making the switch to safety razors

pavlovs_dog

As part of our efforts to make more environmentally friendly choices, I'm thinking of switching from disposables to a safety razor.

If you have made the switch, how has it worked for you? Any tips on what I should look out for in a razor or equipment you'd recommend to go with it?

d0nkeyk0ng

I presume you're talking about double edged safety razors. I switched 10 yrs ago. I found a forum where newbies could ask for information and there was advice about popular razors for people new to DE shaving.


It will take time to adapt to shaving with a DE. I think it took me a year before I was competent enough to avoid nicks or cuts. Merkur are generally nice but there are many others. Long handled, short handled. Knurled or no knurling. Adjustable or non adjustable (there's a knob or setting which can make the blade angle sharper).



Also, there's a multitude of razor blades and individual preferences will play a large part in which is best for you. I bought sample packs of razors and tried each pack until I was adept at it before moving on to the next one. That way, I found which suited me best.


Then you have shaving soaps and creams, badger brushes and synthetic ones, preshave oils and balms, postshave balms.


But once you get set up, you can buy a year's worth of blades for £10 (depending on how often you shave and how often you reuse the same blade). Buy a mini sharps box off ebay for storing used blades.

primalshave

If anyone is considering making the switch to a safety razor, you might find our article 'How to shave with a safety razor' helpful. Can't post a link yet, just Google 'Primal Shave' and click on our FAQs.

As mentioned, once you've purchased a razor, blades cost less than a tenner a year. It's a real money saver compared to cartridge razors and it's better for the environment too! Full disclosure, we sell a 'Starter Kit' that contains everything needed to get started, but there are of course other brands available.

BananaRepublic

How about electric? I went to a Braun Series 7, brilliant.

ashe

I've been using DE razors since 2013 and would never go back. if you google Reddit Wicked Edge there's a whole forum there with advice on soaps, technique, razors, blades etc. the money you save is astounding.

welshdent

I am getting there gradually! I resemble a murder victim on occasions though!

mjmal51

welshdent wrote: »

I am getting there gradually! I resemble a murder victim on occasions though!

I tried a couple of years ago, read up on it, watched YouTube videos on correct procedure but could not get the technique right. Had to give up as found skin nicks just too painful. Would have loved to be a success but having to stick with Gillette Sensor blades - 2 blades, can see no point in the heavily advertised 5 blades!