Disposable razors vs fancy schmancy razors?

starlancerii

Two years ago, I got myself a bag of disposable razors for cheap, and I've used them ever since. Due to my crazy Asian genes, I've got very little facial hair - minor stubble in the mustache / beard area that grows out to like a millimeter or two, tops. As such, it takes me all of 30 seconds to shave every other day, reusing the disposable razor for like a month before it needs to be replaced.

My supply of disposable razors is nearing running out, so my question is, is it worth it to get a real razor, or should I just stick with disposables? Disposables are quite cheap, while the fancy Gillette ones are rather expensive. Is there any difference in shaving comfort? For somebody who doesn't really need to shave all that much, does it actually matter?

Mr Blonde

If you have barely any hair and you're already comfortable using disposables, why make the switch? If anything, I'd look at a permanent razor that has just 2 or 3 blades to see if in the long run it is cheaper for you. As long as your skin isn't getting irritated and you don't have to chop down a forest then a cheap razor seems to work for you.

I use the Fusion, but that's because I'm half German and half Russian. I have a 5 O'clock shadow 6 hours after shaving.

eternalbl

I used to use a disposable 2 blade deal like that, switched to an electric and then got sick of it and tried a gillette fusion. Really, of all of them, I'd go for the 2 blade ones today. I found the electric gave me skin problems, whether that was because I wasn't properly cleaning it or something else. The Gillette seems no better than the 2 blade ones I used long ago.

But everyone's skin is different, if you're shaving regiment is causing you problems then a change is in order.

Improvolone

I use a safety razor, brush, and shave cream/soap. The whole deal cost me ~$120 (you can certainly enter at a lower price range) but with blades costing a couple pennies each, it will work out in my favor in about a year and a half.
It takes me about 15 minutes to shave coming out of the shower. Making a nice warm lather and taking my time shaving with something that can actually hurt me is a great morning zen/pampering moment for myself. Followed with a nice aftershave or lotion, and mmmm does my skin feels good. I've gotten to where my cheeks can regularly be baby butt smooth, but my neck is still a bit tricky.
The problem with multi-bladed razors is not only the cost but their build quality isn't too good. The blades aren't at the same angle, you need to use a fair amount of pressure to get a close shave, and they aren't all that sharp. All of these things can lead to a shitty shave-time and some razor bumps and ingorwn hairs.

Now you don't seem to have many issues with your current setup. In which case, why switch? Curiosity? If an electric worked well enough for me, I would probably use it for the sheer convience of it. Might keep my good stuff for when I want to be pampered, but sometimes you just need a quick shave.
I know someone, maybe Bic, still makes a disposable single blade razor. I would use that if you weren't interested in a safety razor (or hell, even a straight razor).
Want to change your habits just to see what its like? Get a cheap boar hair brush and a decent shave soap and wetshave like a man.
Okay, fine, you want a store bought razor and canned goo/cream. If it works for you, awesome. But by paying attention to your shave you can get better results. Learn in what direction your facial hair grows. Some people have weird swirly patterns on their neck, which must suck balls to shave. Still can't figure it out? Run a cotton ball over your skin in different directions to see what it catches the stubble.

Depending on your age, you might start growing more and thicker hair as you get older.

starlancerii

Mostly curious, yeah. Right now I'm using a 2-blade disposable bic safety razor. Also just using regular soap, I probably should get me some shaving gel.

Casually Hardcore

It appears that you wont benefit any from using more then what you have. If you really want to go the economic route I suppose you could find a thrift store double edge safety razor (clean before use!) and then you can bulk purchase razors for about 20 cents a razor (depending on what you get). Though I dont think you'll be saving that much cash because disposable razors are already very cheap as is.

Honestly it sounds like you're 'touching up' instead of shaving. Improlone advice is great if you have a face full of hair and you need to shave every day or so. But since you just touching up a few strands of hair, I say stick with the cheapest disposables out there.

Teslan26

I say we should all go back to cut throats. Cheaper in the long run by far, infinitely (almost) lasting and utterly awesome to behold.

In truth though, I have dry shaved for most of my life and rarely change blades. So a gillette thingy has worked well for me. Change blades every couple of months or so. It comes down to cost and for you, disposable may well be better.

GameHat

I used a fancy Gilette razor for about a year. Never liked it. The head (they were still only at 3-blades back then) was too big and it was difficult to get into the little spots (the area directly below the nostril, the dimple on the upper lip)

I went back to the cheapo two-blade disposables. Much better for me. I usually only shave every three days so they last plenty long.

Never tried an electric razor, so I can't comment on that.

Bartholamue

Electric razors aren't an option? I use one and I've never had to go back (or use) regular razors. I like it because it doesn't cut up my face.

Improvolone

If shaving with a blade was cutting up your face, then something in your technique was wrong.

Sebbie

I use the disposable bic razors. My ex-girlfriend got me a fancy four blade razor for christmas and after a few shaves I switched back to the disposables. I found that the "closer shave" only irritated my skin. I'd say stick with what you know

Quid

I'd recommend maybe experimenting if you can. As was mentioned people's skin is different and everyone ends up developing their own preferences. I personally get a lot of use out of my fusion and change out the blade maybe once a month while others get ingrown hairs with it fresh out of the package. So if you have the cash to spare you may want to consider trying different things.

Or just by another giant bag of razors since they don't seem to be failing at their job.

Jasconius

The new gillette one, however many blades it has (5)? Is a lot better than the 3 blade one. I just upgraded from the 3 to the 5 and the difference is noticeable.

Damn those ever increasing blades. damn them.

Bartholamue

Soon they'll have the Mach 20.

UltimaGecko

The five blades is just simple physics: if you've got more blades it's harder to cut yourself because the pressure is being spread over a larger area. You'll likely end up pressing harder to make sure the blades trim close to the skin. This is why I find that one "the comfort of 5 blades, the precision of 1" commercial so amusing - apparently one blade is an innovation now.

I find the only reason you should look into more blades is if you're worried about cutting yourself; it's much harder to do with more blades. Even then, cuts can still can be a problem in areas with heavy contours (like around the lips, the jawline by the neck or a multitude of places if you shave places besides your face).


I don't think there's much difference, you might as well go with what's cheapest (my razor has disposable heads, but it essentially costs the same for a new set of heads as it does for a new razor+heads). Electric razors can be nice, but they don't get as close and they're usually a pain to clean (plus they don't travel as well and are prone to breaking).

Smurph

I use a Gillette Fusion (the 5-bladed monstrosity) and I like it a lot. I have a pretty full beard but I use the razor to shave the areas on my neck and cheeks that grow whiskers so that I don't look like a homeless man or a lumberjack. The blades are expensive as hell but since I'm only shaving a small portion of my face they last a long time before I notice them getting worn. A blade can last me about 3 months. The razor handle itself isn't that expensive, only the refill packs. So you can probably buy just the main razor and use the one head it comes with to see if you like it without wasting too much money.

ascannerlightly

from the sound of it you should just stick with the big bag o' bics. i used to be able to get away with that but over the last few years for some reason my facial hair has gone into overdrive. anyone remember that movie the santa clause?

i personally use the schick quattro. it's the meeting point between the $2.99 for a bag of 20 2-blade bics and the (imo ridiculous) fusions/m3power/etc razors with vibrating handles and gps navigation and laser target designators and all that other nonsense.

MikeRyu

I use a safety razor but if I were you I'd stick with the cheapos. If I could get away with a thirty second shave using a cheap little disposable I would. I can't unfortunately and I still have hassle from the brush and soap shaving. So count yourself lucky and stick with what works.

Improvolone

My dad picked up one of those at-home cartridge sharpening devices and he says it does a very good job in letting him use a single cartridge on his heavy facial hair for a number of months. So to those happy with your disposables shave but unhappy with the price, you might want to look into these things.

ascannerlightly

i've been considering trying out a straight razor, but i'd get too distracted quoting the dark half.

Creepy

As an aside, check out King of Shaves shaving gel. Comes in a tube and you can get it at Target. That stuff works GREAT.

Horus

I am jealous of the OP. For me I am cursed with the Spanish Inquisition and I need to switch out blade every other day. Disposables seem cheaper long term than fancy razors. But if you want to try the fancy ones, there are always promotions for free unit to try out. I even gotten one that vibrates and another that warms the blades.

Black Ice

I, too, use a Fusion. It's expensive, but the blades also last a long time. They have 5 blades and a 6th blade for precision trimming (i.e. right under the nostrils, evening out sideburns, etc.), and it does the job well. A pack of 4 blades lasts anywhere from 6 months to a year.

As Horus was saying, see if you can find a promotion for the Gillette Fusion. It's a damn good razor and you may like it much more than the 2-bladed disposable ones you use now.