Fucking hegemony propagating razorblade manufacturers.
Recently I decided to experiment and to try to save some money on razor blades. I normally use those multi mach 3 power ones or whatever they are called and I realised that it was costing me an arm and a leg to buy the blades (£5 for 4!) and the blades only really lasted me about a week anyway. So anyway, I wanted to try and save some money by using cheap disposable razors, a sort of cost-benefit analysis.

So I bought these bic razors and tried them. It was *just* acceptable in terms of closeness but I did end up hacking bits of flesh from my face but it wasn’t too bad. So I tried to use the same blade the next day. Nope. Not a chance. It was if some blunt monkey had spidered into my bathroom during the night and shaved the pumice stone for about five fucking hours.

So I moved onto the next razor in the pack. This continued for a week. At the end of the week, my face was (even more) blotchy, with aged bits of toilet tissue stuck to my ouchys. For the long term it was clearly unacceptable.

What did I do? I bought another set of cheap ones. Surely my face would adapt somehow right? This continued for another few weeks as I am too stubborn to buy the expensive razor blades even though I am only saving about 25p per pack.

Then one morning I go to shave and I find all the cheap disposable ones missing, and a fresh pack of m3powers in their place. I used it and it was like shaving a virgin peach.

My long suffering wife had watched my stubborn razor based folly from afar and had decided to take the necessary remedial action because I am such a cock.

I still can’t get over how expensive razor blades are but what choice do we men have?

NO CHOICE AT ALL FOR THE SUBJUGATED MAN!
(powervator and NONE SHALL PASS, Fri 24 Oct 2008, 17:18, 43 replies)

Grow a beard?
Alternatively, stiffen that upper lip and absorb the 25p/pack increase in cost.
( uberdeity Wondered why Owen Lars knew of the term "hell" on, Fri 24 Oct 2008, 17:24, closed)

yeah
i know. i do buy the expensive ones now. i am not sure i am allowed to grow a beard where i work. no one else has one.
(powervator and NONE SHALL PASS, Fri 24 Oct 2008, 17:26, closed)

Just tell them you converted to Islam.
(davywavy, Fri 24 Oct 2008, 17:44, closed)

what, again?
...
(powervator and NONE SHALL PASS, Fri 24 Oct 2008, 19:19, closed)

Or...
Where a hat and tell them your now Sikh.
(Poo_Pipe_Pirate, Sun 26 Oct 2008, 0:21, closed)

Click!
I really love the idea of a blunt monkey shaving a pumice stone for 5 hours!
(flibblesan saw your mums cock, Fri 24 Oct 2008, 17:30, closed)

Completely agree
and I baulk at the prices but £5 per month isn't that much really when you think about it...and my face is smoother than a babies bottom. And I should know because I take every opportunity to grope them and so have vast experience in what one feels like! Babies bottoms that is...
(scowners shagged his mum on, Fri 24 Oct 2008, 17:56, closed)

what about using
an electric shaver?

At least you blokes aren't taxed on your blades like us girlies are on jam rags!
( Mrs Entity is in hiding., Fri 24 Oct 2008, 18:00, closed)

I tried that
I get an annoying rash when i use an electric shaver. its bad enough being stubbly without people thinking you have facial herpes as well.
(powervator and NONE SHALL PASS, Fri 24 Oct 2008, 18:39, closed)

@ Mrs Liveinabin
Mooncup.

One purchase of £12.

No more money to the taxman and it's environmentally friendly to boot.
( chickenlady b3ta's very own Elizabeth Taylor, Fri 24 Oct 2008, 18:44, closed)

goes green
*voms*
( spimf ™ is whoever you want him to be, Sat 25 Oct 2008, 19:07, closed)

You're right ..
I think we pay 17.5% VAT on razor blades, but VAT is only 5% on womens' sanitary products.
( Ghoti Fingers, Fri 24 Oct 2008, 18:50, closed)

thay have products now that will make women sane?

( spimf ™ is whoever you want him to be, Sat 25 Oct 2008, 20:24, closed)

click
you get a click for using the words 'jam rags'

im sitting here choking with laughter as ive not heard them called jam rags since i was at school
(jenko83, Sun 26 Oct 2008, 12:43, closed)

I'm so lucky like that
I shave my cheeks and under my jaw, leave all the rest of my beard and sidies combo, and even then I only have to shave once a week or so, my face is so un-hirsuite.
(Professor Kenny Martin Hmm? What?, Fri 24 Oct 2008, 18:05, closed)

gaylord

( spimf ™ is whoever you want him to be, Sat 25 Oct 2008, 19:07, closed)

or you could try
shaving only once a week (or every two weeks like I do), though this depends on the rate of growth. That way, your 4 pack will last anything up to 4 months (mine has lasted since last Christmas, though again, on a 2 week growth period, and is also fusion 5blade)
(bamboozled Can hear you getting fatter, Fri 24 Oct 2008, 18:14, closed)

tee hee hee
I shave every 3 days or so ,and a razor head lasts me months! I last bought a 5 pack of heads about 2 years ago!!
(Halfy By light alone, Fri 24 Oct 2008, 18:35, closed)

you little mincing blonde gaylord
*jealous*
( spimf ™ is whoever you want him to be, Sat 25 Oct 2008, 19:15, closed)

Proper blade
Hot water, good quality shaving soap, and a double-edged razor.

Ideally have a nice shower (and if you clean up afterwards, you can shave in the shower as well). Alternatively a hot flannel over the chin, but at least a good wash and some nice lathery shaving soap.

And proper razor blades are super-cheap (10p each springs to mind).
( Ghoti Fingers, Fri 24 Oct 2008, 18:53, closed)

Good call!
I had forgotten about the old fashioned double edgers. I might given them a whirl. They can also double as handy ninja style flechette ammunition.
(powervator and NONE SHALL PASS, Fri 24 Oct 2008, 19:15, closed)

But they
hurt so much more than the mach3 type ones. I tried going back to them and instantly regretted it and bought a gilette fusion.

The other alternative is to get a straight razor and a sharpening stone. Then it's a one off payment, but you need to be bloody careful and you waste time sharpening it all the time.
(Bazongaloid, Fri 24 Oct 2008, 20:13, closed)

you don't need to constantly resharpen a straight razor
once or twice a year maximum
but you should strop it every time you use it to straighten it
( mictoboy shitting in your cunt since, Fri 24 Oct 2008, 23:02, closed)

Seconded
I've been using double-edge blades for about ten years. I wouldn't go back to cartridge blades or disposables even if they were the same price. They're handy for craft and DIY stuff as well.
( JimM, Fri 24 Oct 2008, 21:36, closed)

d
oubled edged for sure, I bought an old old gilete razor for the double edged blades from a barnardos about 8 years ago and use it every day. Blades are about 20p for dodgy russian shite, 60p for 5 shlick or approx 1£ for 5 wilkinson sword. And they last me for at least a week, shave after your shower when your face is still wet and lather up with normal soap, plenty of it. Smooth and silky all day long!
(godisdove I like cheese, Sun 26 Oct 2008, 1:39, closed)

5 quid for four?
they're about 12 quid over here :(((
( Grrrmachine the indifference engine, Fri 24 Oct 2008, 20:18, closed)

I have a real problem shaving, because of a combination of coarse hair and sensitive skin.
I did try one of Gillette's rip-off products once - I think it was the Mach 3 Turbo or something. It was absolutely rubbish, and the blades actually lasted 2 uses! TWO!

So after a bit of trial and error I have found a good combination of techniques that give me a close shave, without razor-burn, and is relatively cheap.

Firstly, get yourself an electric beard trimmer. The one I use is actually a hair trimmer, but without the length-guards it cuts pretty close. That gets the worst off and stops the razor from clogging and tearing the hair out.

Secondly, get some hot water - as hot as you can stand - and either wet a flannel or just damp your face down. This opens the pores and makes hair removal easier.

Then, and this is the good bit, use hair conditioner instead of shaving foam/gel. It's miles better, and usually cheaper.

I use a cheap disposable razor, and I get about 5 goes out of it before it's ripping my face off. They cost about £2 for 10, and it works so well I wouldn't even consider going for any of these 100-bladed super-razors anymore.
( OneSullenBrit *air sandwiches*, Fri 24 Oct 2008, 20:55, closed)

Also...
This series: uk.youtube.com/watch?v=xjhIy9rgWQU changed my shaving practices forever and made my face very happy.
(pootermunky unlurked on, Tue 28 Oct 2008, 17:38, closed)

No wonder
these are amongst the most shoplifted items, and always kept behind the counter now.

Tip: The Gillette range is cross compatible, so if you get the battery driven razor, the Mach 3 original blades fit, no need to spend even more on the special Mach 7 12-bladed head with a strontium edged panda fur lined protective strip. Same blade for less, but the better holder.
(randomstupidname would really like this signature field to be bigge, Fri 24 Oct 2008, 21:36, closed)

the battery powered razors are utter, utter bollocks
the idea that 1.5volts does ANYTHING on a wet face to affect your stubble is laughable
( mictoboy shitting in your cunt since, Fri 24 Oct 2008, 23:04, closed)

true
but the 3 blades only fit on the three-blade razors, and the 5s on fives. Otherwise I would have just bought a 5-blade pack to fit my mac3 (though I prefer the wilkinson(?) quattro to both, its a helluva lot more expensive here)
(bamboozled Can hear you getting fatter, Fri 24 Oct 2008, 23:17, closed)

Get your arse off to
the tightwad disneyland that is Costco. I buy 25 blades for a bit less than £20 and as a result don't look like either W.G Grace or Freddy Kruger.

I have to say that Mach 3, Aloe soap and shaving brush combo does the trick for me. It must be said that as I'm not the hairiest bloke going I can get away with shaving the night before which further reduces irritation.
(Leonard Hatred briefly did some work on, Sat 25 Oct 2008, 0:04, closed)

at least you only have to shave your faces
legs are much larger than faces, then there's the added pain of shaving bikini lines and underarms. add to this the fact that women's razors are shite compared to men's and, i think, you can damn well count yourselves lucky.
( Smash Monkey lowering the tone of the whole internet, Sat 25 Oct 2008, 0:26, closed)

Waxing FTW!
Once every six weeks or so and no stubble!
( chickenlady b3ta's very own Elizabeth Taylor, Sat 25 Oct 2008, 9:25, closed)

Then one must be inclined to ask
why not just use men's razors?
(Jester_, Wed 29 Oct 2008, 11:02, closed)

I get all mine for free
by shoplifting!
(knackerz is skinning up, Sat 25 Oct 2008, 6:58, closed)

right at the risk of being dull here is the solution
you still need the mach 3's - ive been there and there is no alternative - just dont buy the 4 blade turbo nutter orange new version

its pish

get the most basic 3 blade job that fits that gillete razor - the vibrating handle one does actually make a difference

here is the SECRET TO MAKING THEM LAST TWICE AS LONG

invest in a proper badger (good) or hog (less good) bristle shaving brush - you can get a decent one for under a tenner

do not use foam or gel from a can - use alphaglide gel from king of shaves (or ANY of their products designed to lather)

shave in the shower - lather up well, push the bristles against the grain of your beard

shave SLOWLY once with then against the grain

the simple addition of a brush will soften the stubble - which is what fucks your razors

do this every day and you will double the life of your razors and drastically reduce amount of red splotches and goose flesh on your skin

and women will want to have your babies

!
( spimf ™ is whoever you want him to be, Sat 25 Oct 2008, 19:06, closed)

you're so right
I'm an equally tedious pub-bore when it comes to shaving.

The secret to soaps/gels is to use something glycerin based, not silicon based. Read the ingredients and you can't go wrong. Also check the ingredients for anesthetics. Most brand gels are full of novocaine or lidocaine or some sort of caine to hide the fact that they are crap products which cause irritation. How scary is that?

I recommend www.trumpers.com/product_detail.cfm?ProductID=111547312

That will last ages so is actually cost effective. It's also the finest stuff money can buy!

Slight contradtiction though... don't shave against the grain. Shave with it, then across it from left to right, then right to left. Only then go against if you really want to and really know what you are doing. 99% of razor burn and ingrown hair is caused by shaving against the grain.

Agree with badger brush - no substitute.
Lots of hot water too. The soap is primarily there to hold water, not to replace it. Water water water and lots of it! I'm not a fan of KoS oils for this reason. They don't hold water like a lather does. Also, just because foam from a can looks like lather, does not make it lather. Glycerin soap is best.

After shaving splash with cold water to close pores and the use a skin food (again, glycerin based). Don't use anything alcohol based. Ever. It instantly evaporates the moisture from your face. Your aim is to lock it in.

I like this: www.trumpers.com/product_detail.cfm?ProductID=111547341

A good shave is such a pleasure, but who has ever been shown how to do it properly?

Check out the youtube link I posted up there ^ somewhere...
(pootermunky unlurked on, Tue 28 Oct 2008, 17:50, closed)

The new king of shaves 'Azor' razor
is actually rather good. The blades are damned cheap (Tenner for 12 I think?) and last a good while. Plus buy their silicon based shaving oil - makes shaving an utter piece of piss.
(Kendal, Sat 25 Oct 2008, 21:20, closed)

Or give it up
and grow a beard like nature intended
(Sir Tainley Barking Ezekiel 23:20, Sat 25 Oct 2008, 21:24, closed)

I recently bought
A pack of 10 disposable razors for a £1. Most of them were like shaving with a spoon.

I've given up on them now, you got dreadlock the hairs on my legs.

Now there's a sexy mental image!
(missc, Mon 27 Oct 2008, 19:26, closed)

Shave in the shower
I find if I shave in the shower with regular soap my blades last for months. This may be because shaving is the last thing I do in the shower and by the time I am finished washing my hair and body, the hot water has opened the pores on my face and softened the stubble.

Works for me anyway.
(MichaelS wasn't picked again, Wed 29 Oct 2008, 12:18, closed)

Didnt see anyone mention this
But always dry the blade with bogroll after use
(Qualitypapers, Thu 30 Oct 2008, 17:57, closed)