A year ago or so my friend Jesse told me it was manly and just plain cool to use an old school razor and he recommended Merkur. So I looked at YouTube videos and decided on a simple two-piece Merkur 38C Heavy Duty Barber Pole razor. I bought mine from an eBay seller for $41 shipped. I also bought 50 Feather stainless steel razors for $13.87 shipped from Amazon vendor (takes a month but I'm in no rush).
Why the change now? Because there was too much quality variation in my Mach 3 razors. I patted them dry, sharpened them, and dipped them in mineral oil after every use and about one fourth of them would last 6 weeks; however, most of them still barely lasted a week and a half before they hurt my face, so the Great Shave Experiment begins.
I generally use a Wahl electric (I have several of them). Wahl is about as old school as you can get----the choice of barbers for clippers and the motors on their shavers are great. But I do want a very close shave from time to time and use disposables and shave cream----and my favorite is the single blade Bic Metal. They are basic and really good.
Posted by: Angelo | June 04, 2014 at 05:52 PM
I bought an Edwin Jagger DE89Lbl, Badger brush and Proraso Green in April and have not looked back. I enjoy barber shop shaves, but am too chicken to buy an actual straight razor for myself, but the safety razor is the next best thing. It does take longer, i.e., 2-3 passes. I keep a Braun electric for those mornings I have to run out the door. I think you will be pleased with the money you save, but don't rush it.
Posted by: Carey | June 04, 2014 at 09:58 PM
I'm partial to Imperial Barber products if you're looking for a shaving cream. Pedro, the founder, is an incredible barber, and their products are pretty top notch. Bonus: based in LA. I used to go to his shop in long Beach before I moved to NY.
Posted by: Jesse | June 05, 2014 at 05:15 AM
Whatever I use, I hope I can use my Merkur in the shower. I like the steam.
Posted by: herculodge | June 05, 2014 at 06:16 AM
Jeff, be prepared to dial 911 if you use a Feather razor and checkout www.westcoastshaving.com
Posted by: Tom Welch | June 05, 2014 at 05:34 PM
Those Feather razors are that sharp? Now I'm scared. Not very manly of me.
Posted by: herculodge | June 05, 2014 at 05:36 PM
Feather razors are sharp as hell and considered the best of the breed...try Persona brand as a starting point. I no longer wet shave, there are forums on wet shaving that you'll find educational
Posted by: Tom Welch | June 06, 2014 at 08:23 AM