How many of us shave in the 'old-fashioned' way.

[Benchwayze]

Not a mind-blowing thread, but I wondered how many of us still use safety-razors, or even open razors.

The reason;

A couple of weeks ago, I ran out of disposable, twin-blade razors. Not wanting to drive out to 'One stop' market, just for razors, I dug out an old 'twist-top' safety razor that had lain in a drawer since god's dog was a puppy. I thought I'd have to walk to the corner shop for some new "Wilkinson's", but I even found a couple of blades of similar vintage, still in their wrappers and still perfectly useable.

The razor feels a bit heavy, and it's more aggressive, but I was surprised to find I got the best shave since I don't know when. So, I am a born-again safety razor man! Also, I realised that if I do stay with the safety razor, all I shall be throwing away is a blade, a bit of paper and recyclable plastic blade cases. (I'm told that disposable razors end up in land-fill.) So I have an inner rosy glow now, doing my bit towards saving the environment! I shall also be saving money. One blade lasts me a week. Five weeks shaving for pennies.

(I just noticed... The smilies won't work, unless I type in the code...
Is it me, or Firefox, or the site? )

John

 

[MMUK]

I just use either my Morrisons or Asda 3 blade system. Can't stand these 4 or 5 blade jobbies, they clog in seconds and don't keep an edge for long - blades are twice the price and you buy them more often. My Asda blades last a month before they need changing.

 

[JustBen]

I find not shaving to the the best.
I've not shaved in 13 years, saved a fortune! Lol
It keeps my face nice and warm in the winter.

I've seen friends who have had a cutthroat shave whilst on holiday and the say it's the best they've had.

 

[spinks]

I wet shave, using the extortionately priced mach3 blades....good enough job seen as I only shave twice a week. Once in a while I treat myself and go for the full on "turkish treatment" at "zero" the barber. Best open blade shave EVER, hot towels, nose waxing, ears de haired using meths and a flame, eyebrows thinned out...the works....sat in the chair for a good half an hour for 20 of the queens finest....Highly recommended!!

 

[Benchwayze]

Way back, when going on leave from Portsmouth, I usually had to travel via London, changing trains at Euston. I always celebrated my impending 'freedom', with a luxurious 'real' shave, from the barber who worked in the 'wash and brush-up', down below.

Happy days.

And Ben.... That bowl in your avatar, might make a great lathering bowl, in a smaller edition!

 

[wizard]

Never had a shave can’t see the point, gave up haircuts when I was 14 saved a small fortune

 

[Benchwayze]

Not shaving is the natural thing I suppose. Free will and all that.

 

[steadyeddie]

Not had a full shave for the best part of 40 years. I've downsized from a full beard to a goatee though

Dave

 

[Benchwayze]

A goatee type beard was all I could ever grow when I was a 'young-shaver'! :lol:

 

[RogerP]

Done the full beard thing for long periods twice in my life but been clean shaven for the last 20 of my 71 years. Tried most methods from electric to cut-throat but settled on the expensive Mach 3. They give the best shave and last long enough.

Did try some cheapo lookalikes from one of the supermarkets but they weren't as good and as we hardly ever use supermarkets anyway it would mean a special trip.

 

[paulm]

Abandoned the mach 3 rip off razors a couple of years ago, although they are nice and easy to use the prices were just getting silly. Took up safety razor shaving instead, now using a Gillette Fatboy adjustable razor and personna lab blue blades that cost something like £12 for a hundred and do two to three shaves each ! Soap/cream varies depending on mood, but great shaves and very satisfying

Cheers, Paul

 

[KevM]

Currently I'm using Japanese Feather double edged blades on a Feather plastic handled clamshell twist razor with a block of alum for running repairs. For prep I use Palmolive classic shaving stick & a brush, 50p lasts for months. I shave by touch (can't face the mirror first thing!) - the first week or so of switching to DE blades I looked like an escapee from Sweeney Todd!

I've just finished working my way through 100 Astra blades bought for ~£8, the Feather are ~3-4 times the price but are deadly sharp and last longer. The only drawback for me about the whole double edged safety razor approach is that I can't fly with them.

Funnily enough I took a look at a Kid Rabot plane the other day that takes DE & Trapezoidal utility blades - looked useful for jobs that I wouldn't want to trash a decent blade on - anybody got one looking for a new home?

 

[RogerS]

I keep my shavings for the workshop !

 

[AndyT]

Nobody using a perfectly sharpened axe then? :wink:

 

[Benchwayze]

Or a 'Bowie' knife; a'la Crocodile Dundee. :mrgreen:

 

[Benchwayze]

I keep my shavings for the workshop !

Daughter takes mine for her 'Cavies' (Caveys?) :lol:

 

[Random Orbital Bob]

I use a spiral cutter block with Japanese samurai laminated steel forged in the underpants of a dragon. It's a real pig lifting the planer/thicknesser to the chin in the shower and costs a bit but it sure lasts ages!

 

[MMUK]

I use a spiral cutter block with Japanese samurai laminated steel forged in the underpants of a dragon. It's a real pig lifting the planer/thicknesser to the chin in the shower and costs a bit but it sure lasts ages!

I won't even contemplate how you managed to get 240v in the shower for the PT :lol:

 

[Baldhead]

Wet shave for me, until a few years ago I actually used shaving soap and a brush!

Baldhead

 

[Silas Gull]

I remember my dad's old safety razor, had forgotten they once existed till I saw this post.
I use disposables and foam from a can.
Looked on Google, not much change out of £30 for a good 'un today, but heartening to know they still make them.