Soldato
So here it is, it's official, it has stars!
Firstly, if anyone has any info they feel should be added or amended in these initial posts, please tell me and I will edit accordingly. This will help prevent losing your good information in the myriad of posts.
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Are you fed up of shaving? Do you use a Mach3/Cartridge razor? Do you suffer from razor burn, ingrowing hairs and agitated skin? Is shaving a daily grind? Are Mach3 cartridges costing you a small fortune?? We could help! It's time to stop shaving like you did when you were back at school and become a real man. Read on!
I wanted to create this new thread as the old thread was becoming very cluttered with the same questions. Hopefully, to help those new to DE shaving, this new thread will help you by answering many of your FAQ's in the OP.
Much of the information in this post has been shamelessly ripped from the old thread and other informative forums dedicated to shaving.
So the original shaving thread clearly became geared towards DE shaving only, and that is how we want to keep it here. So lets start with the basics.
What is DE Shaving and what are the benefits?
Firstly, if anyone has any info they feel should be added or amended in these initial posts, please tell me and I will edit accordingly. This will help prevent losing your good information in the myriad of posts.
---------------------------------------------------------------
Are you fed up of shaving? Do you use a Mach3/Cartridge razor? Do you suffer from razor burn, ingrowing hairs and agitated skin? Is shaving a daily grind? Are Mach3 cartridges costing you a small fortune?? We could help! It's time to stop shaving like you did when you were back at school and become a real man. Read on!
I wanted to create this new thread as the old thread was becoming very cluttered with the same questions. Hopefully, to help those new to DE shaving, this new thread will help you by answering many of your FAQ's in the OP.
Much of the information in this post has been shamelessly ripped from the old thread and other informative forums dedicated to shaving.
So the original shaving thread clearly became geared towards DE shaving only, and that is how we want to keep it here. So lets start with the basics.
What is DE Shaving and what are the benefits?
Double Edge (DE) Shaving is shaving with the use of a double edge safety razor. It is considered to be a traditional style of shaving and is usually accompanied with the use of a shaving brush and cream. It is probably what your granddad used to use before cartridge razors were mass marketed. Despite the endorsement by big celebrities and the huge marketing behind them, cartridge razors are looking less and less desirable for men who just want a decent shave. More of us are turning back to the old school where we know lies a better, stress free shave.
Comfort
When mastered, it will undoubtedly result in a comfortable and enjoyable shave. A DE shave will result in a cleaner much smoother shave than a cartridge. For a cartridge shave to be truly effective, the beard needs to be at a short length, ideally only 24 hours of growth for most men. If a man skips a day, his hair may become too long, and the cartridge will have a tendency to pull. Because of the smaller blade gaps, it will also take many more passes over the skin to effectively reduce the beard all the way down for a clean shave. Because of the tugging and irritation from multiple passes, many men hate shaving and don't do it every day. This causes the beard hair to be longer, and thus you have a vicious cycle.
Ingrown Hairs
Mach 3's have a tendency to agitate things like ingrown hairs. They molest them and can make your face very sore. Additionally the 3 blades will remove more layers of skin and can push the hair under the skin causing ingrowns themself. They can cause lumps, spots and rashes. A single blade of a DE razor won't damage your skin as badly as a mach3, it will give your face more chance to heel from the shave
Using a shaving brush
Using a brush to create a lather for your face is beneficial as it softens the skin, raises your whiskers and creates a slick lather barrier.
Cost
DE shaving can cost much less than cartridge shaving. Lets assume we shave every day for a year, the maths are simple..
Mach 3
Gillette Mach 3 Razor +1 blade £4.00
1 Pack of blades (8) £14.00
Shave foam £4
Shave Balm £5
Initial Purchase total £27
6x Packs blades £84 (assuming you make a cartridge last approx 1 week)
11 x Shave Foam £44
11 x Shave Balm £55
Refill total £183
Grand total after 1yr £210
DE Shaving
DE Razor with one blade £25
1 pack of blades (10) £3
1 Tub Shaving Cream £7
Shave Balm £5
Shaving Brush £15
Initial Purchase total £55
180 blades £25 (Assuming a blade last 2 days)
3 x Tub Shaving Cream £21
11 x Shave Balm £55
Refill Total £101
Grand Total after 1 yr £156
Considering the annual refill cost of DE is so much cheaper, you can save a small fortune over your lifetime of shaving.
*Note that DE shaving can be made even cheaper with budget shave creams, balms and brushes (see below for the "SPEC ME" post on typical initial shave set ups). On the flip side, DE shaving can become quite a hobby. With some members collecting dozens of vintage razors and a plethora of shave creams. DE shaving has become quite an expense for some of us 
Comfort
When mastered, it will undoubtedly result in a comfortable and enjoyable shave. A DE shave will result in a cleaner much smoother shave than a cartridge. For a cartridge shave to be truly effective, the beard needs to be at a short length, ideally only 24 hours of growth for most men. If a man skips a day, his hair may become too long, and the cartridge will have a tendency to pull. Because of the smaller blade gaps, it will also take many more passes over the skin to effectively reduce the beard all the way down for a clean shave. Because of the tugging and irritation from multiple passes, many men hate shaving and don't do it every day. This causes the beard hair to be longer, and thus you have a vicious cycle.
Ingrown Hairs
Mach 3's have a tendency to agitate things like ingrown hairs. They molest them and can make your face very sore. Additionally the 3 blades will remove more layers of skin and can push the hair under the skin causing ingrowns themself. They can cause lumps, spots and rashes. A single blade of a DE razor won't damage your skin as badly as a mach3, it will give your face more chance to heel from the shave
Using a shaving brush
Using a brush to create a lather for your face is beneficial as it softens the skin, raises your whiskers and creates a slick lather barrier.
Cost
DE shaving can cost much less than cartridge shaving. Lets assume we shave every day for a year, the maths are simple..
Mach 3
Gillette Mach 3 Razor +1 blade £4.00
1 Pack of blades (8) £14.00
Shave foam £4
Shave Balm £5
Initial Purchase total £27
6x Packs blades £84 (assuming you make a cartridge last approx 1 week)
11 x Shave Foam £44
11 x Shave Balm £55
Refill total £183
Grand total after 1yr £210
DE Shaving
DE Razor with one blade £25
1 pack of blades (10) £3
1 Tub Shaving Cream £7
Shave Balm £5
Shaving Brush £15
Initial Purchase total £55
180 blades £25 (Assuming a blade last 2 days)
3 x Tub Shaving Cream £21
11 x Shave Balm £55
Refill Total £101
Grand Total after 1 yr £156
Considering the annual refill cost of DE is so much cheaper, you can save a small fortune over your lifetime of shaving.
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Where did you glean that I am unopen to other ofrms of shaving? I shaved with a Mach3 for years. I have also tried an electric. How does this make me un-open? I'm glad Mach3 works for you guys. Personally I'd rather not spend all my money on overpriced blades, and treat myself to nice shave creams instead. 