Safety razors are great! They're way cheaper than "conventional" (3, 4, 5 blade) razor blades. They shave a lot closer, and you can get a variety of different grades of blades to fit your comfort level.

The only reason the expensive multi-blade disposable razor cartridge became popular was because Gillette enshitified their razors to maximize profit.

[–] DarthBueller@lemmy.world 7 points 9 months ago (1 children)

As someone whose grandfather was a carpenter for Gillette in Massachusetts from after WWII until a few years before his death, I’ve got to say that while i use safety razors because of the price, I do get a far superior shave in less time with the “fuck everything it, we’re doing five blades” (basically the 3+ blades modern razors). I just don’t like having to take out a second mortgage for refills.

[–] robotdna@lemmy.world 5 points 9 months ago

Could it be that the blade + razor aggressiveness combo you were using is not equivalent to a cartridge razor? Personally with a nice blade and 1960s Gillette Slim Adjustable on the higher settings it gets insanely close even going with the grain, much closer than I've gotten with plastic cartridge options.

[–] FlyingSquid@lemmy.world 6 points 9 months ago (3 children)

I have this (I am sure irrational) fear that if I use a safety razor, I will cut the shit out of myself. Which, I realize, goes against the word 'safety' in the name.

[–] jubilationtcornpone@sh.itjust.works 7 points 9 months ago (1 children)

You do have to be a little more delicate because it is easier to cut yourself but it doesn't take long to get a feel for it. I doubt I cut myself any more than I did with a 4 blade cartridge.

[–] FlyingSquid@lemmy.world 5 points 9 months ago (4 children)

I'll have to try to get over my fear and try it. How does it do when you haven't shaved in a few days? Because I'm very lazy about that.

[–] jubilationtcornpone@sh.itjust.works 9 points 9 months ago (1 children)

That's one area where safety razors are the clear winner. Multi-blade cartridges tend to get "clogged" by long hair. Safety razors don't.

I probably shave once a week unless I have someplace to be. I can make a full pass, flip it over and make another with no problem. The hair just rinses right out.

[–] FlyingSquid@lemmy.world 2 points 9 months ago

Nice. Thanks!

[–] Naz@sh.itjust.works 4 points 9 months ago* (last edited 9 months ago)

It takes a few weeks for your face to get used to being shaved by a safety razor but once it is, my god.

It's like the MSPaint Erase Tool in real life. I used to do electric razor only going over and over and over

Now it's like almost pornographic how easy it is to shave -- one swipe down, two, three, four.. half the face is hairless.

Four swipes left, left side is hairless.

Four swipes under the moustache and bam.

Highly recommended getting over the beginner's curve, watch some YouTube videos but here's a Linux primer on how to do it:

Fill shaving cream bowl or basin with warm (not hot water).
Allow horsehair brush to soak in basin for 1-5 minutes.
Shake excess water off the brush
Add about half a toothpaste brush amount of shaving cream to the basin, stir into a rich lather, consistency of yogurt. If it's foaming up/running there's too much water. I recommend PRORASO, Menthol (Refresh). One $10 tube lasts 3-6 months. Extremely cost effective.
Run some warm/hot water on a very low pour from sink. This is used to wash hair off your razor between passes.
Sterilize your safety razor with a 55-75% isopropyl alcohol spray. This is optional but prevents any kind of infections, because these razors basically slice open everything including pimples.
Lather up your face. Sides, bottom, moustache, whatever.
Don't apply excess/heavy pressure, these razors are extremely sharp. Go down in a stripe, flip razor over, do another stripe. Down cuts hair, holding at a mild angle, across (left right) cuts your skin, so never try to slide the razor across your face.
Go slow, practice, once your face is used to it, it becomes second nature and shaving is 10× more pleasurable and convenient than those disposable razors or whatever.
It's good enough that I recommend it to other people. I'm a man, few things make me actually feel like a man more than a good/proper shave.

[–] DarthBueller@lemmy.world 4 points 9 months ago (1 children)

If you use an electric beard trimmer to cut the long stubble down first it works better. Any razor does, but especially safety razors, since there’s only one cutting blade per side and when it’s clogged with longer hairs must be fully cleaned out for a perfect shave.

[–] FlyingSquid@lemmy.world 2 points 9 months ago

That generally is what I do, but there are still a lot of long hairs that the trimmer doesn't catch.

[–] Ensign_Crab@lemmy.world 2 points 9 months ago

Much better than a multi-blade cartridge in that regard. It doesn't get clogged with hair.

[–] reverendz@lemmy.ml 2 points 9 months ago

You have to shave lighter. Once you get used to it, they work incredibly well.

With a 3-5 mini razor Mach something, you can push pretty hard before you cut yourself.

Safety razors it's much lighter touch but it still shaves very close. I bought one of these 10 years ago and it's still going strong. Safety razors are cheap to buy and once you get used to it, works just as well if not better.

[–] aulin@lemmy.world 2 points 9 months ago

You'll cut yourself in the beginning, but once you get the angle and pressure right it's quick and easy.

[–] Got_Bent@lemmy.world 4 points 9 months ago

I have really enjoyed the experience and cannot imagine going back to disposables that get guarded more securely than fort Knox and require a credit application to purchase.

I do not, however, generally go about the general population proselytizing about it. Those people annoy me.

It's simply a solid shave for an affordable price.