#4 in Shaving products
Use arrows to jump to the previous/next product
Reddit mentions of Silver Tone Double Edge Blade Razor Shaver w Nonslip Metal Handle
Sentiment score: 56
Reddit mentions: 82
We found 82 Reddit mentions of Silver Tone Double Edge Blade Razor Shaver w Nonslip Metal Handle. Here are the top ones.
or
- Product Name : Handle Razor;Material : Metal
- Color : Silver Tone; Handle Size : 9cm/3.5'' x 1cm/0.4'' (L*D)
- Head Size : 4cm/1.6'' x 2.5cm/1'' (L*W); Blade Size : 4.3cm/1.7'' x 2.3cm/0.9'' (L*W)
- Fast shipping:We are Xhan_shop,Ships from China by EUB, it would reach you about 7-15 days.
- Package Content : 1 x Handle Razor,1 x Blade
Features:
Specs:
| Color | silver |
| Size | Handle Razor |
Here are the basic advantages:
CARE OF SKIN - DE shaving, using lather, a good razor and blade, and good technique, is much kinder to your skin that the 5-blade, tug-and-cut scraping action of a Fusion. More details on request, but many guys have commented on how much their skin/acne/ingrowns have improved since making the switch.
QUALITY OF SHAVE - This will probably not be new information, but advertisements often do not provide reliable information. (Note the obvious conflict of interest, for example.) Quite frequently, guys who have made the switch find that their shaves are much better, an observation reinforced by the comments from significant other, children, and/or grandchildren that their face is not so scratchy as it used to be.
COST OF SHAVE - My blades cost 9¢ each and last a week. For $4.50, I get a year's worth of shaves. How much do you spend on Fusion cartridges in a year? Shaving soap and cream are also much less expensive than canned foam, besides being better, more fragrant, and more pleasurable.
QUALITY OF LIFE - DE shaving improves one's quality of life. Specifically:
Environmental benefits - These are obvious: much less landfill fodder and many fewer noxious chemicals involved in traditional shaving.
Personal benefits - This was the clincher for me: shaving went from a tedious, boring, hateful chore to a real pleasure, something I look forward to each morning and truly enjoy. It makes a significant psychological difference to begin the day with taking care of yourself while doing something you enjoy rather than hurrying through something you hate.
FWIW, I wrote a comprehensive introduction to DE shaving that answers these and many other questions. You can get much of the same info on the Internet (but not all, I believe), but the book provides an organized and consistent introduction and discusses the many choices and tradeoffs in equipment, supplies, and techniques. Check out the reader reviews to see whether you think it would help you.
The doubled edged safety razor in general costs substantially less than a staight razor. Indeed, the Silvertone razor is less than $3 and gives quite a good shave. (Check out this sub-$50 beginner kit for some specific recommendations). Of course, with a DE razor you have to buy blades (read this post on blades---they're not wh¢at you expect), but blades are cheap. I mainly use a brand that cost 9¢ per blade, which lasts about a week: around $4.50/year for the blades.
The problems with multiblade cartridges:
a. Expensive, so guys try to stretch their life, which means a lot of time they're shaving with a dull set of blades.
b. Effort: even if the blades are sharp, it requires some force to push (say) 5 blades through the stubble: cutting 5 blades' worth of stubble at a time means you encounter a lot of resistance. When cutting with a single blade, you find MUCH less resistance. (To minimize resistance the most, one would use a slant-bar razor, but I would recommend that as a second razor, once your technique is good.)
c. Pressure: when you're putting that much effort into cutting, you tend to press the cartridge against the skin, scraping away. That's why so many guys believe that they have "sensitive skin". Most of them don't: they have damaged skin. (Of course, some guys really do have sensitive skin, sometimes to the point of requiring medical intervention. But for most, the issue is damage rather than sensitivity.)
Take a look at my guide for more information and detail, if you think the read reviews warrant it. And when you start, avoid the four most common mistakes cartridge shavers make when switching to a DE razor.
Hope this helps.
As someone explained, ingrown hairs happen when the hair doesn't actually break the surface of the skin, the most common cause for them is shaving with poor gear or incorrectly. Basically you shave and instead of cutting the hair, the razor pulls it slightly out from the hair follicle before actually cutting it. So when the hair grows back, if it's even slightly off from it's previous position, there's a good chance it won't break through the skin and end up as an ingrown hair.
Some people also have naturally very curly hair which then ends up causing much more ingrown hairs than most others. If they just happen even without shaving then the issue is a bit more difficult to manage and there's actually very little you can do about it. However if they happen after shaving, then solution do exist.
I'm going to detail some things you can do about your shaving routine that should help with ingrown hairs.
First of all, get yourself a double edge razor. If you want something cheap you can get one for about 3$ from Amazon, for something a bit better and more expensive the Edwin jagger DE89 is an excellent razor. There are literally hundreds of other options out there, you can often find DE razors from antique shops, flea markets or just your parents/grandparents place. And vintage razors are often extremely good if they are in decent shape.
Next you'll need some blades, I recommend buying a sampler pack again this one is about 11$. The reason you want a sample pack is because certain blades work better for certain people, so you can try them out and find the blade that fits you.
Now why on earth would you spend the whopping 15$ on technology from 70's when you have the new gilette 20 blade razor that is supersharp technology masterpiece? Mostly because it's not supersharp, well..It kinda is but it won't stay that way. The problem is that blades go dull, and when blades go dull they don't cut well, when they don't cut well they tug the hair and you end up with ingrown hairs. The easy solution is to change the cartridge often, but the cartridges are really goddamn expensive so you don't want to do that. DE blades? You can get a years supply for 20-30$, change it every 1-3 shaves and you can ensure the blade stays sharp and cuts well.
Someone also suggested exfoliating the skin, but you can kill two birds with one stone. You can get yourself a shaving brussh, something simple like the Omega 10077 it's a good, cheap starter brush it's a bit on the harder side so you can easily use it to exfoliate your skin prior to shaving. With that you can get a tube of Proraso shaving cream which is leaps and bounds better than the stuff you get from a supermarket in a can. Then to top it off get yourself some nice aftershave to calm your skin after shaving.
Now you'll also need to change your entire routine a bit. Slap a blade on your new razor, fill your sink up with some hot water and let your brush soak in the water. While your brush soaks rinse the areas you want to shave with plenty of hot water, this helps to open up the pores and soften your hair prior to shaving. If you want you can use some pre-shave to try and keep the irritation to your skin to minimum. Now you'll need to prep some lather, you can use a bowl, your hand or just do it right where you want to shave Here's a good guide on what you can do. The basic idea is to make sure your brush isn't exactly dripping wet but still wet, get about an almond size drop of the shave cream, then just mix up the cream like you'd be mixing eggs, add drops of water if needed. Once you have some lather, apply it in the places you want. You should use rather brisk circular motions, these help to prop your hair up and makes them easier to shave. Applying cream with hands usually has the bad effect of pushing your hair flat on your skin which makes shaving harder.
Now you have some lather so you'll need to shave. There are two main things to keep in mind with a DE: Blade angle and pressure.
Basically there is an ideal blade angle and finding one will take some time. However there is an entire wiki page dedicated to this. The second one is pressure, with a cartridge razor you ten dto press it against your skin, because the blades are dull and you try to shave as well as possible. With a DE, you should not put any pressure on your skin. The blade is sharp enough to cleanly cut the hair with zero pressure. Getting a hang of it is gonna take a week or so, but once you do you will consistently get better shaves. And be sure to rinse your blade often with the water you have in your sink, you don't want too much cream clogging the blade up.
The basic three pass DE shave includes one pass with the grain of the hair, another across the grain and the final pass is done very carefully against the grain and only if needed or you absolutely want to do it. Shaving against the grain gives you the best shave, but also irritates your skin more and is much more likely to end up with reddish skin or small cuts. So you fist shave everything with the grain, then rinse, apply lather, shave across the grain, rinse, and shave against the grain if needed.
Finally rinse with cool water, dry yourself up and apply aftershave. For other post-shave products you can get yourself an Alum bloc. It's a natural astringent that closes up most small razor nicks. After your final pass and after rinsing your face, grab the block and just massage it on the areas where you shaved, then rinse your face again. Another excellent product is witch hazel. It's again an all natural skin care product, it helps to cool, refresh and revitalize your skin. You can also use it daily even if you don't shave. Personally I apply witch hazel after I rinse off the alum. Then wait a few minutes and apply after shave.
Doing all that should help to decrease skin irritation and reduce ingrown hairs. And those products are just a dip in he ocean, there are hundreds of soaps, aftershaves, creams and all manner of other things you can get cheap and easy. Check out /r/wicked_edge for more.
This is the one I used. Read the reviews though, it's not great. It's an easy way to figure out if you want to switch from the standard razors. I personally like it because I can get rid of a thicker beard with less irritation. Will probably spend $30 and get an Edwin Jagger handle soon.
Sure. I will offer up this as a super cheap example of a decent way to start. It will provide a decent shave at a very reasonable price and you can always upgrade later if you decide that you want to.
Razor. It is cheap as hell, but works surprisingly well.
Blades. Buying a sample pack is a great way to decide on a blade that suits you. Every blade is different for everyone. A blade that works wonders for me may leave you with razorburn or stubble and vice versa. Unlike most things cost is not indicitive of how good a blade is.
Brush. Some people prefer badger hair brushes, some people prefer boar bristle. I like both and I use both. This is a decent boar bristle brush for someone starting out. The more that boar is used, the softer it gets.
Soap. Believe it or not you can easily spend hundreds a year on soaps and creams alone if you decide you want to try everything out there. Proraso soap is a great one for a beginner though, easy to lather, slick, and protective. It gives a nice tingle to your face due to the menthol so that is something to be aware of though.
For under $45 you can get started with a full kit. For under $25 if you just want the razor and some blades.
Now here is my favorite setup
Razor. The Merkur 39c has a head that holds the blade at a slant, enabling it to cut more like a guillotine. This is good for someone like me that has very tough and wiry beard hair.
Blades. Astra Superior Platinum razor blades are my favorite. Each one will last me for 3-4 days of shaving. Remember, a blade that works for me may not work for you. Blades are a trial and error thing.
Brush. I have more expensive brushes, but this brush is my favorite. Very soft, yet has enough stiffness to easily whip up a lather and it holds tons of water.
Soap. This is a shave stick. You rub the soap on your face and then use your brush to build a lather. This listing is for 15 shave sticks. A single stick can easily last 6-9 months.
For about 130 bucks you can make a big jump in quality. The majority of costs involved are in the razor itself and a more expensive brush. If I wanted I could spend upwards of 200 dollars on a stainless steel razor and over 500 dollars on high end silvertip badger hair brush. As I have mentioned before, this hobby is as cheap or as expensive as you want it to be.
I hope this helps.
EJ / Mühle razors are considered to be on the milder side of the aggressiveness spectrum. If you feel that's harsh on your face I would not recommend the slant yet. The razors itself is not that more aggressive as some would portray it to be, but it's a new design you have to get used to.
I would recommend using the EJ and really improve your technique as it's possible yours still isn't perfect - 2 months really isn't that long. And a lot of time people think it's the razor's fault when it's indeed their technique that's lacking.
If you feel you absolutely must have a new razor you can check out eBay or your local antique markets for either Gillette Tech razors or the Gillette Super Speed Flare Tip. Or maybe even the Sodial/RIMEI/Silver tone razor from Amazon.
edit: I knew Leisureguy would beat me to the punch. :)
Nice going.
Keep in mind that a lot of Farmers Market soaps are not really suitable for shaving (especially if they're made with olive oil), so if your lather isn't stable, it may not be your fault...
This Razor is a cheap way to get into DE shaving, don't forget to get a blade sampler as well.
If you want to get into DE shaving and you don't want to worry about spending a decent bit of money on something that isn't too good, you could always start with the Silvertone/Sodial/Rimei razor -- for $2.81 + free shipping you can hardly say that the money was wasted, and it receives pretty high reviews from most. It's what I use and I am perfectly happy with it.
But seriously, safety razors are the bees knees if you can find them. Best shave next to a straight blade.
3$ for the razor: http://www.amazon.com/Silver-Double-Shaver-Nonslip-Handle/dp/B0050HO9MI/ref=sr_1_5?ie=UTF8&qid=1411573438&sr=8-5&keywords=safety+razor
9$ lifetime supply of razor blades: http://www.amazon.com/Shark-Double-Blades-Stainless-blades/dp/B004RWZ1RE/ref=sr_1_3?ie=UTF8&qid=1411573488&sr=8-3&keywords=shark+razor
[For that same $3....minus $.045] (http://www.amazon.com/Silver-Double-Shaver-Nonslip-Handle/dp/B0050HO9MI/ref=sr_1_4?ie=UTF8&qid=1407550882&sr=8-4&keywords=safety+razor)
I have a few of these (not the same exact brand, but they're all the same Chinese makes really and differ from one to the next even with the same brand). They're as BIFL as any Merkur, and honestly, I like them a lot...
Edit: this is the one I have. Sucks it's now a $6 add on item. I bought a few for like 2.75$ a few years back.
>I still use disposables
> haven't been able to convince my wife to budget the initial expense for a DE kit
A pack of disposables is like, what, 8 bucks? You can get this for four and then thirty blades for $10 which is actually kind of expensive but you're just getting started.
So for the cost of two packs of disposables you have a starter kit of 30-60 shaves. You can keep using your normal cream for now, but eventually you can switch over to better stuff.
Then, once you get a hang of it you can ask for fancier razors or brushes for Christmas/Birthdays/etc.
And your wife will give you bonus points for saving money! Everybody wins.
You're getting a lot of advice in this thread from adjustable users who mean well, but have obviously never used a Futur. The Futur is quite simply one of the most aggressive razors... period.
Even on the 1 setting, the distance between the blade and guard is greater than almost any DE I can think of. Don't even consider taking it past the 2 setting unless you've been shaving for years. Also the technique for using the Futur is completely different than a normal DE. Because of the weight and heft, you need to apply almost zero pressure and let the razor do all of the work.
Honestly, you should put down the Futur and buy this for $2.50 You'll get a better, safer, more enjoyable shave while you learn technique. After awhile you can come back to Futur with real understanding of how aggressive it is and whether or not that is the kind of shaving experience you want.
I know that Edwin Jagger is much nicer but if anyone wants to dip their toes in the water on the cheap I found this little razor for under $7 to be quite good for beginners. It was the first DE I used and it's nice enough that it makes a good travel razor.
don't worry, all is well in the world
Links to Deal Extreme get automatically flagged as spam, so I won't provide one. But if you go to DX dot com and search for 116281 the Ri,Mei razor will pop up. It goes for around $4 and shaves very well. Shipping is from China and takes a couple of weeks.
You might get the same razor for a couple of bucks less if you order the "Silver Tone" from Amazon. Or you might get something entirely different, that might or might not perform acceptably.
The next worthwhile step up in price would be one of the Maggard Razors. These are very good razors; I prefer them to anything else in the sub-$60 range.
Cheap straight razors are a bad idea. Most of them are made with steel that will never hold an edge suitable for shaving. You can get a Gold Dollar razor for under $10, but it takes substantial work by someone who knows what he's doing before it's shave-ready. At which point they go for $50 or so.
$40 starter set
$12.50 set - http://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B001A3HPT0/ref=ox_sc_act_title_2?ie=UTF8&smid=ATVPDKIKX0DER
$7 razor - http://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B0050HO9MI/ref=ox_sc_act_title_1?ie=UTF8&smid=A1THAZDOWP300U
$10 sampler set - http://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B007OL72B8/ref=ox_sc_act_title_3?ie=UTF8&smid=A11C50J5I9SKBO
$9 alum block - http://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B000VXELII/ref=ox_sc_act_title_2?ie=UTF8&smid=AED9GYTNTTZUB
I don't know what any of you are talking about. We're talking about starter sets for noobs. And starter sets for noobs on a budget at that. Isn't it better to start with crappier stuff and then work your way up to better/more expensive things (kinda like having a clunker as your first car)? I've scoured through all the comments and I can verify that the ones linked here are all good products (or as good as anything can be for the price), nothing here is faulty or poorly made, so why hasn't anyone mentioned them?
Anyway, this is what I'm buying. It's about the same prize as the whipped dog bundle ('cept these all have free shipping so its actually cheaper) except it comes with way more blade samples and a cheaper razor. It's a trade off I'm willing to make since you can get used to a crappy razor but knowing which blades you want will save you a ton of money.
Amazon has a couple for REALLY cheap and they are good quality.. If I find the one I bought I'll link it to you, because it's fantastic and was like 6 bucks or something
EDIT: FOUND IT!!!!
I would not trust a 3 dollar anything with the safety of my face.
EDIT: I think I spent around $50 to get started with wet shaving. I used some spray shaving cream I already had.
EDIT2: The reviews for this seem favorable on Amazon. Though a lot of the lower reviews are along the lines of "I wish I got a better quality one", "too light", "you get what you pay for", and "arrived with manufacturing defect". Perhaps I would trust this with my face.
EDIT3: Relevant? http://www.reddit.com/r/wicked_edge/comments/1itdrv/for_3_shipped_how_can_i_go_wrong/
I appreciate it man, this is the double edge I grabbed and I'm liking it so far, although I'm paranoid about using it on the front of my neck. (In all fairness, I get really creeped out/bothered by anything touching the front of my throat, and something like this terrifies me a bit).
Right now it seems to be working, but I'm trying to make sure I'm going into all of it right. How often do you change the blade on yours?
Oh, links...
Silvertone double edge razor http://www.amazon.com/gp/aw/d/B0050HO9MI
Arko shave stick, easy to lather, and a pretty decent smell www.amazon.com/gp/aw/d/B002A5OLHQ
There are all different kinds of brushes, here are a few
www.amazon.com/gp/aw/d/B003BWNR9A/ref=mp_s_a_1_1?qid=1377634966&sr=8-1&pi=AC_SX110_SY165
www.amazon.com/gp/aw/d/B000G647Y8/ref=mp_s_a_1_1?qid=1377635019&sr=8-1&pi=AC_SX110_SY165
www.amazon.com/gp/aw/d/B001PDDEVS/ref=mp_s_a_1_13?qid=1377635056&sr=8-13&pi=AC_SX110_SY165
Also, for $26 is a good brush, from Larry at whipped dog.
www.whippeddog.com/products/view/silvertip-badger
Blades, well look on amazon for a sampler pack , or try maggard;
www.maggardrazors.com/index.php/product-category/razor-blades/
Make your own, or choose one of theirs!
I have a shaving tip for every transfemale here.
Do not use store bought razors, they're garbage and awful for your skin.
Do yourself a favor and pick up a Safety razor and feather platinum coated blades.
It's far smoother, cleaner and closer of a shave. smoother skin=better make up application.
This is even more important if you're black or have africanized skin and hair like I do.
It takes a bit of effort and dexterity to learn, but once you do the store bought razors are just...trash.
http://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B001G5FOLI/ref=oh_aui_detailpage_o01_s00?ie=UTF8&psc=1
http://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B0050HO9MI/ref=oh_aui_detailpage_o00_s00?ie=UTF8&psc=1
Oh yeah and its WAY WAY WAY cheaper than store bought trash.
This guy or one of the previously linked Maggard razors
An easy way to find out if it's your razor: Buy a Silver Tone. They cost $2.03 plus free shipping
I have one and I love it. I've never had a closer shave. What kind of blades are you using? Maybe try something sharper? Like Feathers?
Yep. I bought this: http://www.amazon.com/Silver-Double-Shaver-Nonslip-Handle/dp/B0050HO9MI/ref=cm_cr_pr_product_top
Said it would take a month to deliver but it was maybe 12 days or something much shorter. Works well for me.
This appears to be the same razor that's on Amazon:
http://www.amazon.com/Silver-Double-Shaver-Nonslip-Handle/dp/B0050HO9MI/ref=wl_it_dp_o_pC_nS?ie=UTF8&coliid=IH4NR25PR04HX&colid=2RCULPHAYLGUF
A number of reviews there.
That razor is the same one that sells on Amazon for dirt cheap. It's a touch light for my taste, but not a bad razor at all and for the price it's amazing.
http://www.amazon.com/gp/aw/d/B0050HO9MI/ref=mp_s_a_1_1?qid=1377478451&sr=8-1&pi=SL75 This is the razor I bought, I wanted to start DE shaving and also was on a budget, its a solid razor, bought a sample pack of blades on amazon as well, and Target, Walgreens and CVS all have inexpensive wet shaving kits by Van Der Hagen that come with shave mug, soap, and a boar brush, hope this helps ya out.
here
It is a whopping $2.37 and though they aren't all perfect, you can't really beat the cost. These are fairly highly regarded as some of the best value/$ razors available. Sure you can spend more but for the price of this and a blade sampler you can give DE a try.
My wife loves hers! I haven't tried it myself. I picked it up off ebay for a pretty great score, it was rusted in the open position and damn near took vice grips to turn the thing. I slathered it up with some penetrating oil and let it sit for 20-30 minutes and then went at it with a brillo pad. After about a half hour of scrubbing it was moving wonderfully!
I then let it sit in some 91% isopropyl alcohol for another 10 minutes or so to cut the oil stank. She's been using it every other day since! She actually fully stopped using cartridges because of it! Before that she was using a cheap 3 piecer I got off Amazon for like $3 from China.
Amazon isn't terrible, you just have to price check what they have vs. the same product elsewhere.
Anyways, for a very cheap introductory razor:
http://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B0050HO9MI/ref=oh_aui_detailpage_o05_s00?ie=UTF8&psc=1
You will want to upgrade from this, but for just getting started to learn on you can't really beat the price, and it can certainly tide you over until you feel able to expand your shaving budget.
Edit: Hell, PM me your address and I'll have some stuff shipped to you.
To be honest, you don't really need an expensive one. Most of the guys over at /r/wicked_edge admit they get the fancy ones just because they're enthusiasts.
I bought this f'n thing and never had any problems with it. Often it comes down to finding the right blades for you. Then finding techniques and various cremes and salves that appeal to you.
I haven't shaved in 9 months, but before that I had the most amazing baby smooth shaves in my life with minimal irritation(pretty much a miracle.)
I would try it first with lower end...just in case you dont like it....
The Tweezerman brush is pretty good for $9 on Amazon, pick up some Bigelow shave cream from Bath and Body Works for $10 (just rebranded Proraso), a sampler of blades, an espresso mug for working lather and some Nivea Sensitive shave balm.
For a razor, this was my first DE and it is a great, cheap, all metal DE that will let you know if DE is right for you. Mantic actually had a review on one of his videos and really liked it as well. It is heavy-ish, even and very forgiving.
http://www.amazon.com/Silver-Double-Shaver-Nonslip-Handle/dp/B0050HO9MI/ref=sr_1_9?ie=UTF8&qid=1347028678&sr=8-9&keywords=de+razor
Plus at under $10 you wont feel bad moving up to something more advanced as you get better.
Wal Mart even carries a Clubman Styptic for about 75 cents...If you are feeling you want a shave soap instead of cream, try Van Der Hagen from Wal Mart for about $1.50.
There is no need to go over $50 if you havent even tried it yet. Then you can replace parts as you find what works best and send these items to the travel bag.
#######Didnt notice your name...Hot Black approves of this name. IMHO Restaurant at the End of the Universe is a much stronger book than HGTTG#########
I would probably return / trash that brush and grab this $9 synthetic brush that I really like, or this inexpensive synthetic one that leisureguy really likes. (Or maybe I'm just biased because I know how many nicks / weepers I've painted over for my second / third pass and would not feel OK using someone else's old brush.) (The anthrax concerns obsolete at this point though. :))
Then consider whether you really want to learn to shave with an SE (single edge) safety razor, which has fewer blade choices and a different technique than a DE (double edge) razor.
If so, then grab some blades for use with your Gem razor (the Valet AutoStrop apparently does not take standard SE blades).
If not, then consider picking up a DE razor, which can start as low as $3 or so and a blade sampler pack, that will allow you to choose from a variety of blades as you go. (If you've got a little extra $, the Edwin Jagger is a very well regarded mild razor.)
In terms of soap, make sure it's not just a bath bar with clay added and marketed as a shaving soap, as many homemade soap companies do that, and it's usually a sub-optimal product. Look for a soap that's well thought of on the shaving forums. (You can find soaps made without animal products for shaving if you look around.)
Once you've got your full set up, then the first step is to practice making lather. A good lather is the foundation for a good shave. Practice 5-10 latherings at least, making lather on the brush or in a bowl, then lathering up your non-dominant hand for practice.
Then start shaving. Remember to use NO PRESSURE. Use a sharp blade and just let the razor do the work.
Good luck! We're here to help!
This isn't really a money saving tip - if you follow /r/wicked_edge's advice, you'll end up spending loads on badger-hair brushes and other unnecessary shaving paraphernalia.
If you really want to save money, buy a cheap double-edge razor (such as this or this, if you want something metal), then buy lots of razor blades in one go. I use these ones, but any with fairly good reviews will do. Use a gel/foam/soap of your choice and you're set. The blades will probably last you a couple of years and the razor should hopefully last a year, if not more.
You can do this on the cheap to start. Pick up This razor (I just bought a 2nd one yesterday) and These blades. That way, if you decide strait razors aren't for you, your investment is < $15 and you're still good to go. If you like it, then pick up a solid BIFL one and it will, indeed, last you for life.
Keep an eye out at estate sales, garage sales, antique stores, etc. Many times you can get an excellent quality older razor for a few clams. If you're patient, this can end well, but if you decide that you would rather have a new one of quality, there are many options available.
You can buy the shaving soap, brush, shaving cup and even if you decide to go back to cartridge razors (although after a few weeks most of us wondered how we ever did cartridge razors to begin with), you'll find that the soap and brush is much nicer than the goop and shaving "cream" that people put a big price tag on and sell. It just feels so much better on your skin.
I'll add, however, I still keep a cartridge razor around for some of the more sensitive, non-facial areas of my body.
This is a brilliant scam on the part of Gillette. Those cartridges will cost you thousands of dollars over the course of your life, but they send you the razor when you turn 18 and get you hooked.
Do yourself a HUGE favor and buy a good DE razor and a blade sample pack. You'll get a closer shave and save a bundle of money.
Basic starter kits (you might want to go for a better razor?):
http://www.amazon.com/Silver-Double-Shaver-Nonslip-Handle/dp/B0050HO9MI/ref=pd_sim_sbs_hpc_1
http://www.amazon.com/FEATHER-Oclock-SILVER-SUPER-MAX-Sampler/dp/B00BQFX7K8/ref=sr_1_15?s=hpc&amp;ie=UTF8&amp;qid=1373346587&amp;sr=1-15&amp;keywords=de+razor+blades+sampler
Safety razor. It's a closer shave (less time between shaves for a given length of trail,) and easily under $10 for the entire trip. It takes some knowledge to use well, but this can be done before your trip and took me maybe 2-3 shaves to really get the hang of it. http://www.amazon.com/Silver-Double-Shaver-Nonslip-Handle/dp/B0050HO9MI/ref=sr_1_7?s=hpc&amp;ie=UTF8&amp;qid=1420492351&amp;sr=1-7&amp;keywords=safety+razor
EDIT: Forgot to mention that you can twist the top part of to make this a lot less oblong. I imagine the size in kit would be comparable to a Gilette
I appreciate your answers!
Based on what you've said, I'll probably do the following:
I'll probably share my proposed purchase on this subreddit before I jump into it (which hopefully isn't against any unwritten rules).
Cheap Starter kit $29.37:
Silver Tone Double Edge Blade Razor Shaver w Nonslip Metal Handle $6.72
Derby Double Edge Razor Blades 30 Ct $3.70
Escali 100% Pure Badger Shaving Brush $13.95
Col. Conk Lime Glycerine Shave Soap 2.25 oz. $5.00
Blade sample pack (nor merkur or feather though):
Double Edge Safety Razor Blade Variety Pack - 100 Blades!
Better starter kit ($110.85):
Parker 82R Super HeavyWeight Butterfly Open Double Edge Safety Razor & 10 Shark Double Edge Blades $30.88
Edwin Jagger 1ej946sds Traditional English Best Badger Hair Shaving Brush Faux Ebony Medium With Drip Stand, Black, Medium $41.72
Geo F. Trumper Limes Shaving Soap in Wooden Bowl $32
10 Feather Razor Blades NEW Hi-stainless Double Edge $6.25
With regards to shaving: You can get a fantastic shave without relying on the overpriced multi-blade cartridge razors so popular these days. I'd recommend the following as you can acquire them:
A few additional helpful hints:
Best of luck!
Ok, here is what I recommend to start with. This is basically what I started with to. None of these items are the best quality, but you can get a feel for the shave technique and you'll know if you want to spend more money on better stuff quickly.
Razor
Blades note you'll want to try other brands eventually, but these are not harsh, they're inexpensive, and thus a good first purchase.
Bowl & brush note toss this puck of soap, it's shit.
Shave soap
This will get you going for gear. You can sub out stuff for better quality if you want, but I'd keep it cheap to start. You'll also want to learn how to use all this stuff. This is what I used to learn how to shave the first time. You'll find there are many techniques and schools of thought, but this is the best basic guid to learn and develop muscle memory.
Good luck, and if you need help pm me or check us out at /r/Wicked_edge/
A good, cheap pair of earbuds
Or, if you're willing to spend a few dollars more, these earbuds are fantastic.
A watch
Amazon also sells tons of their own cool stuff- look around
A safety razor.
Also, Amazon sells a ton of books for super cheap. Look around.
This would be a better option if you want to try one... I paid around 7 for the same one and I loved it, albeit I have upgraded.
FWIW, I've heard that the disposable DEs are rough. If, after that, you want to spend very little, try a sodial. They're not bad for the low cost.
Link: http://www.amazon.com/Silver-Double-Shaver-Nonslip-Handle/dp/B0050HO9MI/ref=sr_1_2?s=hpc&amp;ie=UTF8&amp;qid=1417927428&amp;sr=1-2&amp;keywords=Sodial+razor
I' r also heard that, for <$25, Maggard's razors are the best you can get.
Or, better yet, get a Maggard starter kit (includes brush, blades, and soap). It'll be worth having to eat Ramen for a few weeks, if budget is the issue. http://www.maggardrazors.com/product/budget-starter-kit/
I bought this as my travel razor and it works surprisingly well. https://www.amazon.com/dp/B0050HO9MI/ref=cm_sw_r_awd_Hfbmub0DG873Q
This is the one I have and I have no issues placing the razors. I use each blade once and never have any issues.
Silver Tone Double Edge Blade Razor Shaver w Nonslip Metal Handle
http://www.amazon.com/dp/B0050HO9MI/ref=cm_sw_r_an_am_ap_am_us?ie=UTF8
Buy a safety razor, so much cheaper.
http://www.amazon.com/Silver-Double-Shaver-Nonslip-Handle/dp/B0050HO9MI/ref=sr_1_2?ie=UTF8&amp;qid=1397719404&amp;sr=8-2&amp;keywords=safety+razor
http://www.amazon.com/Astra-Superior-Premium-Platinum-Double/dp/B001QY8QXM/ref=sr_1_1?ie=UTF8&amp;qid=1397719453&amp;sr=8-1&amp;keywords=safety+razor+blades
along with the packs of safety razor blades you should have extra safety razors in your stores ... if nothing else they make great barter items that will build future clients for the razor blades ...
Amazon has a direct Chinese razor manufacturer shipping for free ... all metal construction ... $3.36 ea .... has hundreds of favorable reviews ... worth a gamble to give one a try ... Silvertone or Sodial Silvertone Safety Razors
http://www.amazon.com/Silver-Double-Shaver-Nonslip-Handle/dp/B0050HO9MI/ref=sr_1_1?ie=
Or you can get a cheap safety razor for $6 and a pack of 100 blades for $11 on amazon.com with free shipping (if you have prime or buy other things to total $35).
The razor I use- good quality, but the handle is a little short(you get used to it very quickly)
http://www.amazon.com/Silver-Double-Shaver-Nonslip-Handle/dp/B0050HO9MI/ref=sr_1_5?s=hpc&amp;ie=UTF8&amp;qid=1407807209&amp;sr=1-5&amp;keywords=safety+razor
The blades:
http://www.amazon.com/Astra-Superior-Premium-Platinum-Double/dp/B001QY8QXM
Try shaving with a DE Razor - This video randomly stumbled upon convinced me to make the switch.
$3 for a starter shaver
20 blades (40 actually because they're double edged) for $7.00
Both are free shipping. Just need to get a brush and shave soap at the corner store. No razor burn and the experience of shaving becomes somewhat therapeutic.
I have a Merkur Classic that I used for shaving, and I love it. As an experiment in frugality, I picked up a cheapy safety razor for my wife for shaving her legs, and to be honest, there's a big difference between these two options -- both for her shaving her legs and for me shaving my face. The Merkur is much better, though I can't say whether it's because of the open combs, the angle of the blade, or what.
That said, buy a Merkur Classic (or similar, good quality razor) plus a bunch of blades at $0.10 each and you're good to go for a long time. Very frugal.
I second the uxcell on amazon. It even comes with a decent blade!
http://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B0050HO9MI/ref=as_li_qf_sp_asin_tl?ie=UTF8&amp;camp=1789&amp;creative=9325&amp;creativeASIN=B0050HO9MI&amp;linkCode=as2&amp;tag=webyaki-20
http://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B0050HO9MI/ref=oh_details_o02_s00_i00?ie=UTF8&amp;psc=1
Been using this one for close to a year
http://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B001QY8QXM/ref=oh_details_o05_s00_i01?ie=UTF8&amp;psc=1
and
http://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B0050HO9MI/ref=oh_details_o05_s00_i00?ie=UTF8&amp;psc=1
A can of Barbasol from time to time and your good for 1 + years in blades
I didn't suggest you had to buy the book. Cheap shaving is a noble cause and you dont need to spend a penny extra.
Look here for the (99% certain) same razor
http://www.amazon.com/gp/offer-listing/B0050HO9MI/ref=dp_olp_new?ie=UTF8&amp;condition=new&amp;qid=1375796096&amp;sr=8-2
I dont think "happygarden4u" has a monopoly on what may be an RIMEI razor.
Also, that Lord L6 you picked is perfectly fine and well priced. I should have couched my initial post with a proviso that it was "better" only if your budget was so tight that $10 would mean a sacrifice in some other area of your life.
Try this one first. It was my first de razor and it works great with Astra blades. I've bought more expensive ones but go back to this http://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B0050HO9MI
http://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B0050HO9MI/ref=oh_details_o00_s00_i00?ie=UTF8&amp;psc=1&amp;tag=613240924-20
I have used this one quite a bit and it's actually pretty decent for only 3 dollars. http://smile.amazon.com/gp/product/B0050HO9MI/ref=oh_aui_detailpage_o08_s00?ie=UTF8&amp;psc=1
Opposite end of the spectrum, but get a Sodial Light weight almost disposable travel razor that won't be missed if the TSA pilfers it or if you just lose it. Buy 3 and give two away. The blades do the work, and quality control is a bit sub par but sufficient.
If you just want a high end razor, I'd look at a travel razor of some sort. Just something to put into your travel kit or bug out bag. It will soon remind you of the places you have been. I like my Parker 4 piece, inexpensive and aggressive the complete opposite of my Feather, but I still enjoy pulling it out of my kit.
I just remembered it was a reimi, not a weishi. I think someone told me it was a tech clone. This one. Do you know how it compares to that?
Three bucks with free shipping to make the switch... You don't even need to have Prime.
After the initial investment, if feels like I am shaving for free. It really is dirt cheap, and gives you an incredibly close shave.
This super cheap razor is what I started off with.
Don't skimp on the blades though, a lot of people swear by feather blades.
You'll also need shave soap and a shaving brush. All this stuff can also be found at most pharmacy places.
Guide to budget-buying for your first safety razor? Yes. As a matter of fact, this is the biggest advantage of shaving the old way: Supplies are quite cheap (though enthusiasts can quickly spend quite a lot of money on fancy brushes and hand-made razors). Go to Amazon, and look at these:
Silver Tone DE Razor -- For the money, you can't really beat this razor. I have one, and it works as it ought to. You might pick up an antique for no more than a couple bucks at a yard sale or antique shop; but give this a try if you can't be arsed.
Williams Mug Shaving Soap -- Works well enough; best when lathered on the puck. Cheapest you can buy.
Luxor Pro Badger Brush -- It's cheap. But it works. It will probably start losing bristles and thus wear out after a year or two; YMMV. If you want to get something a little nicer that will last a good long while, plan to spend at least $25 on a shaving brush; boar are better for the cheaper brushes but badger are the best if they are quality.
Most recommend getting one of the blade sampler packs on Amazon if you don't know what you like shaving with. These cost $12-30 or so, depending on how many blades are in them. If you're looking to go really cheap, get a 100 pack of Derby blades for $8. You can get a five pack of cheap blades for as little as $1, but I can't vouch for the effectiveness of those.
All told, this combo will cost you around $18.92, and you'll have adequate shaving supplies to last you for a couple years (depending on how much soap you use).
In time you'll want to upgrade things, of course; but this will do you well.
If you are just looking to dip your toe into the waters then pick up this guy from Amazon for $2. It will get to your house in about two weeks since it ships from hong kong. During that two weeks hit a local walmart or other appropriate store and pick up a pack of 10 safety razor blades also for less than $2.
Use some Barbasol if you don't have a shaving cream preference (you said beginner!) and go very slowly your first shave or two. As you learn the direction that your beard (or other assorted body hair) grows it will become easier to get cleaner shaves with less passes and less irritation, maybe a month tops.
If you don't like it, then using this method you're out less than $10.
Edit: I recommend the cheap Wilkinson Sword type razor blades to start. Once you get the hang of it pick up some Feather blades off of Amazon if your local stores don't sell them. Don't start with Feathers though you might knick your head off.
I ordered this and this last night, but they'd get here mid-September and I needed some other things to order to get my add-ons, so I went for those.
I am preferential to the this one for $2.56 shipped from amazon. I have been using it for a few months with no problems. Its pretty rugged.
My Kit :
A silver tone Razor
http://www.amazon.com/Silver-Double-Shaver-Nonslip-Handle/dp/B0050HO9MI/ref=sr_1_1?s=hpc&amp;ie=UTF8&amp;qid=1342059019&amp;sr=1-1&amp;keywords=safety+razor
Marvy Eterna Brush
http://www.amazon.com/Marvy-Eterna-Shaving-Brush/dp/B0002RT7MI/ref=sr_1_6?s=hpc&amp;ie=UTF8&amp;qid=1342059061&amp;sr=1-6&amp;keywords=shaving+brush
Col Conker Shaving soap :
http://www.amazon.com/Conk-Worlds-Famous-Shaving-Weight/dp/B000MXGMHU/ref=sr_1_11?s=hpc&amp;ie=UTF8&amp;qid=1342059061&amp;sr=1-11&amp;keywords=shaving+brush
In total it's $17.37
You can get a pack of blades cheaper at any department store (can't speak for quality), and there are probably cheaper options for soap or cream. It ends up being cheaper than maintaining electric razors, for me.
This is barely under $20 before shipping...but is Just over $30 after shipping. I suspect shopping around for better vendors will provide better results.
This was similar to the kit I started out with. Same blades (not the sharpest, but are plenty forgiving), same Creme, better brush than the Van Der Hagen I started with. Not sure about the razor, but a solid cap razor tends to be better than a bomb-door razor at this price point, that's why I went with that option.
Razor : http://www.amazon.com/Silver-Double-Shaver-Nonslip-Handle/dp/B0050HO9MI/ref=sr_1_53?s=hpc&amp;ie=UTF8&amp;qid=1342132824&amp;sr=1-53&amp;keywords=safety+razor : $6.72 : $5.12 shipping
Shaving brush (Fromm/Diane) : http://www.amazon.com/Fromm--Diane-Handle-Shaving-Brush/dp/B0020JD5M4/ref=sr_1_1?s=hpc&amp;ie=UTF8&amp;qid=1342132917&amp;sr=1-1&amp;keywords=shaving+brush : $3.79 : $2.49 shipping
30 ct Derby Blades: http://www.amazon.com/Derby-Double-Edge-Razor-Blades/dp/B002OC76CW/ref=sr_1_3?s=hpc&amp;ie=UTF8&amp;qid=1342132974&amp;sr=1-3&amp;keywords=derby : $3.28 : free shipping
C.O.Bigelow shave cream: http://www.amazon.com/C-O-Bigelow-Premium-Shaving-Cream-1-7/dp/B003D2NMH0/ref=sr_1_14?s=hpc&amp;ie=UTF8&amp;qid=1342133059&amp;sr=1-14&amp;keywords=shaving+creme : $5 : $3.94 shipping
Bowl: any old cereal bowl: free, you should already own a few extra ones.
Total: $18.79 before ship + 11.55 Ship = Grand Total 30.34
Never even heard of this razor but it's $3 with free shipping on Amazon...wow.
I'm gonna get one out of pure curiousityEdit: Read /u/chuckfalzone's reply. Amazon is not a good source for these razors.
Personally I use:
But wet shaving is very much a YMMV kind of thing. You may find that a different razor/blade combination works better for you. I got the cheap razor and a blade sample pack to start. The razor is cheap $$ wise but it's good quality. I've had no issues with it.
/u/LeisureGuy over in /r/wicked_edge is the ultimate shaving guru IMO. Here's his guide for a shaving kit under $50. It's a very friendly community overall, and accept women as well. Most of the guys there that have wives/girlfriends pressure them to switch because it's so much better than cartridge (and cheaper!). I've seen various posts by females saying they've been converted and absolutely love it.
Edit: I do not shave my legs yet. But when I do, I will absolutely be using my DE razor to do so.
The blade sampler pack is essential in the beginning to try various blades to see which one works best for you. They all have various levels of aggressiveness/sharpness/etc.
Take a very cheap route just to see if you like SR or DE, do this. Get this razor, and a .50 cent pack of 5 double edged razors, and see if you like DE razors. I got a Merkur DE to start and a pack of derby razors and just used my can of foam shaving cream. It was wonderful. I thought to myself what if there's a better shave with better cream and all that other fancy stuff. So now I've broken my Merkur (improper cleaning from my damn hard water deposits) got a "new" Gillette '51 and a brush from CVS and some better cream and good smelling aftershave. It takes a little more out of your day, but I do it at night with a drink of Oakwood Rum and goddamn if I don't stay sharp for the next few days as well.
http://www.amazon.co.uk/Silver-Double-Shaver-Nonslip-Handle/dp/B0050HO9MI for those who can't check the youtube link right now.
Sorry I forgot to include it, but do not laugh please, when I said I was going cheap I meant it. Razor
I started with this one
For less than $4 these are actually pretty good razors.
http://www.amazon.com/Silver-Double-Shaver-Nonslip-Handle/dp/B0050HO9MI/ref=sr_1_fkmr0_2?ie=UTF8&amp;qid=1395363129&amp;sr=8-2-fkmr0&amp;keywords=concord+razor
I started off DE shaving with this one, and I still use it as my travel razor.
You could pair it with a pack of Wilkinson Sword blades for a very inexpensive shaving setup.
http://www.amazon.com/Wilkinson-Double-single-Cartridge-blades/dp/B0006M56BK/ref=sr_1_25?ie=UTF8&amp;qid=1395363334&amp;sr=8-25&amp;keywords=astra+razor+blades
I'd love to get this stuff from you. Why? I've currently only got one of these http://amzn.com/B0050HO9MI and would love to get something a bit more refined. I've been looking into getting some more gear and this would fit the bill perfectly.
here you amazon order for a great start:
http://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B0077LAJT2?psc=1&amp;redirect=true&amp;ref_=oh_aui_detailpage_o06_s00
http://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B0050HO9MI?psc=1&amp;redirect=true&amp;ref_=oh_aui_detailpage_o06_s01
http://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B001A3HPT0?keywords=shaving%20soap&amp;qid=1449439061&amp;ref_=sr_1_16_a_it&amp;sr=8-16
it is not the best set but for 45 bucks that will last you a while.
I've been using this one for about a year now and I have no complaints. It's so easy to use.
http://www.amazon.com/Silver-Double-Shaver-Nonslip-Handle/dp/B0050HO9MI/ref=sr_1_2?s=hpc&amp;ie=UTF8&amp;qid=1395517741&amp;sr=1-2&amp;keywords=safety+razor
This is a three dollar safety razor. It is of the same exact quality as Merkur's or anything you can name. I spend about 10 dollars on blades a year... 16 bucks for 100 ... http://www.amazon.com/Treet-Platinum-Stainless-Double-Blades/dp/B00F7ZL6ZG/ref=sr_1_1?s=hpc&amp;ie=UTF8&amp;qid=1395517827&amp;sr=1-1&amp;keywords=treet+razor+blades
I spend the remaining savings on George F Trumper shaving cream and face lotion. The combination of the razor, blades, cream, and lotion is the only way I don't get razor burn, and it's cheaper than any other option here.
Here is a $2.63 razor that has been reviewed on /r/wicked_edge as a very decent starter double edge. Derby blades are $7.50 for 100 and this starter shave set can be found at walmart for a little less. Soap should last at least a few months, and if you use one blade a week, you should be good for ~2 years.
edited because my links were bad and I should feel bad.