Over the years I have tried many different ways to shave. I have now come down to a simple two (or sometimes 3) step plan for shaving, and it keeps my costs down.
I start shaving with a rechargeable 3 head rotary electric shaver. I have gotten the name brand, waterproof, and they have lasted me around 5-7 years. They cost about $30-$40 at national pharmacies or the national name department stores. Make sure you get the one with the little trimmer on the back. If my face is bristley because I haven't shaved in a few days, I start with a quick pass off the the trimmer to cut down to easily shaving with the electric shaver (this is the extra step). I usually do this right before getting in the shower.
Then, I soap up my face (among other body parts, if I'm in the shower- which is where I usually shave.). I stopped using shaving cream. I realized that all shaving cream does better than soap is clog up my razor. I rarely run out of soap, even when I'm traveling. Then I use my (whatever cheaper generation razors I found for that year) blade razor to clean up whatever the electric razor missed.
I find that the electric razor does a great job for 70-80% of my neck and face, so the soap and blade razor only has to shave short lengths of that 20-30% that's left.
This lengthens the life of my razor 4-5 fold. It doesn't clog because I haven't used shaving cream, and there aren't many long hairs to clog the razor. I get the close cut of a razor when I want it, and when I'm running late I can skip the soap and razor part.
Over the past 15-20 years, I've had 2 or 3 electric razors ($35 each), and 3 good metal stem razors (total over the 20 years) with about $20 worth of blades every year or two. I don't count the soap, because it's what I use for my body, and I'll be using it anyway.
TLDR:. Shave with electric razor then finish off with soap and a blade razor. Don't use shaving cream- it only clogs the razor. Daily close shave feel, and it extends the life of blades.
July 29, 2021 at 12:09AM
