Safety blades vs electric razors

I currently shave with a Gillette Mach 3 Turbo, but I've had several electric razors in my lifetime. I haven't owned an electric for almost 20 years now, but I've heard some of the ones made today are much better than they used to be. I have a fairly heavy beard and for me the foil shavers worked better than the rotary (Norelco) type shavers. The rotaries basically just turned my face into hamburger and didn't shave my beard at all. The foils did better, but I could never achieve the closeness with any electric that I could with a blade.

That said, I can only get about 3-5 shaves out of the typical safety razor cartridge and at $2+ each, this is quite pricey. If I could find an electric that would provide a close shave, once I got over the intial cost, there wouldn't be as much cost thereafter. However, I'm still left with the same ol' question; do today's electrics shave as close as a blade, or is it still the same ol' story?

 

In my experience they haven't made much improvement over the years and still eat up my neck. I have a $140 Panasonic Linear and it's alright, but I still think the best one is a $10 Braun PocketGo.

If you want to save money, switch to a traditional wet shaving razor - at about $.15 per blade it's tough to beat.

I started off with a Merkur HD (34C), but there are lots to pick from if you decide to try it.

 

I highly doubt I could get nearly as close of a shave with a single blade as I can from a triple blade. I can tell a noticeable difference in closeness between double and triple blade razors. However, 3 blades seems to be the limit for me as I've also tried the Shick Quatros and the Gillette Sensor and the Mach 3 gives me a closer shave than the 4 or 5 blade razors.

 

You might be pleasantly surprised

 

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And welcome to TSD grampi!

 

With proper technique you can get shaves that are superior to that from multiple blade cartridges.

 

Electrics still wont give you a close shave. And the expensive ones require maitnence and new blades every once in a while, which arent cheap. You think your getting a close shave from a 3 blade razor because every time you take a stroke 3 blades cut at once rather than one. A properly used single blade will provide you with a closer shave than a 3 blade without tearing up your face. Single blades are about technique. Theres a reason fathers dont need to teach their kids how to shave any more, because tripple blades require no technique.

 

Welcome to the TSD Grampi

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More than likely you'll be pleasantly surprised!

That's the truth. I don't have a single memory of my father teaching me anything about shaving. I remember him handing me a can of gel goop and a cartridge and I just went at it. No technique, no skill and only a decent shave at best. DE or Straight is clearly the way to go. Reward yourself and give it a try.

 

Seems as though more blades get made on a razor the worse the shave gets. Maybe me but the latest G is awful compared to the previous G.

 

If shaving with a single blade razor takes technique, then I'm afraid to try one because I'd probably cut the hell out of myself. The only types of razors I've ever used are the multi-blade (at least 2 blades) safety razors and and electric razors. And a straight razor, forget it. I'd end up slicing my throat with one of those.

 

Well you will have to branch out and try new things if you're looking for a better shave. Theres a reason people used to teach their children to shave. So pick up a DE and practice. The end result is worth it. An electric wont leave you with anything more than the equivelent of a bad shave with a real blade.

 

Welcome aboard! Even if an electric was all that and a bag of chips I wouldnt use one. No fun at all. Lathering, multiple passes hearing every hair being sliced off, the facesterbating, etc. Electrics just are boring as hell! Shaving is no longer a chore for me like when I was using cartridges. Its more of a ritual.

 

As some of you may recall, I have been known to use a Mach3 from time to time. Not often, but if I'm in a hurry. The shave feels smooth enough when I'm done, but I notice that I have stubble HOURS earlier than I do if I use a DE. So it would appear that the M3 shave is nowhere near as close as the DE. That, or the gel strip promotes hair growth!

Yes, a DE shave takes a little longer. Yes, it does require some technique. And yes, you may (probably will) experience some irritation and/or minor nicks until you get the hang of it.

But also yes...you will get a better shave. As for electrics, no thanks.

 

Grampi,

I do use an electric, more specifically a Braun 7526 quite often. But I use it only on my shaved head when I have done a butcher job on my scalp with my DE or SE.

I have tried over the years both DE, SE, one blade, two blade, three blade and more disposables, electrics, you name it I have tried it. In every case I was not getting the great shaves that I wanted.

In January of '08 I got tired of spending soo much money on cartridges I decided to get back to using a DE blade and safety razor. It took about a month of practice before I got decent shaves and still another month before the BBS came around.

One thing though that you should consider. If you are just making one pass with your cartridge and likewise one with your DE razor you can't expect to get as good a shave with the DE razor.

You see, it take 2-4 passes to get a really great BBS shave. It also takes time. It is like a work of art to me. Shaving each day that is. I enjoy all aspects of it from the prep in the shower, to making the lather from the soap or cream of the day, to enjoying a great 4 pass shave with one of 40 or so vintage razors. Concluding then by treating my face to some Thayer's Witch Hazel toner and whatever after shave and edt is on the menu.

You see while you save money with the DE/SE shaving you also need to spend more time at shaving. I have gone from someone who hated to shave to one who looks forward to it each and every day.

So I suggest you save your bucks, get a vintage Gillette and give DE shaving a try. I don't think you will be disappointed.

 

In all the the 40 years that I have been shaving, I used only one time, an electric razor--a Norelco something or other. The razor didn't hardly take any stubble off my face and neck, and gave me a bad irritation and burning sensation, which took a few days to go away. I had received the razor for my 21st birthday, and I just could not continue using it. For me, an electric is the same as a cartridge razor and canned garbage--not fit for use on my skin. My comments about these products are being said without any prejudice against those who choose to use them, and are being made with respect and understanding.

 

Wow, I'm getting lots of good input here! I appreciate it.

I wouldn't say I'm disappointed with the closeness of shave I get from the Mach 3, in fact I'd say I get a pretty darn close shave using them. My gripe with them is they only seem to be good for about 3-5 shaves and replacement cartridges are expensive (they're over $2 each). I also take my time and make several passes. My first is with the grain, then usually across the grain, and finally against the grain. It usually takes me a good 15-20 minutes to shave so it isn't like I'm hurring.

So you guys are actually saying I can get a closer shave with a single blade DE razor? I've always thought of those things as being so antiquated. So how is it that a single blade can get closer than these supposedly high tech multi-blade razors? Where can I buy these things? Do they still sell them at places like Wal-Mart and Target? To tell you the truth I haven't seen these things in the stores for years, but I haven't looked for them either. Do you change the blade after each shave or are they good for several shaves? Do you use just one edge of the blade while you're shaving or are you constantly turning it and using both edges?

 

You can order them online. There are currently some for sale on the BST section of the forum. You can pick a cheap one up there or from many of the various vendors. It will take you the same time to shave with a DE razor as you're spending with a mach 3, without the irritation. Its like your taking 3 strokes with each one you take, and it'll chew up your face. Shaving hasnt gotten high tech, its gotten high priced. Str8s were the pinnicle of shaving and the DE's and wedge shaped SE, and normal SEs that followed. After all that, it just went downhill. Gillette calls it high tech so you will pay $2 a cartridge. I could use the best products on the market and a week of shaving wouldnt cost me more than a dollar.

 

You mean you can't buy DE razors or the blades in any of the stores anymore?

 

Some, not many though. You can find blades at CVS and the like, but by most accounts, they're lousy. Razors can be had in a few places, but very few. In a local mall, we have a Victorinox (I think) store that has a few Merkur models. Prices are high though. Online is your best bet. You can also try antique stores for DEs or straights.

 

The Art of Shaving stores usually carry them as well, not sure if they are Parkers or Merkurs or what though, but their markup is usually pretty stiff anyway.