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Comment by gamegoblin | Hacker News Reader

About a year ago I switched to a straight razor with disposable single edge blades. I can get a pack of 100 Shark Stainless Steel blades for just over $5, and I usually change them out every 3 shaves or so. I skip a day every now and then, so all of my shaving needs are taken care of for $5/year.

After a week of practice, the straight razor is just about as fast as any typical razor, much closer shave, and less irritated skin.

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I envy those of you who can make that work since I manage to cut myself around twice a week, on average, using a "safety" razor. If I switched to anything more basic, my bathroom would look like a crime scene.

It's also not possible to fly with which cuts it out for a lot of people.

Only if you're not checking a bag...

In my experience, they let you fly with one blade if it's loaded in the razor itself. They did, however, make me throw out my spares when they told me this. I've found that if I'm not checking a bag, the trip is usually short enough that I don't really need more than one blade.

I cut myself significantly less with a single blade than I ever did with the disposables. Disposables breed laziness for "it's good for one more shave" syndrome. And you tend to get razor burn frequently. With a single blade "wet shave" you tend to take a bit more time and make shaving an art and "manly" routine. Emphasis technique and you actually feel the difference of blades and wearing. I suggest purchasing an amazon tester pack of blades, eventually you will find ones that work. You can get a decent weight Parker shaving kit with a badger hair brush for the amount of a few blade packs, but they last forever.

There are tons of videos online with technique.

Stick with it for a few weeks until your skin adjusts to the awesomeness of the shave. Invest in a good alcohol free aftershave moisturizer.

I think you mean "double edge safety razor" not "straight razor"

https://www.google.com/search?q=straight+razor

https://www.google.com/search?q=safety+razor

Edit: I guess I disagree--the safety razor is way better since I probably would slice my head off with the straight razor. But probably we agree in spirit: everybody, ditch the plastic mach 5 disposable and go to something more classic. :)

He could be talking about a modern barbers straight razor, which take replaceable blades.

http://www.amazon.com/Parker-SR1-Stainless-Straight-Razor/dp...

No, I am talking about a straight razor. User seniorsassycat is entirely correct.

These are the blades I was referring to: http://www.amazon.com/Shark-Stainless-Straight-Barber-Profes...

EDIT: Reply to your edit: I don't really care to fool around with a strop. Also, classics are more expensive. The one I have now is my first -- I got it because it was cheap and I wanted to see if I liked straight shaving. I have never bothered to get a classic because it works fine.

Reply to your reply to my edit: I meant "ditch the mach 5 disposable"; I was unaware of but am now totally in admiration of your straight razor with changeable blades.

I'm really hoping straight razor shaving makes a complete comeback. Even if it doesn't though, I'm happy articles like this one no longer apply to me.

I switch to wilkinson sword (schick) while without a razor in London. Much better than Gillette. That said, once those blades are gone, I'll likely try shark blades soon. That said, a decent razor that doesn't require all the soap etc is less to carry while traveling.

I switched to a safety razor and have found similar results. I was amazed at how smoother the shave felt vs the typical modern razor.

The safety razor took about 5 min of practice vs a week, one of the reasons I opted for it.

I've been using a double-edge safety razor for almost two years now, after having used cartridge razors for many years, since my mid-teens. On average, I would say, I get closer shaves. The improvement is not as dramatic as I had initially hoped. I have not attempted to measure the savings but I suspect they are significant following the main outlay of the razor itself. Blades are incredibly cheap, compared to cartridges (and I'd say that for me the optimal replacement durations are about the same). Glycerin shaving soap units last a long time, relative to a unit of shaving cream or shaving gel. The activity of shaving (including the use of a badger-hair shaving brush) has become less of a chore and at least marginally closer to an enjoyable ritual. While I still use cartridge razors when traveling (unless I am certain I am going to check baggage), I bring my shaving soap and shaving brush with me to have part of the experience.

I recommend any cartridge-razor shavers (or users of electric shavers, if anyone still uses those suboptimal devices) give safety razors a try.

Keep them in mineral oil between uses and they will stay sharper and last longer.

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