I shaved with a vintage Eversharp Schick Injector yesterday, made between 1954-1957 with a USA-made in Verona, Virginia Personna blade. Easy close shave, no issues.

[quote=MACS]Tried the traditional razors. Tore my face up. I had so many nicks and cuts my face was covered in TP swatches.

Edge gel... mach 3 blade. No muss, no fuss, doesn't rip my face up.

Edit: Plus... I hate shaving, so I do it once every 3-4 days. Don't want to grow a beard because it's irritating.[/quote]


I used to hate shaving too and like you I would put it off for 3-4 days — when I used multi-blade disposables or cartridge razors that is. The biggest complaint I had and it's not uncommon is scraping your face with multiple blades can lead to razor bumps and ingrown hairs. Not had that problem since going back to shaving with a single blade edge.

There is a little bit of a learning curve when shaving with traditional DE and SE razors, once you got the technique down, where you don't even have to think about it, it's just muscle memory taking over and nicks and cuts are much less common.
The biggest mistake peeps do when shaving with traditional DE and SE razors is they push down on the razor when shaving which you tend to do with those lightweight, mostly plastic multi-blade razors. Applying pressure is where the nicks and cuts occur, it's not the razor ripping your face up, it's the user.

The biggest marketing falsehood is that multiple blades will give you a closer shave. That's total BS. The real reason is Gillette and other manufacturers who make cartridge multi-blade razors make a killing selling those proprietary crazy expensive cartridges. Once their patent is running out and competitors start making cartridges to fit your handles, they come up with some NEW AND IMPROVED, YOU GOTTA HAVE IT proprietary handle/cartridge combo.
With DE razors, a new blade is only going to cost between 10-20 cents usually and they are not proprietary to any one blade manufacturer. A DE blade branded Gillette, Personna, Feather, Kai, Wilkinson Sword, SuperMax, BIC or whatever and wherever that it's made in the world will all work in all DE razors, new or vintage going all the way back to King C. Gillette's first Double-Edge safety razor made in 1903.

[quote=RayR]That's a shaving noob mistake. 😄 There is one guy that has a shaving channel on YouTube that isn't a noob that calls them "shavers". He's from Oklahoma, maybe that has something to do with it. I don't know.

Ya, Maggards has a huge selection of razors and stuff. Not comprehensive either, there's a lot more out there if you shop around. Even EBAY and ETSY.

https://www.italianbarber.com/ 
https://www.therazorcompany.com/ 
https://phoenixartisanaccoutrements.com/ 
https://www.westcoastshaving.com/ 
https://www.razoremporium.com/ 

Just to name a few.

[/quote]

Thanks for the links, I used to visit Badger and Blade to get blade and soap recommendations. Just like stereo, liquor, coffee, knife, firearm, pens, cigars, etc, aficionados, shaving aficionados are a good source of purchase recommendations without diving into the bottomless vortex. e.g., in a review of one of the Henson razors, the guy mentions he has 50 different shaving soaps.

[quote=Gene363]Thanks for the links, I used to visit Badger and Blade to get blade and soap recommendations. Just like stereo, liquor, coffee, knife, firearm, pens, cigars, etc, aficionados, shaving aficionados are a good source of purchase recommendations without diving into the bottomless vortex. e.g., in a review of one of the Henson razors, the guy mentions he has 50 different shaving soaps.[/quote]

Yes, I agree in general with what you say. It's that bottomless vortex of opinions on minutia that'll make you dizzy and laugh uncontrollably sometimes. If you want a zillion different recommendations on which soap base or blade is the best, they'll drive you crazy with opinions, most of which are different. Just like with stereo, liquor, coffee, knife, firearm, pens, and cigars I suppose. Such is life when there are so many offerings and options.

Haven't shaved since I retired from the military in 1994.

So, youse got kind of a ZZ Top thing going by now?

Gave myself a DOVO straight razor, some sandalwood soap, a badger brush, some moisturizer and a leather strope for Christmas. Took me a couple days to figure it out. It’s a bit more involved than slapping on some Edge and stroking a few times with the MACH whatever, but the pampering is nice.

[quote=Abrignac]Gave myself a DOVO straight razor, some sandalwood soap, a badger brush, some moisturizer and a leather strope for Christmas. Took me a couple days to figure it out. It’s a bit more involved than slapping on some Edge and stroking a few times with the MACH whatever, but the pampering is nice. [/quote]

Shaving like Great Grand Pappy huh? It's a lot more fun without canned goo too.
I never got into straights or shavettes but who knows...maybe someday.
The original safety razors from the late 1800's used wedge blades, which were essentially a short cut off section of a straight razor blade. That gave them the nick name 'Straight Razor on a Stick"

I shaved with a Ever-Ready Lather Catcher yesterday, That nickel-plated brass beauty was manufactured somewhere between 1912-1914. It was one of the first safety razors in the early 20th Century that used GEM style blades. Back then all GEM blades were made of thicker carbon steel. The razor has a stropper attachment inside the handle that you pull out that screws into the handle, insert your blade and strop it on a leather strop. That practice essentially disappeared after replacement blades got thinner and less expensive.
GEM style blades today that are extra sharp for shaving come in carbon steel and stainless steel. They work terrific in all single-edge razors made for the GEM style blades going back to the beginning.

Huh! Interesting and informative. Didn't know you had it in you, Ray

[quote=Sunoverbeach]Huh! Interesting and informative. Didn't know you had it in you, Ray [/quote]

Everything I try to teach you is interesting and informative grasshopper. 😉

cool timing on my part, been thinking about switching to a more tradional safety razor instead of the mass produced Harrys style. I always have a beard (only clean shaven once in the last 30 years) so its more edging and lining up for me so the multi blades are pointless and less accurate.

Okay, Gene... I'm gonna give this safety razor BS one last try. Placed an order the other day and it's enroute.

If it cuts me up... this will be the absolute last time I try these damn things.

[quote=MACS]Okay, Gene... I'm gonna give this safety razor BS one last try. Placed an order the other day and it's enroute.

If it cuts me up... this will be the absolute last time I try these damn things.[/quote]

MACS, if I can offer a few tip to aid in success with the safety razor:

1. Choose your "getting started" blades carefully. I use Feather blades, but I would have killed myself if i started with them. Get a sample pack of blades and try a few out. I liked Shark blades when i was starting out as they were pretty forgiving but gave a good shave.

2. Don't press. AT ALL. let the weight of the razor do the work until you have refined your technique. Once you are practiced, you can EITHER press with the blade OR stretch your skin tight, but I don't recommend doing both at once unless you clot well.

3. Unlike with the multi-blade setups that encourage one long smooth stroke over an area, using a safety razor requires you to make shorter, overlapping passes as you shave a "strip" of your face. From neckline to jawline, I might lift the razor (and restart) five or six times before I get all the way to the jawline.

4. Shave right after you shower. Your beard whiskers will be softer.

5. Don't shave your balls. It will not end well.

Maybe just use Nair.

[quote=MACS]Okay, Gene... I'm gonna give this safety razor BS one last try. Placed an order the other day and it's enroute.

If it cuts me up... this will be the absolute last time I try these damn things.[/quote]

I hope it works well for you.

I used it again last night, no soap, just hot water on a one-day beard, no blood on the washcloth and it was not harsh for the third shave on the same blade. I get away using a blade longer being old and blond when I was young, being thrifty also figures in there too.

The blades Henson sends/sells are made in India. I have some Czechoslovakian Astra brand and Japanese Feather brand blades I'll try next. I have a German Merkur Progress 500 adjustable DE razor I'm going to toss in the trash, the Henson is so much better.

[quote=Stogie1020]MACS, if I can offer a few tip to aid in success with the safety razor:

1. Choose your "getting started" blades carefully. I use Feather blades, but I would have killed myself if i started with them. Get a sample pack of blades and try a few out. I liked Shark blades when i was starting out as they were pretty forgiving but gave a good shave.

2. Don't press. AT ALL. let the weight of the razor do the work until you have refined your technique. Once you are practiced, you can EITHER press with the blade OR stretch your skin tight, but I don't recommend doing both at once unless you clot well.

3. Unlike with the multi-blade setups that encourage one long smooth stroke over an area, using a safety razor requires you to make shorter, overlapping passes as you shave a "strip" of your face. From neckline to jawline, I might lift the razor (and restart) five or six times before I get all the way to the jawline.

4. Shave right after you shower. Your beard whiskers will be softer.

5. Don't shave your balls. It will not end well.[/quote]

Good points. Those Feather blades are sharp as F***, very unforgiving and in my old Merkur razor a real blood-letting situation.

[quote=HockeyDad]Maybe just use Nair. [/quote]

That's what Girlie Men do.

MACS, just remember, men and woman were using tradition DE and SE razors for generations before those silly cartridge razors came along, and they learned how to use them, and they survived without ripping themselves up and bleeding all over the place.
An occasional little nick is no biggie, it happens to everybody, just don't make it a regular thing.

[quote=Gene363]I hope it works well for you.

I used it again last night, no soap, just hot water on a one-day beard, no blood on the washcloth and it was not harsh for the third shave on the same blade. I get away using a blade longer being old and blond when I was young, being thrifty also figures in there too.

The blades Henson sends/sells are made in India. I have some Czechoslovakian Astra brand and Japanese Feather brand blades I'll try next. I have a German Merkur Progress 500 adjustable DE razor I'm going to toss in the trash, the Henson is so much better. [/quote]

I don't own a Merkur Progress, but everyone says it's an aggressive adjustable, so not exactly recommended as beginner's razor or for somebody that has sensitive skin. Don't toss it.

Those are RK brand blades that are made in India, I heard they are not bad, but I never tried them. Feather DE blades are extremely sharp, they induce fear in some inexperienced people. I never had a problem using them myself, but I was very experienced before I ever used one.
You should be fine with them in a Henson I would think since it is a mild razor.

How old are those ASTRA blades? They haven't been made in the Czech Republic in very a long time. Astra as well as most other DE blade brands that Gillette owns are made in St. Petersburg, Russia at the Petersburg Products Int. factory, although a few brands are made in India.
After the collapse of the Soviet Union, Gillette (this was before P&G bought Gillette) went on a buying spree, buying up popular trademark brands and factories in Europe. After the new St. Petersburg factory was opened in 2000, they closed the old factories including Astra Diu in the Czech Republic where Astra and Nacet brand blades were made, and consolidated production in St. Petersburg.

[quote=Stogie1020]MACS, if I can offer a few tip to aid in success with the safety razor:

1. Choose your "getting started" blades carefully. I use Feather blades, but I would have killed myself if i started with them. Get a sample pack of blades and try a few out. I liked Shark blades when i was starting out as they were pretty forgiving but gave a good shave.

2. Don't press. AT ALL. let the weight of the razor do the work until you have refined your technique. Once you are practiced, you can EITHER press with the blade OR stretch your skin tight, but I don't recommend doing both at once unless you clot well.

3. Unlike with the multi-blade setups that encourage one long smooth stroke over an area, using a safety razor requires you to make shorter, overlapping passes as you shave a "strip" of your face. From neckline to jawline, I might lift the razor (and restart) five or six times before I get all the way to the jawline.

4. Shave right after you shower. Your beard whiskers will be softer.

5. Don't shave your balls. It will not end well.[/quote]

Huh... used feather blades last time. Maybe why I cut myself a half million times.

Was already told don't press, but if i don't press at all it doesn't shave me. My beard is thick.

I do short strokes even with the Mach 3.

I always shave after I shower.

I'm a man. My nuts and junk are sposta have hair. Trimming is okay. Shaving bald is queer.

^ HAHA, well said.

I am guessing the Feathers were the root cause of 98.2% of your issues with your first go around. Kind of like learning to drive on a Lamborghini Diablo. Possible, but not advisable. Shark, Astra, Derby would all be safe bets.

In terms of pressing (my beard is thick, too), rather than using pressure, try a few passes in different directions. I usually shave (1) with the grain, then (2) against the grain, then (3) across the grain. Let the blade do the work and you will get MUCH less irritation. It takes a little longer, for sure, but the results speak for themselves.

Good luck!