Old Fashioned Safety Razors?

[PALADIN85020]

I used a Gillette safety razor for years, from when I was a teen to about age 33. The main problem I had with mine (using Gillette blue blades) was that each edge would shave comfortably for just one shave. I used a dab of nail polish on one side so that I could distinguish one side from the other reliably, then each blade could be used for two shaves.

I started using Trac-II disposable cartridge razors then, and have continued using them since - updating to the Trac-II Plus with the "comfort strip" when they became available. I still use the same original handle. The cartridge blades seem to be usable for about 2 weeks each - I change blades at the 1st and 15th of each month.

I think more than two blades per cartridge is simply a gimmick, and have stuck with the original.

My dad purchased disposable twin-blade razors for whatever reason - perhaps they were actually more economical. Before that, he used a safety razor, but he did not use shaving soap in a pressure can - he always used a shaving brush and some cake hand soap in the bottom of a cup for both old and new-style razors.

John

 

[xring33]

We have a barber college in our town. The other day I treated myself to a barbershop shave. Nice experience but, it only lasted for a day.


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[Joed49]

I tried everything from electric to safety razors. I have gone back to the Walmart one like the first post. They give a better shave and are inexpensive.

 

[carpriver]

I started shaving in basic training the razor that I was forced to buy when I was in Air Force Basic training. double edge. when I got out of basic training I went back to using the mug and brush. I lost all my shaving kit in Viet Nam. When I got back to the state it was back to the double edge razor and mug and brush.

I few years ago my wife bought me some shaving soap from Oglala Bay Rum company, The soap is all natural with oils of gloves, cinnamon Bay leaf oil orange peel oil and other stuff. Give a nice lather and smells good, the aftershave is also nice. About a year ago my brother gave me a bottle of Olivine beard and shave prep oil. I use that before I apply the shave soap smooth shave no nicks

I have found that the length of the razor handle effects the smoothness to the shave. I get a good shave with a shorter handle .

If you are going to shave you should enjoy the process.

 

[shouldazagged]

[Just in case it isn't obvious. The new blade pack should have a place to put the old blades to safely dispose of them. Loose blades can be a hazard.]
.....................................................................


I know...this is weird, but here's the medicine chest in my 1937 model house. Note the slot to the right? That's for dumping used blades. When I remodeled there were hundreds of old blades between the studs piled up on the floor plate. (inside the wall)

Not weird, really. I've lived in apartments for thirty-six years, and all the medicine cabinets have had the drop slot in the medicine cabinet.

I can't use a blade razor anymore because I'm on a couple of blood thinners. Been using a an electric, but I miss the blades.

 

[Old TexMex]

My old Dad used an injector razor. Don't even know if those are still around.

edit: i just looked....they're around still.

 

[jmr986]

Was not getting good shaves with the disposable blades so I switched and am glad I did.

I use a Merkur safety razor and Feather blades. I use a badger brush and a variety of soaps. Finish with cold water, followed by Witch Hazel, and favorite after shave. Love trying different AS. Got everything from old school Pinaud to Santa Maria Novella (picked up In Florence). Favorite is Truefitt & Hill 1805. Oh and my wife likes it to.

If you're interested in going the safety razor route check out West Coast Shaving for product. And as someone else recommended Badger and Blade forum for advice.

Get yourself a variety pack so you can try different blades. You will find a preference. My buddy didn't like the Feathers, I do, so I traded a stack of other brands for the Feathers. I've never gotten a smoother shave. The other brands are good, but I prefer the Feathers.

 

[Evil Dog]

It's been a while....

 

[old tanker]

A little better than sixty-five years ago as I was watching my great uncle shave, I asked, "Uncle Tony, why do you use that barber kind of razor instead of a Gillette like Dad uses?

He responded, "Shaving with a straight razor is a useful skill for a man to have. When you are old enough, I'll teach you. Besides, someday, when you are married you will understand."

About 10 years later, Uncle Tony was good to his word and he set me up with a razor and taught me to use it. It was cool and awed my friends. But after a couple of years, I wound up in the Army and life in the barracks meant a return to safety razors.

Not many years after, I got married and was living off-post. One morning, running late, I picked up the dull, soggy, matted, leg hair clogged mess that was my razor, and my great uncle's words came back to me. "Yes, I was married and finally understood."

That evening the 4/8 Henckels he gave me when I turned 16 came out of the closet, the strop went into the bathroom. So except for hanging onto a good DE Gillette for those times I had to live in the billets, and these days for traveling on the airlines. I have been gratefully using my meager collection of razors for over half a century now and have passed on Uncle Tony's wisdom to my sons and nephews.

 

[The Norseman]

2 Straights

Outstanding Topic and really Awesome Replies.

It seems when ever the Topic of Razors comes up, both
Double Edge and the Straight Razors come up. They go
Hand in Hand.

Many Years ago I acquired 2 Straight Razors from our
Norwegian Farm House. Recovered from inside a dark
drawer I'm sure. This was before the '41 Gillette above.

They resided in a Box of Collectables for years. Someone
from work said he collected Old Straight Razers, so I got
them out of the Box, and put mine on Display. I've looked
at these for probably ten years.

Once again I'm not sure which Great Grandfather or Uncle
owned them, but they are Safe now.

The one has Blade Acid Engraved and the other has Roll
Stamp on the stem part near the Handle. I think their Neat.

 

[mrchick]

Great topic. I haven't used a modern razor in years. I started with safety razors like this.

I got into collecting and amassed a large collection. Then I discovered straight razors and use them almost daily.

I get great shaved and have never looked back.

 

[oink]

I started with the safety razor, brush and soap mug and used them for many years, long after the multi blade disposals came out. I eventually switched to multi blade disposables. Still used the brush and mug. The multi (3) blade disposables just work a lot better, other than getting clogged easier. Now I don't shave and just use an electric beard trimmer. I think I did the daily shave thing long enough. I'm sure I still have an old safety razor or two laying around somewhere.

 

[Rustyt1953]

Dad started me with a safety razor, Barbasol, Mennen skin bracer and a styptic pencil. Then on to disposables.

Since most of my cheek and neck follicles were euthanized a Bic lasts me a year.

 

[Dave_n]

Have been using a 1940 or so Gillette safety razor that I picked up for the grand price of Sixpence in the UK when I was 10 (70 years ago). Started using it around 65 years ago and it moved with me to the US 51 years ago. Have a large supply of Wilkinson Sword double-edged blades that will probably outlast me that I picked up at Boots (LV Steve will recognize the name) and brought back around 15 years ago. Brush, shaving soap in bowl and it works well. My wife has even been known to "borrow it" on occasions and then complains about the odd "nick". Tried to persuade my son (41) to use one but he still sticks to the multiblade type.

Remember, "the Gillette form of marketing" is still alive and well. Give away the ink-jet printer for pennies and then sell the ink for pounds!! Dave_n

 

[delcrossv]

I used a straight razor for a while and then switched to "double edged" (safety). I'm kind of surprised they're still selling new handles (I always picked them up NIB at garage sales).

I will say that with Feather brand blades, I've never had a closer shave.

 

[Bat Guano]

Safety razor, shaving soap, and brush.

S&W pinned, no-lock steel revolvers.

Straight six engines.

Looks like a trend.

 

[old tanker]

The multi blade razors are the scam of the century! The secret to their short-lived usefulness is not that the blades get dull so much as the gap between them gets clogged with crud.

Ye olde double edge blades last longer because you can effectively rinse and clean the razor. You can get a dozen blades for about the price of one of the multi-blade refills.

So when it is simply impractical to use a straight razor...

 

[ImprovedModel56Fan]

My vague recollection is that a Trac II was better than anything that preceded it. That was quite a few years ago, and I haven't shaved since. AFAIK, not shaving has not been improved upon. Hard to improve on the original design, although I know that some disagree.

 

[Old TexMex]

You got me. I just ordered a Merckur ( sp). Curiosity moved me.
"I gots to know"

 

[bearman49709]

I used a safety razor until 1972 when I got a Trac II.
I tried the safety razor again in 1978 and that was the last time, the Trac II was so much better.
Now I use a five blade razor and it's best shave I've ever had, and the blades don't get clogged if I rinse it every two or three strokes.

 

[xring33]

In the 1970's I did a market research for Gillette. The razor was their first that had a sliver of soap behind the blade. I used the same razor for two weeks and the last shave was as close as the first. The sliver of soap left a slick film on your face that did rinse off when you washed up afterwards. I couldn't wait to buy some when they hit the market. About a year later they were available. The sliver of soap was not as I had tested and the blades didn't give as many close shaves as I had experienced during testing. Guess they wanted only to sell more razors.


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[Sistema1927]

Another thing that I have learned over the years. Only shave with the grain of the beard, and not against it. You may get a closer shave if you go against the grain, but you are more prone to have ingrown hairs. That is another reason why I don't like the new fangled 5-6-7-8 bladed razor cartridges. Yes, you get a closer shave, but how much closer do you need than a couple of passes with a good DE blade?

 

[Old TexMex]

Dad started me with a safety razor, Barbasol, Mennen skin bracer and a styptic pencil. Then on to disposables.

Since most of my cheek and neck follicles were euthanized a Bic lasts me a year.

Bic razors. Cut me to pieces! They remind me of when the first zip tab beer cans came out. Someone said it was the only time they lost a pint of blood trying to drink a can of beer.

 

[britbike1]

Yes Harrys

Everyone's mileage varies, of course, but a couple years ago my wife bought me a Harry's Razor, and I'll never look back. It feels like scraping my face (around the edges, anyway) with a smooth piece of cardboard.

I certainly understand using something considered out-dated because it works (I DO shoot a revolver!), but when it comes to a razor, I'll go with new-fangled.

I picked up a Harry's also and really like it. And I shoot revolvers. Listen to Guy Clarks song "Things that work". By the way I've heard a man should be able to throw a curve ball, cast a baitcasting reel without making a birds nest and shave with a straight razor. Still working on a couple of these.

 

[oldbrownhat]

...I will say that with Feather brand blades, I've never had a closer shave.

Agreed! I learned to shave 50 years ago eek with a Gillette safety razor but eventually "graduated" to the double-edge Atra II and similar "land-fill specials." But a few years ago my regular razor finally died and I went to find a replacement. Double-edge razor, you say? Whazzat? No, sir, you need a THREE-blade razor! The stuff I was looking at looked more like candy than a razor.

Long story short, since Gillette stopped making safety razors in the mid-80s, I went online and ended up getting a Merkur safety razor, a decent badger-hair brush and Feather blades on the advice of the website I was on. (Classic Shaving in CA, I think.) Haven't looked back since.

Can't remember what soap I was originally using but they stopped making it and I settled on Kiss My Face, which, despite its "metrosexual" name, is really good and not expensive. Unfortunately, the company is under new management and the product is not currently readily available. In the meantime I got some Proraso. They've been making this since about 1907 so they know their stuff.

And Feather? I recall looking them up, as I figured they couldn't make ends meet just making old-fashioned razor blades. Nope- I think their main line is surgical scalpel blades, so they know about sharp.

There's quite a brisk market in double-edge razors, as well as open (cut-throat) razors and all the accoutrements. And I see lots of old Gillettes in second-hand stores. They were made to last. I think King Gillette sold them as almost a loss leader, but made his fortune on the blades.

The idea of needing a three- or even four-edge blade is a load of horsepuckey, IMHO.

 

[Frank46]

I"ve found that with the disposable razors that if they get clogged up and this is what I do. Run the hot water as fast and as hot as you can. Swish back and forth to dislodge any crud. Take an old tooth brush and work the bristles at the top of the razor to get rid of the junk that is packed in there.The most shaves I'ever gotten was 3-4 and the last one goes in the trash.Frank

 

[mr-mom]

I too have shaved most of my life with the double edge safety razors. Although I have a collection of shaving apparatus that includes many old Gillette razors, I shave daily using a good English badger brush, Tabac shaving soap, a German Merkur long-handled razor, Kai stainless blades, and finish up with Ogallala Bay Rum aftershave.
Dave
SWCA #2778

 

[delcrossv]

<snip>
The idea of needing a three- or even four-edge blade is a load of horsepuckey, IMHO.

Yep. 3-4-5 cruddy blades or 1 good one.

 

[oink]

Luddites! I started with the double edged safety razor and used them for many years. Still have them somewhere. The new 3 blade razors just work a whole lot better. A better shave, quicker and without cuts. What more could you want. I like old stuff but I'm also practical. Currently using Harry's stuff for when I actually do use a blade but I'll use use whatever is the best combination of safe, effective and economical. There's no way an old safety razor or even a straight razor wins that specification.