Shopping for new blades for my old razor I realized that the gel used on the blades could not be vegan. I didn’t want to check online if they were vegan and as I realized that the blades for my old razor cost about the same as a saftey razor + 5 blades, I bought the safety razor.
Like it so far, was a little concerened to cut myself but slow and steady wins the raze (haha, get it…?) It leaves a tiny, tiny stubble, but maybe that is just me getting used to the new razor. What I like is that it is much easier to clean, since you can remove the blade and rinse it off or even disinfect it. Should I disinfect my blade? Dullsters on the internet, what is your wisdom?
I don’t disinfect my blades, just replace them about once a week. It cost me around $13 for 100 replacement blades so could easily replace more regularly and not stress about cost. The quality of shave improves with time as you learn the contours of your face, whisker grain etc. I’m told different brands and models of safety razor give varying degrees of closeness too, but can’t comment as I’ve only ever used one. An alum stick or styptic pencil is a worthwhile investment, as it helps stop nicks from bleeding too much and calms skin irritation. I find it to be an infinitely more enjoyable experience over using a disposable razor.
Blades dull noticeably after three uses. They are cheap, and you are going for a premium experience. Why skimp? Also, it’s good practice to flip them each shave.
One tip for beginners is to experiment with the angle of the razor head on your skin. You’re probably holding too coarse of an angle.