Going Back to the Safety Razor

[warrprayer]

I started shaving in 1969. Back then, there were no miracle plastic, ergonomic grip 10 bladed battery powered razors of the future. No, you held a hunk of made in U.S.A. steel in your hand, and put something called "Barbasol" on your face. The first widely available plastic razors didn't come out until about 1971 -'72, if IRC, and they were simple, single bladed affairs.

There was a learning curve to the safety razor. The first few times, you emerged from the bathroom with your face dotted with little pieces of toilet paper to stop the bleeding. As you progressed, you learned to make two passes for a baby smooth shave for that hot date.

The trick to using a D.E. safety razor is correct angle, control, and patience. You don't make 6 inch long passes and put pressure on it as you would with a plastic razor, not unless you want to go to the e.r. to get your face reattached.
You learned to have some respect for the implement of destruction you were rubbing your face with. Unless you wanted to look like this....



I shall return to the ways of my father and grandfather, saving untold dollars on ridiculously expensive replacement cartridges, helping the planet by lowering the amount of plastic crap I send to the landfill, shicking it to the man, one shave at a time!!!

In my sporting days, I often would catch my girlfriend or wife watching me shave. It is an inherently sexy and masculine art form, a tradition worthy of preservation.

[csziggy]

1. Why not go all the way to a straight razor?

Dad used to tell about his father shaving with a straight razor while on the train. I was always glad I am female and didn't have to worry about that kind of shaving!

[warrprayer]

2. because...

... I'm chickenshit?



My Dad used a straight razor till he died in 1966. There is a lot of time and work involved in maintaining a sharp edge on a straight razor, with the safety razor you buy the blades already sharp and just drop them in!

[csziggy]

3. Yeah, Dad always used a safety razor

He said he learned to use one while in the Navy. Apparently it was easier to deal with on the submarine than a straight razor!

[warrprayer]

4. a soldier pointed out on a shaving website...

... that there was a rule in the Army regarding "no weapons in barracks" which means no straight razors were permitted!

[Kingofalldems]

5. I looked for one at the drug store and couldn' find.

I used to use one back in the service but got brainwashed into buying an Atra or whatever.

[warrprayer]

6. you can buy one at Target stores

for about 20 bucks. Chinese made but good quality, Van der Hagen, comes with 5 german Solingen made blades. I can't afford to shell out 100 to 200 bucks for a Merkur, but I am keeping my eyes open at the second hand stores for American made classics. Like finding a razorblade in a haystack!

[name not needed]

7. Where the hell are you seeing Merkur razors for that much?

You can get one for 40 dollars on Amazon.

[warrprayer]

8. ok it wasn't a Merkur...

http://www.classicshaving.com/razors/safety-razors.html

[malthaussen]

9. Me, I use an electric.

Lazy bastard, yeah. I have one of those baby faces and didn't start shaving until I was around 20 (or later!). I still don't have to shave more than every two or three days. When I started, the twin-bladed plastic cartridge holders were the rage. I still have mine, haven't used it for ages though.

-- Mal

[warrprayer]

11. you aren't lazy...

just lucky!!!

[Xyzse]

10. I have one, that looks just like the picture on top.

I haven't felt brave enough to try it yet.

[warrprayer]

12. the key to not getting cut

is just take your time. If you are in a hurry, use the plastic cartridge and you can go back to the safety when you have more time.

Here is a great tutorial....