Video comparison of a Gillette Fusion Proglide Power vs a Gillette King C DE Razor

Way too many people only know about the razor they currently use because of advertising they see. There are 60 years old technologies (well, actually older than that) that work even better actually, at a fraction of the cost.

Even Gillette themselves restarted to remake their double-edged razor, although you won’t see them advertising it, as their massive profits are made off selling their cartridge blades, which can’t easily be recycled. And seeing a DE blade is an open standard, and DE blade will fit any DE razor (try buying a competitor cartridge blade to fit a Gillette Fusion razor).

This video shows both razors in action. Just remember with DE blades there is a massive choice out there and many shave differently depending on your beard type and the aggressiveness of the razor head itself. So you can choose from super sharp, to mild, etc depending on which works best for you. So it is always advisable to buy a sample pack of different blades to test out with any new DE razor. It’s a razor you may well be using for the next 60 years!

See youtube.com/watch?v=o_YcbtPh3n… and a similar one also at youtube.com/watch?v=I_1H1uGmMt…
#Blog, #gillette, #shaving, #wetshaving

The Youth should know there are WAY CHEAPER, and better, alternatives to expensive Gillette razor blades

In hindsight now, I wish my father would have told me about safety razor shaving with universal standard double edge razor blades, when I started to shave!

I was probably taken in by all the Gillette advertising, and of course, I’d never experienced any other option, so I ended up just using those twin-blade cartridges many years ago. I often had to endure the odd ingrown hair or two for months on end (more about this further on).

To start with, cost, which you’d really have thought would have put Gillette’s multi-blade razors out of business long ago (but not, largely because many people do NOT KNOW about suitable alternatives. Just do a search online for Astra Superior Platinum DE blades. They are not half the cost, nor a quarter of the cost cheaper… they’re on average about 400% cheaper. This is why after buying a good safety razor that lasts longer than a single lifetime, it ends up paying for itself after a year just through using DE razor blades. There is no vendor lock-in, so you are free to try any DE blades as each has different characteristics.

So how do they shave? Well pretty similar to cartridge razors, as safety razors are not cut-throat / straight razors where any slip could be a disaster (hence the name safety razors). What they do not do, because of the single blade, is to lift the hair out from below the skin and cut it. They instead cut the hair level with the skin. This actually helps prevent ingrown hairs for many. I discovered this merely week or so after migrating to safety razors. Many say this level of cutting is easier on the skin, as there is also only one blade being used.

Another difference, although not needed, is using proper shaving soap that is lathered up using a brush. Apart from the glide it provides, most soaps are made from natural products that may include coconut oil, lamb fat, etc and actually help condition the skin (many also being vegan products including the brushes). The brushing also helps stimulate the hairs before shaving. Soaps and creams come with some amazing fragrances, but many are also fragrance-free.

Traditional shaving is also more environment friendly: Apart from natural soaps, these do not use aerosol cans at all either. Unlike cartridge razor blades made from mixed plastics and metals that can’t easily be separated, DE blades are pure metal. I store my used blades in a money tin and these can be sent for recycling once the tin is full (after about 5 years my tin is not even a quarter full).

So where does one start then? I’d recommend starting with a reasonably good razor, something like a Merkur 34C or an Edwin Jagger DE89. For blades, I’ve settled on the Astra’s, but I’d highly recommend getting a DE sample pack to try out different blades to find something that matches your razor, skin, and beard type. Starting out with a very cheap razor and blades is often not going to be a good experience.

I have tons more tips and advice on my webpage at the link below. I just wish more people knew about the benefits and alternatives of traditional wet shaving, but unfortunately the Big Pharma and similar companies prefer the exceptional profits of selling Gillette type blades.

See gadgeteer.co.za/myotherinteres…
#Blog, #cheaper, #environment, #gillette, #shaving

Tired of Gillette Razor blades costing US$3.58 each then try Safety Razor Blades costing only US$0.08 Each

There’s a lot more to traditional wet shaving than just price, but for many, price is the big deciding factor. Safety razor blades work out to being 44x cheaper than Gillette Fusion5 blades (both as bulk buy items).

It’s true that a quality safety razor is going to set you back about US$45 for Merkur 34C, and a bit more if you want to buy say an Edwin Jagger DE89 and fit that with an iKon solid stainless-steel knurled handle. But these razors are going to last you a lifetime. For example, my father’s Gillette Fatboy razor which he used in the mid-1960’s, still works perfectly well today, 65 years later.

Safety razors come in an unlimited variety of types and styles to express any individual whim. I’ve found the Edwin Jagger DE89 heads to be quite good, and they will accommodate a number of different handles with the standard screw thread.

A key takeaway, though, too, is that there is a unique combination of skin type vs razor vs blade. So, the aggressiveness of the razor head needs to be paired with a blade that suites your skin type. It may sound daunting, but a Merkur 34C is a fairly mild razor, whilst the Edwin Jagger DE89 is a more medium aggressive razor. Blades such as the Feather brand are quite sharp (read less forgiving) than say the Astra Platinum which are smoother. If you can get one, it is well worth buying a sample pack of blades to try out with your razor, as you’ll be surprised to find that they will all give a slightly different shave.

See my webpage at https://gadgeteer.co.za/myotherinterests/traditional-wet-shaving/
#Blog, #savings, #shaving, #traditionalwetshaving

How to Shave with a Safety Razor

This is a no frills, no lengthy intro, guide that gets straight into the meat of the topic. Learning anything new though does require a little memory muscle reprogramming. It did take me about two shaves to get into the swing of it, and from there the benefits just flowed.

One really need not get too tied up in the details though, as there is a bit of give and take (the 30 degree shaving angle is just an approximation), and you will settle on what is comfortable and works well for you. Nowadays I shave as quickly with a safety razor as I would have done with a cartridge razor.

Traditional wet shaving does bring quality, better economics, more freedom of choice, is more environmentally friendly, and pleasureful.

I still regret my dad trying to be modern in the 1970’s and only introducing me to cartridge razors. I endured a good 30 years of hell before I even knew about traditional wet shaving. I have just never looked back since then. The biggest problem for many is, not having actually tried traditional wet shaving. It was also probably an initial mistake of mine to go buy as super cheap disposable Bic razor and blades from the corner shop. There was a world of difference when I tried the Merkur 34C razor with some decent Astra and similar blades. If a razor is going to last 20+ years, you may as well spend a little more on it.

See the guide at https://zomchi.com/en-au/blogs/news/how-to-shave-with-a-safety-razor
#Blog, #safetyrazor, #shaving, #traditionalshaving, #wetshaving

Why Use a Shaving Brush instead of ‘Modern Technology’

Perhaps you’ve caught a glimpse of one in an old movie, a vintage barbershop, your grandfather’s medicine cabinet, even that “how to wet shave” video that piqued your interest: a shaving brush. But isn’t it an obsolete tool of yesteryear? An out-of-date method replaced by modern technology? Well, in short, no. A shaving brush is still a necessary element of a great classic wet shave. West Coast Shaving offers a few thoughts on the importance of a shaving brush to a great shave.

Just remember, that like with different types of razor blade, there are many different types of shaving brushes too. Apart from the stiffer or softer bristles (soaps vs shaving creams), there are also real hair and vegan friendly synthetic hair brushes.

See https://www.westcoastshaving.com/blogs/wet-shaving-and-grooming-blog/reasons-to-use-a-shaving-brush-when-embracing-wet-shaving
#Blog, #shaving, #traditionalshaving, #wetshaving

Traditional Wet Shaving: The difference between shaving soaps and shaving creams

I’ve long been a fan of harder shaving soaps myself because I find them easier to lather, and they seem to last longer. I can usually just lather the soap right on the puck and use it from there, whereas lathering a shaving cream usually needs to be done in a separate shaving mug or bowl.

Just recently I discovered the Dusy Kabinett soap, and I’m blown away by how easily it lathers.

Watch https://youtu.be/28vBub65N7U
#Blog, #shaving, #shavingsoap, #traditionalshaving, #wetshaving

Which Safety Razor Should I Buy?

This is an article by the Wet Shaving Club. I love that they list their own options as well as those of their competitors. But it is a key question for new traditional wet shavers to ask, because there are hundreds of options and these razors generally last a lifetime (or two lifetimes).

It’s very true that the cost of a good safety razor is a lot more than a cartridge razor, but with the way cheaper blades, it usually breaks even after the first year, and saves money from then on (as well as the environment).

See https://wetshavingclub.com/which-safety-razor-should-i-buy/

#wetshaving #traditionalwetshaving #razors #shaving
#Blog, #razor, #safetyrazor, #shaving, #traditionalwetshaving, #wetshaving

#Shaving #Soap #Greece #Kepkinh

Today my order from Kepkinh out of Greece arrived, a shaving soap smelling of Pineapple, and an ointment of olive oil and beeswax, to treat my dry skin on my feet and legs. If it works i will order a bigger jar ;-)
But the post: It is about that soap, that is the tied up pink package, I know the maker (via Etsy) and have bought samples and soap from him, first of-coarse the samples to see if i liked them (I did) as it proved he makes great shaving soap! He advertised some discounted ones and Pineapple was a sent i did not have yet, so I ordered.
Now to see how the smell develops when in use, soaps sometimes lose the smell when wet, some will intensify, and some will change, so where this one goes? We will see (Ill report back in the comments).
Monday morning i will use it for the first time, dry the sent is very mild, it is there, but not 'American In Your Face', from experience (I already have the soap EVE from him) his formula is fantastic, smooth, buttery texture when on the face, and very nice feeling skin after use. The only thing i did not like in the EVE is that when shaving with it (so when it becomes wet) the small of the soap changes, it comes alive with a strong anise smell, not unpleasant, just not the smell i like, and bought the soap for.
It is a bleeding shame the transport costs are so steep out of Greece, otherwise i would order some more of his soaps.
Highly recommended!

#Shaving #Oldschool!

Zepplin

I grabbed a random DE razor to take with me on holiday, turned out to be the Seygus Zeppelin, good grab, one WTG & one XTG for a BBS result!

Hard to get though as the maker seems to be out of business. It is a strange duck with that inverted 'smile' allowing so much blade exposure in the middle, such a shame i own only the head, placed on a Maggard handle, when i bought this one only heads were produced yet. I wonder if i could find the SSS handle anywhere

What Is The Best Safety Razor For Beginners?

You’ve decided to give a single blade safety razor a try. Congratulations! But which razor? There are many different types of “old school” double edge safety razors. Some are based on designs that have been around for many years. Others offer a new take on the old stand-by’s. Which ones are the best bets for beginners?

This article gives excellent advice. I went with the Merkur 34C, and still use it today. It’s worth noting that many heads, such as the Edwin Jagger D89, can have the handles swapped out. I added an iKon made from solid stainless steel with good knurling. They end off with some advice about razor blades, which is also very true, you’ll get different shaves from the same razor depending on the blade you use, so experiment with a few different blades.

See https://sharpologist.com/best-safety-razor-beginners/

#traditionalshaving #wetshaving #shaving #razor
#Blog, ##razor, ##shaving, ##traditionalshaving, ##wetshaving

A Guide to Using Shaving Soap for Traditional Wet Shavers

The realm of wet shaving has a strong attraction. More and more men and women are ditching the cartridge and canned foam for the sublime luxury of shaving with a soap and safety razor/straight razor. And isn’t it wonderful when the thing you love is also good for you. (How often does that happen. . . I’m looking at you dessert. Sigh). Wet shaving is different. This meditative practice of lathering and shaving with quality products is something to love that loves you back.

So, you might be sold on the idea of the wet shave with a voluminous lather, but how do you produce it? One of the central aspects of a great classic shave is a well-lathered soap or cream.

The soap compliments the choice of razor, blade, brush, and your skin type, and there are more varieties of soap out there than blades or razors. So there is a lot to choose from, and also ways to lather it. Generally, the harder the soap, the harder the type of brush you’d want to use.

See https://www.westcoastshaving.com/blogs/wet-shaving-and-grooming-blog/guide-to-using-shaving-soap

#traditionalshaving #wetshaving #shaving #shavingsoap
#Blog, ##shaving, ##shavingbrush, ##traditionalshaving, ##wetshaving

How (and Why) to Shave with a Safety Razor – It’s easy to save Money and get better Comfort than Cartridge Blades

Cartridge razors do a great job, though they are also sort of reinvented the wheel, given that the single-blade shave razor was achieving smooth results for nearly a century before the cartridge came along. But there’s a reason cartridges are so popular—and almost certainly what you learned to shave with. They’ve got a terrific and easy-to-learn design and feel a lot less dangerous. They’ve become increasingly inexpensive to replace (unless you use Gillette cartridges) and receive by mail.

But there are two big reasons to shave with a safety razor. The first is price: you can score a year’s worth of safety blades for like $10. The second is comfort, especially for guys who are prone to ingrown hairs. And it’s hard to beat a better shave for less money.

I’d agree that straight razors take quite a learning curve, but a mild safety razor, like a Merkur 34C, is really pretty easy to get going with. Finding the right brush and shaving soap can also take a bit of experimenting, but one can use a safety razor with canned chemical goo (tinned gels) while you become accustomed to it.

See https://www.gq.com/story/how-to-safety-razor

#traditionalshaving #safetyrazor #environment #shaving
#Blog, ##environment, ##safetyrazor, ##shaving, ##traditionalshaving

Ultimate Guide to Traditional Shaving Practice because about 2 billion razors, including cartridges, are disposed of every year in the US alone

Wet shaving doesn’t involve some new disposable razors or cartridges, making it a more sustainable practice. Many shaving soaps and creams are in reusable containers, which means it is not as much waste if you are responsible. And check to make sure you are buying a biodegradable one, which means the little you throw away also doesn’t kill the planet.
A double-edged razor is an upgrade, no matter how you look at it. It is heavy and sturdy and better than a plastic razor. This one will also last longer, which is the cheaper option. You can pick from the many universally fitting blades available in the market. A straight razor also comes with the same benefits.

See Wet Shaving – Ultimate Guide to Traditional Shaving Practice – Beardoholic

#traditionalshaving #environment #shaving

No-shave November is behind us. Now it’s time to revisit the techniques that give your beard the best look. Your beard is a critical part of your look which conveys style, hygiene and attention to detail. So, we thought we’d put together a guide that will tell you how to kick it old school with […]

#Blog, #rss- - - - - -

https://gadgeteer.co.za/ultimate-guide-to-traditional-shaving-practice-because-about-2-billion-razors-including-cartridges-are-disposed-of-every-year-in-the-us-alone/

Wet Shaving - Ultimate Guide to Traditional Shaving Practice - Beardoholic

No-shave November is behind us. Now it’s time to revisit the techniques that give your beard the best look. Your beard is a critical part of your look which conveys style, hygiene and attention to detail. So, we thought we’d put together a guide...

Reddit has a large newbies friendly Wet Shaving Community with over 95k members

Reddit has a large community of enthusiasts, hobbyists and artisans who enjoy a traditional wet shave: brush, soap, and safety or straight razor. And best of all, newbies may also find them a little friendlier than some dedicated forums elsewhere.

See r/Wetshaving

#traditionalwetshaving #wetshaving #shaving

r/Wetshaving: A community of enthusiasts, hobbyists and artisans who enjoy a traditional wet shave: brush, soap, and safety or straight razor.

https://gadgeteer.co.za/reddit-has-large-newbies-friendly-wet-shaving-community-over-95k-members

r/Wetshaving

Why wet shave with a safety razor? The safety razor is no longer a historical artefact, more a beautiful object of desire to shave with!

They cover many of the usual accepted reasons that so many of us know, but I love their honest ending: The reality, however, is that wet shaving is an addiction. The money saved on cartridges is often spent on building up a vast collection of artisan shaving soaps/creams, stylish safety razors and shaving brushes!

See Why wet shave with a safety razor?

#shaving #safetyrazor #wetshaving #traditionalshaving

Shaving with a safety razor is the latest trend, here's 4 reasons to switch to a traditional wet shave!

https://gadgeteer.co.za/why-wet-shave-safety-razor-safety-razor-no-longer-historical-artefact-more-beautiful-object-desire

Why wet shave with a safety razor?

Shaving with a safety razor is the latest trend, here's 4 reasons to switch to a traditional wet shave!

Why is Shaving with a Safety Razor Better? There are a good 5 reasons!

Back in the day (before triple venti no foam lattes and cloud computing), things were simple, and simple worked well. The DE safety razor itself was a beautifully sculpted tool that was meant to last a lifetime. It reflected the integrity and purposefulness of the man who used it. So, it is no wonder that our modern age is longing to rediscover wet shaving.

Traditional Wet Shaving with a safety razor is one of the best ways to shave, hands down. The article below walks you through 5 reasons why shaving with a safety razor is great.

See Why is Shaving with a Safety Razor Better?

#shaving #traditionalwetshaving #safetyrazor #DErazor

Back in the day (before triple venti no foam lattes and cloud computing), things were simple, and simple worked well. The DE safety razor itself was a beautifully sculpted tool that was meant to last a lifetime. It reflected the integrity and purposefulness of the man who used it. So, it is no wonder that our modern age is longing to rediscover wet shaving.

https://gadgeteer.co.za/why-shaving-safety-razor-better-there-are-good-5-reasons

Why is Shaving with a Safety Razor Better?

Back in the day (before triple venti no foam lattes and cloud computing), things were simple, and simple worked well. The DE safety razor itself was a beautifully sculpted tool that was meant to last a lifetime. It reflected the integrity and...

Example of FALSE advertising to try to sell cartridge razors as being more environmentally friendly than straight razors (it's the opposite, in fact)

A couple of things really totally incorrect about this blatant advertising:
* The method continues to "hold nostalgic value in certain cultural pockets" - well it's (and safety razors) actually been growing due to being environmentally friendly and the closest possible shave without razor bumps, etc as well as cost savings. You only have to look at all the artisans and big brands selling straight razors today.
* Reasons such as closest shave, cost, safety, stropping, etc are zero to do with the environment, but yes, not having to buy very expensive cartridge blades at all does pay back very well over 5 or 10 years. And certainly I've timed my straight razor shaves to be a good 25 minutes including boiling water, stropping, and shaving, so given it can take a little longer.
* But "Many conventional shaving creams also use aerosol propellants" and "Shaving with a straight razor virtually always requires the use of these products" are very incorrect assumptions to make about straight razor shaving as the usual practice excludes aerosols, opting rather for natural soaps that are usually environmentally friendly. Convectional cartridge razor shavers, on the other hand, are known to default to aerosol gels and creams, though.
* A straight razor can last for decades if cared for properly, and requires no disposal in landfills (unlike cartridge blades, which cannot be recycled easily due to the composite material).

See Why men have to stop shaving with straight razors

#environment #shaving #advertising #marketing #misinformation #traditionalshaving

They’ve got flair and history, but it’s time to say goodbye to a dinosaur in the bathroom. Now mostly found at retro barbers, the straight razor was the most commonly used option by men until the 1950s when it was largely replaced by the safety razor. Straight razors allow the wielder to whip out the blade with a drama

https://gadgeteer.co.za/example-false-advertising-try-sell-cartridge-razors-being-more-environmentally-friendly-straight

Why men have to stop shaving with straight razors

They’ve got flair and history, but it’s time to say goodbye to a dinosaur in the bathroom. Now mostly found at retro barbers, the straight razor was the most commonly used option by men until the 1950s when it was largely replaced by the safety...

shaving...

#slystone #shaving #knife

Straight Razor Shaving: You can flatten a honing stone with just 400 grit sandpaper

The normal option is to buy a special flattening stone, but these can be quite costly. What works just as well, is to use 400 grit sandpaper, which you tape to a flat granite or marble surface.

I've criss-crossed the honing stone with pencil lines, and soaked the stone for 15 minutes in water. Then all I did was lightly rub both sides of my 3000/8000 grit stone on the sandpaper until the pencil marks were removed. That gave me nice flat surfaces to further hone my razor with.

My straight razor is now all honed and stropped, and ready for another two months or so of use before I need to hone it again.

See my tips at Traditional Wet Shaving | Gadgeteer

#shaving #straightrazor #traditionalshaving #honing #flatteningstone

You can follow all my latest wet shaving specific posts at https://www.youme.social/groups/view/496/traditional-wet-shaving

https://gadgeteer.co.za/straight-razor-shaving-you-can-flatten-honing-stone-just-400-grit-sandpaper

Which Razor is Best for Sensitive Skin? Be Safe with a Safety Razor

There is one in three guys who undergo skin irritation once they’ve shaved. Considering that you are reading this post, you’re most likely one of these guys.

If your sensitive skin is a newbie to shaving, then your best bet would be a safety razor. A double-edged safety razor can give you a close and clean shave without as much fuss as a straight razor.

It’s also hygienic than a multi-blade cartridge disposable. Because there are no multiple blades lying closely beside each other, there will be no hair, skin or oil stuck in between the blades. And since we all know that acne results from follicles clogged with sebum and dead skin cells, you won’t get an acne blow-out after shaving with a safety razor.

The beauty of a safety razor’s single blade is that it does not irritate. Multiple-blade disposables actually damage your skin because the blades are scratching the skin repeatedly. It can also lead to a lot of ingrown hairs which are painful.

There’s also a practical benefit to using a safety razor. The replacement blades are less expensive and you don’t have to buy them as often as you would with a disposable cartridge razor. And because it’s usually made of metal or some other form of durable material other than plastic, you’re not contributing to the plastic pollution that’s making a mess out of our environment.

See Which Razor Is Best For Sensitive Skin?

#shaving #sensitiveskin #traditionalshaving #safetyrazor #skinirritation

Almost half of all Americans have sensitive skin. Why is this so? Should men be concerned about sensitive skin? What's the best shaving razor for sensitive skin? When you’re a newbie, getting a clean shave is what matters. Well that, and because you also want to have a love life as quickly as possible. A safety razor has a shorter learning curve than a straight razor. Read more.

https://gadgeteer.co.za/which-razor-best-sensitive-skin-be-safe-safety-razor

Which Razor Is Best For Sensitive Skin?

Almost half of all Americans have sensitive skin. Why is this so? Should men be concerned about sensitive skin? What's the best shaving razor for sensitive skin? When you’re a newbie, getting a clean shave is what matters. Well that, and because...