Here’s how I manage to get a smooth comfortable shave without putting a dime in Gillette’s pocket. The short answer is that I shave with an old school double edge razor. I have for years. The long answer goes a bit further.
Gillette’s not all bad, but their razor arms race is ridiculous and expensive. Eight Fusion blades for $24? What if I told you that you could buy enough blades to last months and months for less than $20? It’s true but you have to make some changes first.
To start with, you’ll need to get a new blade holder. There are several ways to go, Gillette used to produce an excellent adjustable double edge blade holder that can still be found for a reasonable price on eBay. The great thing about an adjustable holder is that you can… adjust it? Seriously, the dial allows you to change the blade angle from forgiving to more aggressive as your skill with using it improves so it’s a good beginner holder.
There are other options as well, I shaved with an expensive Merkur Futur for several years. It’s a well made holder that’s also adjustable but it’s quite heavy and I eventually found it to be a little too aggressive. You really have to be on your game to use it.
My current blade holder is a Parker 22R, it’s not adjustable but the blade angle is fairly forgiving and very comfortable. I would definitely recommend it for a beginner. It also looks great and has a nice weight to it.
Now that you have a blade holder, you’ll need blades and here’s where you get to stick it to Gillette, big time. How about a hundred blades for $16? It’s true! You’re probably thinking “How good could they be if they’re so cheap?” I did but I was willing to spend $16 to find out.
I’m here to tell you that they’re really, really good. Prior to finding them, I used to pay about $4 for 5 Wilkinson Sword blades which I thought were pretty good. The Sharp blades are significantly better. They give me a comfortable shave and last just as long, if not longer, as the multi-blade Gillettes and Schicks of the world.
One niggle about double edge blades that even the Sharp’s are guilty of although not as much as the Wilkinson Sword. Almost invariably, one side will be sharper than the other. I don’t know why but I’ve been using double edge blades for a long time and it has held true with every brand I’ve tried. Nevertheless, the blades themselves are so much cheaper than the multi-blades that even if you only use one side, you still come out wayyyy ahead on cost.
Here are a few tips for getting started with a double edge blade. I shave in the shower so that my beard, which is fairly heavy, has plenty of time to get soft. Next, I use shaving oil before applying shaving cream. I’ve been using it for a couple of years and it’s amazing how much more comfortable it made shaving.
I’m a green, treehugger’y, organic type guy so I use Kiss My Face moisture shave. It’s the only natural shave cream I’ve found that equals the more commercial brands like Gillette or Nivea. It costs about the same but goes a whole lot further. You don’t need to use very much of it per shave.
And lastly, go slow and shave with the grain when you’re starting out with a double edge razor. It’ll take a few shaves to learn the contours of your face, particularly your chin, and the best angles for holding the razor but your patience will definitely pay off. Nicks are a possibility but like any new skill, you’ll improve with time.
I’ve been shaving this way, as I said, for years and I rarely ever get razor burn, nicks, or bumps. Shaving is almost a pleasure which is high praise considering that it involves dragging a really sharp blade across some of the most sensitive skin on your body. Anyway, I hope you’ll give it a try. With patience and very little money, you’ll transform your morning shave into an inexpensive, comfortable experience and not give Gillette a penny.
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