What Made You Start?

[civilengineer]

Okay guys, just curious as to what made you decide to start/switch to using DE safety razors? I know that there are probably a lot of you that never left from DE shaving, but for those of us like me who were born in the era of disposable razors and blades, what made you make the switch?

Personally, I don't shave every day and i got to noticing that it was taking me forever to shave with the disposable head razors like the Mach3 and such. I would shave and spend 5 minutes cleaning the blades out since hair was trapped between 3 blades and the wires that cover them. Then I'd have completely used almost of the supposed "lubrication" strip would already be worn out, but I'd reuse it again and again just because I'm cheap. Then the price of the blades was outrageous. I just didn't feel like it was worth the money anymore. So I decided to give DE safety razors a shot............and I'm never going back. I can shave now even with all the prep in half the time and my face even feels better after. It makes me want to shave every day, but my face hasn't quite grown accustomed to it yet. I now look forward to my ritual and connecting me with men like my grandfather who wet-shaved everyday. Now I'm addicted to buying old razors that I think look cool no matter the brand or type and enjoy cleaning every one of them and shaving with a piece of history, then I add it to my collection, or to my rotation.

Gentlemen........Wet Shave On!

 

[Christian_V]

Well I can tell you two things: what made me STOP shaving with cartridges.. and what triggered me to START using a DE Safety Razor and getting my wetshave on.

I stopped shaving for almost 2 years after a lifetime of irritation, ingrown hairs, and cuts. Most importantly, I was absolutely sickened by the wanton greed of the shaving manufacturers who think (and do) get away with charging 5 dollars for a cartridge. I refuse to support that. It was easier for me to use a hair clipper machine with no attachment and sport a Don Johnson 5' oclock.

It was an article in "The Art of Manliness" that made me curious about trying out wet shaving. I started looking up Youtube vids on how to do it and I immediately was drawn to GeoFatboy's vids. I swear I've watched that man shave 3 dozen times! I bought my starter kit on Amazon and the rest is history.

 

[Niles]

I used more modern methods for a short time at the beginning of my shaving career. One day my dad mentioned DE razors and that they were all my grandfathers ever used. I've used DEs ever since.

 

[civilengineer]

Believe it or not, I think that same article on "The Art of Manliness" about "How to Shave Like Your Grandfather" that peaked my interest in the idea as well, then I acted on it and I haven't looked back.

 

[k200817]

Midlife crisis and a buddy...

 

[Rschan]

During 2010 I got really sick of using carts as they get clogged when shaving 2 days stubble. You have to reach the tap after every stoke. Adding a plastic razor or a cart every month to the environment did not go with me either. Then I saw a Gillette sterling (Cheap metal and plastic DE made in India) at a drug store and started using that.
Then I started looking for a razor that will last a life time. During that search I stumbled apon here. Initially I was really disgusted about using a DE previously used by someone else. So I purchased a Feather portable NOS from DrIdiot and never got a chance useing it (Its still NOS in my cupboard). Finally made up my mind and purchased my 40'SS (NDC) from BST.
Then the rest is history.

 

[Teppanyaki]

I started out with cartridges. Shaved reasonably well, did get the sporadic nick/et cetera.

Switched to electrics for speed. Never had a really good shave with an electric, but oh well.

Fast forward to a divorce and a desire to be "presentable" as part of reinventing myself. From my wet/dry electric (I like to shave with shaving cream), I ended up with a Body Shoppe tub and brush. That, combined with the same article from Art of Manliness, piqued my interest and I found this board.

Lurked a while, then jumped in.

Haven't looked back since. Unless I think about how much I have spent since April, which is when I started. Then I wish I had spent far less!

 

[civilengineer]

I know I've certainly spent a lot myself, but most of it has been on the collecting side more or less. I bought a 100 assortment pack of blades online for like $20 after I bought my first DE, a Muhle R106, and I'm set for a good, long while. The rest of the money I've spent has been on my addiction of collecting all the interesting razors I can find. I don't buy just any old razor, but something I find cool and intristing and most importantly, something I will shave with.

 

[Triad]

Geofatboys Videos

 

[BladeShark]

Damn, me too. That article somehow became an eye opener. My disposable razor years were marked with frustration from them frequently clogging up when shaving and the sting every time I had to buy more.

Here is a link to the article:
http://www.artofmanliness.com/2008/01/04/how-to-shave-like-your-grandpa/

Jim

Believe it or not, I think that same article on "The Art of Manliness" about "How to Shave Like Your Grandfather" that peaked my interest in the idea as well, then I acted on it and I haven't looked back.

 

[Okla1911]

The price of mach 3 cartridges. Which is funny because I have no problem spending money on wet shaving.

 

[5Cantonas]

My uncle gave me a Merkur 23c and a Rooney silvertip. After the first stroke, I knew.

 

[Christian_V]

The price of mach 3 cartridges. Which is funny because I have no problem spending money on wet shaving.

+1. I've spent wayyy to much as well . But shaving to me is now a joyous hobby, not a troublesome task. Plus my razors will be heirlooms to my son (who is 8) and hopefully my grandsons. Cartridge razors are designed to be obsolete within a few years and they're cheap plastic wasteful garbage

 

[civilengineer]

The price of mach 3 cartridges. Which is funny because I have no problem spending money on wet shaving.

I think for me, it's the combination of everything; the pre-shave oils, the shave soaps or creams, the brush, the razor and blades, and the aftershaves. Then you have the choice of all the different combinations with the style of razor, the choice of different blades, which soap to use and whether or not to use a mug with your choice that day. I'll gladly spend the money on something that's enjoyable like DE or even SE wetshaving can bring as opposed to the blandness that revolves around the same old cartridge and a can of shave gel. Cart shaving feels more like a chore whereas DE shaving is fun and enjoyable.

 

[Valerius]

When I started to shave there were DE's, Shick Injector and Techmatic on the shelves. I picked a DE and have never left these razors, although I've tested cartridges and use them when travelling with on-board luggage only.

 

[Eeyore]

The price increases, and unavailability, of quality Trac II cartridges in the brick & mortar shops.

I didn't want to step "forward", to modern cartridges. So the logical choice was to step back in time.

 

[ArNav]

I first turned my attention to DE when I was about 17 and only started shaving. I was using cartridges and they were only good for one shave, because I wasn't shaving each day, but only once a week or even two weeks, and after a single time the cartridge would be clogged by hairs which I couldn't get out of it. It really made me mad that Gillette apparently made sure those were built in a way that wouldn't allow you to effectively clean it. I knew that there was such a thing as DE, but I thought they stopped making those long ago. I bought some chinese DE on a flea marker and tried to use it, but it was way too aggressive, and I also didn't have the technique. I also didn't know where to get good blades. So I let it go. I used cartridges and electric shavers in the next few years, but the option of DE was there and I thought of it from time to time. Then, I don't remember how exactly, I saw that there are modern DE razors being made, and I wanted to give it a try. After that, there was no going back.

 

[Heresy]

I started DE shaving, because I thought it is classier than shaving with a Phillishave. And it is for sure!

My face and my wallet has never seen a cartridge. So money was no reason.

 

[Early Morning]

By the time I was in my late teens, I was already having trouble with my beard. I bought a bunch of old straights in the late 80s, but ended up tossing them because I didn't know what I was doing. For awhile I used electric razors and disposables, but sometimes people would comment about inappropriate stubble, and I would get a little upset because I'd shaved. Out of frustration, I ended up asking my grandfather for his old shave gear during the mid 90s. My shaves instantly improved, but unfortunately blades were expensive getting scarce. I quit for a number of years and ended up getting back into it once I found out that blades were available online.

 

[Cumberland Sausage]

It's all the fault of Badger and Blade. I was sick of the price of carts and their indifferent performance, looked on the net for alternatives and came across this site. I have since spent a lot more on DE stuff than I ever did on carts, but hopefully this will tail off as I find just what suits me. Even if this doesn't happen, however, it's money well spent, because I now actually enjoy shaving.