Shaving

[sailaway21]

OK, I'm a thrifty little Dutchman and I've gotten tired of what has become the shakedown act that are contemporary safety razors. You get about five blades for ten bucks, and heaven help you if you skip a day shaving because you'll load the gap between the two blades up and then you're into another blade even sooner.

Every store I go to has the old two-sided blades, the flat blades you dispensed out of the slotted container, but no razors for them. Because I can remember that I used to get the better part of a week out of one of those blades. And a pack of ten, or so, are about 150th the cost of the new-fangled blades which, I guess, now have about 4 or 5 edges and require masonry skills to operate.

So I finally broke down and used the internet for what it's there for. Of course, I had to buy a German razor made of chrome over brass and spend $50 so I could break even next year instead of next week. It's otherwise the same old crank the top open and drop your blade in razor that I started out with, and is probably a museum piece to anyone who's not over 45 years old.

And it works just great! I'd forgotten how much heavier they were and, of course, this one is probably heavier yet being the German made from old Panzer parts model. A slightly slower and more deliberate technique in shaving, which I remember now, but just as good of results as the latest by the shakedown artists. When I ordered it off Amazon they asked me if i wanted to try the Kraut blades as well so, of course, more money wasted and a further deferred break even point. But I'm now at the one week mark and I think I've got about one more shave on that first bladeleft!

Now to tie this in to sailing in some way, it must be said that there are limitless uses for old conventional razor blades, while the new ones are not suitable for much else but expensive shaving.

And, before the topic comes up, everyone knows that only Mac Gregor owners and sheep use an electric. Don't waste the time to tell me about your John Deere face combine.

[PBzeer]

Nay I say, nay! Red not being one of my favorite colors, especially when it issues from my own face, I use an electric. This also has the added advantage that by using the sideburn trimmer, I'm able to go for days without shaving, then bring it down to a managable level with the trimmer before actually getting down to skin.

I do admit you make an excellent point about the utility of old versus new blades though.

[sailaway21]

You're a pinko! (g)

[erps]

One of my favorite memories was watching grandpa whip up the lather in a little ceramic container and use the brush to apply it and then shave it off with a chrome safety razor.

I thought it was pretty cool when I got a free fancy tripple bladed razor in the mail one day, that is until it was time to go buy replacement blades. They must have modeled their business after Microsoft.

[Valiente]

Shaving gear is one of the few male-equivalent rooks comparable to female cosmetics, clothing, "personal items" and other similar scams.

I was handed a free Mach 3 five-bladed shaver about 18 months ago at an annual fair here, of all things. Because I work from home, "tidy up" with a Philips electric, am not the missing link, and generally shave only twice a week with a blade, I stretched out that first five-pack of blades for several months.

I got a shock when I picked up the second five-pack: $15 or something like that.

I'm not saying they don't work well...they do. But unless I'm doing touch-ups for Brazilian-style deforestations, I don't need quite that level of baby's arse. I found that a three-blade disposable knock-off of a Gillette model exists for about $2.50/five razors, and with a slight alteration in pressure and angle (and a thin, but extensive layer of shaving soap (yes, I use a badger brush and a cup...rockin' it old-school...), one can achieve identical results. If you get a week per, the savings are such that it's hard to justify anything else.

However...I am thinking of going to a straight razor and a strop. There's a barber supply shop within a 20-minute walk, so I don't have to get an antique. I feel that and a single espresso in the morning (don't want trembling hands!) will focus my mind to the task at hand.

When we go offshore, I will likely just grow another beard. My instincts on this are that port officials like to see pinkly shaven faces presented to them when one gets the visa stamped. After that, one may go caveman, or cave sailor, I suppose.

[Joel73]

I use this:


Love: three blades... very close shave. does not irritate my skin.
Hate: blades are ridiculously expensive... but i manage to use one every 2-3 weeks so it's not too bad. I can go for a while with the scruff.

[rewell6]

I do love the shave you get with a blade, but I'm an electric person for the past 15+ years. Once in a while with a blade. The thing I miss most about a blade is taking a hot towel and cleaning off my face after shaving. Just to inconvient though.

Break even with an electric is about the same as buying blades.

[jrd22]

Sailaway-I figure that I've saved enough on razors and blades over the years to buy a new headsail, or at least a new dinghy. 30+ years of only shaving around the edges of my beard, saves a lot of time in the mornings too!
I do miss the feel of the type of razor you just bought though, and the "last forever" vs. "disposable" mentality. Might just have to get one of those again.

John

[Stillraining]

Twas one of the few benefits of chemo therapy...lost it all

[sailaway21]

This is what I bought. Shaves just as well as the more "modern" types, better than those after the first shave. And even the expensive Kraut blades are still ten for $5, the US store bought are less yet. Check out the reviews.
http://www.amazon.com/Merkur-Classic...Frd%5Fi=507846