When a Razor becomes a "Marriage of Convenience"

[Duggo]

I saw this post (http://badgerandblade.com/vb/showpost.php?p=355513&postcount=71) that got me started. I was going to post this earlier, but I've got ten of the laziest fingers known to man. :lol:

But in all fairness to Karl, I think I have it worse than he does. I found B&B looking to find the lowest prices on Fusion cartridges.

To make a long story short, a took a leap of faith, after reading the posts about how smooth and close a Double Edge (DE) shave could be. It was, the holy grail of shaves; much better than any cartridge could deliver.

Well you guys were right. I've been shaving with a DE for nearly 14 months.

The thing is. I can't go back. I don't like the drag, that you feel, when shaving with a multi blade system, or what I call "face feel." And if I cut myself with a multiblade razor, I'm there for an additional twenty minutes. And there's no safety bar.

And yet I can tell you unequivocally, the DE gives me the superior shave. And makes me feel better about it. I can't say that about my M3.

I guess you could say it's a strained marriage, a marriage of convenience. There's no doubt in my mind that the honeymoon is over. :frown:

It kind of reminds me of that song. "Clowns to the left of me, Jokers to the right of me, here I am stuck in the middle with you."

[htownmmm]

Coincidentally, regular marriage is til death us do part-the same way i feel about my DE razors and 'pure' wetshaving in general.


Marty

[Lynchmeister]

+1

I'm out there, Jerry...and lovin' every minute of it!

[Racso_MS]

The only reason Gillette sells multi blade razors is for $$$$. The only reason they can get away with it is because of the hype and the gullibility of those who believe they can get a better shave with 5 blades than they can with 1.

Agreed, it may take a little longer if you shave with a DE, but not that much. After you've perfected the proper technique and use the instruments of our trade for a while (brush, soap/cream, etc.) it doesn't take long. The bonus is the enjoyment factor instead of the drudgery factor.

I enjoy my shave :biggrin: much more and look forward to it more than dreading having to do it.

I've read of some who even enjoy "fidelity or Nirvana". They are happy with one razor, one brand of blade, one brush, and one soap or cream, and one A/S balm.

Marriage of Convenience, "maybe"...

Enjoyable, absolutely...:biggrin:

[JerimiahC]

The only reason Gillette sells multi blade razors is for $$$$. The only reason they can get away with it is because of the hype and the gullibility of those who believe they can get a better shave with 5 blades than they can with 1.

Agreed, it may take a little longer if you shave with a DE, but not that much. After you've perfected the proper technique and use the instruments of our trade for a while (brush, soap/cream, etc.) it doesn't take long. The bonus is the enjoyment factor instead of the drudgery factor.

I enjoy my shave :biggrin: much more and look forward to it more than dreading having to do it.

I've read of some who even enjoy "fidelity or Nirvana". They are happy with one razor, one brand of blade, one brush, and one soap or cream, and one A/S balm.

Marriage of Convenience, "maybe"...

Enjoyable, absolutely...:biggrin:

+100....except for the fidelity part....I'm still learning, but I can't imagine only staying with one scent/blade/razor/brush/brand/soap/cream.....:eek: :biggrin: :lol: :em2200:

[Duggo]

Coincidentally, regular marriage is til death us do part-the same way i feel about my DE razors and 'pure' wetshaving in general.


Marty

Hey Marty,

There is no way - no way I'm going back to a CR. "That dog don't hunt." :biggrin:

It's kinda like that ole car you aren't going to give up. But every morning, you have the darnedest time getting that motor to kick over. But once you do, it purs like a kitten.

[Duggo]

The only reason Gillette sells multi blade razors is for $$$$. The only reason they can get away with it is because of the hype and the gullibility of those who believe they can get a better shave with 5 blades than they can with 1.

Agreed, it may take a little longer if you shave with a DE, but not that much. After you've perfected the proper technique and use the instruments of our trade for a while (brush, soap/cream, etc.) it doesn't take long. The bonus is the enjoyment factor instead of the drudgery factor.

I enjoy my shave :biggrin: much more and look forward to it more than dreading having to do it.

I've read of some who even enjoy "fidelity or Nirvana". They are happy with one razor, one brand of blade, one brush, and one soap or cream, and one A/S balm.

Marriage of Convenience, "maybe"...

Enjoyable, absolutely...:biggrin:

Hey Rasco_MS,

It is enjoyable. But enjoyment comes at such a cost. That being my time. In stead of watching a movie (DVD) at night, I say, "Sorry can't, I've got to shave." But yes, comparatively speaking, it is a lot more enjoyable on so many levels than shaving with a CR ever was.

And I do find once I'm in the act of shaving, it is very enjoyable.

[Duggo]

And of course, I failed to mention in my original post, that a multi blade system is simply out of the question due to the cost.

You probably could buy more Feathers from classicshaving.com than the amount of money I paid to stock up on blades for a year. ($78.00 incl. shipping)

The prices I've seen in stores are outrageous. If I recall correctly, they are double digits for 4 cartridges and double that amount for 8. For me, that's cost prohibitive.

So, no; I can't go back.

[infotech]

I started with a DE in January 07. I got so tore up I ditched it by February and continued shaving with MACH3, brush, and good creams. I bought a boat load of cartridges at Sam's. Fast forward to August when they ran out. I decided to give the DE a second chance. This time, I finally got it down. I wont say I wasn't tempted to go back to the MACH3 Turbo when it got rough for a few shaves but man, that price! 12 bucks for 4 cartridges! I suffered through those bad shaves until I could finally equal, and then surpass the shaves I was getting before. I'm glad I held out.

I think it took me a bit longer than normal, about 2 months to find the combo that works for me and I am REALLY glad I didn't sell out :biggrin:

I'm down with fidelity for now. Maybe when I have it perfected I'll start experimenting but until then it's Gillette Slim, Derby, and Kent Bk4 for me.

So yeah, in a way I'm stuck with it but it's better than the alternative :cool: