Why is a Double-Edged Safety Razor Better than Cartridge or Electric?

Aggressive marketing brands like Gillette or the Dollar Shave Club have taught men that the cartridge razor with more blades is the way to go. In reality, the best shavers for men are decades old and sometimes pre-date sliced bread. The straight razor, the single-blade razor, and of course, the double-edged safety razor.

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Gentleman's Gazette
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Technology has changed our lives radically in the last century mostly for the better. However, in terms of shaving, that’s not the case. Today’s dominant shaving method, the cartridge razor, is not at the top because it’s the best method, but simply because it makes the most money for the manufacturers.

With aggressive marketing brands like Gillette or the Dollar Shave Club have taught men that the cartridge razor with more blades is the way to go. In reality, the best shavers for men are decades old and sometimes pre-date sliced bread. So what am I talking about? The straight razor, the single-blade razor, and of course, the double-edged safety razor.

Why should you switch to a razor?
00:59 1. It costs less.
01:35 2. You get a much closer shave.
02:33 3. You get less irritation.
02:51 4. You produce less waste.
03:17 Cons of the DE Razor
04:11 Single Edge VS. Double-Edge
04:29 OneBlade SE Razor
05:23 Supply Razor
05:52 Bevel
06:18 What do you need to shave with a DE razor?
07:09 Outfit Rundown

#shaving #shavingtips #shavingrazor #shavingproducts #shavingroutine

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[Dragonkinglover]

I like shaving with my sharpened, 2 feet long heirloom battleaxe which has been passed down for generations in my family

[SalvatoreEscoti]

My Father used this all his life. He was born on June 27th, 1940. I remember when I was little, watching him shave, he always had a cup of coffe at hand. Somehow he managed to not get shaving cream in the coffee.
My Father died February 14, 2017, Valentines Day, but I will always remember him shaving with this razor and drinking coffe while shaving. I love you Papa!!!

[Xxxxxxxxxx]

Two years ago I switched to double edged safety razor and my skin is happier than ever.

[daygon]

The key to shaving with a DE safety razor is to let it glide. Do not press down. Another tip from my barber is to always go with the grain. Shaving against the grain encourages bumps and ingrown hairs. The shave won't be as close but the hair can grow back out without the pores being clogged.

[youtubecensors]

When my Grandfather passed about a decade ago I took his old DE safety razor and just kept it in a box. I ran out of cartridges once and pulled out the DE and gave it a spin, haven't stopped using it since. I have thick hair, go against the grain, use the same blade for a month, great shave, zero issues. Thanks Grandpa!

[thevanishingsaxon]

I've been using my grandfather's double edge even since he passed away. I love it and I remember him everything I shave now.

[LegionMizzy]

I made the switch last month. I nicked myself on my first shave, got a tiny bit of razor burn on the second, and have been having utterly, perfectly successful shaves since. The learning curve wasn't anywhere near as bad as I assumed it would be.

Every person that you convert represents thousands of dollars of lost revenue for the cartridge razor industry, and saves the planet from untold amounts of plastic waste. Plus, the shave is just plain better.

[edwardal]

I started shaving at 16 with cartridge razors, they started getting really expensive so I looked into DE safety razors when I was 17, and a year on and I haven’t regretted it once... great decision and I highly recommend!

[lawrencegt]

Key to making your blades last and not dull is in the beard preparation. Dry beard hair has a cutting resistance similar to copper wire. Soaking and prepping for 2-3 minutes (water is the key, soap helps hold the water next to the skin) reduces the tensile strength and cutting resistance of the hair so it is more like soft bread. Crashing a sharp blade into wire will bend, dull and blunt it. With properly hydrated hair there will be little or no damage. I generally get 2-3 weeks use out of a single DE blade (daily shave, thick beard), which significantly reduces the cost of the system - 100 bulk bought blades end up lasting 3-4 years, working out less than half a cent per shave.

[alexanderwernette]

100% right on technique. Bought one of these on a whim after using cartridge razors my whole shaving life. The cheeks and upper lip area turned out great but I looked like I tripped and landed on my neck on a bed of nails

[sparcnyan]

I’m military with very dark colored facial hair so shaving everyday is an absolute MUST. Switched to the dual sided safety razor over a year ago and my skin is nowhere near as agitated as it used to be with the cartridge razor. Sometimes, one edge is better than 5 going up to your skin.

[Medevicerep]

I started shaving with a double edge back in the early 70’s then switched to cartridges based upon the marketing efforts of the times. I switched back 5 years ago and love the double edge again. It’s a far better shave. I have been collecting the used blades in an old coffee can that still is not full. I will recycle it once its full but I can see that some of them have already rusted into almost nothing.

[quadre]

As a 18 year old that got into style recently I can safely say that switching to a DE razor is the best thing I’ve done so far.

[elBorrachoGuapo]

A benefit overlooked here: I started with DE razors because I cut back to shaving every other day but my electric struggled with the longer stubble and the multi-blade cartridges would quickly become clogged. After a few years of success with DE's I've switched back to shaving daily and never once thought of switching back to more common methods.

[peeeeeeet]

I was given my great uncle’s old double edge razor (he reportedly used it during WWII) several years ago, it’s the only way that I shave now. Absolutely love it.

[chuckkissel]

I found a double edge safety razor handle with box in a Yard Sale for like $10. Turns out it was made over 100 years ago and still was able to use newer razors. I never used anything else ever since.

[OzymandiasRex]

I now use a German-made "Merkur" Double-Edged Safety Razor with Japanese "Feather" razor blades.
I've not found anything that even comes close to that shave. No cuts, no skin irritation and the blades often last up to one week or more. Highly recommended!

[FrowningIke]

I had a beard for 20 years. The hipster beardies finally got to me. I started by buying an electric as smoothness wasn't important. My skin breathing again quickly made me go to a blade though. There was no way I was falling for all that "The first blade gently wakes the hair, the second brings it tea and toast, the third gives it a morning hand...." You get the idea.
I bought a safety razor and I'm now building up my kit. I have the cream and brush. Just waiting for my bowl.
It is such a pleasure to shave this way. It feels amazing. I'm honestly astonished that so many men have fallen for what is essentially a massive con for all these years.

[paro]

I switched to a double-Edged Safety Razor around 1 year ago. I only use shaving soap, and that has served me well. Dont need any thing else. Since I started I have used a total of 10-20 euros on blades. Its way cheaper than what I used before.

[TheBorderRyker]

I’ve been using a Merkur 23C Long Handle Safety Razor for the last four years and it’s awesome! No way I’m ever going back to cartridge razors. 👌🏻