Manscaping 101 Shaving Tips: My first safety razor Merkur Progress adjustable razor
I finally did it. I went out and bought my first double-blade safety razor, a Merkur Progress adjustable
I got it at Simply the Best on Broad St. in Victoria (link goes to a map) and chatting with Jim there was really interesting. He told me he used to sell twice as many fancy handles for Mach3-Fusion blades as safety razors, now, the reverse.
Jim and I chatted about shaving and such. I told him about today’s post on whether or not the safety razor could make a comeback, he thought they could and based very much on the economics of today’s razors.
This handle cost me about $70. Yes, a lot of money. But this might be the first, and last, handle I’ll ever need to buy. Talk about sturdy. The blades are much, much cheaper so in about three months, I’ll have recouped my costs and start saving money.
Jim also gave me samples of Truefitt & Hill pre-shave oil and shaving cream to try and a great tip.
You know how I’ve been saying I needed a shave bowl to use one of the shave soaps I have? Turns out a simple saucer will do! I should have thought it!
I also have the card of the best barber who does traditional shaves in Victoria. So if I don’t bleed to death shaving tomorrow, I might try that soon too.
Photo by Tris Hussey
Tags: double-blade razor, double-blade safety razor, mens grooming, mens shaving, Merkur Progress safety razor, Merkur razor, safety razors, shavingRelated Stories
POSTED IN: Guy stuff to buy, Shaving tips for men
12 opinions for Manscaping 101 Shaving Tips: My first safety razor Merkur Progress adjustable razor
Jeff Ward
May 14, 2008 at 8:50 pm
I just switched to the Merkur safety razor in the last month. I was just too tired of shelling out 20s of dollars for Gillete Mach3 blades. You can get blades for under a buck at London Drugs, Shoppers, etc.
It must be my technique but I don’t get as close a shave as 3 blades. I find I have to shave against the grain to get a close shave. And normally when I shave against the grain I get a little microscopic pimples later in the day.
All in all, I’m re-training myself and learning some better shaving techniques.
I got my Merkur from some knive shop in the mall and was about $40. Now I’ll never have to pay Gillette again!
Tris Hussey
May 14, 2008 at 9:11 pm
Jeff, I’ll let you, and everyone else, know how my first shave goes.
There is a bit of technique required, I’ve read. Short strokes, several passes, good prep, cross grain shave.
The irony in all this is twofold.
One is that Gillette invented the safety razor (my geology advisor’s grandfather was a blacksmith and laughed Gillette out of his shop when presented with the idea) and still makes and sells the blades.
Two is that the PR folks from Gillette just emailed me yesterday.
mantic59
May 15, 2008 at 11:30 am
You’ll have to pry my Progress out of my cold, dead hands. :-) But I only paid $40 for mine (two years ago).
Yep, its all technique. The Progress “bows” the blade quite a bit so watch the angle of your razor carefully. Since you’ll be shaving with multiple passes, consider “dialing down” on the Progress for the first pass, then “dialing up” for successive passes. Works great for me but not for everyone.
I hope that little Kent tent card means you got a good shaving brush; it’ll make the shave much more pleasant.
Jeff– You might get some benefit from my youtube “how to shave” channel (at website link).
Ryan Ward
May 15, 2008 at 12:25 pm
I use the Merkur classic and the very awesome Nancyboy Shaving Cream which I found off shaveblog onetime. Don’t be put off by the name, its really what gets me excited about shaving. I also here the Israeli blades work well too.
Tris Hussey
May 15, 2008 at 12:37 pm
Thanks for the support guys! Mantic …good tip. I’ve turned it down to “3″ for my first try.
Ryan I’ve heard of that line. Now, I’ll have to see if I can get a sample.
BTW, got a tip today (and will elaborate later) that Tea Tree oil is a good pre-shave thing. Personally I’d put it in a carrier oil like almond oil.
Ryan Ward
May 15, 2008 at 12:47 pm
For now I don’t use a preshave oil. My regiment is like this.
Shower, Fill sink with hot water, drop razor in sink while I am working on the lather which really is just wetting the brush in a dime size dab of nancy boy. 2 down passes + 1 up. Rinse well with warm water then go ice ice cold. Man does the cold water help. Then I put on Burt’s Bee’s Bay Rum after shave balm. Clean up the razor then blow on it to remove excess water.
Ryan Ward
May 15, 2008 at 12:51 pm
I tried Tea Tree Oil way way back in the Gillette Blade Scam days but did not care for it much.
Since moving to a DE Safety Razor I don’t get any of the daily uncomfort I had with a Gillette Mach 3. I dreaded shaving more than once a week. Now I can shave 2-3 times and really feel good about it.
sloot
May 16, 2008 at 5:27 am
the double edged razor I have now … was my mother’s.
I don’t know how I got it, I might even have stolen it from her - I don’t know :-)
Tris Hussey
May 16, 2008 at 10:46 am
LOL sloot.
David
May 30, 2008 at 7:02 am
Y’all are making this Yankee rethink how he shaves. I’m a Gillette Fusion guy, but I’m feeling like I’m turning that corner. My dad had a safety razor, rusted old beat-up thing, but I can see the appeal. Question is this - are you truly getting a better shave w/ the saftey over the Mach or Fusion 5-blader?
http://www.bebetterguys.com
Tris Hussey
May 30, 2008 at 8:09 am
David, yes, totally. I wouldn’t have believed it if I hadn’t tried and compared it myself. The shave is better and more comfortable. Yes, it takes practice, but after about 4 shaves I pretty much had it down and now I don’t nick myself.
Ryan
May 30, 2008 at 8:43 am
Prior to the safety razor, I used the m3 power. 2 blades was too few and the Fusion 4 blades way too much. The only thing I like about the Fusion blades was that little trimming blade on the top to get you under the nose. Overall I found the blades just took too much skin off and dulled after 2 uses.
Using the safety razor for about 3 months now, love the closeness of the shave without taking all the skin off. Yeah I get a few nicks but as long as I rinse the face with ice cold water its a done deal. The cost savings is a huge bonus.
I really don’t know why this practice stopped.
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