Review: South Africa’s Clicks branded Double Edge Razor Blades for R13 for 5 Blades

I just spotted these blades a week ago at Clicks in South Africa, and thought I’d better buy them to try out, seeing we have a really dismal selection of blades in retail stores in South Africa. At R12.99 (US$0.72) for the pack of 5 blades, I was not going to lose a lot of money at all.

The packaging states they are Platinum-Chrome Stainless Steel blades, and German Technology. Unfortunately, not only is there no mention at all of who manufactured them, even the blades are completely blank (I’ve never seen that before). So no indication at all who the original manufacturer is.

Rear of packaging
Blade is blank of any branding

The Shave

I was very surprised at how good the shave was, so much so, I decided to use the blade for the whole week before making any comments about it. I Normally shave with the Astra blades and my Edwin Jagger DE89 head. If I am a bit reckless and shave really quickly with the Astra’s I will get the odd nick on the chin or lip area.

Well, my first impression with these Clicks blades was they were noticeably a notch smoother to shave with. They still cut well (no additional passes need), but super smooth. I upped my speed a bit too, and the same experience without any nicks or cuts. They performed consistently for the week, and I’m pretty sure I could go another week on the same blade.

I just need to state here though that any shave is a combination of razor head, blade and skin type, so your own mileage may vary. I can only compare using my own razor. No doubt a more aggressive razor, or a milder one like the Merkur 34C, may produce different results.

For example, when I first tried double-edge razor shaving, I bought Lion blades (pictured below) with the cheap Lion razor. It was a horrible experience! They tugged, and the razor was too aggressive, etc.

I’m very impressed with them, and actually prefer them over the Astra blades I’ve been using for the last 4 years (I bought about 300 Astra blades in bulk because I had to import them).

The Price

Clicks blades at R12.99 vs Lion at R25.99 and Super-Max at R13.99

Obviously, there is no comparison between this price, and what would be paid for Gillette Fusion cartridge blades… We can compare this to the Astra DE blades which sell online in South Africa for R17.99 (normally about R25 though).

R12.99 works out to R2.60 per week of use (US$0.14 per week). The Astra’s would cost about R3.60 per week. These blades could actually stretch to 2 weeks of use, and that brings the cost down to R1.30 per week. At this price, I’ll quite happily support Clicks locally.

Bonus: Environmentally Friendly

As with most double-edged blades, the packaging (paper and plastic) is fully recyclable, as are the stainless steel blades (which I collect in a money tin after use).
#Blog, #razorblades, #southafrica, #traditionalwetshaving, #wetshaving

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 13 Most Soothing, Smooth and All Around Best Shaving Soaps for Men

There are few things that can make a modern man feel more like a classic gentleman than grabbing a proper shaving brush and lathering on a soft layer of a good shaving soap.

Sure, nowadays there are dozens – if not hundreds – of brands pushing various shaving gel, shaving cream and lotion products that can give you all sorts of skin-boosting benefits.

But as Moneypenny said as she (sexily) shaved Daniel Craig’s James Bond in Skyfall: “Sometimes the old ways are the best”.

Single blades are single blades, but where traditional wet shaving really gets the rubber hitting the road, or the blade gliding on skin, is the amazing variety of quality shaving soaps and creams. Not only are they good quality, and often artisan made, but they are very good to use on the skin, without having the chemicals or aerosols that come with most commercial shaving products.

I still prefer a harder shaving soap puck, which I use a stiffer brush to lather. But there are no shortage of options out there, and if you look around you’ll usually also find artisan soap makers in most cities (and even small towns).

The very essence of the traditional shaving experience typically lies in the soap or cream being used.

See https://www.irreverentgent.com/best-shaving-soap-for-men/
#Blog, #shavingsoap, #traditionalshaving, #wetshaving

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

Gillette Cartridge Blades R110 ea (US$5.79) vs Gillette DE Blades R4 ea (US$0.21)!

I was so shocked at the price of these cartridge blades, I had to take a photo of it. I used to use one of these blades per week when I still used cartridge shaving blades. A pack of eight blades will fill my car’s tank with petrol. I can see why wearing beards has become more popular!

In contrast, Double Edge (DE) blades, even by Gillette, cost only R4 ea. That is 27x cheaper! I actually normally use the Astra Superior Platinum blades at R17.99 per pack of 5 blades. But if we want to compare with “cheap” DE blades, then it is about R10 per pack of 5 blades.

Apart from just cost, it becomes a real no-brainer to be using DE blades for shaving, when you also consider they can be recycled, and a single blade is better for prevention of ingrown hairs than multi-blade cartridges.

#Blog, #gillette, #shavingblades, #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

How to clean your traditional shaving equipment after a shave

So many videos mostly concentrate on preparation and shaving, and not really on the cleaning at all.

The liquid paraffin is a good tip for putting razors in storage. Of course, once I tried this, I also had to wipe over the chrome taps and everything else shiny in the bathroom too.

See https://youtu.be/Zmd2wPAbAlI
#Blog, #traditionalwetshaving, #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

Gillette still sells Safety Razors but you don’t need to buy Gillette blades for it

Gillette invented the safety razor about 120 years ago, even though they lost interest in it when they discovered they could lock buyers into buying very expensive plastic cartridge razor blades. This happened because everyone started to manufacture standardised double edge blades that could fit any other safety razor, and profits on blades were very slim.

But safety razors and blades are going stronger than ever today as many shavers have rediscovered them to be more environmentally friendly, better for the skin, and way cheaper to use.

Competition means cheaper prices, but also a mass of options to choose from. There are many brands of blades that offer a different shaving experience (with the same razor) due to different sharpness, shaving angle, smoothness, etc. So although you buy one razor, test out a few different blades with it, as the experience will be different with each blade brand.

Gillette is not “the best” safety razor out there, as there are many excellent quality choices to choose from today. So spend some time watching reviews to get an idea before choosing. Although a razor will last a few lifetimes, many shavers do end up buying a few more razors to just try out different experiences. I’ve even bought an Ikon handle to replace the handle on my Edwin Jagger DE89 head.

See https://www.amazon.com/King-C-Gillette-Platinum-Refills/dp/B08FF44M1H/
#Blog, #gillette, #safetyrazor, #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

CUBE Preshave Soap – Better than Preshave Shaving Oil for Traditional Wet Shaving?

It’s a good point that oils tend to clog up the razor as well as line the basin. It is true that a good shaving soap should/could offer good glide capabilities. It’s a pity though that this (and a few other alternatives) are just not available to me locally, and shipping makes the products prohibitively expensive.

Watch a video about this soap at https://youtu.be/O4AQTnXkAj8

#traditionalshaving #wetshaving #preshave
#Blog, ##traditionalshaving, ##wetshaving

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

Best Shaving Brushes: Synthetic And Badger Hairs Reviewed – Animal-Free Options Are Well Worth Trying

Whilst traditional shaving is hands-down cheaper and better for the environment in most aspects versus cartridge razors and tinned gels, one sore point that still stands out is the perception around the use of badger hair brushes (horse hair is animal-friendly).

In the past, such brushes were undoubtedly the very best you could get, but the picture has changed quite dramatically now, with many excellent synthetic fibre brushes being available. In my own experience, I bought what I thought was a boar hair brush, only to hear a year later it was in fact a synthetic fibre brush that looked and worked the same (I thought the lack of smell was because it was bleached).

The review does also touch on some added advantages of the synthetic brushes.

See https://www.toolsofmen.com/best-shaving-brush/

#traditionalshaving #wetshaving #shavingbrush
#Blog, ##shavingbrushes, ##traditionalshaving, ##wetshaving

7 Best Safety Razor Blades for The Most Comfortable Shave Ever – Because you have Lots of Options!

You want a quality brand that offers a sharp blade along with safety features. Longevity and consistency are elements that will give you a good shave every time, and you can find these in a quality double-edged razor blade.
In this buyer’s guide, they cover the basics of finding the right safety razor blade for you to prevent ingrown hairs, nicks, and cuts.

See 7 Best Safety Razor Blades for The Most Comfortable Shave Ever – [2021]

#wetshaving #traditionalshaving #safetyrazors #DEblades

At A Glance: Our Top 5 Picks for Safety Razor Blades Closest Shave: Astra Platinum Sharpest: Feather Longest Lasting: Personna Shark Wilkinson Sword Getting a clean, comfortable shave can be a challenge when using the wrong type of razor blade. You want a quality brand that offers a sharp blade along with safety features. Longevity […]

#Blog, #rss- - - - - -

https://gadgeteer.co.za/7-best-safety-razor-blades-for-the-most-comfortable-shave-ever-because-you-have-lots-of-options/

7 Best Safety Razor Blades for The Most Comfortable Shave Ever - [2021]

At A Glance: Our Top 5 Picks for Safety Razor Blades Closest Shave: Astra Platinum Sharpest: Feather Longest Lasting: Personna Shark Wilkinson Sword Getting a clean, comfortable shave can be a challenge when using the wrong type of razor blade....

An original Gillette Fatboy D4 safety razor circa 1958 sells for R2,450 ($155) in South Africa today

I still have my dad’s old Gillette Fatboy razor, which he would have been using in the 1960’s. I cleaned it up and have shaved a few times with it, as of course as safety razor shavers around the world know, today’s DE blades still fit perfectly well. A safety razor is built to last multiple generations. Try that with today’s cartridge razors – you won’t find blades for them in 40 years time, or by then the blades purchased, will have bankrupted you!
I just really regret my dad never let me into the secret of safety razor shaving, and I had to suffer ingrown hairs for 30 years before I discovered this…

See Gillette Fatboy D4 1958 (V188)

#safetyrazors #traditionalshaving #wetshaving #gillettefatboy

The Gillette Fatboy is one of the most iconic safety razors available today. Originally called the Gillette 195 (the price point was set at $1.95), it got the name ‘Fatboy’ shortly after Gillette released its ‘Adjustable slim’ model. Since the 195 had a handle of greater diameter than the slim model, it got nicknamed t

#Blog, #rss- - - - - -

https://gadgeteer.co.za/an-original-gillette-fatboy-d4-safety-razor-circa-1958-sells-for-r2450-155-in-south-africa-today/

Gillette Fatboy D4 1958 (V188)

The Gillette Fatboy is one of the most iconic safety razors available today. Originally called the Gillette 195 (the price point was set at $1.95), it got the name 'Fatboy' shortly after Gillette released its 'Adjustable slim' model. Since the 195...

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!

A Look Back At Traditional Wet Shaving Over a Decade and a Half, and why it has made Shaving now Enjoyable

Like lifeforms, human culture continually evolves, and for much the same reasons: reproduction with variation, occasional mutation, and a built-in selection process that results in some entities prospering while others struggle or die off. Cultural evolution is so fast that we can trace the evolution of language, music, fashion, technology, and so on. In this piece, Leisureguy takes a look at how traditional shaving has evolved over the past decade and a half.

See A 15 Year Look Back At Traditional Wet Shaving | Sharpologist

#traditionalshaving #wetshaving #TraditionalWetShaving

Around the time that Mantic59 first started making shaving videos, I discovered “traditional wetshaving”. I dived in.

https://gadgeteer.co.za/look-back-traditional-wet-shaving-over-decade-and-half-and-why-it-has-made-shaving-now-enjoyable

A 15 Year Look Back At Traditional Wet Shaving | Sharpologist

Around the time that Mantic59 first started making shaving videos, I discovered “traditional wetshaving”. I dived in.

9 Best Shaving Soaps for Men [All Skin Types] – 2021 Review

This article takes an in-depth look at the best shaving soap for men that are easily available on the market.

Many things that had gone out of style are slowly coming back. These pertain to music, cars, clothes and now, shaving. Yes, there is nothing wrong with wanting to shave like your grandfather or great-grandfather used to.

One of the tools that were handy to our forefathers in their clean shaving endeavours is the shaving soap. Yes, sure, most people today probably think of a shave cream when they are looking to boost their daily shave. However, there is also the option of shaving soaps. And believe it or not, unlike cream, shaving soap has been around for centuries.

See 9 Best Shaving Soaps for Men [All Skin Types] - 2021 Review

#traditionalshaving #wetshaving #shavingsoap

The best shaving soaps can make the difference between a great or a bad experience. Learn how to find a shave soap that fits your preferences now.

https://gadgeteer.co.za/9-best-shaving-soaps-men-all-skin-types-2021-review

9 Best Shaving Soaps for Men [All Skin Types] - 2021 Review

The best shaving soaps can make the difference between a great or a bad experience. Learn how to find a shave soap that fits your preferences now.