Learn me razors

I saved the wrappers from just one day's worth of consumables in my house of 4 people and it filled most of a 13g garbage bag (also plastic) with cups, plackers, food wrappers, bags, bottles and razors. Now, I'm no environmental extremist but I was kinda embarrassed by that level of waste so... I have sworn off anything that is disposable and non-biodegradable in favor of something I can wash. I will try to reduce the stuff I cannot replace. There really is no need for me to toss a whole plastic handle everyday... Sooooo... to get to the point:

Anybody know where I can get good 'ol fashioned British steel blades for my grandfather's stainless handle? The local drug store chains all came up empty.

Ebay,

I got 10 packs of blades for about $25.00 a few years back.

Shawn

amazon

Salon supply chain

carguy123 wrote: BTW my wife uses those gillette double bladed disposable thingys on her legs and I've tried them. They are medieval instruments of torture compared to the Mach 3.

...and that's why I use the Mach 3.

I still take a shaving holiday every weekend. Shaving every single day sucks.

I use a Schick injector adjustable. It is about 40 years old and still works great. I have it set at the widest opening and shave after the shower. I haven't been able to find blades locally, but just ordered them on Amazon. If I rinse the razor in hot water during and after shaving the blades last 2-3 weeks. Also, I found that if I start to get irritation, a quick soak of the razor in peroxide eliminates the problem

I shave twice a week (one of the benefits of working in construction I suppose) and prefer to use Gillette Fusions. They are expensive but I don't buy the refills. My mom has a coupon/rebate problem (I'm only partially joking) and loves to get deals at places like CVS, Walgreens, etc. So she restocks me with new razors every month or two - she get them for free or better so it works out well and we save money not having to buy razors, lotion, shampoo, etc. from all of her deals she passes on.

In reply to fastEddie:

You go through a lot of lotion do you?

can't help you much... I've worn a full face beard since 1969....

I used a Mach 3 for a couple of years, I'd stretch 3-4 months out of the refills but those damn things are still expensive. I recently got a Wilkinson, the refills are way cheaper and it works well. But I also use real shave soap with a brush. All those spray gels and foams suck for me. Plain bath soap will work in a pinch but man my face hurts afterwards.

I get a month of shaving almost every day out of a M3 cartridge. I swap out when the lotion strip dries up.

But that is just my neck line and right below my lip, as I have a very nice beard because I hate shaving.

Giant Purple Snorklewacker wrote: I saved the wrappers from just one day's worth of consumables in my house of 4 people and it filled most of a 13g garbage bag (also plastic) with cups, plackers, food wrappers, bags, bottles and razors. Now, I'm no environmental extremist but I was kinda embarrassed by that level of waste so... I have sworn off anything that is disposable and non-biodegradable in favor of something I can wash. I will try to reduce the stuff I cannot replace. There really is no need for me to toss a whole plastic handle everyday... Sooooo... to get to the point: Anybody know where I can get good 'ol fashioned British steel blades for my grandfather's stainless handle? The local drug store chains all came up empty.

That looks just like a gillette I bought at an antique shop, only mine is brass. I get ten packs of blades at cvs, rightaid and walmart.

Joey

In reply to Drewsifer:

Multiple blades in a razor increase cost and decrease life. If I have to use a razor with multiple blades, I don't use more than two. I also make sure I clean the gunk out from between the blades and keep it dry. Clean and dry are the keys to increasing blade life.

I try to use use Bic Metal disposables lately. The single blade and wide gap make cleaning a breeze. A single pass shave is good for looking neat. If I want a really close baby skin shave I shave twice against the grain. I also use soap instead of shaving cream, simply because it takes up less room in the shower than a can of shaving cream.

I've heard to use cold water when rinsing the razor. The hot water will make metal expand, which means less sharp.

But I have the complection of a teenager and get bad razor burn, ingrown hairs, and irratation when I shave. I work as a tech, so I can get away with just using a beard trimmer with no attachment. Luckily wifey doesn't mind the scruff. It's the new "cool" isn't it?

you guys should read these.

vintage shaving gear

safety razor shave

razor burn

Giant Purple Snorklewacker wrote: Anybody know where I can get good 'ol fashioned British steel blades for my grandfather's stainless handle? The local drug store chains all came up empty.

Here ya go buddy!

mrhappy wrote: you guys should read these. vintage shaving gear safety razor shave razor burn

Sooo I just bought a safety razor on ebay. Hopefully it will be everything those articles made it out to be.

In reply to Tommy Suddard:

It will be.

I've been using one for the last five years and won't go back.

I did buy a few over that time and have found that I like some a lot better than others.

My Merkur has a longer handle and I find it works better in my giant paws.

Shawn

mrhappy wrote: you guys should read these. vintage shaving gear safety razor shave razor burn

I was just about to post these, love that site

Strop your blade. It will last much longer.

Braun Synchro 7xxx series electric. 8 years old and still works very well. Probably time for another new foil and cutting block to get back to super close shaves but on my pitifully weak "beard" it works well. It's got the automatic cleaning stand which cleans, oils and charges the razor after every use, so there's some investment in replacement cartridges for that but that's still cheaper than disposable razors and there's grassroots home brew refill techniques out there if you want to be really cheap. The best part is I can get a full shave done in 2-3 minutes and don't ever cut myself.

In reply to smog7: I know. So much neat knowledge is on there.

Tommy check out this guys videos.

Trans_Maro wrote: In reply to Tommy Suddard: It will be. I've been using one for the last five years and won't go back. I did buy a few over that time and have found that I like some a lot better than others. My Merkur has a longer handle and I find it works better in my giant paws. Shawn

It finally arrived today...

It's the best. I'm never going back to the electric or cheap disposables.

I bought a safety razor about a month ago. It was $7 (new) at a beauty supply store. I need to work on my process and definitely get some quality soap; I use regular bar soap (Dove for men) but still get some irritation and a not-so-close shave.

I use the double-bladed disposable ones, but with the sticky-booger aloe strip. Use 'em once, then toss 'em.