Will a Double Edge Safety Razor Change Your Life?

My skin was absolutely not healthier for the two weeks I continued to try shaving with a safety razor. I approached nearly continual bleeding and redness on my neck. Then I let my skin grow back, get healthy, and tried again. Same result.

I watched online tutorials, I got 5 or 6 different shaving creams, soaps, lotions, and aftershaves. I tried multiple brushes, techniques, and speeds. Fresh razors. Older razors. I tried and tried and tried. Nothing I did improved my neck's response.

So eventually I gave up and went back to a cartridge. And you know what? No redness. No burn. No bleeding.

I'm sorry. For everyone who can use a safety razor, do it, and enjoy it for me, because I can't.

Way way way off base.

1. Health: Talks about wet-shaving and using quality products. Nothing here about a double edge safety razor (DESR).

2. Cost: Sure, DESR blades are cheaper but quality pre-shave oil, shave cream, badger brush, & aftershave aren't cheaper at all. Is saving money the goal or is the goal the most comfortable shave possible?

3. Waste: Goes on to point out how a straight razor is the least wasteful of all.

4: Nothing to do with DESRs and everything to do with a comfortable shave.

5: Fun: I'll grant it, but then again he goes on to tout straight razors.

Fact is, the only thing DESRs give you is a cost advantage. But they also come with a learning curve. Is it really worth it to you to have painful, bleeding shaves for a while just to save the money on cartridges? Fact is cartridges work, work well, and work easy. Get some good shave cream and you're off.

I've been using a Merkur HD safety razor for about 2 weeks and it's been great. I think the key is to make sure you're using the thing at the right angle, and that you are not pushing...just like all the guides say, just let the weight of the razor do the work for you. Short small strokes, lots of water, and proper lather, and you'll be fine. I've used the typical Mach 3 multi-blade razors and the typical gel shaving cream for many years, but already like the safety razor approach MUCH better. As for cost, yes, it costs more initially...but that investment will last much longer. Over a few months, you'll be ahead financially, even with good cream, razor, brush.