(Part 2) Reddit mentions: The best replacement blades & cartridges

MOST stuff can be picked up locally. For instance, my post on the recent $50 kit thread is mostly do-able "in-person." I'll re-post it below:

Mine involves some leg-work, but I think it's quite do-able.

$9 "Shea Moisture Shave" Brush from Target - No link to the actual thing, but most regional Targets stock it. It's Pure Badger, generally has a relatively light funk, and is quite soft. Lathers decent.

$1.50 - Plain witch hazel from Walmart. About 15% alcohol, not too much sting, and noticeably cheaper than an alum block from online

$1.50 - Styptic pencil from Walmart or a drugstore.

$5.50 - Nivea Soothing Aftershave Balm for Sensitive Skin from Walmart; cool and refreshing on the skin; moisturizes well.

$10 - C.O. Bigelow's Eucalpytus and Menthol Shave Cream from Bath & Bodyworks - Lathers well with a little work, feels cool and tingly, provides good lubrication for an entry-level product.

$13 - Lord L6 Safety Razor from Amazon - Cheap, decent Merkur-alike that's supposed to be relatively mild and a good introduction to double edged razors in general.

$8 - 18-blade sampler from Amazon - 9 different styles with two apiece, wrapped up nice and safe and sold cheap. Missing Feathers, but it's still a good 2 months' worth of daily shaves for 8 bucks, ya know?

-------

$48.50 - Grand total, assuming you're willing to hit Target, Bath & Bodyworks and Walmart along with your online shopping. Heck, if you want to get Free Super Saver Shipping on it, skip the B&BW Bigelows cream and get Proraso on Amazon instead for $11. You'll bring your total up to $49.50, but the Amazon portion will account for $32, which is more than enough to pass the $25 barrier; still leaves about $17.50 worth of "in-town" shopping to do.

----------

The real issue is in finding a razor in-town for a reasonable price. If you live near an Art of Shaving Store, you can usually find some decent razors there, but they will be massively marked up. If you live near good antique or thrift stores, it's very common to find old school Gillette razors from the 30s-70s. Some are falling apart and covered with rust, but most just need a good scrubbing with a toothbrush and Scrubbing Bubbles (plus a long soak in boiling vinegar water to help disinfect 'em). These razors can be ludicrously cheap, given that they are collector's items online, but you may have to hit several places in town to find one. Heck, I've been to two antique stores and three thrift stores in downtown Raleigh, NC and haven't found anything yet!

Otherwise, you really might have to order a razor online. The LordL6 I linked from Amazon, as well as a large selection of other great razors (like the Edwin Jagger De89 and the Merkur 34C) are also there, and most qualify for free 2-day shipping if you have Amazon Prime. . . or the $4 one-day shipping upgrade ;)

Otherwise, your best bet is to hit a shaving forum like Badger and Blade and see if they have any posts about your local area for other ideas. Some areas do have shaving specialty stores (like if you live in the same town as one of the people running an online shop like West Coast Shaving, you can sometimes get into an "actual" storefront).

-------

To recap: you can find shaving cream or soap (Bath & Bodyworks, Harris Teeter, many organic grocery stores), a brush (Target, Walmart, Walgreens, or The Body Shop), aftershave (any supermarket or drugstore) and even blades (ditto: supermarkets and drugstores sell medium-quality, overpriced blades) in-person very easily. Actual razors (the "body") are harder to find unless you live near a specialty shop or an antique store that has some oldies in stock.

Hi, I see some people have given you some advice but I thought I would give you some links and maybe a little more explanation. Firstly here are links to the Maggard and the Stirling starter kits. People like to recommend these because they're very reasonably priced and you can't go wrong with pretty much anything they come with. You can make a nice shaving kit on amazon but overall you're probably going to pay more and you're going to have to be much more careful because it's really easy to get something fairly cheap that is just totally awful.

Just for fun I'll toss up some decent stuff from amazon too if you really want to use up your gift cards. This razor is a good starting razor for a pretty good price, this soap is pretty good and cheap, this brush is solid although it doesn't have amazon prime. After that all you need is a blade sampler and you'd be good to go. So after all that you're looking at about 43.74 for the stuff that comes in the starter kits at the top with minor differences. The brush isn't quite as nice as the ones in the starter kits and most people here would say proraso soap isn't nearly as good as the stirling or maggard's soaps but you would have five ounces of soap instead of two or three.

I know some people who get nice shaves with a cartridge style razor, but I don't know anyone who gets nice shaves with an electric razor. I would pretty much guarantee you'll have a better time with double edge once you get technique down and you figure out what blades you like to use. Just be aware that there is going to be a learning curve, you're working with a single very sharp blade and you have to get used to using it.

All of those are solid choices, but you'll be paying a whole lot more than you should for the quality of gear you're buying.

The EJ razors shave well and are beautifully finished, but the handles are hollow, and they're made of chrome-plated base metal. Maggard Razors MR-series handles are solid stainless steel, and the shave from their v3 head is indistinguishable. So IMO it's a better razor, and you can get one as part of the basic starter kit for less than half the price of the EJ.

Blades: A sampler is definitely the way to go, but most on Amazon aren't very good. You want two or three of each blade, and you want blades from a variety of different factories. This sampler fits the bill, or you can just go to tryablade.com and get a double helping of their top ten sampler

Brush: That EJ super badger is good but overpriced. EJ and Muhle source their knots from the same makers, and you can upgrade to a Muhle silvertip for $55. Better yet, the Stirling finest badger gets rave reviews and is only $35. Or if you really want to pull out the stops, you can get a Kent BK4 for $75. But my recommendation for anybody just starting out is to get a 22mm Plisson-style synthetic. They're ~$10, are extremely soft, and make lather as well as the most expensive badger brushes on the market.

Cream: TOBS falls in the good-but-not-great category. It makes nice lather, but IMO residual slickness and post-shave feel are lacking. There are dozens of great artisans and a good handful of commercial producers who make better soaps that are also better values.

Aftershave: Nivea is good stuff, and it sounds like that's what your skin wants.

Pre-shave oil: Some people find that it provides some benefit, but they're in the minority. For most people it's totally unnecessary.

Alum: Again, most people find it unnecessary.

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.

Awesome! All right, here we go.

Razors:

The difference between men and women's razors is that women's have longer handles and a smaller aperture for the blade. Men's usually have a wavy little comb bit that lifts up their thicker beard hair to cut.

The one I personally recommend is the Weishi. It's $17 bucks, and the metal is really light, but I ended up getting used to that fairly quickly. Not a big initial investment and perfectly adequate for my needs.

I see Murker recommended fairly often. I hear they are okay, if overpriced. I personally hated it, lol. They are definitely geared towards beards and did not play nice with my pale little legs.

You could also go for the vintage Lady Gillette. I paid $30 for mine on ebay and it's got a nice long handle, good grip, and nice weighty metal. This was actually my first purchase and I'm still really happy with it. Considering I'm happy with the Weishi, though, I'd probably just repurchase that one if I ever lose mine.

Blades:

Now this one might take some trial and error. Everyone has different hair and different skin and every razor brand shaves a little differently.

A lot of people start off with a multipack to get a feel for the different blades and then narrow it down to brands they like. I think it's a great idea and probably your best bet. I'll still mention my experiences though.

STAY AWAY FROM DORCO. They are bullshit. I'm not a fan of Gillette brand blades either except for the Wilkinson Sword and they're kind of expensive at $20 for 100. Derby is also just okay.

Feather: give the sharpest, closest shave ever. So sharp that you can cut yourself and you won't even notice until the trail of blood starts going down the drain. Great blades, and a ton of people like them, but I found that they dull too quickly for leg real-estate and are too scary sharp for sensitive bits.

Voskhod: Sharp, reliable, lasts through a few shavings. I quite like this one and have repurchased it. They are good, solid razors that gave a decent shave. Good for all-over.

Shark: My favorite at the moment. Comparable to Voskhod except I feel they might give a slightly closer shave and dull a little bit faster. If I had both in the bathroom I would probably choose Shark for the legs and Voskhod for everywhere else.

Astra: Worked adequately. Shave isn't bad or great, just reliable. Worked on the legs but not as good in other places. Wasn't worth a repurchase.

Lord: I think these actually lasted the most shaves out of all of them, at about 4 uses per blade. I think I had the least incidence of cuts with these but the shave wasn't as close as I wanted. My shaves usually last two or three days with the other razors but with this one I was feeling it lasted only 1-2. I think these are literally the opposite of the Feathers in terms of their qualities.

​

M'kay, that's all I can think of for now. I hope this helps!

/r/wicked_edge has lots of great advice. I'll boil a lot of it down for you though..

1. Stop using the 17-bladed nuclear-powered vibrating cartridge monsters with extra lubricating strip and kung-fu grip. Similarly, no electric shavers. They're really electric hair-ripper-outers. Not kidding. Kick it old school, like your grandfather. Look at a double-edge safety razor, or if you're really looking to go all-in, consider a straight razor.
   
   
2. Think about your shaving cream. Does it come out of a can using aerosol? Maybe rethink that too then. Plenty of options out there that don't involve chemical-laden aerosol-propelled goo. You can even really turn the clock back with a cup/bowl/mug and brush setup to whip up a nice lather. I'm a fan of Taylor of Old Bond Street. But, I've also used DR Harris products, and they're quite nice as well. One of the side benefits of my former job was all the trips to London, so I could just stop into the ToBS shop on Jermyn Street. Sadly, those days are past, so I rely on the kindness of co-workers that still go over. :) It's easy enough to get their products in the US, it just costs a bit more.
   
   
3. If you go the DE route, get a sample pack of different blades. Different blades work differently on different guys. For me, Derby blades are death. For others, they're amazing. For me, I work well with Astra, or can manage Feathers if I'm really careful (they're super sharp). My best blade though, has been a Personna medical prep blade.
   
   
4. Shave in passes. Do a with-the-grain pass, followed by an across-the-grain pass. If you're really not there yet, you can add an against-the-grain pass, but that's a pretty advanced move. Remember - you're doing multiple passes. You don't need to remove every bit of hair the first pass. You don't press the razor into your face (as you're probably used to!). This razor has heft, and a blade that's really sharp. You're accustomed to a lightweight razor that has blades that are as dull as a hunk of cardboard compared to your garden variety DE blade.
   
   
5. Use a quality aftershave. Try to avoid ones that contain alcohol, as it dries out the skin. I love the Nivea sensitive skin stuff. I can get it for way cheaper than that link shows at Walgreens, Target or Wegmans though.
   
   Many folks will try to sell you on the economics here, and how much money you'll save by shaving this way. While possible, it's not necessarily so. One can go bonkers and spend hundreds on the best gear if they wish. BUT, you don't have to.
   
   For me, I use a $30 brush from whippeddog.com with a $5 mug from Target. My cream (ToBS Jermyn St) runs about $15 a tub, which lasts me probably 6-9 months. My daily shaver is a $30 Edwin Jagger, and my blades run about $30 for a 100-pack. I get 2-3 shaves from each blade.
   
   If you run the numbers, you'll likely come out ahead by going to DE, get better shaves, and have better skin as well. It sure was cheaper for me. I used to go through a cartridge a week. So, that's 4 carts a month. I was spending $30-ish every other month on 8-packs of cartridges, or about $3.75 per week. Nowadays, that's 2 blades a week, at ~$0.30/blade, that's $0.60/week in blades. That's a massive savings alone.
   
   You can do the ROI analysis for yourself. Take into account what you'd spend on shaving supplies, and calculate at which points the cost lines cross (ie break-even).

This isn't exactly what you're asking for, but it might help. Since I started using a different razor/shaving cream, razor burn is history and my complexion has gotten better.

Get yourself a nice double edged safety razor. I have a Merkur Futur. It isn't cheap, but It'll last a lifetime and blades are cheap as dirt. There are less expensive razors in the ~$30 range. It is easy to justify the cost when you realize you won't be paying much at all for the razors.

Get a brush (to apply shaving cream) - badger hair is the best. I have this: Omega Stripey Badger Hair Brush

Get a quality shaving soap. I used to use just these two: Proraso Eucalyptus and Colonel Conk's Bay Rum. Now, I'm favoring the Sensitive Skin Cream which may be more up your alley too. The proraso creams don't require a shaving bowl to store them in, but the Col. Conk does.

The other bonus is that using such a sharp blade (they are cheap enough to replace every 2-3 shaves w/o guilt) it also serves as a great exfoliant. My face feels awesome after I shave.

Muhle makes their razors out of Zamak. I'd be hard pressed to call it BIFL.

I'm going to make a quick BIFL list with short explanations on why.

*Links are my preference.

======BASIC REQUIREMENTS======

• Pre-Shave
  >Optional, depends on your face. Warm distilled water works for me.
  
  
• Shaving Cream
  >Find one that suits you. Hard soap lasts longer, creams are better for hard water.
  
  >*Proraso
  
• Razor
  > When choosing the razor, make sure it is made out of solid stainless steel. The Muhle listed (to my knowledge, is made of Zamak steel (brittle, will break if dropped several times)
  
  >I'd personally suggest a Vintage Gillette/ Feather/ Weber/ Pils/ Above the Tie/ iKon
  
  >*Weber 316L SS Razor
  
  >Technically speaking 303 steel is not as ideal as 316L
  
• Brush
  >The brush may not last a lifetime, but is well worth getting one that you enjoy. Hair types vary and cater to different faces, note the grades of badger hair in particular.
  
  >There are different sizes and a deep or normal set which should also be taken into account.
  
  > *Wipped Dog Silvertip 22mm Regular Set
  
  
• Bowl
  >I like a homemade bowl. If you're going to be using one every day, it's best to just get one that looks nice.
  
  >This is expensive, but this should give some ideas.
  
  
• Blades
  >Each razor+blade combination is different. If you have a BIFL razor, you will probably not have to retry every blade known to man.
  
  >Blade Sampler
  
  >I love my *Silver Blues
  
  
• Aftershave
  >Depends on your face and scent preferences.
  
  >I have sensitive skin and my face dries out easily so I always get *Nivea Sensitive Shave Balm
  
  

  
  <br />
  Cartridge shaving can give fair shaves in short amounts of time.<br />
  <br />
  Wet shaving takes longer, even when you get better at it.  It can in fact be enjoyable.<br />
  <br />
  As for technique and how to: /r/wicked_edge.<br />
  <br />
  TL;DR: GET A RAZOR THAT IS **SOLID STAINLESS STEEL** NOT [ZAMAK](http://www.reddit.com/r/wicked_edge/comments/20g48v/what_if_we_want_a_more_serious_longer_lasting_de/cg32pv8).

Certainly! Here's what I have so far:

Bleach:

Body wash:
Old Spice High Endurance Pure Sport Scent Men's Body Wash 18 Fl Oz
6 pack
$23.34 every 6 months
http://www.amazon.com/dp/B000GR9OIQ/

@ Weis we’re spending $4.49 per bottle, so $26.94 every 6 months
We will save $3.60 every 6 months with Amazon S&S
a savings of $7.20 / year

Canned tuna:
Bumble Bee Solid White Albacore in water, 5 Ounce Tins
24 pack
$33.29 every 3 months
http://www.amazon.com/dp/B002XPPAA0/

@ Weis we’re spending $1.99 per can, so $47.76 every 3 months
We will save 14.47 every 3 months with Amazon S&S
a savings of $57.88 / year

Cat food:
Hill's Science Diet Adult Tender Tuna Dinner Chunks and Gravy Cat Food Can, 5.5oz
24 pack, 3x @ $20.51
$61.53 every month
http://www.amazon.com/dp/B006WOC8SU/

@ Petco we’re spending $1.17 per can, so $84.24 every month
We will save $22.71 every month with Amazon S&S
a savings of $272.52 / year

Coffee creamer:
International Delight Amaretto Liquid Creamer
288-Count Single-Serve Packages
$14.55 every 3 months
http://www.amazon.com/dp/B00284TNL8

@ Weis we’re spending $2.29 per bottle, so $27.48 every 3 months
We will save $12.93 every 3 months with Amazon S&S
a savings of $51.72 / year

Deodorant:
Old Spice High Endurance Pure Sport Scent Men's Deodorant
2 pack
$4.65 every 4 months
http://www.amazon.com/dp/B008CC3NHK

@ Weis we’re spending $4.49 per stick, so $8.98 every 4 months
We will save $4.33 every 4 months with Amazon S&S
a savings of $12.99 / year

Dish soap:

Dishwasher detergent:

Fabric softener:

Laundry detergent:
Tide Laundry Detergent, 50 Ounce
2 pack
$11.97 every 2 months
http://www.amazon.com/dp/B005UX2KU0/

@ Weis we’re spending $16.49 per bottle, so $32.98 every 2 months
We will save $21.01 every 2 months with Amazon S&S
a savings of $126.06 / year

Paper towels:
Sparkle Paper Towels Giant Rolls Pick A Size, White
8 count
$7.57 every 2 months
http://www.amazon.com/dp/B00BLZ1ZV6/

@ Weis we’re spending $11.99 per package, so $11.99 every 2 months
We will save $4.42 every 2 months with Amazon S&S
a savings of $26.52 / year

Razor blade cartridges:
Gillette Fusion Manual Cartridges
12 count
$34.71 every 4 months
http://www.amazon.com/dp/B004B8AZH0/

@ Weis we’re spending $3.44 per unit, so $41.28 every 4 months
We will save $6.57 every 4 months with Amazon S&S
a savings of $19.71 / year

Tissues:

Toilet paper:

Prep: Shower, Guelph Soap Company glyce soap

Brush: Omega boar (whatever Shoppers Drugmart sells)

Lather: Strop Shoppe Baker Street

Razor: Maggard MR1

Blade: Derby Extra

Post: Maggard Alum block

After: Proraso Blue

*
Just finished my first DE shave, and I'm pretty happy. 2.5 passes: WTG, WTG again, ATG.

Chose the Baker Street as my first sample to try, since the scent appealed to me the most, and man was it a good choice. Lathered up super easily, smelled great, felt fantastic.

The MR1 was awesome. Weight felt just right, balanced nicely, and it wasn't too hard to find an angle that worked.

Chose a derby blade, since I thought I should start with something considered to be mild. Also, it's among the cheapest on amazon.ca (as low as $0.08 per blade), so why not.

Finished off with the alum, which burned a bit (in a good way!), followed by the Proraso blue. I wanted something simple and soothing, and thought that would be a good choice, but I don't love the way it feels and I'm really not a fan of the scent. Good thing I only bought a sample size.

Overall, it went pretty well. Had a couple weepers under the chin (I have a pretty sharp jaw line, so getting the angle right is tough), and a bit of irritation on the neck, but my skin is pretty sensitive there so it's to be expected. Took me about half an hour, and I wouldn't say my face is BBS, but it's definitely smoother than any cartridge shave I've ever done.

TL;DR** Love the MR1, Strop Shoppe Baker Street is phenomenal, Proraso blue was not. 8/10 Can't wait for my next shave.

a couple of things i would personally change.

I like old spice as a fragrance but as for actually using it as aftershave i personally am in the camp of non alcoholic after shave balms. nivea sensitive skin asb is a common one you can get anywhere.

on the brush, i personally feel like any omega boar brush is a better brush than the tweezerman and i really think they shine when using soaps and soft soaps like you have picked out. The pro 49 is considered a great standard boar. i know this one is more than the tweezerman.

its up in the air to me whether the pre/post shave makes any difference and at that price i would drop it and use the money use save on the brush and a blade sampler pack. getting to that next.

the blades. lots of people love derbys. lots hate them. with blades you dont know until you try them so we alwys recommend a sampler pack. like this maybe


also amazon is great especially when buying one or 2 things at a time but when buying a whole setup like this you can probably get it a little cheaper at a wet shaving retail website. if you are set on using amazon np but if you dont have to we could probably get you setup a little bit cheaper with the same stuff (or better).

u/amanforallsaisons did a fine job. However, you're asking about amazon and looking for a budget deal.

The Dorco PL-602 is the most-affordable good DE razor.

The Body Shop synthetic brush is a plisson-type synthetic. I don't have one, but I know people who do. It looks good, and should be soft-tipped, and easy to use.

EDIT: let's go with one I do have: razorock plissoft

Soaps are a littler harder - do you like fruity scents or non-fruity scents? There are shaving soaps on Amazon (Razorock and WSP) but not in sampler form. You won't go wrong with soaps from either Razorock or WSP.

A blade bank I picked this as the add-on item rather than Prime, because it's cheaper and you'll have enough to make the add-on order work if you use your cart instead of 1-click buying.

Get a sampler pack of blades. I prefer tryablade.com for samplers, but if you wish to do amazon, this isn't all bad. The normal problem with a sampler on amazon is that you're getting blades from the same factory, so you aren't really getting a chance to sample well. Here, they're at least well-regarded blades, so it's not terrible.

Alum - if you hold alum to your face where you nick yourself, it will stop the bleeding.

Witch Hazel. A lot of people like Thayer's. You can use any witch hazel you like as an aftershave - I put this one here because I'm tempted to get it myself. lemon Thayer's witch hazel

Balm. Not strictly necessary, but if you find yourself burning, it won't hurt to have on hand. nivea post shave balm

Honestly? If you use shave oil, like Shave Secret (walmart), you don't need the brush or shave soap. Savings can be had if you're incredibly price sensitive. But many people prefer the brush and lather method.

Shave bowl. I use a collapsible bowl which is convenient for bowl lathering when I travel.

Partial kit: https://www.amazon.ca/gp/product/B01NANUWT9/ref=ppx_yo_dt_b_asin_title_o02_s00?ie=UTF8&psc=1 (will admit, the brush isn't great, but is pretty good for a starter)

Razor: https://www.amazon.ca/gp/product/B01M1VGXT1/ref=ppx_yo_dt_b_asin_title_o02_s00?ie=UTF8&psc=1 (chose because it is easy to change the blade, I've had no problems and is great for travel but cheaper ones are available)

Razor blades: https://www.amazon.ca/gp/product/B00P8NXAG0/ref=ppx_yo_dt_b_asin_title_o01_s00?ie=UTF8&psc=1 I got them for $1.99 on sale, and they're great

OPTIONAL shaving cream: https://www.amazon.ca/gp/product/B07N6H79HG/ref=ppx_yo_dt_b_asin_title_o02_s00?ie=UTF8&psc=1 It's good but nothing special. I don't have to use much cause it lathers really well. Cheaper options available

OPTIONAL Razor disposal cartridge: https://www.amazon.ca/gp/product/B00DWGEY1K/ref=ppx_yo_dt_b_asin_title_o02_s00?ie=UTF8&psc=1 only got it cause I didn't want to throw old razors out in the trash, however you can just keep the packaging and repackage them for safe disposal

​

after the initial purchase you only need to buy razors every so often (75 days for daily shavers, 1 year for me) for $2 and cream about once a year ($10)

I'm in the same boat and I switched to wet shaving with a single blade safety razor. It's done wonders for me, as I can get a very close shave without hardly any irritation. If I want to leave the house, I need to shave, and shave CLOSE, or I don't feel comfortable. When I'd use Mach3s or Sensor Excels, in the past, I'd have to set aside at least 45mins to let my face calm down, from being raw, red, and blotchy.

Now, I'm good to go in 5-8 mins (generally), no 'cool down' time needed. It's lovely.

My current shaving setup:
Merkur 42C Safety Razor
Gillette Silver Blue blades
Kiss My Face Moisture Shave lotion (I also have a collection of shave soaps and creams, but this is my general go-to)

YouTube is great to watch tutorials on wet shaving, and it'll prepare ya a bit. It did for me. My two fav YT shave enthusiasts are these two fellas; they essentially taught me how:
Paul H
Nick Shaves

I've kinda-sorta turned what used to be a hated chore that made me angry ("ugh, why do I have to even DO this shit?!"), into something that's kinda relaxing. If I have the time and mood, I go all out. A nice hot towel, a soothingly scented shave soap wonderfully lathered with a brush a friend made for me, etc.

I can't help ID the razor, but as for blades I think some good mild blades I used when I started wet shaving were:

• Lord Platinum Class
  
• Astra Superior Platinum
  
  Good luck, man. I wish you the best!

These are injector blades.

They are more expensive but I find they last longer (I get a minimum of 10 shaves with one). So I think it's a wash.

There are two brands of injector blades: Schick and Personna (sometimes called Ted Pella). I like the Schick ones.

I like them better than DEs for two reasons:

1. Getting a good angle is a lot easier for me. Basically it's just lay the head on your face, no trying to figure out the optimal 30 degree angle or whatever.
   
   
2. The blade is more rigid which is better for my hair type.
   
   I think everyone should try one once. It was a game changer for me. Haven't looked back. The best is the Hydro Magic if you can find one.

Some comparison math for those wanting to see the numbers right now:

All from Amazon.com, and the cheapest I could find at a decent quality...

• Gillette Fusion Pro Glide w/ Flex ball and two blade refills: $10.59
  
• Gillette Fusion razor blade refills, 12 count: $40.99
  
  __
  
  
• Merkur Long Handled Safety Razor w/ guard, w/ 1 platinum-coated double-edged razor: $29.85
  
• Personna Double-edged Razor Blades, 100 count: $14.54
  
  Already, the totals are: Fusion, $51.58 and the safety razor, $44.39.
  
  Now, let's shave.
  
  I'm not including cream or soap, since that's a preference for people, and can change prices drastically for what people use. Personally, I use absolutely nothing; water works just fine and I don't break out at all like I would if I applied some sort of substance on my face prior to scraping it off.
  
  We'll give Fusion the benefit of the doubt as well, by getting THREE shaves out of a single blade. The double-edged razors, we'll toss out after every shave (yup, double-edged or not, resharpened or not, one and done for this experiment). We're going to shave twice a week. That's 104 times a year (I wanted a figure close to 100, because I like that number).
  
  Fusion: One razor, 35 blades (three shaves per blade). That's three packs of replacement blades, totaling out to 38 blades including the two that come in the starter pack...$10.59 + ($40.99 x 3) = $133.56. You can go an additional nine shaves before having to buy another replacement pack.
  
  Safety razor: One razor, 104 blades (one shave per blade). That's two packs of replacement blades, totaling out to 201 blades including the one that comes in the starter pack...$29.85 + ($14.54 x 2) = $58.93. You can go an additional nine...ty-seven shaves before having to buy another replacement pack.
  
  The craziness is that even after giving as much home field advantage to Fusion as I could, they still cost over $70 for the first year. Realistically, you can get a lot more shaves out of the single-blade, double-edged razors which increase the longevity of a single replacement pack. If treated properly, one 100pk can last over three years. Those "moisture" strips on blades today last maybe a shave, and they're just about worthless afterwards; hairs constantly get stuck in between the blades and are difficult as fuck to remove, thus causing frustration or added swipes to get all the hairs off your face; and these added technologies like a swivel head, vibrating shaft, lubrication spitting spout, or rotating super ball does nothing differently than what you've already learned how to do with the contours of your own face and how the products treat your skin, rendering these features completely redundant.
  
  It's a no brainer.
  
  Edit: Oops, messed the links up. FIXED NOW!
  
  Edit edit: I just want to state that I am in now way shunning the use of the pro glide if it works for you. If you have found a way to increase the longevity of those blades, and you prefer them to any other blade, then by all means, continue to shave with what you like best. This price comparison is to show to those one the fence about trying a new method, or are searching for new methods to save a couple bucks, that there is an alternative. This formula is very basic, and doesn't contain all the variables that go with shaving (i.e. sharpening blades, the actual amount of shaves you can get from a single cartridge, a high quality durable electric pre-shave, hair growth and thickness). This is just to show that the single blade product at its most basic level is a much cheaper solution to shaving needs.

In regards to razors, recently went from cartridge ones to the double edge razors and its awesome. Like $16 on a nice metal handle thing on Amazon that twists open and you drop the razor blade into it then twist it shut and shave. Got like 100 blades for $10 and I'm set for eons.

Its nice as its a lot less garbage plastic and stuff, cheaper, and for my baby skin doesn't cut the shit out of me and get clogged like the multiblade cartridges. Downside is the head doesn't swivel and tilt, but it's easy to get used to.

Edit: This handle and these blades in particular. They're alright, and apparently good shaving cream helps a lot. Just wish I had found these to begin with, rather than using DSC for years.

I just got my kit in the mail today using a $50 amazon gift card!

Bronze DE Safety Razor (I love how it looks), Van Der Hagen Luxury Shave Set (Stand + Brush + Soap + Mug... All very pretty together, and I wanted a stand), and a small blade sampler pack with two of each.


Took 7 days to arrive through free, super saver shipping.

Didn't take pics of the process, but here is the photos of the lid off https://imgur.com/a/r3AFuwm

Here is a short description of how I did it:

I used one of the super thin double-sided razor blades that go into an old shaving razor like these (non-affiliate amazon link). They are quite brittle so, I snapped a blade into 4 smaller pieces by bending it with pliers. I then slide the sharp side under the SoC lid one each side to break the seal around the edge. It slides under surprisingly easy, with slight help from the pliers. I then inserted two pieces of razor blade into opposite sides of the lid to use as guards/guides for the pliers, so I wouldn't grab the SoC itself. I grabbed the lid with the pliers and give a slight twist, it came right off. It was quite easy compared to the video I saw delidding a Pi 3 with thicker razor blades and a heat gun.

An electric shaver is quick and easy, however it will not give you a close shave.
I used to use Gillette fusion, they worked quite well. I recently switched to a double edge razor and it shaves so easy & so close I will never go back. I'm using this handle paired up with these blades. Works amazing for me with the added bonus of being much more cost effective, that's nice because I shave so much of my body. I would recommend it to anyone. I've seen people be weary of these being more difficult/dangerous but really it is no different from cartridges.

Try wandering over to /r/WickedEdge for a little more info and/or google DE (double edge) shaving.

Body hair, especially facial hair is a huge source of dysphoria and using this is the first time I've gotten a shave close enough I really deem it acceptable.

One big suggestion, whenever I "let things go" for a little bit I find knocking down the bulk of hair with beard trimmers then shaving makes a huge huge difference in how easy things go.

It doesn't matter that much. Head to /r/wicked_edge if you want to shave better - and cheaper - than Dollar Shave Club.

All you need is a double-edged ("DE") safety razor and the blades are cheap. I buy 200 Feather blades for $40 with free shipping. 200 blades lasts me four years, or $10 a year for blades. I buy soap pucks that last a long time and my usual aftershave is $1.50 witch hazel from any pharmacy. It works out to about $20 a year.

I've shaved with every cartridge on the market and even taught myself to use a straight razor back in 1993. The straight gives the best shaves, but they require a lot of maintenance. A shave with a Feather is about 95% as good with no maintenance. No cartridge even approaches the shave I get from a Feather.

About eight years back, I dropped around $700 to buy a stainless Pils razor, a Rooney brush and a Dirty Bird scuttle.

Not cheap, but they're among the best on the market. I used to spend about $4.50 a week on cartridges, or $18 a month. Over eight years, that's $1,728 for cartridges.

So far, I've saved over $1,000 and have some of the best gear available. It was totally worth it.

Yes! I started with this kit. The soap and bowl are fine, the brush is rough (I bought a better one later). I actually found it at my local supermarket. Then you need a safety razor. Maggard is a very popular vendor on the sub. They sell cheap razors. Let's say you pick one up for $20. Now you need blades. I use Dorco. Others mentioned Astra and Derby. I linked to the 100 pack of each so you see how cheap they are (around $10), you could buy a smaller pack to try the blade. At around $40 (or the price for 12 Gilette Fusion Proglide cartridges you have enough to shave for around 2 years changing blades every week (I don't change that often, because I don't shave every day).

Now, how fancy you want your brush, your bowl, your soap, your razor, your blade is up to you. From the kit I built you I would get a better brush and maybe a fancier razor. People say different blades work for different people, so I would do a bit of research and try this site: http://www.tryablade.com/. For instance, you think you need a sharper blade, people say feathers are the sharpest, you can buy a couple blades for $0.55 each.

The only issue is that you (like others) might start to like wet shaving as a hobby and end up spending more money (like the $150 you mentioned). But besides that you will get a better shave than you can from fusions and canned foam/gel for less money.

Double edge safety razors are about $30 on Amazon for a midrange one. This gives me the option of using any double edge blade on the market. Competition and ease of manufacturing means I can pick my preferred blade at $15 for 100 blades. (That's $15 for 100 Lord blades, free shipping. I'm also a fan of SuperMax Super Platinums which are even cheaper.)

tl;dr Get yourself a double edge safety razor: better shave and blades are orders of magnitude cheaper.

Wow this subreddit is awesome. I grabbed this kit: Van Der Hagen Premium Shave Set (Soap, Bowl, Brush). I will be upgrading this brush (assuming I enjoy wet shaving). I also grabbed this blade sampler: 25 FEATHER BLUEBIRD 7 O'clock & DERBY DE Blade Sampler FBGD.

Today I decided to order some alum. I'll grab some witch hazel and aftershave in the next few days. It'll be 1-2 weeks before I get the razor so I'm not in too much of a rush.

Again, you guys are awesome and have given me a ton of information to work from. I'll certainly be exploring more once I get started. I'm very excited.

I know right! This almost pisses me off that someone might see this and think they cost that much. It says per cart, but I'm thinking cart is not a pack of razors, but a razor cartridge (which doesn't make sense in the case of the safety razors).

I haven't looked the price of safety razors vs cartridges in a while, but on amazon the best seller cartridges vs my favorite safety razors comes out to $2.83/razor vs $0.09/razor.

If you don't it may be easier to get baby butt smooth. If you're not using a double edge / safety razor you could give it a shot. It's much better than gillette / whatever else that has like 5 razors.

For a setup I'd recommend Proraso Shaving Cream, A maggard synthetic brush, Persona Medical razors and a Muhle R41 handle. Then just use olive oil for a shaving oil.

It's a significantly better shave and after the initial purchase much cheaper than even buying from Dorco (the people who make the razors for dollar shave club.) The 100 razors should last you atleast 400 shaves but you could probably easily get 800.

I can get to BBS but not on my neck. Everything above the chin though? Perfect smoothness.

Seems pricey to pay US$20 more just for a skull & crossbones etching. Also, you want to be careful with the smooth-handled EJ (or rebranded) razors as they can be very slippery to handle while shaving. Most Muhle razors are also rebranded EJ razors. There are a couple of other brands (Baxter's comes to mind) that are also slightly modified EJ razors. They all have the same heads and all shave the same way. I would go with the cheapest Edwin Jagger that I liked the handle style of.

The heads of these razors are made from a zinc alloy, and zinc is a somewhat brittle metal. If you drop one of these razors they stand a good chance of breaking. This is true with many different brands of modern razors including Merkur, Pearl/RazoRock and others. That doesn't mean these aren't good razors, however like most things they just aren't made to be dropped.

If you are really worried about breaking your razor, you could get one made from better materials. Weber razors are highly regarded and made completely of stainless steel. Ikon razors are likewise made of stainless steel. Feather also makes a good stainless steel razor. Of course, you have to pay more to get such high quality razors. Compared to most razors these ones are 2-4 times as expensive.

You could also check out Fatip razors which are more reasonably priced and made of plated brass so they should be very sturdy.

While there is absolutely nothing wrong with Edwin Jagger/Bluebeard/Muhle or Merkur razors, there are a lot of different options out there. You might want to see what is available before making a purchase.

BTW. Can you post photos of your dad's old razor?

Kinda depends on your taste and budget. I personally bought an old Gillette off ebay and sanitized it thoroughly. If you're that curious, this is the exact type I bought. Razors can be had super cheap on amazon, with Prime shipping even. The good folks over at /r/wicked_edge would be able to provide you with way more information than you could ever want about what type of razor and blades would be best.

Unless you have gift certificates, you can get a much better deal from a specialist vendor.

The stuff you chose is pretty good. I'd just swap the feathers for a blade sampler (get one with at least 5 blades per brand and 4/5 brands) and ditch the pure badger brush (which is quite prickly) for a good Omega boar brush, a new generation synthetic (this one is cheaper on ebay), or a silvertip from Whipped Dog.

> You may feel that cartridge razors aren't expensive, but, relative to DEs, cartridge razors are expensive.

'Cartridge razors' are not expensive relative to DE blades - as I said you can buy 100 Trac II/Atra Personnas for $13.

Are specific carts like the Mach 3/Fusion expensive relative to DE blades? Yes, they are. But the the way that DE shaving gets touted as some kind of huge saving over carts is ridiculous. Even at $147 a year it still breaks down to $2.80 a week. Barely enough to cover the cost of a coffee in Starbucks and that's with the most expensive cart on the market - if you used a Mach 3 it would work out at $95 per year/$1.80 per week. Go back even further to the Sensor and it will cost you $60 per year/$1.10 per week.

Isn't it time that we just admit to ourselves that we shave with DEs because well, we just like to shave with DEs and because some people find them to offer a better shave. Or are we just going to keep circle-jerking the same tired old mantras over and over again? Wet-shaving saves hundreds of dollars! Wet-shaving helps the enviroment! Two blades bad, one blade good!

I'll let you know exactly what I use.

For the razor itself - Van der Hagen Traditional Safety Razor I bought it at Target in store, I've seen them at Walmart, and I'm positive there are better options online that are probably cheaper.

The blades are the most important part! Derby Extra Double Edge Razor Blades I've tried two other brands besides these and found these to be excellent. I did some research after I had the handle already bought and people rave about these blades.

The cream or soap - I've never used the soap that most enthusiasts use. I use good ol' Barbasol and have never had a problem with it. I think the world is pretty split on this part of it, but it works for many.

I hope that helps! I had to watch some videos on Youtube to learn how to properly do it. With a fresh blade (I use a different one every time because they are so inexpensive) I VERY rarely even get a small cut. You don't have to press hard at all and I've never had razor burn or irritation.

Nice.

Trac II razor, matching soap bowl & brush.

Get some Trac II compatible cartridges & a puck of shaving soap & you'll be good to go.

​

Here are some sources for the carts.

​

https://www.amazon.com/Gillette-II-Razor-Refill-Cartridges/dp/B001F51R6K/ref=pd_bxgy_194_img_3/132-8317469-9354134?_encoding=UTF8&pd_rd_i=B001F51R6K&pd_rd_r=c105dd07-3c75-4c19-935b-475534848a8e&pd_rd_w=NDfEl&pd_rd_wg=Kkbs5&pf_rd_p=479b6a22-70ae-47a0-9700-731033f96ce8&pf_rd_r=QRW3KSNQ35ZJRH8SX8N2&psc=1&refRID=QRW3KSNQ35ZJRH8SX8N2

​

https://www.amazon.com/Personna-Twin-TWIN-Razor-blades/dp/B003MFXWUA/ref=pd_lpo_sbs_194_img_2?_encoding=UTF8&psc=1&refRID=QRW3KSNQ35ZJRH8SX8N2

​

https://www.badgerandblade.com/forum/threads/personna-trac-ii-atra-compatible-cartridge.138250/

​

https://damnfineshave.com/thread-trac-ii-blade-recommendations

​

Shaving soap source - US/North America.

https://www.maggardrazors.com/product-category/soaps-creams/soft-soaps/?orderby=price

Start with a small 2 oz soap as I'm not sure that the soap bowl is big enough for a full sized soap. Of course, you could always cut down the soap to fit.

Siliski makes 1 oz samples.

https://www.maggardrazors.com/product/siliski-soaps-artisan-shaving-soap-samples-2oz-pucks/

​

Shaving soap source - UK

https://connaughtshaving.com/shavingsoap.html

A soap between 50 & 75 grams should fit that bowl. Maybe even bigger - it's difficult to estimate sizes from a photograph.

https://connaughtshaving.com/crs70.html

That bowl would be great for samples too.

https://connaughtshaving.com/ssam.html

​

Update: -

The razor head appears to be bent. If it can't be straightened, just put your regular razor there in its place & enjoy the kit.

if you use a double edge safety razor, it doesn't cost much. i mean sure you have to buy the razor... mine was like $70 for the razor and a stand and a mug. and the soap. i go through ~$13 worth every 3 or 4 months.

but then compare this to this. it's practically free by comparison.

and the shave's a lot better.

Any of the Amazon ones are good that are shipped by Amazon. I've done a Gillette Sampler that came with Blues, Platinums, 7 O'clocks (5 each). I've also done an eight branded one that came with three blades each. It really is up to you.

I suggest checking out eBay for a nice vintage Gillette Super Speed. I upgraded from the VDH and it changed my shaves so much more for the better. I got mine as a buy it now for $30, but there are some nice ones for cheaper.

dude get them feather plats and forget about it. more expensive but a single blade lasts months

these: https://www.amazon.com/Feather-Double-Blades-30-Ct/dp/B002OCANQI

trust me dude these are the shit. ninja blades

How about using a double edged safety razor? Blades run about 6 cents per blade. I've been using the same box for 4 years now. I shave both my face and head with a safety razor. Shave like your grampa did! It's a better shave and much cheaper than cartridges or disposables.
https://amzn.com/B00306PJD4

Safety Razor Handle: Use either a $16 Feather 800-1B (high-quality japanese plastic and metal) or, when you are ready to buy the BIFL version, the $165 Feather AS-D2 (stainless steel)

If you are springing for the AS-D2, you might want to consider getting the AS-D2S, which comes with a minimalist stand, although I couldn't find a link to purchase, I'm sure you can find it somewhere if you dig around a little.

Blades: This is easy, you just buy the $21 100 pack, which should last you around 2 years if you shave daily and change your blade weekly.

Shave Oil: I use Somerset's by Henley on Thames. I found it at a cheap drug store and it turns out it works great, most oils are good though, once you learn to supplement your shave with a couple splashes of water to keep the moisture levels up! For the Somerset's, I go with the extra sensitive version, you can get a bottle that will last you a couple years for $25 for 1.3 oz or if you want to start with a smaller bottle, the 0.5 oz. is $10, so you don't really even save if you get the bigger bottle, which I just realized while typing this out

And for the salicylic acid treatments, I use a face soap, shampoo, and face lotion with 2% of the acid in it, but the main treatment is really using these pads after I wash my face, letting it dry, then rinsing my face and applying lotion.

I started about one month ago with my Gillette Tech. I love it, it was cheap (ebay has them for about $15),

I use WSP Hypoallergenic Luxury Rustic Shaving Soap which is ~13 bucks with Amazon Prime.

And I use a [Omega Professional Boar Bristle Shaving Brush] (http://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B004HJ6CFM) for ~$11 on Amazon Prime.

I thought I bought a sampler pack of blades but instead bought a 100 blade pack of Dorco ST301 for $8.

This combo was $47 for me and it worked well for me. Again, it worked for me - maybe your skin and comfort is different - and is less than half of your budget. I do recommend to not do what I did, and actually buy a sampler pack of blades to try out.

edit: I also shave every day and only had irritation when I first started out because I was using too much pressure. Now that I have a much better technique, I don't have any irritation at all - in fact I've only nicked myself twice (so far).

Thanks much for all the phenomenal advice. I wound up snagging this pack from Amazon, which seems to be a good mix of suggestions, which was mostly what I was trying to figure out. :)

Just commenting to add prices -- these may not be accurate for very long, since some were listed with limited quantites, but it may help some:

$29.98 - Feather: www.amazon.com/dp/B004RWTQTS[1]
$9.77 - Astra Green: www.amazon.com/dp/B001QY8QXM[2]
$12.77 - Astra Blue: www.amazon.com/dp/B002G2VENC[3]
$8.93 - Derby Extra: www.amazon.com/dp/B004SGKMA0[4]
$12.00 - Shark: www.amazon.com/dp/B004RWZ1RE[5]
$6.99 - Dorco: www.amazon.com/dp/B003OY14EK[6]
$16.95 - Big Ben: www.amazon.com/dp/B0047M51WE[7]
$15.05 - Lord Platinum: www.amazon.com/dp/B001VTRGGK[8]
$15.95 - Lord Classic: www.amazon.com/dp/B002VT94K0[9]
$29.85 - Gillette Silver Blue: www.amazon.com/dp/B0059QF5RS[10]
$20.00 - Gillette 7 O'Clock: www.amazon.com/dp/B00875XSIQ[11]
$17.95 - Blue Bird: www.amazon.com/dp/B002YIO56Q[12]
$19.99 - BIC: www.amazon.com/dp/B0022RB080[13]
$24.98 - Personna Super 200CT: www.amazon.com/dp/B00AA1AEEG[14]
$24.00 - Wilkinson Sword: www.amazon.com/dp/B003RXP1UQ[15]
$18.88 - Crystal (Israeli Personna) 120CT: www.amazon.com/dp/B002CE3518[16]

been using a safety razor for many years. It really depends on how your hair grows (corse or fine) and what blades you end up getting. Some are by FAR alot shaper then others. A few good brands of blades are Feather, Astra Superior Premium, and Derby Extra.

I'd probably start with the Derby and go from there. Feather is probably the sharpest of the ones I listed.

Everyone is touting safety razors for a reason. Here is what you want...

Pick up a Merkur Classic safety razor.
https://www.amazon.com/MERKUR-Classic-MK-34C-2-Piece-Double/dp/B002A8JO1Q/ref=sr_1_4?keywords=merkur&qid=1565340143&s=gateway&sr=8-4&th=1

Then buy some Feather refill blades (they are the sharpest I have found without dragging)
https://www.amazon.com/Feather-Double-Blades-30-Ct/dp/B002OCANQI/ref=sr_1_7?crid=3F44F5VGGF2N1&keywords=feather+razor+blades&qid=1565340348&s=gateway&sprefix=feather+%2Caps%2C186&sr=8-7

Get a nice silver tip badger shaving brush
https://www.amazon.com/Parker-Safety-Razor-Silvertip-Bristle/dp/B00LEU3PJS/ref=sr_1_4?keywords=badger+shaving+brush&qid=1565340426&s=gateway&sr=8-4

A decent quality razor and brush stand
https://www.amazon.com/dp/B0725X6TNH/ref=sspa_dk_detail_1?psc=1&pd_rd_i=B0725X6TNH&pd_rd_w=vS9lk&pf_rd_p=8dbd62ec-d8d3-48e5-b85d-16f701719d81&pd_rd_wg=MJlWF&pf_rd_r=AWB84ARTRPN3QVS12KKD&pd_rd_r=e316a787-1b5c-4984-8255-71ebf10c06f0&spLa=ZW5jcnlwdGVkUXVhbGlmaWVyPUEyT0pTWlZPSTkwRTk1JmVuY3J5cHRlZElkPUEwODY4ODA2Mzk3VjNBV1hDUUhIWCZlbmNyeXB0ZWRBZElkPUEwMTk1NTY5U0xYWkpYODJXTE41JndpZGdldE5hbWU9c3BfZGV0YWlsX3RoZW1hdGljJmFjdGlvbj1jbGlja1JlZGlyZWN0JmRvTm90TG9nQ2xpY2s9dHJ1ZQ==

A good shaving cup to get a nice lather
https://www.amazon.com/VIKINGS-Chairman-Shaving-Stainless-Standard/dp/B07GF6ZKTP/ref=pd_bxgy_194_3/143-9531827-5381065?_encoding=UTF8&pd_rd_i=B072PRBWXR&pd_rd_r=4c94e9c8-bddd-4e03-bdd9-5bfe1d171d33&pd_rd_w=WFwmN&pd_rd_wg=yvSPW&pf_rd_p=a2006322-0bc0-4db9-a08e-d168c18ce6f0&pf_rd_r=YR6K9GZT62D1RRN31AB3&refRID=YR6K9GZT62D1RRN31AB3&th=1

Then grab some Tabac or Taylor of Old Bond Street shaving pucks. (I prefer Tabac since it reminds me of my father and grandfather. Traditions die hard I guess)
https://www.amazon.com/Tabac-Original-Maurer-Shaving-Ounces/dp/B000GHYXG4/ref=sr_1_2?keywords=tabac&qid=1565340634&s=beauty&sr=1-2

Taylor of Old Bond Street
https://www.amazon.com/Taylor-Old-Bond-Street-Sandalwood/dp/B0007MW2ZW/ref=sr_1_1_sspa?crid=OHNKVBMKBAAT&keywords=taylor+of+old+bond+street+shaving+cream&qid=1565340657&s=beauty&sprefix=taylor+of+old%2Cbeauty%2C191&sr=1-1-spons&psc=1&smid=AMAE8K0LRQPCN&spLa=ZW5jcnlwdGVkUXVhbGlmaWVyPUEyUzlaRTNXNjZUS1c4JmVuY3J5cHRlZElkPUEwNDY4ODE3MU00RVdWVzg1UlFPWiZlbmNyeXB0ZWRBZElkPUEwNjA4ODg2NEE1UFZJQ1pTMllXJndpZGdldE5hbWU9c3BfYXRmJmFjdGlvbj1jbGlja1JlZGlyZWN0JmRvTm90TG9nQ2xpY2s9dHJ1ZQ==

> I was going to let my wife buy me the razor that Rick from Pawn Stars is endorsing,

I received that same razor for my birthday last year Micro touch one it was an unexpected gift after mentioning it in conversation with my dad one day.

I have nothing to compare it too, but it works great as far as I can tell. I didn't care for the blades that come with it, I got a sampler pack from Amazon, currently working my way through that, I also just ordered some Gilette silver blues

Safety razor, badger-hair brush, sandalwood soap...the setup costs you around 100 bucks to get nice fancy stuff, you can get buy on probably half that and get the same out of it though. Either way, you'll save hand over fist compared to buying that bullshit from Gillete.

Feather blades are quite possibly the best you can buy, and you get em for 50 cents a piece.

Fuck Gillete and all of their nonsense, shave like a man.

I've been a lurker for a while, finally took the plunge after I saw my dorm mate's Merkur DE Razor. Items in the picture:

Luxury Beginner Wet Shaving Starter Kit from italianbarber.com (Thanks, guys. I love you.)

An Edwin Jagger DE89Lbl

100 of the 200 Derby Extra Double Razor Blades (My friend bought the other half.)

13 bucks on Amazon and you're shaving like it's 1975 for the next two or three years.

If I had a TII handle like that, I'd most definitely make it part of the rotation. It's a nice slender cart, cheap as shit, and doesn't have an annoying pivot. My only lament is the current insistence that all carts have snot strips. They work OK to be fair, but feel like I'm smearing somebody else's old booger on my lip.

AH! I didn't think of that. Okay, then you are finding that, for you, those are one-time blades. That happens, depending on brand of blade, your beard, your prep, your skin, your technique and razor.

If all those worked perfectly for a single shave, get Derbys (7¢/blade when bought in bulk) and stick with those for a while. They're cheap enough to be a single-shave blade, and if they're working well, go for it.

I switched to a safety-razor and I'm much, much happier with the results.

You want blades?
Personna Double Edge Razor Blades, 100 Count: $12.08 / 12¢ per blade
Astra Platinum Double Edge Safety Razor Blades ,100 Blades: $11.09 / 11¢ per blade
Feather Hi-Stainless Platimum Double Edge Razor Blades 50 Ct: $12.70 / 25¢ per blade
Gillette Fusion Manual Men's Razor Blade Refills 12 Count: $37.99 / $3 per cartridge
Gillette Fusion Proglide Manual Men's Razor Blade Refills 6 Count: $25.58 / $4.75 per cartridge

If you're perfectly happy with the samples you got in your kit, just get more of those.. but buy a LOT of them at once.

This is a US site, but you can see how prices vary depending on quantity. 10 pk of Feathers is 4.50... 100 pack is $40 (same 100pk on Amazon is $25)

http://www.westcoastshaving.com/Razor-Blades_c_7.html

Feathers (made in Japan) tend to be on the pricier side.. you can get Astra (Russian) for about half that.. but my point is, once you've settled on "your brand" buy a lot of them at once.

Sooo - $20 for "cheap", vs $40 for "expensive".. difference is negligible since you're getting over a years worth of blades at once.

for some reason, you can't get this uber pack from amazon.co.uk, but I got one in April of last year and I'm not even a quarter way through it.

https://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B001VJ4HHG/ref=oh_aui_detailpage_o00_s00?ie=UTF8&psc=1

I'm thinking I'll go with this sampler 25 FEATHER BLUEBIRD GILLETTE & DERBY DE Blade Sampler FBGD http://www.amazon.com/FEATHER-BLUEBIRD-GILLETTE-Blade-Sampler/dp/B002Z7UQ1Y/ref=sr_1_5?s=hpc&ie=UTF8&qid=1301975959&sr=1-5
The alum block is a great idea, I'll definitely get one and prevent my beginners mistakes from looking like a scene from Dexter. Thanks for saving my life!

I have a very think beard and shaving with a safety razor has greatly reduced irritation and other shaving issues. I did the research a few years ago and here is the exact equipment I've been using since then:

Merkur Long Handled Heavy Classic

Feather Razor Blades

Note though that feather blades are known to be the sharpest ones available and aren't usually recommended for beginners (they are made in Japan and laser cut). The consensus is that a new user should buy a sample pack that includes a variety of blades first. Then after putting them each under a trial shave decide which one is best for you.

If you want to really get into it, I'd recommend searching for wet shaving techniques on youtube and watching some tutorials. I recommend this guy's channel.

Edit: Here is the site that I bought my blade samples from: http://westcoastshaving.com/index.php?main_page=index&cPath=2&zenid=122d4b8441a2cf87676bab4889929f2c

Also, if you don't want to go through the trouble, gillette sells these types of blades at all the major stores. Also, it's worth noting that blades are a lot cheaper if you buy them off ebay. Either way though they are substantially cheaper than buying cartridges.

I love my Merkur!

I like the shark blades and Astra blades.

Correct, or at least it looks that way. I was merely responding to the idea that it was available through Amazon Prime because it was being fulfilled by them and therefore that might be a reason for the price being a bit higher. Amazon does have variable pricing on some things, but I'm not sure how many third-party sellers have it applied, whether they're fulfilled by Amazon or not.

I can’t help but wonder if your issue is the blade you’re using. I live in the Midwest and humidity is usually in the 90s all summer. My bathroom is also extra humid because it needs a new vent fan. I leave my razor assembled between shaves, and I’ve never seen rust on it. I use Astra platinum coated blades . Maybe the platinum coating prevents the rust? I’ve also used Feather Blades which are coated as well with the same results.

Yes, I would say it is unranked. Look at this listing that shows the beauty category ranking and the category specific ranking.

Sort of.

What I've used:

EJ89, Merkur 37C Slant (my current go to).

I just end up irritated after using them though... like it "works" (I'm getting the best shaves of my life) but I'm not entirely happy. My skin gets irritated very easily, and I feel like I've seen reviews for razors where people are like "Every other razor irritated my skin (once I get to my stubble, my hair is a beast) except this one" or something to that degree. I've heard about the Weber ARC and this one: http://www.amazon.com/All-Stainless-Steel-Safety-3-5inch-Feather/dp/B004E5GV82

Either that, or I'm thinking with my type of hair, I might have to shave every other day instead of every 2 days, so it might be technique... but yeah I digress.

About me: fairly tough hair... most barbers have had a tough time clean shaving me or I break out everywhere because of my sensitive skin.

What would you suggest? The ARC, the Future, or the expensive one I linked to? (or none, just keep messing with my configuration?)

Compelling. 10 uses per unit over 100 units is 1000 uses, at one use per week would mean I'd have the same box of razors for 19 years and some change. I next to guarantee the box would be lost in a move or some accidental disposal or something before I finished with it, but that doesn't mean I shouldn't try out the brand to see if it works for me.

Edit: Screw it, why not get the 200 count package? $52.25 (after shipping and taxes) for 38 and a half years of shaving. Because I totally know what blades my face will like 38 years from now.

At this point my choice of razors are starting to sound investment grade, like my retirement account. Maybe I should try to retire after the final use of my very last Feather razor.

Gillette Trac II. Personna Twin 2 blades fit and are super cheap.

these are also pretty good: https://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B003MFXWUA/

I pay, after the subscribe and save discount, $1.88 per cartridge ($18.78 for a 10 pack). That's about 17% cheaper than yours which run $2.25 per cartridge.

Though, I'm also a Prime customer (for other reasons) so I don't pay shipping or anything, that might shift things around. (Edit -- No, never mind. Shipping is always free for the subscribe and save items.)

Edit 2 -- Also for people who need more blades, they go as low as $1.49 per cartridge if you get the 15 pack. I just don't go through fifteen cartridges in six months (which is the longest time span you can do on their subscribe and save).

This should clock in under $150 with change to spare and you'll be smelling like Terre D'Hermes by the end of it. You can thank me later.

Razor - https://www.amazon.com/Merkur-Classic-Double-Safety-Chrome/dp/B002A8JO1Q/ref=sr_1_3_a_it?ie=UTF8&qid=1480626577&sr=8-3&keywords=merkur+34

Blades - https://www.amazon.com/Double-Edge-Razor-Blade-Sample/dp/B00UN0LUWE/ref=sr_1_8_a_it?ie=UTF8&qid=1480626874&sr=8-8&keywords=blade+sampler

Brush - https://www.amazon.com/Fine-Angel-Shaving-Brush-White/dp/B00ZAQLDBY/ref=sr_1_1_a_it?ie=UTF8&qid=1480626627&sr=8-1&keywords=fine+accoutrements+brush

Soap - https://www.amazon.com/Original-Maurer-Wirtz-Shaving-Ounces/dp/B000GHYXG4/ref=sr_1_3_a_it?ie=UTF8&qid=1480626675&sr=8-3&keywords=tabac

Aftershave - https://www.amazon.com/Terre-Dhermes-Hermes-Aftershave-3-3-Ounces/dp/B001FWXHX4/ref=sr_1_5_a_it?ie=UTF8&qid=1480626777&sr=8-5&keywords=terre+de+hermes+aftershave
OR
Balm - https://www.amazon.com/Hermes-Terre-Dhermes-After-Shave/dp/B00EUIF6IY/ref=sr_1_1_a_it?ie=UTF8&qid=1480626811&sr=8-1&keywords=terre+de+hermes+aftershave

Chinese Schicks are the only ones I've tried. I think your only other choice are Injector Style, Stainless Steel, PTFE-Coated Blades. From what I've read the Chinese schick's are better and have a better injector. You can get the Chinese Schicks online at Walgreens, Drugstore.com or amazon.

Here is an okay sampler pack of different blades

https://www.amazon.ca/Double-Edge-Razor-Blade-Sample/dp/B00UN0LUWE/ref=sr_1_18?crid=218ZXUYE9K9O1&keywords=double+edge+razor+blades+sampler&qid=1563738269&s=gateway&sprefix=double+edge+razor+blades%2Caps%2C244&sr=8-18

​

Here is a sampler of better sharper blades

https://www.amazon.ca/COMBO-Double-Blade-Sampler-GILLETTE/dp/B005MKOOKK/ref=sr_1_7?crid=218ZXUYE9K9O1&keywords=double+edge+razor+blades+sampler&qid=1563738269&s=gateway&sprefix=double+edge+razor+blades%2Caps%2C244&sr=8-7

I've ordered from Amazon seller "Safety Razor Place", at $16 for 100, and the quality was fine.

https://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B0059QF5RS/ref=ppx_yo_dt_b_search_asin_title?ie=UTF8&psc=1

Same here. A 5 pack of Derbys actually came with my Edwin Jagger DE. I'm feeling tempted to pick this great deal up

Sample packs are a great way to try different blades!

I got them in this sampler pack from amazon. I didn't even realize it but i was supposed to receive lord blades, pointed out by a customer review. The Treets are my favorite so far and I found them here when searching for bulk.

You're lucky that the Derby Extras work well for you. I spend upwards of $70 on DE razor blades; not that I'm complaining.

Thanks for the advice! I was looking at samplers, but the price of those Personas are appealing, so I had to ask.

This is what I was looking at for a kit:

• Razor
  
• Brush
  
• Shaving soap
  
• Blade Sampler
  
• Nick Relief
  
  I know this stuff probably isn't the best (I was only looking at the under $50 section for this stuff), but I wanted to try things out before I spent more money. Are there any big issues with this potential kit?
  
  As for the aftershave, do I have to use it, or can it just be a lotion, like Aveeno? It's what I currently apply after shaving right now.
  
  Also, I noticed some people get bowls and stands. Are they necessary? Can I just use a small glass that I wash now and then instead?

Good price for gillette silver blue ATM as well http://www.amazon.com/Silver-Double-Razor-Blades-Russia/dp/B0059QF5RS/ref=sr_1_cc_1?s=aps&ie=UTF8&qid=1411282276&sr=1-1-catcorr&keywords=Gillette+silver+blue

as others have stated, not every razor refill is expensive, mostly just the Gillette/P&G ones. they just put a lot of money into marketing and capture enough market share that they can get away with their rampant price increases.

here's what you need to do.
buy one of these: Merkur Long Handled Chrome Safety Razor

and a package of these: Derby Extra Double Edge Razor Blades - 200 Ct

even if you use a new blade every time you shave, that's less than $0.07 a shave

Yeah, certainly i get my razors for free while your tampons cost an arm and a leg...

I usually try to buy bulk quantities at Amazon and do "Subscribe & Save" which saves you 15%. You just need to predict how often you'll need your blades. I use this for a lot of things.

Lessee:

This Shaving Kit includes your bowl, brush and soap to get starter, $10

Merkur 180, $32

100 Blades, $8

That should come in right at the $50 mark and get some started for a few months.

Alternately
Lord Razor, $13


The Same Shaving Kit includes your bowl, brush and soap to get starter, $10

Blade Sampler Pack, $17

A good book on the subject, $10

Which is also ~$50

Screw Gillette.

Ditch the disposable razors altogether. Buy yourself a double edge safety razor for $26, one time, and never look back.

The Blades cut so clean, you’ll never want for multi-blade again. You’ll save so much money in the long run as they cost pennies compared to disposable head razors.

If you need technique advice, head on over to r/wickededge.

http://www.amazon.com/Dorco-Stainless-Blades-100-Count-Dispenser/dp/B001DYQELG/ref=sr_1_14_a_it?ie=UTF8&qid=1457540437&sr=8-14&keywords=100+de+blades

This works surprisingly well for thinning hair. And thick hair, too!

Not the artist club blades, but not just the ones they provide either. It takes standard injector blades which you can buy online or in a lot of drug stores actually.

Like these: https://www.amazon.com/dp/B001E6VHUQ/ref=cm_sw_r_cp_api_rSiZxbK71VGYP

I buy packs of 100 and change them every week (granted I only shave once per week), so for under $9 I get two year's worth of shaves and shave with a fresh razor every time. Heck if you shaved twice per week you could use a new razor every time for a year for under $9.

They just took advantage of the fact that razors (e.g. Mach 20 or whatever they're up to) are ridiculously over engineered and over priced

This. 1 good blade is far superior to multiple blades. You have to pay attention to the angle, but it's less irritation.

For the balls especially, and for light hair growth on your face and neck, I would look for a very mild razor (as opposed to aggressive, explanation HERE). If you have the cash to throw down, the king of mild razors is the Feather AS D2 for $175, but a good budget option would be the Dorco PL602 at $10. As with anything in life, you get what you pay for. The Dorco is cheap plastic and the Feather is jewelry grade stainless steel.


You may need to get different blades than the ones that go with the Dorco, but blades are $0.10-0.33, so it's not a huge cost.

I ended up with this one http://www.amazon.com/FEATHER-BLUEBIRD-Oclock-Blade-Sampler/dp/B002Z7UQ1Y/ref=sr_1_7?s=hpc&ie=UTF8&qid=1346932788&sr=1-7&keywords=blade+sampler

Has more of fewer, like you said.

I just order off Amazon.com - the aforementioned Wish4Blades also has a merchant account on Amazon.com (Wish4Star - I assume it's the same person) that features free shipping (including to Canada) and slightly lower pricing with the current exchange (like 1$ off, not a huge deal). Recently bought this, which made it to my door intact within 5 business days or so.

You should start shaving with an old school double edge safety razor. See /r/wicked_edge for more info.

I use a Merkur razor and Feather razor blades.

There are special shaving brushes and shaving soap but I don't use those. I use normal shaving foam.

The price is about 30 cents per razor blade. Each blade lasts me a week. However I don't shave every day.

I bought a cheap kit to get started about a year and a half ago and it's still working well. I want to upgrade to a straight razor which costs more upfront but you never need to buy blades again (just sharpen before use)

I'd say this is a good starter kit though, it's what I bought:
http://www.amazon.com/Van-Hagen-Mens-Luxury-Shave/dp/B004L4EING/ref=sr_1_1?ie=UTF8&qid=1415040428&sr=8-1&keywords=safety+razor+kit

http://www.amazon.com/Premium-Safety-Razor-Model-LP1822L/dp/B004N77JVY/ref=sr_1_1?s=hpc&ie=UTF8&qid=1415040506&sr=1-1&keywords=lord+safety+razor

http://www.amazon.com/Double-Safety-Razor-Blades-Platinum/dp/B001VTRGGK/ref=pd_sim_hpc_1?ie=UTF8&refRID=1D844MJWW2C4S8HXCGTZ

You can spend less on the soap kit, and get one for $9 or so to start off.

Get one of these: https://www.amazon.com/Feather-Styling-Razor-Disposal-Case/dp/B00DWGEY1K/ref=sr_1_3_a_it?ie=UTF8&qid=1543165146&sr=8-3&keywords=feather+blade+disposal

Just make sure to tape it up when it's full!

I got this thing for $5: Feather Styling Razor Disposal Case. Holds 200 blades and is a little safer than a pill bottle.

Usually when people mention a single edge razor they are referring to ones like the GEM which use a single edge razor blade which actually came before the double edge razor blade. However in this case with the Supply Razor we are talking about an injector-style razor where thinner blades are loaded in from the side using a unique device.

I am thinking about starting as well, and I'm looking for the cheapest sample pack. I found this pack for only $10. Are any of these brands "trash"/can I get a cheaper set?

I use this double edge razor for my head. It’s not too aggressive, and does a fine job.

I prefer the Gillette Silver Blue blades.

Once you own the razor, the cost per shave can’t be beat. Look how inexpensive the blades are.

Neither is my safety razor, or even my dollar club like razor, or my shavevette razor.

How about 11 usd for 100 blades?.

You could pick up something like this. https://www.amazon.com/dp/B00DWGEY1K/ref=cm_sw_r_cp_apa_11YOAb2ANSGA5.
I saw a post from someone that used an old deodorant canister that he melted a slot into.
I go to work, and they have cannisters for utility knife blades that I just put mine into.
Or you could do that they did back in the day. Cut a hole in the back of your vanity, install a decorative razor disposal slot, and just fill your wall with them lol.

I'm sorry to say that Amazon is probably not the best option. But if it is the only option, you might try these:

https://www.amazon.com/Semogue-1438-Premium-Bristle-Shaving/dp/B00BEJJ16K/ref=sr_1_92_s_it?s=beauty&ie=UTF8&qid=1480624977&sr=1-92&keywords=shaving+brush

https://www.amazon.com/Proraso-Shaving-Soap-Refreshing-Toning/dp/B00837YY18/ref=sr_1_5_s_it?s=beauty&ie=UTF8&qid=1480625308&sr=1-5&keywords=shaving+soap

https://www.amazon.com/Parker-96R-Handle-Butterfly-Double/dp/B002IFFSOS/ref=sr_1_12_s_it?s=beauty&ie=UTF8&qid=1480625493&sr=1-12&keywords=double+edge+razor

https://www.amazon.com/dp/B009XHQGY0/ref=sxr_rr_xsim1_s_it?pf_rd_m=ATVPDKIKX0DER&pf_rd_p=2286650982&pd_rd_wg=JPam7&pf_rd_r=B51TWBZAJTT3F6F3ZHVE&pf_rd_s=desktop-rhs-carousels&pf_rd_t=301&pd_rd_i=B009XHQGY0&pd_rd_w=2r2Lq&pf_rd_i=double+edge+razor+blades&pd_rd_r=7B90NABQY1KPS2BV1NK1&ie=UTF8&qid=1480625552&sr=1

You're on your own for a mug. Avoid anything from Vikings Blade, Smoothere, Perfecto, Bigfoot, GoBetter, PrChoice, Spacecare, Oldcastle, as they are overpriced Chinese products that can be found much cheaper - even on Amazon - directly from their source.

I have had this one for 6 years and it serves its purpose well each and every time I use it:

https://www.amazon.com/Merkur-Long-Handled-Safety-Razor/dp/B00374F5CY

You can probably get away with something cheaper but for the blades since you're starting out, I'd suggest the Derby blades.

https://www.amazon.com/Derby-Extra-Double-Blades-Stainless/dp/B002EBX3V6/ref=sr_1_13?keywords=derby+blades&qid=1573493087&sr=8-13

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ps88RU_BXlA


Check out /r/wicked_edge for more info.

These are some of the cheaper ones I found...
https://www.amazon.com/dp/B0039LMTHE/ref=cm_sw_r_sms_apa_wBo6Bb7E6KFJW

Plenty much more expensive out there...but you know - I am worth it.

I grabbed one of these for 4 bucks on amazon. Still have yet to fill it up.. http://www.amazon.com/Feather-Styling-Razor-Disposal-Case/dp/B00DWGEY1K

Get a blade bank for a few bucks from amazon. https://www.amazon.com/Feather-Styling-Razor-Disposal-Case/dp/B00DWGEY1K/

Or you can grab one cheap on Amazon:

750 Blade Capacity

Feather One for $5

$22.49 for 100 Gillette Silver Blues, with Amazon Prime shipping

Amazon sells them:

http://www.amazon.com/Schick-Injector-Blades-7-Count-Boxes/dp/B001E6VHUQ

If you're looking for something a bit more aesthetic, Feather makes a blade bank that's available on amazon. Maggards also makes one, but they're currently out of stock.

https://www.amazon.com/Feather-Styling-Razor-Disposal-Case/dp/B00DWGEY1K/ref=sr_1_1_a_it?ie=UTF8&qid=1481912035&sr=8-1&keywords=blade+bank

I think you're confused on the terminology. Replacement cartridges are like 75% of the market and they call those "refills".

Feathers, mate.

These

https://www.amazon.com/SHARK-Super-Stainless-Double-Blades/dp/B00306PJD4/ref=sr_1_1_a_it?ie=UTF8&qid=1472742028&sr=8-1&keywords=shark+razor+blades

And this:

https://www.amazon.com/Merkur-Double-Edge-Razor-SV-05X/dp/B00CPCLAL4/ref=pd_sim_121_1?ie=UTF8&refRID=HXJH3AZRE21X6XQWAMG4

Youtube for if you have any questions with technique

Blade Bank

It is. :)

I got this pack of Personnas, but it appears Derby offers a 200 pack for $15.

I have this one

https://www.amazon.com/Feather-Styling-Razor-Disposal-Case/dp/B00DWGEY1K/ref=sr_1_3?crid=1S3965WDP4Z9P&keywords=feather+blade+disposal&qid=1563585480&s=gateway&sprefix=feather+bla%2Caps%2C150&sr=8-3

25 Silver Blue Double Edge Razor Blades


100 Silver Blue Double Edge Razor Blades

most blades don't come with the box, but you can buy one for cheap.

TIL. I’ve been using the feather 10 packs for almost a year now and didn’t realize you could put old blades back in the case. That being said I did buy this Disposable case

Gillette is mass producing blades. They just are not marketing (though they are selling) them in the US.

http://www.amazon.com/Silver-Double-Razor-Blades-Russia/dp/B0059QF5RS/ref=sr_1_3?ie=UTF8&qid=1418943727&sr=8-3&keywords=gillette+blades+safety&pebp=1418943730737

Or you can buy 100 double edge blades for the same price if you learn to use a double edge razor instead of a cartridge. $10 is mostly the standard price for 100 blades but the Gillette silver blues come at a more premium price.

100 sharks for 9, my favorites

I use one of these: https://www.amazon.com/Feather-Styling-Razor-Disposal-Case/dp/B00DWGEY1K

It's about $4 and lasts me around 3-4 years.

I think this is similar 200 count for $60...I really need to jump on this soon.

Why would they? They're cheap and you replace them after a few shaves.

I went with The Vegan Wetshaving Starter Kit - $26.

I'll get this sampler I suppose.

I'm working through this sample pack on my Sodial- so far they all seem to be more or less... the same.

Online is the only place I can find them http://www.amazon.com/gp/aw/d/B001E6VHUQ/ref=redir_mdp_mobile

A few weeks ago I found 30 feather blades for $9 shipped (free shipping) from Tailand, they're still available. Takes a bit of waiting though. 11 left in stock. The 50 pack is 27.5 cents a piece and the 30 pack I got is 32.9 cents a piece.

http://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B002OCANQI/ref=oh_details_o05_s00_i00?ie=UTF8&psc=1

Get the ~$2.30 Sodial DE razor from amazon.com, as recommended by leisureguy.

That blade sampler you linked to is terrible because 1) its too few blades for the money, and 2) they are shippied loose in a bubble mailer, ripe for getting face-clawing dings or chips.

Get something like this instead, http://www.amazon.com/Derby-Extra-Double-Blades-Stainless/dp/B002EBX3V6/ref=pd_sim_hpc_2

More blades, shipped in protective cases, focus first on technique over blade-tasting.

I dont think you read any of the FAQ's or sidebar information. You need to head over there and invest time in reading not dallying about with your amazon shopping cart.

Parker 91R Safety

Derby Bulk Razors

I shave everyday cause I have to (military) and I have a fairly tough beard so I replace the blade once a week.

You can make your own shave oil & aftershave

You don't generally sharpen them. How long they last really depends a lot on your hair coarseness, skin sensitivity and frequency of shaving. My stepdad could probably shave with a rusty nail, he replaces his blade every couple of months. I have stupidly sensitive skin, and get about three shaves out of a blade, but that's my entire head. They've gone up slightly in price since I last ordered them, they're $18.50 on Amazon for a 100 pack, so $.19 per blade. That pack has lasted me two years shaving once or twice a week, and I still have quite a few left.

a safety razor, and if they are worried about chrome and other cheap metals, they make all Stainless steel razors too.

I bought a Feather blade bin on Amazon that I keep on the bathroom counter:
https://www.amazon.com/dp/B00DWGEY1K/ref=cm_sw_r_cp_apa_dFbWzb42W1D2W
I think it could easily hold at least a couple hundred blades, but once that fills up, I was planning on emptying it into a big sharps container to keep under the sink. Once the big sharps fills up, I should be able to just drop it off at the local pharmacy.

I'm confused, I just added up these items new, including shipping and it totaled $77.28

Razor $38

2 Kabuki Brushes $11.08

2 Arko sticks $4.79

2 Alum blocks $11.62

20 Blade Sampler 11.79

I generally replace them when they start to feel dull or uncomfortable, which is like a week or two if I am shaving often.
I also use a safety razor and feather blades (which are stupid sharp). They last a lot longer then disposable and are cheaper.

I never thought I'd spend nearly $200 (1800 SEK, from a Swedish store) on a razor, but here I am. What the hell, since I'm never going to go back to the Gillette plastic garbage, why not go all in? Judging from the positive reviews on Amazon, it seems to have been a good investment.

I haven't had time to try it yet, but based on the looks and feel of it, it's worth every penny. The build quality and machining is insane. It's kinda light (90 grams) compared to my Merkur Futur 700 (120 grams), but still feels solid as hell. I can't see it being bruised or nicked in the first try.