This is a repost of something I put on another board, but I'm bored.
So the other day I got fed up with my Schick Quattro. The second razor cartridge in roughly a week had become irreparably clogged despite my best efforts. I have a goatee and sideburns, so there are some longer hairs that get trimmed when I shave. I decided to do what I had thought about doing for a while--invest in a traditional safety/double-edged razor. I did some investigation and settled on a Merkur HD--which I guess is considered the standard. I also got some traditional shaving cream (in a toothpaste tube, not an areosol can) and and alum bar--which tightens up the skin post-shave (and closes up any little nicks). Also, 100 high quality razor blades for 17 cents a piece.
Anyway, blah blah blah, you're getting bored at this point. So I'll run down the pros and cons as my research and one-time use have indicated.
Pros:
-A much closer shave. With those Gillette and Shick 60-blade razors you have to kind of press it hard against your face--and even then the shave isn't that close.
-Cheaper cost. Potentially. There is a higher initial investment, but that's mainly for stuff that could last decades. A full traditional shaving rig includes a razor (~$30), a badger or boar's hair brush (I didn't buy this because I'm a vegetarian and high-quality brushes are kind of expensive. I might get one eventually) $20-60, shaving cream or soap ($3-$30). I've read that a high quality soap can last for six months.
-A much more enjoyable shave. Don't like shaving? You might this way. It requires using lots of hot water on your face, clearing your razor in hot water (and the steel on the razor gets warm and feels really nice). A lot of guys who are into this pamper themselves with a nice, slow shave. Think of the hot towel and straight razor at the barber shop--isn't that nice? Well, this is kind of like that.
-Potentially less stuff to throw into a landfill. The razor blades also biodegrade a lot faster than the plastic cartridges in the Mach IIIs/Quattros, etc.
-Get out of the ridiculous "Now, with even MORE blades" arms race
Cons:
-Can be more expensive. Can be more wasteful. Especially if you become a crazy collector and start buying all kinds of products in search of the perfect shave.
-Easier to cut yourself--especially when you're just starting. The traditional double-edged razors glide along your skin with virtually no pressure applied. If you're used to using the multi-blade thingies, then your instinct will be to press too hard.
-Takes longer to do properly. This can be a plus depending on how you look at it. If it's a nice, pampering experience, then there's no harm in it taking a while.
Some links:
http://www.leesrazors.com - site known for great customer service. They put some free stuff like a used-razor holder, a high-quality shaving cream sample, and 10 blades in my order.
http://www.badgerandblade.com - hobbyists who are really helpful, knowledgeable, and a might bit obsessive.
http://shaveblog.com/ - a good, now-defunct blog that has a lot of info. As an aside, the guy who wrote it was a "tech editor" for NBC's morning show. He got some bad press for recommending products on the show that he was a paid endorser for. Yikes. NBC just shrugged. Gotta love our media.
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Topic: Traditional shaving (Read 15022 times)