Letter of Recommendation: Safety Razors (opens in new tab)

(nytimes.com)

18 pointsNuDinNou9y ago10 comments

10 comments

10 comments · 5 top-level

pzone9y ago· 2 in thread

I use a safety razor. It's not some crazy revelation, you are simply making a trade off to have a closer shave at the expense of a bit more effort as well as occasional nicks and cuts. I find it fun to fiddle with my razor in the morning, and I find mine beautiful pleasant to hold, both of which are real and significant reasons to choose a safety razor. If I can choose a shaving cream based on the smell why not choose a tool based on the look and feel? The cost arguments are beside the point.

Latty9y ago

In some cases, it's just far better. I have a beard, and the modern multi-blade razors are terrible for shaving around it. The thick heads with multiple blades are hard to position right to get a nice clean edge to the beard, and the multiple blades clog really easily.

By comparison, a Safety Razor is much better. It has one blade so the line is exactly where you place the blade, and it doesn't clog. They are also cheap as chips, so I can buy a brand new blade every day and still come out better than buying cartridges, meaning I never use a dull blade.

For others, it might be just a slightly better shave or cheaper, but if you have a beard I'd say there is literally no reason not to use one.

I've cut myself precisely once with mine after a couple of years, less than with a modern multi-blade razor (although, admittedly, that's not a fair comparison as my first shaves were with that type of razor). In general, you cut yourself because the blades are too dull so you press too hard, with the blades so cheap I use a new one every day so it's always sharp. Maybe different people with different skin or hair types might have more benefit from them, I guess.

pzone9y ago

About nicks: I have been at it for at least six years, use a new blade with each shave, and still cut myself once in a while. Unless you have an extremely steady hand, it is just something that is going to happen.

bsclifton9y ago· 2 in thread

Love safety razors. I spent more than the author at "The Art of Shaving" store... about $100 for the handle itself and maybe $50 for a good badger brush. But after that purchase, the razors are crazy cheap. The quality of the shave is way better too. More people would use them if stores like Walmart or Target carried them (which I don't think they'll ever do in the US)

Latty9y ago

You can do it cheaper than that too. <£10 for a shavette (takes double edged blades snapped in half - which they are designed to do, you just fold them in the wrapper), and you can pick up cheap brushes or even just use the foams (a brush and soap will be cheaper in the long run, but is more commitment up-front).

My current set up is a Shavette that cost £8.50, a brush that cost £7.50 (at half price), blades that cost £3.70 for a pack, and shaving soap that cost £10 (lasts for ages). I've tried more expensive stuff and have come back to this setup because it's simply very good.

HillRat9y ago

Target and similar stores carry van der Hagen razors, which are a pretty solid entry-level line.

aisofteng9y ago· 1 in thread

Comments about shaving aside, I have a difficult time identifying what the point of this article is. I see some sort of poorly strung together comments about razor efficacy and the mode of giving away the disposable part of a product in order to entice a consumer to buy the more expensive part.

What is the point here? Yes, Gillette gives away cartridges to try to get you to buy their razors. Yes, actual single or double edge razors are much better if you take the time to learn how to use one instead of buying the latest "7 GODDAMN BLADES ON THIS THING SHIT CAN YOU BELIEVE IT YOU'LL BE SO SMOOTH" bullshit.

So what? What is the point here? I don't see one.

Latty9y ago

I think mostly just people assume that the cartridge razors are an improvement over the older design, because they are newer. This isn't really the case, at the least for some people/situations.

Also, 'learning to use one' is a bit strong. It's not exactly significantly different. It's more like 'a little more hand control required' than a skill you are learning.

kylehotchkiss9y ago

I have a safety razor and 5 years later I'm still on my second $20 box of blades.

I was traveling recently so I thought "oh I'll give that Harry's company a try" and wow was it painful! It was like being clawed in the face by a cat. Not even marketing saying that your still disposable razor products can seperate you from the fact that you are a disposable razor product.

So I will keep my safety razor and just check the bag at the airport.

jimmywanger9y ago

I use a safety razor regularly.

Two annoyances.

First, they are not TSA friendly. You cannot put them in carryon luggage.

Second, I get the best results when using an associated shaving brush and shaving soap. Shaving gels and foam don't really do it for me anymore.

However, if you do want to get a few more shaves out of a 10 cent razor, you can always strop them on an old pair of jeans.

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10 comments

10 comments · 5 top-level

pzone9y ago· 2 in thread

Latty9y ago

For others, it might be just a slightly better shave or cheaper, but if you have a beard I'd say there is literally no reason not to use one.

pzone9y ago

bsclifton9y ago· 2 in thread

Latty9y ago

HillRat9y ago

Target and similar stores carry van der Hagen razors, which are a pretty solid entry-level line.

aisofteng9y ago· 1 in thread

So what? What is the point here? I don't see one.

Latty9y ago

I think mostly just people assume that the cartridge razors are an improvement over the older design, because they are newer. This isn't really the case, at the least for some people/situations.

Also, 'learning to use one' is a bit strong. It's not exactly significantly different. It's more like 'a little more hand control required' than a skill you are learning.

kylehotchkiss9y ago

I have a safety razor and 5 years later I'm still on my second $20 box of blades.

So I will keep my safety razor and just check the bag at the airport.

jimmywanger9y ago

I use a safety razor regularly.

Two annoyances.

First, they are not TSA friendly. You cannot put them in carryon luggage.

Second, I get the best results when using an associated shaving brush and shaving soap. Shaving gels and foam don't really do it for me anymore.

However, if you do want to get a few more shaves out of a 10 cent razor, you can always strop them on an old pair of jeans.

j / k navigate · click thread line to collapse