alcohol after shave balm from Proraso (I LOVE their products, lol) and boom...no razor burn. For someone who used to get it all the time, the time and effort put into wet shaving is totally worth it.

Most people have to wet shave one way or another, dry shaving is just awefull. If you are going to do it might as well make it an enjoyable experience. I tend to lean towards the more natural alcohol free shaving products as well. I currently use "Kiss my Face" shaving cream. I find that it's performance is only ok but it doesn't irritate or smell. I've tried Cremo Cream before and while it performed pretty well it felt like the cream was leaving something behind. I really need to find something that is the best of both worlds.

 

[Evernessince]

switching to an old fashioned shave routine has made it something I look forward to every morning instead of being a chore that I "have to do". It has become part of my morning ritual although I've never used a pre-shave oil. What does the pre-shave oil add to the shave?

Softens the hair and provides nice glide for the razor. If your razor isn't currently tugging then you should be fine without it. Some oils can also provide vitamins but if you have a good aftershave than you should already be getting that.

 

[yRaz]

Softens the hair and provides nice glide for the razor. If your razor isn't currently tugging then you should be fine without it. Some oils can also provide vitamins but if you have a good aftershave than you should already be getting that.

well I did some looking into pre shave oils and they're cheap enough that it seems like it's something worth trying. I don't really see my shave routine as lacking, but if it makes any noticeable improvement then I will most certainly add it to my shave routine.

 

[NashTan]

I use a shavette, with Kai single sided Pink Blades with Titanium coating, best decision ever to ditch the Gillette, cartridges are just way to expensive. Still looking into shave foam and pre-shave paraphernalia.

 

[rpjkw11]

I use an electric razor. Cost $120ish and has lasted me over two years so far and no replacement parts needed. Good shave too, well worth the time savings.

Same here. I have a $70ish Norelco triple head battery shaver that works well. The nicest part is it's wet/dry and using it in the sower is a dream IF I make sure there's still cream remaining on my face, otherwise it's "drag city" big time. Mostly I use dry.

 

[MarkAB]

Eight years ago purchased enough replacement razor blades (at that time 25 blades for $20 @Costco), last year ran out and noticed (20 blades for $44- $50) I ended up going to a safety razor. Extremely pleased, I have used Proraso soap, and Astra blades, and my expense with a heavy beard is now 11 cents a week. My only warning is don't buy the cheap butterfly opening type, they don't last and the alignment is off just enough at time to do minor surgery on your face.

 

[Evernessince]

well I did some looking into pre shave oils and they're cheap enough that it seems like it's something worth trying. I don't really see my shave routine as lacking, but if it makes any noticeable improvement then I will most certainly add it to my shave routine.

That's my philosophy. it doesn't hurt to try.

 

[Zardoz99]

When I shower, I use hair conditioner on my daily beard. The shave works much better. Try it! You'll like it!

 

[lipe123]

I went electric many many years ago, used my first electric shaver about 8 years. Bought a new waterproof one for shower shaves with foam for $200 ish and used that for many years after.
Takes care of any neck skin sensitivity etc and saves tons of time.

Would never bother with regular razors again.

Ps. then I grew a beard and lived happily ever after with weekly trims. Shaving?! -aint nobody got tyme fo dat! haha

 

[Evernessince]

I went electric many many years ago, used my first electric shaver about 8 years. Bought a new waterproof one for shower shaves with foam for $200 ish and used that for many years after.
Takes care of any neck skin sensitivity etc and saves tons of time.

Would never bother with regular razors again.

Ps. then I grew a beard and lived happily ever after with weekly trims. Shaving?! -aint nobody got tyme fo dat! haha

Electric razors come with their own set of disadvantages like expensive replacements parts and not being able to shave as close as double edge razors. There's a lot more than can go wrong in a mechanical electronic device than a regular shaver. The time difference between the two isn't large, especially when you consider the quality of the shave.

 

[lipe123]

Electric razors come with their own set of disadvantages like expensive replacements parts and not being able to shave as close as double edge razors. There's a lot more than can go wrong in a mechanical electronic device than a regular shaver. The time difference between the two isn't large, especially when you consider the quality of the shave.

Never had to replace anything on any electric shaver I own other than a new battery for one, where I just soldered some connectors onto a standard AA rechargeable battery and continued to use it for many years after.
Also using an electric razor thats water proof with shaving cream gives you a shave thats almost exactly the same as a regular razor but with the added benefit of not causing you to have break out if you have sensitive skin.

Idk man, electric is VERY cost effective.

 

[Evernessince]

Never had to replace anything on any electric shaver I own other than a new battery for one, where I just soldered some connectors onto a standard AA rechargeable battery and continued to use it for many years after.
Also using an electric razor thats water proof with shaving cream gives you a shave thats almost exactly the same as a regular razor but with the added benefit of not causing you to have break out if you have sensitive skin.

Idk man, electric is VERY cost effective.

Electric razors have blades just like any other razor. There's no getting around that they need to be replaced at some point. Same goes for the battery and other components. Adding complexity adds maintenance cost. Even if you personally haven't had much issues, others have.

 

[HyperPete]

I've been using a non-aerosol shaving gel for several years now. I tried the Merkur razor with feather blades, and I just don't get a close enough shave without hacking my sensitive skin to bits. (Curly hair is a pain to shave!)

A multi-blade razor seems to work the best for me along with Gillette Fusion ProGlide Clear Shave Gel. I am changing from an expensive name brand to the Dollar Shave Club when I am done with my refills. I tried the double blade razor from there and it gave me a great shave without nicking me up. At $4 every 2 months, it's a great deal to me.