Any ladies here shave 'vintage'?

[Libeled Lady]

I recently began shaving with a safety razor. Although I am still learning the ropes, I know that the information on this thread has saved me from many a nick and cut!

I have some questions for those of you with more safety razor experience. ... How often do you replace your razor blades? Do you find that blades last longer than razor cartridges?

 

[sheeplady]

I have some questions for those of you with more safety razor experience. ... How often do you replace your razor blades? Do you find that blades last longer than razor cartridges?

I do find that they last much longer. I only shave twice a week, and used to have to replace my cartridge almost once a month, if not every two weeks. With a safety, I get a closer shave and therefore shave less. I probably replace my blade once every four to six months.

You'll notice that the shave gets a little less close and the razor doesn't glide as well, which is how I tell. I don't get nicks like I would with the disposables when the blade gets dull. I probably don't change mine frequently enough, but I am lazy.

I imagine some of this is dependent on how much you shave and what you shave with (I use plain old shaving soap). Make sure to rinse it completely and let it dry after each shave to save the blade. The nice thing is that with the safety razor the blades are so inexpensive and so little waste that you could replace them just as often as a disposable and still save money (and the environment).

 

[BettyMaraschino]

The nice thing is that with the safety razor the blades are so inexpensive and so little waste that you could replace them just as often as a disposable and still save money (and the environment).

This is true!! A box/packet of ten blades has lasted both myself and the manshape for about 6months ish. I dont shave often, once a month if I'm honest (and lazy lol). an he is a once or twice a week guy. But a pack of disposables (10) lasted us about a month. Looking on ebay for genuine blades, we found 100 for £6.70 free shipping. so even if we did change the blade every single time either of us shaved they are still going to last around a year!
I find using disposables (we found a spare pack floating about in the house, so used them up) the blades get dull so quickly when using them even on legs and underarms. Saftey razors definetly stay sharp, as I found out by being cocky!

 

[Libeled Lady]

Thanks Sheeplady and Betty Maraschino! The information you shared has been very helpful.

I am rather thrifty, so I looooove the fact that safety razor blades last longer and are less expensive.

 

[sheeplady]

Glad to be helpful.

I've become such a fan that I dread using a disposible when traveling!

 

[Oh lala!]

I prefer waxing, when I shave I have to do it everyday as my hairs grow fast.

 

[melliejs]

After reading this thread, I was intrigued enough to purchase a safety razor from Amazon. It came yesterday, and I tried it out when I showered last evening. I didn't get a very good shave on my first leg, because I was a little scared of the razor and I was figuring out how much to press down, etc. The second leg, though? Wow! What a great shave! I got gutsy and did my underarms, too, and was very pleased with the results!

I use coconut oil to shave, by the way. Even with disposables, I found that coconut oil gave me a closer shave and was much gentler on my skin. In the summer, I don't even need to apply any sort of moisturizer after I've shaved, because the oil leaves a residue that renders extra lotion unnecessary.

 

[DonnaP]

Any recommendations of a modern safety razor? Looking them up on Amazon, there are quite a few to choose from

 

[lframe]

Any recommendations of a modern safety razor? Looking them up on Amazon, there are quite a few to choose from

I was thinking the same thing. My husband uses a vintage safety razor, but it's a beast. I'd like one that's a little easier for me to handle.

 

[Libeled Lady]

Any recommendations of a modern safety razor? Looking them up on Amazon, there are quite a few to choose from

I use the Merkur long handled safety razor, and overall I've been pleased with its performance.

 

[GypsyLyn]

I bought a safety razor (merkur) about a year ago and I think it's incredibly superior in almost every way. First of all cost, with the razor I bought a package of blades and it was something like 10 dollars for about 80 blades, so I can basically switch out every time I shave if I want.

Second of all I have noticed that the shave is MUCH better. Not sure how but it seems to last longer too, and so smooth it feels like my legs were waxed. I use cheap conditioner (also smells better than most shaving gels) and just use a slightly lighter pressure than a regular disposable. I still have a regular venus around here that I hold onto in case I'm in a huge hurry or travel, but I prefer the merkur results.