Clean-shaving blades

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Wednesday, October 28. 2009

We owe it to King Camp Gillette for making it easy to be a well-groomed gentleman without cutting your head off, or having to visit the barber.

He was a clever tinkerer and, apparently, an equally good marketer of his "safety razor."

Since his invention, razors have seen many modifications to Gillette's basic idea - not to mention electric razors (do any guys use those anymore?).

When the Gillette products got too expensive for my taste, and I couldn't keep track of each new type of razor and the costly blades that went with them, I opted for buying cheap disposable razors in bulk. The one pictured is $10.49 for 100.

Depending on your testosterone level, one is good for a week - at least. Longer if you can put up with minor discomfort.

Added benefit: No problem if a daughter borrows your razor. Who cares?

Posted by Bird Dog in Our Essays, The Culture, "Culture," Pop Culture and Recreation at 12:05 | Comments (19) | Trackbacks (0)

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Just thinking about using an electric razor is painful.

#1 rightwingprof (Link) on 2009-10-28 12:17 (Reply)

I use an electric razor during the week. But I think overall, my "beard" is the appropriate density for one. I find it more convenient to shave while reading the paper in the morning rather than leaning over a sink, which puts a strain on my bad back at times. I do use a non-disposable during some weekends and/or other days off but I generally think I get a better shave from either the electric or the few times I use disposables (when my wife hasn't used them all up).

Anyone compared the disposables with non-disposables as far as the number of shaves you get out of either one?

#2 KRW on 2009-10-28 12:32 (Reply)

At 10$ per 100, who cares?

#2.1 Bird Dog on 2009-10-28 12:40 (Reply)

Engineers...it's an efficiency thing, we just gotta know...

#2.1.1 KRW on 2009-10-28 14:54 (Reply)

I get em at Costco, a bag of 50 or something for aroung 10$. I do indulge in a brush and some nice shaving soap though.

#3 Santay on 2009-10-28 14:04 (Reply)

A bit of trivia: The sharpest thing on Planet Earth = the Gillette triple blade shaver.
`

#4 Meta on 2009-10-28 14:11 (Reply)

Keep your razors in a cup of rubbing alcohol or mineral oil, and the blades will last a month or more. They dull from oxidation, not cutting your manly whiskers.

See: http://lifehacker.com/5362103/keep-razors-sharp-with-mineral-oil

I've been keeping mine in alcohol for a year now, it works, noticeably!

#5 Anton on 2009-10-28 14:12 (Reply)

Alcohol and shaving -- a good mix? I use the disposables, which are still linear descendants of Mr. Gillette's work.
I'm so amused by the three-to-five blade systems. As I understand, even two may not help much and three or more is really pretty silly. I could be wrong.

#6 Geoff on 2009-10-28 14:21 (Reply)

There was an Onion article a few years ago mocking that very thing. Something about the designers skipping over 4 blades and going directly to 5. Then they came out with 5-blade razors. Thus happens when people don't limit their imagination...

#6.1 KRW on 2009-10-28 14:59 (Reply)

I'm trying to work up the nerve to use one of these.

#7 Skookumchuk on 2009-10-28 14:57 (Reply)

I knew what you were talking about before I clicked the link. And yeah... I've been working up the nerve myself, for about 35 years. Ain't there yet.

Thinking back to 'boot camp' and dry shaving with a 'blue blade'... and you better not cut yourself or there'd be hell to pay. Tedious stuff. Especially when you only had five minutes or so to get it done.

#7.1 Luther on 2009-10-28 19:22 (Reply)

Now, if one day I actually did it successfully, it would be as good as climbing Mount Everest or winning the Indy 500. While driving blindfolded.

#7.1.1 Skookumchuk on 2009-10-28 19:50 (Reply)

You'd be a hero in my eyes.

And to think it was once the only way.

#7.1.1.1 Luther on 2009-10-29 00:36 (Reply)

I've got one of those Twinworks razors - bought it about 40 years ago. Never could get it sharp enough to suit me. I suspect the answer is I need to use a cutting paste on the strop. I had a barber in Ipswich MA who sharpened his own razors - that's what he did, and his razors were sharper and smoother than the best disposables.

#7.2 KBK on 2009-10-28 23:45 (Reply)

I used those disposables for decades. Didn't think there was much difference. Just a few months ago I had to borrow a razor and someone gave me a Schick Quattro. What a difference! Not only is the shave itself smoother, more comfortable, less pulling and no more nicks, but my skin is better. I've had persistent pimples and ingrown hairs for years, but not a one since with the fancy blade. Yes, the blades are more expensive, but I bought a six-pack for 12 bucks, and I've been getting 4-6 weeks use out of a single blade. I'm as cheap as a miser, but it's worth it. I hope to never shave with a disposable again...

#8 joe on 2009-10-29 05:13 (Reply)

I had mostly the same problem as you Joe. Blades made my neck break out. I must shave off the top layer of skin or something. I get along much better with an electric razor.

#8.1 feeblemind on 2009-10-30 17:57 (Reply)

A few months ago I switched from the vibrating 18-blade Gillette razor with blade replacement packs which cost more than filling up an SUV. Got a nice German safety razor by Merkur with some double-edged blades. Been using a brush and shaving soap for years already.

The difference is impressive -- it takes a few shaves to get the knack. But once you've got the knack you'll never go back...

see: http://www.painlessfrugality.com/2009/07/shave-like-your-grandpa-did/

#9 Dr Bob (Link) on 2009-10-29 19:57 (Reply)

I also returned back to the double edge shaving razor and there are thousands more returning to shaving as your grandfather did (or as how I learned to shave) see badger and blade or shavemyface.com. You will find many others returning to this or even the infamous straight razor.

I now buy double edge blades for around $15 per 100 and and using 2 per week, that is a little over a year!

#9.1 Reverendyo on 2009-11-03 17:35 (Reply)

Started shaving with disposables in the shower during college. Just thought the blades would last longer if your beard is already soaked and lathered from showering. They last several weeks on softened beard. Try it! I confess to being an Engineer also.

#10 monkeywrench on 2009-11-06 23:26 (Reply)

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