Become a MacRumors Supporter for $50/year with no ads, ability to filter front page stories, and private forums.
With practice, getting a good, nick-free, shave with a double edge safety razor can be done quickly and without mess. It takes me less than 5 minutes to do a 2-pass shave (with the grain and then against the grain) using shaving cream and brush in bowl. Using shaving gel out of a can, it can be done even faster. Of course, getting a pro shave with a straight razor is a treat when you have time and don't mind spending $20 and up. To me, shaving is a pleasure and relaxing, so I like to do it myself using the right tools and products that are not needlessly expensive.

Does everyone have to shave against the grain? I know I get ingrown hairs with regular razors doing that.

Reason I ask is because I've been wanting a safety razor.
 
Does everyone have to shave against the grain? I know I get ingrown hairs with regular razors doing that.

Reason I ask is because I've been wanting a safety razor.

I shave with, against, and then across the grain. I never get ingrown hairs with my safety razor. Then again my facial hair isn't that coarse.
 
Does everyone have to shave against the grain? I know I get ingrown hairs with regular razors doing that.

Reason I ask is because I've been wanting a safety razor.

I use a safety razor, and going with the grain only gets me a shave plenty close enough for going to work or church. If I touch up along my jawline, I'm good for a couple of days.

The entire time I used cartridges, it took me two passes, seven days a week, to keep from having visible stubble. And it was nowhere near as comfortable as a single blade.
 
Does everyone have to shave against the grain? I know I get ingrown hairs with regular razors doing that.

Reason I ask is because I've been wanting a safety razor.

Of course, you don't have to, but it gives a closer shave. But for some beards and skins, shaving against the direction of hair growh can cause irritation and ingrown hairs. Use of an alum block followed by skin conditioner cream after the shave can help prevent irritated skin from shaving against the grain. A second pass only with the grain while stretching the skin a little can also give a closer shave. But, really, who says a really smooth shave is necessary or even desirable?
 
Does anybody have issues with the adams apple area? My hair changes all sort of directions so I have to be very careful not to go against the grain. Even so I still get red bumps. Wearing dress shirts makes this much worse. And shaving the next day makes me bleed.

Also, do you guys shave every day? I can't understand how people do. The problem is that even right after I shave, I can still see the little dots of hair. Then the next day it's even worse, but I can't shave it because my face is still sensitive. I can do every other day tops, but even then it's not good.

I hate shaving :confused:
 
A few months ago I switched to Harrys

The Best Shave Ever! And I've tried everything over the years. My beards too tough to get a decent save with electric so that's out.

For me Harrys offers too many advantages to pass up.

1) I get a great shave
2) Pricing is very reasonable
3) They give you total flexibility, Shave Plans are optional .

You pick how many blades and optional cream they send you. Plus it's month to month or every two months so you get only what you want.

Now I never have to shop, they send me only what I need and the savings is incredible.

www.harrys.com
 
Does anybody have issues with the adams apple area? My hair changes all sort of directions so I have to be very careful not to go against the grain. Even so I still get red bumps. Wearing dress shirts makes this much worse. And shaving the next day makes me bleed.

Also, do you guys shave every day? I can't understand how people do. The problem is that even right after I shave, I can still see the little dots of hair. Then the next day it's even worse, but I can't shave it because my face is still sensitive. I can do every other day tops, but even then it's not good.

I hate shaving :confused:

This shaving forum provides a lot of information about wet shaving that might be helpful to you.

http://www.badgerandblade.com/vb/forum.php
 
A few months ago I switched to Harrys

The Best Shave Ever! And I've tried everything over the years. My beards too tough to get a decent save with electric so that's out.

For me Harrys offers too many advantages to pass up.

1) I get a great shave
2) Pricing is very reasonable
3) They give you total flexibility, Shave Plans are optional .

You pick how many blades and optional cream they send you. Plus it's month to month or every two months so you get only what you want.

Now I never have to shop, they send me only what I need and the savings is incredible.

www.harrys.com

Totally agree, I switched to Harry's about a year ago. There blades last longer and much more economical than the "other" brands. Great customer service.
 
I use a safety razor, and going with the grain only gets me a shave plenty close enough for going to work or church. If I touch up along my jawline, I'm good for a couple of days.

The entire time I used cartridges, it took me two passes, seven days a week, to keep from having visible stubble. And it was nowhere near as comfortable as a single blade.

Of course, you don't have to, but it gives a closer shave. But for some beards and skins, shaving against the direction of hair growh can cause irritation and ingrown hairs. Use of an alum block followed by skin conditioner cream after the shave can help prevent irritated skin from shaving against the grain. A second pass only with the grain while stretching the skin a little can also give a closer shave. But, really, who says a really smooth shave is necessary or even desirable?

What razors do you two use? My wife got me one from Shaveology on Amazon and when I opened it up, it was used and the paint on the handle was chipped of. So, I'm looking for a decent one, would like also a stand, bowl, and brush to look nice in the bathroom.
 
What razors do you two use? My wife got me one from Shaveology on Amazon and when I opened it up, it was used and the paint on the handle was chipped of. So, I'm looking for a decent one, would like also a stand, bowl, and brush to look nice in the bathroom.

Paint?!? :eek: That's almost as bad as - *gasp* - plastic!

I've used both of these with great results:

Edwin Jagger

Merkur

I don't use a bowl, I just lather directly on my face in the shower. My go-to brush is an Edwin Jagger, but I also use an Art of Shaving brush from time to time. I've tried several creams from Taylor of Old Bond Street and they're very impressive. A little goes a VERY long way - a tub lasts me about six months.

EDIT: You can also find some decent older razors on eBay. I got a 1960 Gillette SuperSpeed for a dollar, and it works flawlessly.
 
As an Amazon Associate, MacRumors earns a commission from qualifying purchases made through links in this post.
Paint?!? :eek: That's almost as bad as - *gasp* - plastic!

I've used both of these with great results:

Edwin Jagger

Merkur

I don't use a bowl, I just lather directly on my face in the shower. My go-to brush is an Edwin Jagger, but I also use an Art of Shaving brush from time to time. I've tried several creams from Taylor of Old Bond Street and they're very impressive. A little goes a VERY long way - a tub lasts me about six months.

EDIT: You can also find some decent older razors on eBay. I got a 1960 Gillette SuperSpeed for a dollar, and it works flawlessly.

Thanks. I use Art of Shaving brush, preshave, shaving cream, aftershave.

How long does a blade last? I'm assuming shaving with a safety razor saves some money.
 
As an Amazon Associate, MacRumors earns a commission from qualifying purchases made through links in this post.
What razors do you two use? My wife got me one from Shaveology on Amazon and when I opened it up, it was used and the paint on the handle was chipped of. So, I'm looking for a decent one, would like also a stand, bowl, and brush to look nice in the bathroom.

I use this one:

http://www.amazon.com/Merkur-Heavy-Double-Razor-Included/dp/B000QYEK88/ref=pd_sbs_bt_2?ie=UTF8&refRID=0BRJVNQ9JQC3BNTVYP8G

Great razor, short and fat, fits in hand nicely.

----------

Thanks. I use Art of Shaving brush, preshave, shaving cream, aftershave.

How long does a blade last? I'm assuming shaving with a safety razor saves some money.

Double edge blades used in safety razors are very inexpensive, just pennies each if purchased in large quantity. Derby and Astra blades get the job done nicely for me using the razor above.
 
Last edited:
As an Amazon Associate, MacRumors earns a commission from qualifying purchases made through links in this post.
Thanks. I use Art of Shaving brush, preshave, shaving cream, aftershave.

How long does a blade last? I'm assuming shaving with a safety razor saves some money.

AoS makes great stuff, too. A bit on the pricey side, but the quality is definitely there.

As for blades, I use Astras, and I can get two weeks or around 5-6 shaves, then it starts to feel like a cartridge razor and I toss it. I paid about $8.90 or so for mine, they'll last me about 3-4 years at the rate I'm using them.
 
As an Amazon Associate, MacRumors earns a commission from qualifying purchases made through links in this post.
Thread revival...

I've got an approx seven year old Phillips Norelco 8240XL electric shaver that I want to put new blades in, but the blades are $35-40 and I can buy a new razor for about $80, as I recall, about what I paid for this razer. Any opinions, replacement blades or new Razer and keep n mind the battery could poop out at any time. If a new Razer, I do keep the disposable Schick blades and a can of lather around for emergencies, but would like opinions on the best electric razer for the money and to keep the price below $100. My inclination is another Noreco Razer, for about the same price. Thoughts? Thanks!

Y
philips-norelco-8240xl-speed-xl-shaver-blades-and-parts-10.gif

Current 8240XL​
 
Last edited:
As an Amazon Associate, MacRumors earns a commission from qualifying purchases made through links in this post.
I will finish them off, but these blades have been very disappointing.

https://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B...mg_2?ie=UTF8&refRID=M3SBMKRH4SF966NTX78P&th=1

After one or two shaves, they are pretty much toast. Lots of skin and hair pulling which I didn't have with my Feather blades.

https://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B...4_2?ie=UTF8&psc=1&refRID=3BMT809FTZQ3S2F4YEC4

That's interesting because believe it or not, but I get about 6 shaves out of my disposable Shick ST2 Slim Twins.
[doublepost=1476484025][/doublepost]
View attachment 665611

Smooth clean shave every day. Can't beat it.

Too much work to keep it sharp. :p
 
As an Amazon Associate, MacRumors earns a commission from qualifying purchases made through links in this post.
That's interesting because believe it or not, but I get about 6 shaves out of my disposable Shick ST2 Slim Twins.
[doublepost=1476484025][/doublepost]

Too much work to keep it sharp. :p

The ones I linked to are just the blades............... The feathers, are a hell of deal and I can get quite a few shaves out of them.
 
I recently looked at Dollar Shave Club and Harry's both
Both have pros and cons I guess and they both have their fans
I went with Harry's
I'm not a "wow, what a great shave!" guy, but they do the job
And I don't have to buy at the grocery store or Sam's Club any more
But then again, I typically let it go and only shave every third day or so...
I don't like to shave, period

I have no opinion about electric shavers at this point
I haven't used one in years
Never could get a decent shave
Always felt like I had a day old beard when I finished, so why bother
 
I'm a semi-infrequent shaver, and do a little facial hair even when I do. At one point, I thought about switching back to a safety razor, use high quality blades, do the entire pre-post process with oils, using a brush, etc., but for me shaving is usually a last minute decision, so I need a little quick execution (I take my time with other things, it's not all about rushing :cool:)

So I've been using Dorco razors, it's the same manufacturer as many of the "Shave Clubs", picked it up from Amazon, and I've been buying the 4 blade (Pace 4) cartridges for ~$20 for 16 which is an outstanding deal, and they're very good quality. I had my handle break, sent them an email, and they sent me a replacement (it was actually the "starter set" so I got another 2 blades for free).

For me, it's mostly about an easy to use, good quality cream, like Kiehl's, Cremo or Neutrogena Sensitive if I need to score it quickly, followed by a good balm/creme, Nivea Sensitive or Anthony's

Heck, a mix of something like Dorco + Cremo + Nivea is a really nice shave, and keeps my yearly supply cost around $50 :)
 
I do not use shaving cream, I use a straight blade near the beard area and for the rest my Gillete mach 4.
 
Register on MacRumors! This sidebar will go away, and you'll see fewer ads.