I’ve spent the first quarter of 2008 shaving with a Double Edge (DE) razor — a welcome departure from “high-tech” cartridge systems (that will remain nameless).
For those of you who aren’t familiar with the DE razor (a.k.a. ’safety razor’), check out www.badgerandblade.com (B&B). A wonderful site for those who are tired of paying through the nose for refill blade cartridges and want to return to a simpler era.
The potential simplicity and cost-effectiveness is a joy. For very little money, one can get a used razor and shaving mug (at B&B or eBay), a shaving brush and a puck of soap (e.g. Williams, Col. Conk), and you’re good to go. Good blades can be purchased for under 20 cents each. And there’s a nice feeling that comes from shaving the way that my grandfathers (and their fathers) did.
The danger to which many (most?) seem to fall prey is that there are an insane number of additional items which one will almost certainly want to acquire. Scented soaps. Pre- & post-shave lotions/balms. Aftershaves & colognes. Not to mention the razors & brushes themselves.
But I will say that my face is smoother now, I look forward to the daily ritual, and my better half likes the way I smell. And that’s well worth the price of admission.