Sitting here, stroking my beard, and wondering what this razor thing is you're all talking about.
Reconnecting with Mr. Gillette
- Thread starter oldbrownhat
- Start date
Now cut that out! I’ve already fallen down the wrist and pocket watch rabbit hole lol
mckenney99
Member
I started experimenting with shaving when I was 13 or 14 years old. I should have bought stock in the Styptic Pencil industry. I didn't know what I was starting.
When I got to college, I grew a full beard and had it until I started the application process for LE. After entering public LE I had to shave every day and I grew to absolutely HATE having to shave every day. Not being one to wake up bright and chipper, it never made sense to me to put a sharp cutting instrument to my throat immediately after waking up each day.
I do have the cup, brushes, strop and (2) straight razors my grandmother used to shave my invalid uncle everyday but I never had the nerve to try the straight razor on myself, especially now that I live alone.
When I got to college, I grew a full beard and had it until I started the application process for LE. After entering public LE I had to shave every day and I grew to absolutely HATE having to shave every day. Not being one to wake up bright and chipper, it never made sense to me to put a sharp cutting instrument to my throat immediately after waking up each day.
I do have the cup, brushes, strop and (2) straight razors my grandmother used to shave my invalid uncle everyday but I never had the nerve to try the straight razor on myself, especially now that I live alone.
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I haven't used a bladed razor of any kind for almost 40 years.
MetalMan
Member
I learned with my dad’s straight razor and converted to a Gillette safety razor. After several years of bloodletting, I converted to electric in the early 1970’s and remain there today.
Currently using a Norelco Aquatec triple-trac that will be 10 years old this Christmas; still using the original blades which I clean regularly with alcohol and getting 10-12 shaves on a charge.
Been looking, but I haven’t yet been able to find a suitable replacement.
I collect Straight razors and the Brit Rolls Razors. I have used both but mostly use the Plastic Bic razors these days. I also use a brush and cup. I used to have a lather machine from a barber shop. But it finally died. Course at one time in another life...I was a barber. Nasty job though. I also have a Braun battery operated foil razor I gout at an auction in 2013...best 2.50 I ever spent
Meh, I usually shave every other day with a Norelco. I used blades for awhile, but it's too much like work.
My beard grows pretty well, but it's fine and somewhat patchy. I tried a goatee for awhile, but I decided I looked goofy and the wife didn't like it. So, back to shaving for me.
My beard grows pretty well, but it's fine and somewhat patchy. I tried a goatee for awhile, but I decided I looked goofy and the wife didn't like it. So, back to shaving for me.
OP
"Discretion is the better part of valor", as the saying goes
Back in the early 1950s the small hardware shop close to my house in a Liverpool (UK) suburb, was selling off Gillette razors for the princely sum of 3 pence each. Picked up three, one for my father one for me (only 10 years before I started to shave) and a spare. Still use the spare one, a mere 70 plus years later. Pity that the double-edged blades are now becoming difficult to find in the US, so I pick some up when visiting the UK. Dave_n
OP
Even considering inflation, 3p each would be a steal these days. From what I remember reading, Gillette didn't make much off the sale of the razors, but mostly on sale of the blades. Try Feather blades. Made in Japan by a company that also makes surgical scalpels, so they know about "sharp."I get mine from Amazon.
BTW, what suburb of Liverpool? My adoptive dad was born in Bootle.
Dave, West Coast shaving is my go to online vendor for blades. They have sampler packs so you can find what works best for you..
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Jeff423
US Veteran
This thread prompted me to get out my old Gillette adjustable (Date code H2). I put a new blade in and tried it out. At a setting of 1 it was very smooth but didn't shave much. I moved it to 5 and it was better, but didn't shave my neck and throat. It goes to 9 but I don't know how much blood will be shed. At this point I'm still getting a better shave with my Schick Hydro 5.
jcs266
Member
I'd used an electric for 25 yrs or so and got sick of the ingrown hairs on my neck. Did some research and realized that a DE razor does not do this, so I tried one and have never looked back. That was 10+ yrs ago.
Plus the price of mutli-blade cartridges is insane. They also lend toward ingrown hairs. The DE razor does not.
DE blades are .08 each and I use one for a week, toss it and put in a fresh one. I use a brush to apply the soap sometimes, but anymore I realized any soap will do as it's just a lubricant for the blade to glide more smoothly. I just wash my face good and leave the soap there and 1-2 minutes with the DE razor is all it takes.
No ingrown hairs, .08 per week cost and it's simple.
Plus the price of mutli-blade cartridges is insane. They also lend toward ingrown hairs. The DE razor does not.
DE blades are .08 each and I use one for a week, toss it and put in a fresh one. I use a brush to apply the soap sometimes, but anymore I realized any soap will do as it's just a lubricant for the blade to glide more smoothly. I just wash my face good and leave the soap there and 1-2 minutes with the DE razor is all it takes.
No ingrown hairs, .08 per week cost and it's simple.
rockquarry
Member
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I used a Gillette razor for many years, then tried the disposable kind. About ten years ago, I got a Norelco (expensive version) and then a Panasonic (expensive version). Both give very close shaves, probably as good as the Gillette, but without the occasional nicks and cuts. A straight razor may give the closest shave, but using one would be suicidal for me.
The Norelco has the best "feel", being well-designed and comfortable to use (at least to me), but there is nothing wrong with the Panasonic other than it requires more frequent charging. I've never tried the cheaper models of each electric shaver, but suspect they would not shave as closely as the more expensive versions. I'll not be going back to blade shaving.
The Norelco has the best "feel", being well-designed and comfortable to use (at least to me), but there is nothing wrong with the Panasonic other than it requires more frequent charging. I've never tried the cheaper models of each electric shaver, but suspect they would not shave as closely as the more expensive versions. I'll not be going back to blade shaving.
How about traveling with these new fangled shaving devices.
TSA about arrested me for having a tiny 3" scissor that I used to trim my stash.
I can not begin to imagine what they would do when confronted with a loaded safety razor, let alone a C&R straight razor.
TSA about arrested me for having a tiny 3" scissor that I used to trim my stash.
I can not begin to imagine what they would do when confronted with a loaded safety razor, let alone a C&R straight razor.
OP
Back in 2002 I took a short flight from London to Cork, Ireland. At that time I still smoked a pipe. I wasn't allowed to take a pipe tamper/cleaner on the plane! Were they afraid I'd barge into the cockpit and demand they fly to Petropavlovsk?
My Dad taught me to dress up the edge on the double edge blade to extend its life (used a water galss to do it). Do it every couple days or so. Also dept: look up “razor blade radio;” you can use the old blued blades to make a crystal radio that works. Impress the kids in your life.
I don't shave every day anymore since I retired. I buy a box of Gillette disposable razors and that does a good enough job for me.
