I think, in this one instance, we can do without.... please.Will this thread be worthless without pics?
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Gillette Mach 3 blades
- Thread starter BarryA
- Start date
ecoleman
Well-known member
I still use Gillette Sensor (2 blades 
)
I figure if they can't cut a bit of stubble off within 2 blades they're probably not worth buying in the first place.
)I figure if they can't cut a bit of stubble off within 2 blades they're probably not worth buying in the first place.
STR_Strat
Proactive member
No, I think it may have been the case when they first started but now on general sale
Perlogalism
Super member
Decent Double Edged Safety razor, some Proraso cream, a brush and blades that cost 10p each. Initial outlay of less than £50 (including 100 blades!) and you'll never look back.
I actually enjoy shaving now whereas it used to be a chore.
I actually enjoy shaving now whereas it used to be a chore.
BarryA
Member Extraordinaire
A couple of questions for you if you don't mind:
Are the different manufacturer/brand blades interchangeable?
I see many from around 10p per blade to Gillette ones at around 50p per blade. Are they similar in quality/longevity?
Cheers
Barry
This is going to sound daft if you dont know but look at the sell by date next time you buy blades and buy with the longest you can see just as you would do with milk etc
A mate worked at a place that disposed of out of date chemicals deodorant etc and sharps, literally tons of blades are disposed of every year, he obviously used to bring a few back for himself and mates, gillette were always poor scratchy things near or past the date while king of shaves were brilliant even years out of date so i would say Gillette are poor quality to start with
A mate worked at a place that disposed of out of date chemicals deodorant etc and sharps, literally tons of blades are disposed of every year, he obviously used to bring a few back for himself and mates, gillette were always poor scratchy things near or past the date while king of shaves were brilliant even years out of date so i would say Gillette are poor quality to start with
BarryA
Member Extraordinaire
Noted. However I think I'm going to shift to one of these safety razors that have been mentioned on here. To be honest I've used Gillette for 30 years and never had a problem until this batch.
For the most part yes. The price difference is mostly regarding branding, steel quality, and edge grinding. Not all DE blades are equal. And people develop a preference to a blade type.
You do get oddballs like Moustache razors, but provided it's a standard DE format it'll take all DE blades.
Merkur are a good brand to look at if you want to have a play. They have razors starting at about £20. You would also need DE blades, a brush and a soap.
Safety Razor Onlineshop - MERKUR Razors
High-quality and sophisticated safety razor, made in Germany. High-quality steel goods from Solingen, the city of blades, with 125 years of experience.
merkur-razors.com
Soap wise proraso shave soap in the tub. It's a good all rounder. I've linked the sensitive skin formula, A single tub will last you months and months.
For a brush, A basic omega boar bristle brush. These break in and get softer over time, and are best after a few months. They can also smell a little when new. The smell goes after a few shaves loosing a few hairs when new is normal as well.
You can lather directly on the soap. Just have a cup of boiling/hot water to soak the brush in before you start. You shower, Soak the brush. Then knock the water out of the brush and lather on the soap. Take that to your face, and shave. When you care done wash the brush out, then flick the water out of the brush into a shower or bath tub, and leave it sat pointing up to dry out.
Having a bowl of water really helps when shaving. You are going to rinse off the razor regularly, and you may need to rinse your face. A straight razor can be wiped rather than rinsed so it can be easier to keep clean with a straight razor.
After shaving do what you would normally do. I am partial to Myrsol formula K.
Just take the shaving steady. It's not a race. Go for one direction on the cheeks first, Learn the angle, Finish the shave with your regular razor. The next shave add another location, and concentrate on getting each area right. Once you have the muscle memory it's second nature.
Last edited:
Perlogalism
Super member
I agree completely with what @Iceni has written above. I'd also add in Muhle and especially Edwin Jagger razors (UK made) to the suggestions. Avoid the cheap chinese ones for the most part.
I've had an Omega brush and it worked well but for a couple of quid more, a Semogue is a world apart. Gorgeous from the second use.
As above, everyone swears by different blades. I use Astra and one lasts me at least a fortnight, usually more. If you go the DE route and want to sample some, PM me and I'll send you a box. It's not like they're expensive or anything
I've had an Omega brush and it worked well but for a couple of quid more, a Semogue is a world apart. Gorgeous from the second use.
As above, everyone swears by different blades. I use Astra and one lasts me at least a fortnight, usually more. If you go the DE route and want to sample some, PM me and I'll send you a box. It's not like they're expensive or anything
BarryA
Member Extraordinaire
Can you just use standard shaving gel/foam applied with the hand, or is that like sticking an unbranded 4x32 on a SteyrI agree completely with what @Iceni has written above. I'd also add in Muhle and especially Edwin Jagger razors (UK made) to the suggestions. Avoid the cheap chinese ones for the most part.
I've had an Omega brush and it worked well but for a couple of quid more, a Semogue is a world apart. Gorgeous from the second use.
As above, everyone swears by different blades. I use Astra and one lasts me at least a fortnight, usually more. If you go the DE route and want to sample some, PM me and I'll send you a box. It's not like they're expensive or anything
Perlogalism
Super member
That about sums it up. You can but there's a world of difference using decent stuff.Can you just use standard shaving gel/foam applied with the hand, or is that like sticking an unbranded 4x32 on a Steyr
Deguello
Member Extraordinaire
I'm with Victor...
MarkH.
Proactive member
Might help but probably not.
I find that a hot cloth over the one side of my face first will soften the stubble.
I never use Shaving foam as it seems, to me anyway, that it blunts the blades somehow.
What I do is when the face is hot from the cloth I put some mild hair shampoo on my face and lather up.
Then when I shave the safety razor is pulled down the face as it gets to the root quicker and doesn't have to battle through the layered hairs.
Then when the bristles are gone I will re-apply the hot cloth and hair shampoo then shave up the face to get a clean smooth shave.
Doing it this way my blades can each last at least 2-3 weeks easily.
Plus if any hair gets stuck between the blades then an old tooth brush is great for cleaning them out.
I always found that any hair and shaving foam left in the blades left tarnish or similar and decreased the effectiveness of the blades.
I find that a hot cloth over the one side of my face first will soften the stubble.
I never use Shaving foam as it seems, to me anyway, that it blunts the blades somehow.
What I do is when the face is hot from the cloth I put some mild hair shampoo on my face and lather up.
Then when I shave the safety razor is pulled down the face as it gets to the root quicker and doesn't have to battle through the layered hairs.
Then when the bristles are gone I will re-apply the hot cloth and hair shampoo then shave up the face to get a clean smooth shave.
Doing it this way my blades can each last at least 2-3 weeks easily.
Plus if any hair gets stuck between the blades then an old tooth brush is great for cleaning them out.
I always found that any hair and shaving foam left in the blades left tarnish or similar and decreased the effectiveness of the blades.
Excellent post.For the most part yes. The price difference is mostly regarding branding, steel quality, and edge grinding. Not all DE blades are equal. And people develop a preference to a blade type.
You do get oddballs like Moustache razors, but provided it's a standard DE format it'll take all DE blades.
Merkur are a good brand to look at if you want to have a play. They have razors starting at about £20. You would also need DE blades, a brush and a soap.
Safety Razor Onlineshop - MERKUR Razors
High-quality and sophisticated safety razor, made in Germany. High-quality steel goods from Solingen, the city of blades, with 125 years of experience.
Soap wise proraso shave soap in the tub. It's a good all rounder. I've linked the sensitive skin formula, A single tub will last you months and months.
For a brush, A basic omega boar bristle brush. These break in and get softer over time, and are best after a few months. They can also smell a little when new. The smell goes after a few shaves loosing a few hairs when new is normal as well.
You can lather directly on the soap. Just have a cup of boiling/hot water to soak the brush in before you start. You shower, Soak the brush. Then knock the water out of the brush and lather on the soap. Take that to your face, and shave. When you care done wash the brush out, then flick the water out of the brush into a shower or bath tub, and leave it sat pointing up to dry out.
Having a bowl of water really helps when shaving. You are going to rinse off the razor regularly, and you may need to rinse your face. A straight razor can be wiped rather than rinsed so it can be easier to keep clean with a straight razor.
After shaving do what you would normally do. I am partial to Myrsol formula K.
Just take the shaving steady. It's not a race. Go for one direction on the cheeks first, Learn the angle, Finish the shave with your regular razor. The next shave add another location, and concentrate on getting each area right. Once you have the muscle memory it's second nature.
I got lazy a couple of years ago and reverted to my Gillette Mach3 razor. However, as stated in the thread, the quality of the blades is appalling now.
I'm going back to my lovely safety razor and a large selection of blades I still have. I really ought to sort out the blades I like best and stick with them.
Regarding shaving cream, I have tried many including Porasso but keep coming back to Taylors of Bond Street, combined with my badger hair brush.
Stockscrew
Super member
Would those be hairy balls in need of shaving?
I'd recommend brush soap even to someone who is using a mach3.
Soaps also have tiers. And there is a lot of information on the net on shaving forums regarding who make the best. It's not a clear cut thing.
I like the Proraso tubs, Taylors of bond street, Penhaligons (discontinued), Truefitt and hill, and Palmolive. The one thing you should take from the soap selection is the canned stuff is really the worst of the worst, Hair conditioner is superior.
The Squire
Super member
I’m still buying Contour blades off the auction site, as they’re effectively new old stock then I’ve not had any problems.
BarryA
Member Extraordinaire
I've today bought a King C. Gillette safety razor and it has 5 blades with it. Going forward I'm probably looking at purchasing Astra DE blades.
Need a brush and some proper soap next.
Thanks for the advice gents.
Cheers
Barry
Need a brush and some proper soap next.
Thanks for the advice gents.
Cheers
Barry
This thread has prompted me to get out my "proper" shaving kit.
I've found you need to experiment with different blades to see what suits your skin. They're cheap enough to get half a dozen types.
My lovely Merkur heavy razor (Solingen steel, for those that know their knife metals) and the bristle and badger hair brush.
I've found you need to experiment with different blades to see what suits your skin. They're cheap enough to get half a dozen types.
My lovely Merkur heavy razor (Solingen steel, for those that know their knife metals) and the bristle and badger hair brush.
Owen Sparks
Busy member
Off topic I know but I've noticed the same thing in Braun electric shaver foils.
It seems razor companies have caught up with light bulb companies. If a company wants to make money is it really in their interest to make a product that lasts forever...
It seems razor companies have caught up with light bulb companies. If a company wants to make money is it really in their interest to make a product that lasts forever...