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What razor do you prefer?

Which Razor?

  • Disposable

  • Cartridge

  • Safety

  • Straight Edge

  • Electric

Results are only viewable after voting.
D

Dodgeman

macrumors 65816
Original poster
Nov 30, 2016
1,355
199
So here are the options:

Disposable
Cartridge (Gillette, Shick, Harry's)
Safety
Electric Rotary/Foil Types
Straight Edge

Based on what you choose which brand do you prefer?

My I have never had experience with a safety razor, although I may have to give it a go in the future.
Disposable I have used but they are not partially a preference for me as most of the ultra cheap ones are no good, and the normal priced ones are similar to cartridge styles. Straight edge I feel is barber only. I do have an electric rotary one, but I feel it does not give me the closest shave, it is not quick, and it does help with irritation.
I have would have to pick Gillette for my 1st preference for a nice close quick shave. Shick brand I have tried and I like but their trimmer on the back side with the hinge that folds down is impossible to use In my eyes. If I could have figured that out I probably would stick with that brand. Harry's I like and the value is great, but same thing the trimmer on the back pulls my hair and I from what I remember I did not notice that on Gillette.
So if I had to call it today I would say the Gillette Fusion 5, and for the touch ups and in betweens and without a lot of hair my electric rotary.



What is your guys experiences?
 
I started shaving with an electric razor and hated it. Then I switched to a safety razor and it's been great! It feels much better, doesn't irritate my skin as much and is really cheap. I highly recommend it. Also less waste compared to other solutions.

I tried a few blade brands and my favorite ones are Feathers. There are a few sample packages you can order to try different brands, worth it IMO.
 
Did not vote as I am using cartridge and electric. Cartridge, I'm using Harry's currently. For electric, I have a Braun Series 7. Been happy with both.

Cartridge, if I have time and or want a close shave. The Braun, when pressed for time and looking to look clean quickly.

The Braun does not shave as close as blade (for me, and it's primarily the neck and jaw line), but can get real close to that smoothness, just need to spend some extra time to get that result. I had been exclusively using the Braun for a number of years, and when I started to use blade again, I had quite a few ingrown hairs I did not know about, so, had a bumpy face for a short while: chalking that up to the electric does not quite get everything when shaving. Cost to own is the upside with electric. The cleaning cartridges and replacement heads can be had for cheap on Amazon at lower price than local big-box retailer. Depending on how often you clean the razor, might get by using only four cleaning cartridges per year (~$18/yr). Heads get replaced every 18mo at about $40 per.

Did a little experiment early on with a disposable blade when I first tried the Harry's. Same day, same shaving cream, started with the disposable: noticed right away big difference between the two. Finished up the job with the Harry's.

Electric is nice for travel, imo, as that is one or more less liquids/gels/creams that need to be hauled around that are 3.5oz or less, in a single 1qt storage bag, etc.

With the blade, the shaving gels/creams have been a big variable for me. Have become a fan of Dr. Carver Shave Butter, but at $8+$4 shipping, a bit pricey. The Van Der Hagen shave butter is really nice, but the scent is really strong and lingers (strong suntan lotion smell). Cremo has had nice results, cheap, can be bought almost everywhere, just not as nice of a shave as Dr. Carver. Aveda has a great smell, conditions skin well, but not much better shave vs Cremo and pricey ($18). Couple of brands will be trying soon as my Dr. Carver's is getting low and not too keen on paying the $4 s/h if other options out there.
 
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Electric. I’ve been using a Braun Series 5 for a decade now. Cleans itself, quick to shave, and gets close enough that my wife likes it (she hates stubble). My face is sensitive enough that it doesn’t like straight razors after a few shaves.
 
NoBoMac said:
Did not vote as I am using cartridge and electric. Cartridge, I'm using Harry's currently. For electric, I have a Braun Series 7. Been happy with both.

Cartridge, if I have time and or want a close shave. The Braun, when pressed for time and looking to look clean quickly.

The Braun does not shave as close as blade (for me, and it's primarily the neck and jaw line), but can get real close to that smoothness, just need to spend some extra time to get that result. Which in turn, gets more in line with blade shaving times. I had been exclusively using the Braun for a number of years, and when I started to use blade again, I had quite a few ingrown hairs I did not know about, so, had a bumpy face for a short while: chalking that up to the electric does not quite get everything when shaving. Cost to own is the upside with electric. The cleaning cartridges and replacement heads can be had for cheap on Amazon at lower price than local big-box retailer. Depending on how often you clean the razor, might get by using only four cleaning cartridges per year (~$18/yr). Heads get replaced every 18mo at about $40 per.

Did a little experiment early on with a disposable blade when I first tried the Harry's. Same day, same shaving cream, started with the disposable: noticed right away big difference between the two. Finished up the job with the Harry's.

Electric is nice for travel, imo, as that is one or more less liquids/gels/creams that need to be hauled around that are 3.5oz or less, in a single 1qt storage bag, etc.

With the blade, the shaving gels/creams have been a big variable for me. Have become a fan of Dr. Carver Shave Butter, but at $8+$12 shipping, a bit pricey. The Van Der Hagen shave butter is really nice, but the scent is really strong and lingers (strong suntan lotion smell). Aveda has a great smell, conditions skin well, but not the smoothest shave and pricey ($18). Cremo has had nice results, cheap, can be bought almost everywhere, just not as nice of a shave as Dr. Carver. Couple of brands will be trying soon as my Dr. Carver's is getting low and not too keen on paying the $4 s/h if other options out there.
Click to expand...

Yes. Currently I have the Gillette shave foam, barber classic scent. I have typically always used Gillette as they first mailed me a Mach 3 Turbo back when you turn 18 IIRC. I have always purchased them because they have a store presence and lets face it, there weren't many other options. Then I branched out went to the Art of Shaving and got some unique gels/creams. I was still using the Gillette. Tried a few disposable models, just due to cost and want to see how they fair. Tried Harrys as it was priced right and had a big store presence. Harrys is not horrible, it is just "ok" IMO. My electric razor is nice, and feel I can shave with it every day/every other day to keep a nice trim look. Only issue with my electric is if I have a good amount of hair it takes FOREVER to shave it all off plus it is not the closest shave.
Pull out a fresh Fusion 5 and I get a close shave, only issue with that is I get itchy after the shave. I am not sure if it is the razor or the shaving foam/cream. I might need to switch to the sensitive version...?
[doublepost=1528749936][/doublepost]
QuarterSwede said:
Electric. I’ve been using a Braun Series 5 for a decade now. Cleans itself, quick to shave, and gets close enough that my wife likes it (she hates stubble). My face is sensitive enough that it doesn’t like straight razors after a few shaves.
Click to expand...

What issues do you find with the straight razors?
[doublepost=1528750147][/doublepost]Plus I feel the electric razors with the charging/cleaning stations get expensive. I never get a fully close shave, but since you two have mentioned Braun I might need to give them a 2nd look. I guess it is good if you are always clean shaved, as I usually wear a goatee and getting all that hair off with an electric can be a pain.
 
You guys think the irritation is from the shaving cream, or the manual shaving razor?
Is Braun like one of the top brands for electric shaving, or should I explore other options like Phillips Norelco?
 
I'm surprised nobody has mentioned Dollar Shave Club. I use their Executive head (five blades) and they send me four cartridges per month for $9. I had an electric in high school and have tried a couple over the years since but I always end up with pretty serious razor burn from those.
 
I like my Harry's cartridges. Very affordable, (unlike Gillette and the others) and they deliver them to my doorstep. The shave is nice, comfortable and close.
 
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JamesMike said:
I use a Gillette Fusion 5 and get a excellent shave with it.
Click to expand...

Yeah, do you use the power handle?

RootBeerMan said:
I like my Harry's cartridges. Very affordable, (unlike Gillette and the others) and they deliver them to my doorstep. The shave is nice, comfortable and close.
Click to expand...

Yeah Harry's is affordable. Might actually switch back. 4 pack of blades is like $9 but the trimmer on the rear is terrible.
Their face wash & shaving gel are a bit over priced...
 
Dodgeman said:
You guys think the irritation is from the shaving cream, or the manual shaving razor?
Is Braun like one of the top brands for electric shaving, or should I explore other options like Phillips Norelco?
Click to expand...

I love Braun, and I'm on my second Series 7. I switched from Norelco years ago, and for my skin, Braun's foil razors absolutely get a better and more comfortable shave than Norelco's rotary ones. I've also tried Panasonic, but it doesn't hold a candle to Braun.
 
shinji said:
I love Braun, and I'm on my second Series 7. I switched from Norelco years ago, and for my skin, Braun's foil razors absolutely get a better and more comfortable shave than Norelco's rotary ones. I've also tried Panasonic, but it doesn't hold a candle to Braun.
Click to expand...

2nd one? What happened to the first?
You grabbed the 7 instead of the 5 series. Seems everyone is saying Braun! I may have to go buy one this week.

NoBoMac said:
Re: Dollar Shave Club: you can also buy from the factory.

https://www.dorcousa.com
Click to expand...

Everyone keeps saying DSC, what is one good thing about them besides them being cheap. (They seem like Harrys both seem one in the same.)
 
Dodgeman said:
2nd one? What happened to the first?
You grabbed the 7 instead of the 5 series. Seems everyone is saying Braun! I may have to go buy one this week.
Click to expand...

I got a wet/dry version of the 7 as a gift to replace my older dry-only. Really though, if you're not going to use it in the shower and/or won't use it with shaving cream ever, the dry-only shaves just as well.
 
Gillette Fusion cartridge, non-power handle, 90% of the time. I shave my head and face while in the shower, and the Gillette does the best job of the razors I've tried.
For those occasions when I need a quick shave away from the shower, or to attend to the dreaded 5 o'clock shadow, I use a Norelco rotary shaver.
Both seem a bit expensive to maintain, but they both work well, for me.
 
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Braun Series 9. I used to use blades but it got tired of the hassle. I still use one on occasion but prefer the convenience of the Braun.
 
Double edge safety for me.

I have a couple, and most of them older Gillettes including a "Slim" adjustable. I also usually use a Harry's brand one that's more or less a copy of the Gillete Super Speed I have-it's my travel razor and came about that way because I was traveling, forgot to pack one, and found that surprisingly good and inexpensive one at Wal-Greens.

My favorite one, though, is my grandfather's old Gillette Tech from the 50s or 60s. The Tech was the low end model and is what's called a "3 piece razor"-or in other words changing the blade requires separating it into 3 separate pieces. It's fairly gentle(about a 2 or 3 on an adjustable) but I love that the head is small enough that it can reliably get into tight places like up around my nose without undue harm.

I've been through a march of different blades, and when I was starting out ended up with probably 40 different types. After trying a bunch of different ones from low end to high end, I settled on Derbys(I've given away most of the others by putting together sampler packs for friends who wanted to try DE shaving). They run about $15 for 200 at Amazon and are a reliably smooth and consistent blade. I get the occasional bad one, but at less than 10¢ each I just toss it and grab another if that happens. I usually use them for 3 days, but sometimes stretch it to 4. I initially wasn't wild about Feather blades, which are high end blades at around 50¢ each, but tried them again after using a DE for a couple of years and realized that they really are a great blade. I have some put back that I use when I'm shaving for an important event, but I'm usually too asleep in the morning when I'm shaving to chance one :) .
 
NoBoMac said:
Re: Dollar Shave Club: you can also buy from the factory.

https://www.dorcousa.com
Click to expand...

Yeah, I get Dorco from Amazon, at my pretty relaxed "shave rate", I get a year's worth of consumables for like $30-40.

I believe I mentioned Cremo shave cream before, but my new favorite from them is their Coconut Mango moisturizing product, just fantastic, a tube is concentrated so lasts a long time, and compared to other "boutique" products, it's dirt cheap.
 
Dodgeman said:
What issues do you find with the straight razors?
[doublepost=1528750147][/doublepost]Plus I feel the electric razors with the charging/cleaning stations get expensive. I never get a fully close shave, but since you two have mentioned Braun I might need to give them a 2nd look. I guess it is good if you are always clean shaved, as I usually wear a goatee and getting all that hair off with an electric can be a pain.
Click to expand...
Razor burn even with gel/cream. I will note that I do shave daily.
 
Matz said:
Gillette Fusion cartridge, non-power handle, 90% of the time. I shave my head and face while in the shower, and the Gillette does the best job of the razors I've tried.
For those occasions when I need a quick shave away from the shower, or to attend to the dreaded 5 o'clock shadow, I use a Norelco rotary shaver.
Both seem a bit expensive to maintain, but they both work well, for me.
Click to expand...

Same here I would use a Safety Razor but not on my head. So yeah the cartridges are expensive but getting a shave and haircut
 
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