I'm another wet-shaving convert. I've been using a double-edged razor for about a year and a half. I used to hate shaving; using a disposable razor always left my face dry and irritated.

But now I use a Merkur razor with a badger brush and shaving soap, and the difference is like night and day. Now I actually LIKE to shave!

samuelk

Does this have anything to do with the movie adaptation of Sweeney Todd that's opening in theaters tomorrow? ;^)

G0lluM

I'm scared. Genuinely.

I love the idea but would be worried about ending up with half my face in the sink having done a self-Sweeney Todd job..

Tomu

It's about time! While I still use a cartridge razor I also have been re-learning the art of double edge shaving and I have to say that razor burn is gone. I think it will be double edge shaving from now on. J.B.

Jaydee

I was concerned with the prince of the expensive disposable blades until the recent Lifehacker post about extending the life of them by keeping them submerged alcohol. [lifehacker.com]
I've been doing this since it was posted here and I'm still on the same cartridge. I couldn't be happier. Thanks Lifehacker!

Whitehead

I've been wet-shaving with a DE razor for five months now and I haven't looked back. I'm right on the verge of the big payoff: buying blades in bulk. Once you figure out which brand of blade is for you, you can get a year's worth of blades (50) for between $10 and $35. Take that, Fusion!

travtufts

I've been using a Merkur Futur double edge razor since 1999 when I bought mine on a trip to Germany, along with a badger brush and a thing of D.R. Harris shave soap. I don't shave everyday, mostly out of laziness, however I am just now, eight years later, about to run out of shave soap. The razor and badger brush are still in tip top shape and the blades are dirt cheap. I also never have to worry about shaving if its been a few days, I've never clogged my razor and been able to shave through 1/8" and longer facial hair with no issues.

Shave soap also travels much better than the foam in a can - never have to worry about it leaking / spraying all over the inside of my luggage.

Mike Panic

Better solution: Grow a beard.

Saves on razor, water, and bowl.

I mean who doesnt want to look like ZZ Top?

gamby1337

I've been wet-shaving for over 2 years now, and not only is it greener, but it's fiscally great as well. I use a great-quality safety razor (not ready for the cutthroat yet) that initially was expensive, but I can buy 100 blades for about $.20 each, and I'll have enough for almost 2 years if I switch on a weekly basis. The soaps I use are all-natural (plug for Mama Bear :)), and my sensitive skin loves me all around. That, and my shaving bumps are gone.

It takes some serious practice at first (a few days of not shaving in between the first few tries helps heal the skin), but in the long run, it's the best shaves you'll ever get.

mechugena

@Barron: I have the Braun 8995 and I love it. The base keeps it clean so I get a fresh feeling shave every morning with very little fuss.

Braun 8995

technotolitan

I got into wet-shaving last spring when I was still a student. Loved it. Still love it. But, now that I have a real job and have to shave everyday I just don't have the time. Now I'm in search of a good electric razor. I wish there was some way to try before I buy. They are so expensive and I can think of few worse things than suffering a bad shave each morning.

Barron

I had never even considered wet shaving before. This article actually makes it seem like something that might be interesting to try out.

@jcabraham Why be so lame as to point out spelling or grammatical errors? What are you their English professor?

technotolitan

Another idea: I use the cheapo disposable razors from the dollar store, (about eight razors in a pack for a buck). As I never put anything on my face that is not clean water-I shave dry. The most painful part is easing past ingrown notion that you must have a smell-good lubricant to have a proper shave. Dry-shaving works fine and does not strip your facial skin of human oils needed to keep you from looking like a prune when you have orbited the sun as many times as I have, (60). Not for everyone but some of you will quickly see the economic and physiological, (thanx spel-chek) advantages.
I feel the holiday spirit filling me now. Enjoy

fishhead455

@jcabraham: Pure, dumb mistake, I suppose. I see the red line as I go back now (and it's been fixed), but, then again, things like "jcabraham" get underlined too, so perhaps it's just "red line fatigue"?

Therevan

Dispoasables? Recently it seems that there's at least one glaring misspelling or grammatical error per post. I don't know about you, but the Fox is red underlining dispoasables [sic] as I type. How can you miss it?

jcabraham

I did a lot of testing on this last summer. Tought myself to shave with a straight razor. On the large flatter areas like the cheeks or the neck it's easy and quick. On the areas with a corner, like the jaw line and chin area it's a giant pain in the ass and you need to take your time or you'll slice yourself good.

Then I moved onto the double blade safety razor and it really is the way to go. (Really any of these will do [www.classicshaving.com] ) The blades only cost 50 cents a pop and will get you a shave close enough to be almost indistinguishable from a straight razor, much harder to cut yourself, and still cheaper than any of the other places.

I'll tell you this though, even though I don't really use it all that much I'm glad I learned to use a straight razor. It's really handy for removing hair that isn't short. IE if you wanted to go from beard to clean shaven you can do it without trimming your hair at all and you won't have to worry about clogging.

Jesse Mrozowski

I cannot abide electric razors (skin flare up) and also shave with badger hair and a soap stick - vive la difference!

Just ordered a Merkur razor... :-)

loudcox

Also, $100 can buy you an electric razor, at similarly practically 0 cost every day

Maurik

But surely electric is safer and quicker!

Maurik

@samuelk:

Regarding that last paragraph, ditto (& verbatim!) for me.

For those looking at the Merkur razors, just go with their classic model. It's all you need, trust me.

lalligood

I converted to an old Gillette double-edge safety razor two years ago and I'll never go back. Whatever was good enough for Clark Gable and John Wayne is good enough for me. It took some getting used to, but now shaving is a pleasure rather than a chore and costs a lot less.

Paul

I realized in my early thirties that it really is best for me to shave every other day, because I have a really thin "beard." At the end of two days, it starts to look pretty bad, but shaving every day was killing me. I use a Gillette Mach 3, and I still get some razor burn.

Do those of you shaving with these other methods think that they would work on us less hairy fellows?

4ster

Wet shaving "enthusiast"? You make it sound like a hobby instead of a--perhaps daily--chore. I "wet shaved" all of my life, till I switched to trimming a short beard using a rechargeable beard trimmer. Sure, it uses a little electricity a few times a week, but no water & no soap every day, and my skin feels way better--costs less, too; and it takes a lot less time for those always in a hurry. Of course, unlike Mother Nature some people don't like any facial hair. (And kudos to any and all who point out bad spelling and grammar mistakes wherever they find them; of course, typos happen. :D)

GlennA

I started with a straight razor a few months ago, but couldnt get it sharp enough, so I bought a Feather straight razor. It has a disposable blade and is super sharp. Like Jesse said, its easy to get the flat parts, but you need to sloooow done on the corners and curves. I like it, but for everyday use, I am thinking of a safty razor.

A good badger hair brush and shave soap make the differance even with a regular razor. The shave soap lasts longer than any regular shaving cream.

If you get razor burn, you can also try pre-shave oil to help the blade move over your skin better.

I urge anyone who uses a regular razor to try a brush and soap, you will be surprised how much better it is. A brush can run $25.00 and the soap $2.50. Go to Clasicshaving.com or try The Art of Shaving trial pack for $35.00 with a brush.

bart430

I'd avoid shaving if i could, but I've never gotten past the itchy stage that seems to last from the 4th day until at least several weeks. I've tried a variety of wet shaving techniques, but they always leave my skin in a disastrous state. I've settled on Braun electrics.

Logical Extremes

Really, *not* shaving is the most biologically normal, environmentally friendly, and low cost alternative. Long live the beard!

[But I was a big fan of Braun electrics too, when I did shave.]

benrobertsabq

DE shaving for about 18 months, wet shaving for years. Go DE, cheaper, more pleasurable and I actually look forward to my morning shave now.
Electric shavers just tear up your skin and aren't nearly close enough for my beard.

Chris

More than a year ago I switched over to traditional safety razors, badger brushes and high-end shaving creams.

Not only do I get the best shaves I've ever had, I ENJOY them! Who knew a personal grooming chore could be pleasant?

I recommend:

A Merkur Classic safety razor

A badger-hair brush

Taylor's of Old Bond Street or Geo. F. Trumper's shaving cream

I use these products all the time. I have an enjoyable, close shave, plus I smell like a god. Plus it's cheaper than staying on the twenty-seven-bladed, super nuclear nitro turbo disposable merry-go-round.

Scott D. Feldstein

When you include the energy involved in water treatment, pumping, and heating, I think electric shavers are actually a bit "greener" than blades of any sort.

Johnay

@technotolitan:

good to hear, we got the latest braun one for my father for xmas. (hope he doesn't see this :P).

Maurik

By the way, they do make Feather brand blades for double-edged safety razors. Not just straights. I love them. They're ninja-sharp.

I also only shave every other day. My skin is sensitive and my beard doesn't grow that fast. besides, I look good with a bit of scruff.

Generally, I shower, lather up with good English shaving cream and badger brush, then do three passes with my Merkur/Feather combo. I finish it off with Crabree & Evelyn Nomad aftershave. Gorgeous.

Here's some shaving photos from my flickr stream, if anyone's interested.

Scott D. Feldstein

I've been using a badger-hair brush and shaving soap for twenty years. After experimenting with various blades, I find that a two-blade cartridge razor works just fine for me (I'm using drugstore-branded Sensor generics).

The key is to sufficiently soften your whiskers. The time-honored method is a steaming hot towel for 1-2 minutes (like those Mafia movies). Any longer and your skin begins to swell a bit, so after a shower is not ideal.

Note that different skin types will work better with creams, gels, soaps, etc. so you really need to experiment a bit.

It's a little easier on your skin if you do not shave one or two days a week.

Deprong Mori

@Barron: I've switched to doing a 3-4 pass shave before bed. Looks good all day and it's a nice way to unwind before bed.

qwerk

@ Paul

I've done the same with my Great-grandfather's Gillette safety razor from the 50's. At first my girlfriend thought I was crazy, using a razor twice my age, but now she calls me a shaving connoisseur. I really like the more refined feeling of shaving with a hefty razor that has been around for more than half a century.

ethicalgrifter

+1 to the DE over Straight argument.

The good DE razors out there, which several commentors have mentioned, are just as good as a straight razor with less headache all-around.

Is it awesome to be able to brag that you shave with a straight razor? Yes.

Is it a absolute pain in the ass to maintain and use? Yes.

On the maintenance side sharpening a razor requires precision, you've got to have the correct angle when sharpening or you don't have a sharp enough edge.

Then you've got to learn how to use it properly since improper use will lead to messy results.

Yes you could get a feather razor, which is a straight razor with disposable blades. But keep in mind feather makes eye surgery blades. Yes the blades they use to slice someone's cornea open.

Feather's straight razor blades are just about as sharp. So you better be damn sure your willing to put up with messing up with those blades a couple of times while you get the hang of it.

That being said you will nick yourself with a DE razor as well, but it will never be as bad as screwing up with a straight razor.

As for people mentioning electric razors, personally I've never encountered one that gave me a close enough shave with out making my face feel like it was on fire afterwards. Not to mention electric razor blades will get dull just like any other blade.

That's my .02 cents. Keep in mind, I'm someone who enjoys shaving, building and using a warm lather is absolute bliss. And I find a nice Zen like state when shaving since I need to focus on the task at hand without my mind wandering.

-Z-

@4STER: I too have a light beard, if you can even call it that. But after about 3 days I look pretty scrubby. I switched to "traditional" wet shaving about a year ago and started using a DE a little over a month ago - so I'm still getting used to that part of it.

To answer your question, yes, it'll work and it's worth it. I do look forward to shaving every day. It takes just a *little* longer than traditional can/cartridge shaving but it's well worth the extra time spent. If nothing else, at least buy yourself a brush. I wouldn't shave without one now.

fluxrad

Any relation to Dean Koontz?

gokor

I'm confused by all this talk of "wet" shaving. Is there another way of doing it? I mean, do people actually slather on shave foam and have at it without wetting down first? That would be awful...

theDevilsDue

Another option is that you can use disposable shavers, but use a shaver sharpener so they last for 130 shaves:
[www.thesustainablevillage.com]

$12.00!

macrumpton

@TECHNOTOLITAN: Look, these people write for a living, number one, therefore they will be judged on the quality of their writing; number two, the tools available to them (which they even review) make these mistakes almost impossible, unless you're willfully ignoring the warnings they create. Number three, it's annoying to read a post filled with errors and incomprehensibilities. Are you so illiterate you don't even notice? Should I ask you that using simpler words?

jcabraham

@jcabraham: If you really believe that the mistakes they have made are so bad that the article is incomprehensible then you should probably return to grammar school. Judge them based on the usefulness of the content. A few spelling or grammar mistakes here or there are really not that big of a deal.

technotolitan

How many of you people wet shaving are shaving your head?

I might be talked into changing if it's feasible to blindly shave the back of my head with a straight or DE razor, but it appears undoable.

...and I'm not going to do wet shaving on my face and dry on my head, that's just wasteful.

Sushiwriter

ACE: try classicshaving.com or other similar web sites. A really decent DE (safety) razor can be had for $40.

HEARTBURNKID: many of us here are advocating using double-edged (DE) "safety" razors, not the "cutthroat" straight razors you're thinking of. It's shaving as it was in the 1950s, not the 1850s.

Scott D. Feldstein

Just quit shaving! :)

lancefisher

I'm sorry, but there's no force on Earth that will get me to use a cutthroat razor. Big-ass knives don't go anywhere near my face. I'd give the safety razor thing some thought, but I never really had a problem with my current method. A Sensor razor with store-brand blades from Target, some piping-hot water, and whatever cheap shaving foam with aloe I can get (usually Barbasol or Colgate) pretty much do it for me.

Unfortunately, growing a beard isn't really much of an option for me; I keep a Vandyke, but outside of that area my beard tends to come in rather blotchy.

HeartBurnKid

I'm glad I don't have this problem. I'm a 30 year old male with a 'stache that would indicate to those around me that I'm a good year away from hitting puberty. With any razor I just give one pass and I'm done...

alexander

I've discovered that life after college isn't as financially rewarding as I thought it'd be -- my parents were *thrilled* when I said I wanted to study journalism. So I've been looking into making a switch towards DE razors. After doing a lot of reading on the subject, browsing the forums and learning what to look for, I figured I'd by a trial razor. I remembered they were sold at Walgreens and drug stores, so I went hunting. I checked every store in town, and while I could find the DE blades, I couldn't find the actual handle ... so I'm looking at the Internet now for buying one, possibly eBay, but .... just haven't made the move to order a handle online yet.

Ace in the Hole

@BackDoorAngel: You mean like the kind pictured in the actual article? :) Yeah, I know about the double-edged safety razor, but really, like I said, my generic cartridges have served me well enough, at about 50 cents a pop. I don't have a philosophical objection to them, though, unlike the straight razor.

@bart430: You know, you can say that all you want... call me a wimp, but I'm not exactly too keen on bringing a large, unprotected blade that close to a major artery. It's bad enough I manage to burn my finger every single time I bring out my soldering iron; I don't even want to think of what will happen if I screw up with a straight razor.

HeartBurnKid

[www.flickr.com]

travis

@gamby1337: AMEN! I stopped shaving back in October. I'm currently somewhere between Chuck Norris and Grizzly Adams:

travis

This has got me very intrigued. I looked at www.classicshaving.com and noticed that there are open and closed comb and adjustable razors available. While I get that the adjustable razors let you set a different angle for comfort, what is the difference between open and closed? Also what would you recommend for a fearless first timer. Thanks.

wolfsong

@HeartBurnKid:
I use a Feather Straight razor. It cost $99.00 for the razor and $15.00 for 20 blades, of which I still am on the first one. Like I said though, I am going to switch to a DE safety razor for day to day.

When I have cut myself, and it wasn't the blood bath you would think, it didn't hurt and wasn't deep.

The biggest reason I switched is the price of razor blades. Sure the initial investment is more, but over the course of a year, it has paid for itself.

Besides, just using a brush and shave soap is ten times better than the gel shaving cream I used to use. Try and I bet you will like it too.

bart430

This guy:

[www.youtube.com]

Has like 30 instructional videos about wet shaving. If you watch them from one to 30, you will know allmost everything there is to know about the fine art of shaving with cold steel on a wet face.

These videos taught me how to do it, and I've shaved this way for a year and a half now.

I like it for all the reasons mentioned above.

onemoreday

There's also the social advantage. I live in college dorms and there's a guy on my floor who uses a double edged blade while all us wimps use electric and cartridge.

a double edge is badass.

BackDoorAngel

If you have a coarse beard and fine skin, you will not enjoy this. (kinky-haired irishman) I experimented with this for a while, and there simply isn't a middle ground between smooth cheeks and irritation. I gave up and went with a close shorn, edged beard.

swalve

I never shave anymore. No acne, ingrown hair, razor burn, etc... I was a meticulous shaver, but now I'm ready each morning in half of the time. I trim just once a week with a cheap ($10) barber's electric sheers. I can do that faster than I can brush my teeth.

For a while, I was paying for the "best" barber shop shave in town. Every morning. Honestly, it's a bit closer... but still not all that great.

guardianfox

@vergabaths:
...so shave away, guys. Some girls, like me, find smooth faces highly attractive.

vergabaths

@gamby1337: True that. My mom has yet to see my dad without a beard, and they have been married for 25 years. That said, not all men end up looking like ZZ Top. Some end up looking more like bin Laden. Not good if you do a lot of air travel.

vergabaths

A while back I got sick of using Mach3 blades. What do they cost, £2 each blade?
Blade that works for 4-5 shaves, Dove soap (mosturises), then shave cream over the top. What a load of hassle for something that still needs 3 passes to get the hair off.
Then I tried shave oil. It comes in little (tiny) bottles, and makes it easier to see wherre you have shaved, and easier to keep your face moist.
I then did an experiment with the cheapest razors possible, the "Value" range from Tescos. These come out at 1.3 PENCE each. They do the same job, for virtually nothing, and I dropped the shave oil in favour of Johnson's baby oil.
Baby oil on your face will REALLY hold the moisture, and the shave will be as smooth as you like.
I have to admit, I adore going to the Turkish barber and having a wet shave and facial massage, but that is more of a luxury than a necessity.

PReDiToR

I do the shake/dry thing with disposable cartridges, I've been using the same one for the last several weeks now and all my razor burn has gone away. One of these days I'll try the fancy razor and all, but I'm lazy.

Jarick

I don't see the problem here. I use a Mach 3 with water and shaving cream. It takes me about 1 minute to actually shave, including a quick second pass in a few spots. The razor lasts me a month of shaving 3-4 times a week. No razor burn, no bumps, no ingrown hairs, no acne.

I guess you're just doing it wrong?

Electric razors take a lot longer and are uncomfortable, IME.

middy

@middy: For many it has nothing to do with how they're doing it. Consider yourself blessed not to have sensitive skin or as SWALVE pointed out, have kinky hair which is more prone to folliculitis.

wolfsong

@middy: Those who can grow beards do, those who can't, shave.

swalve