I've been using a double edge safety razor for years and this seems like a pretty great price for anyone wanting to give it a whirl. I have sensitive skin and DE shaving is much gentler than disposable razors (for me - your experience may vary)
CamelCamelCamel.
Start off with Proraso shave cream and a synthetic shaving brush like https://styleandswagger.com.au/collections/shaving-brushes/p…
+1 for Proraso
Jack the barber shaving cream from Woolies is fantastic. Plus you can get it half price fairly often.
@Fitzwah: I've recently just started using their beard oil and balm, both seem pretty reasonable for the (half) price too actually.
I've tried loads over the years, including Proraso (which was the best of the commercial ones). For the last few years I've been using just a few drops of olive oil. I'm currently using a rosemary infused one. It's great for my skin and a few people have said the very subtle smell is nice.
Havent tried this shave cream before and googling on Amazon turned out 10 different types. Are they just flavour or is there a particular one I should go for with my ultra sensitive skin? TIA
Don't need that if you can't be stuffed , just buy shaving gel. Works a treat !
Derby blades if you're a cheapskate, Astra blades if you're a cheapskate with standards, Feather/Merkur blades if money is no object.
There are blades cheaper than Derby, but don't buy them, unless you want your face to look like a Jackson Pollock painting
@Mr White I’ve used Astra for years. They’re cheap (about $14 for 100), offer a good shave, and you’ll get a few shaves out of each side. But I now don’t like that they’re made in Russia.
I use feather (made in Japan) from time to time, and they’re brilliant. They will probably be my blade of choice going forward, once I get through my remaining Astra.
What’s the matter with Russia?
BIC Chrome Platinum are close to Feathers but a lot cheaper, and made in Greece. Normal price is $15/100 on Amazon.
You'd rather the blades made in America ? They'd probably start rusting after one use ….
I'd say buy a bunch of different brands and try them out. I tried feather and switched back to Astra 🤷♂️
They're all pretty cheap anyway
I bought a multi pack of different brands and found feather was my favourite. Astra was #2.
I like Wahl Traditional Barbers shave cream. It’s made in Australia and a 400g tub lasts a couple of years. You’ll get it for under $20.
If you’re happy to spend the money, get a silver tip badger brush. I previously used a synthetic brush, which was great, but the silver tip is much nicer to use.
https://www.beardandblade.com.au/ are a good starting point. You can message or email them and ask questions specific to your skin type, level of experience, etc and they are pretty responsive. I said that I was just trying it out and so they kept it basic and cheap - I ended up with the Gillette shaver (as per OP), a basic brush ($29), soap for sensitive skin (Proraso $13), and an aftershave balm ($28). The soap has lasted 2 months now and I reckon that there is another couple of months in it easily. I also picked up the starter pack of Feather blades ($7) because a mate recommended them - once the Gillette ones run out.
There is free & fast delivery over $20 and a code for $10 off your first order. It's nice to deal with an Australian business who cares about what they do. They also have some simple blogs/tutes on their site about getting started.
After 30+ years of electric razor/disposable shaving I actually enjoy the shaving process now. I use it as my morning ritual to zone out and be calm before the world kicks in.
Just my $0.02 worth. YMMV.
i think ill try them out. where can i find the code for $10 off first order? Cant seem find it
I am sorry, it is 10% off your first order but you have to sign up to the newsletter to get it and it is a $40 min.
I was wrong about the $10 off.
Bloody good 2c mate!
get nivea sensitive in the tube around $2.50 is a good price on amazon and get a badger brush.
Would recommend Proraso shaving cream as another user has said.
https://www.beardandblade.com.au/ has variety packs of razor blades, try some out to see which blades work for you.
I just use nivea gel with mine, i find it gives me a smoother shave than the creams I've tried.
Tabac shaving soap ended up being my favourite cream or soap, as it just seemed to lather up and work with my skin the best. Particularly in the stick form for ease of use, as there's a bit more effort in the tub.
Also like the smell of both the soap and aftershave…
Huge fan of Tabac, shaving cream and aftershave. Feather blades for the win!
I knew a stripper that recommended using hair conditioner. Honestly works a treat.
Was this stripper recommending it for beard shaving or something else? Just curious
I like the soap stick approach myself. Apply the soap directly to your wet face then lather up with a shave brush. using arko at the moment, but Palmolive is also good.
As OzBargainer, save by shaving after bathing or showering. Spread the hair conditioner or body lotion over to soften the hair further than the warm water.
Never used double edged razor before..
I highly recommend you try one (not necessarily this particular one, I have a $60 one and it's great)
i recommend it. its so good and a lot safer
They're great. I don't get shaving rashes anymore and far less infected hairs.
These are great and completely beat the waste of the Gillette multimillionhead shavers etc.
Wish I'd got on it years ago
Yeah I switched to this razor a couple of years back cuz I tend to get shaving rash from the ones with a zillion blades. Highly recommend it.
I use a Bic sensitive which is very similar as it's a single blade, and finish with a 4 blede. Both razors last me a year used that way. I find that my blades don't really go blunt, but they do clog, so using the single first and the multi blade second I get a lot of longevity. I shave around weekly
How many times can you use each razor? Or are they single use only? Tempted to try this. I have a normal cartridge razor which i use inside the shower so it's easier to rinse and wash face afterwards, but sure if it would be safe to use this one in the shower as well?
Depends on the blade. The general consensus is 3 - 5 shaves. Some blades can go a lot longer.
Cartridge razors require you to apply pressure. Double edge razors require a light touch but they are perfectly safe. This razor is safe, quite mild and easy to use.
Several times per blade. It's easily cheaper, and just as safe to use as the cartridge shavers.
Blade aren't single use. My last one, I probably used for about 2-3 weeks until it was clear it wasn't shaving well.
In the shower if you drop it, unlike a disposable razor it will break.
I get a week out of my Feather blades - shave daily.
I don't use mine that often (generally use my electric shaver) so I go months and months without changing it. I don't find they ever seem to get very blunt, I change them more for hygiene reasons. Compared to the disposable razors that feel blunt to me right out of the pack (even the most expensive ones).
I still use mine from 3 years ago so depends on quality, got mine for under $10 though
Man, from 2 blades to 3 blades to 5 blades and they are now back to the "one". Guess they finally ran out of ideas?
My understanding is that the patent expired on this type of razor years ago, and ever since they've been coming up with ever-more complicated disposable designs to trap consumers in an expensive ecosystem.
Meanwhile I'm still working my way through a 100-pack of blades that I bought for my DE razor 6 years ago (only shave 1-2 times per week) that only cost me ~$15
Cannot recommend a double edged razor enough. I went with Rockwell. It really is a life changing move. I shave my head once every couple of days. Have saved so much money. Get a much better shave.
Thanks mate, was just about to ask if this was any good for head shaving. Any particular cream you recommend for doing the scalp?
Start off with Proraso White shaving soap. Easy to lather and sensitive on skin. Work your way from there.
Not OP, but I use an electric head shaver and keep the DE for my face. I think it requires a bit of practice what ever you use.
I've heard good things about Leaf razors for head shaving, but haven't tried it myself. https://leafshave.com/
I backed one of their Kickstarters and found it was quite easy to cut my face when trying to shave with their Twig razor and supplied blades. Was my first time trying with a non-disposable razor so it may be due to inexperience but I haven't tried it again since. Just wanted to share my experience
Have you used mach3s before,I shave mine every other day with them?
I use the Gillette Fusion 5 Power with the vibration function turned on, it's decent but doesn't always feel the smoothest… wondering if these safety ones would give a closer shave. Probably doesn't help that it always feels like it's starting to grow back already within a few hours lol.
Lol same here.
When people recommending these product, in back of my head says, these people probably have no hair to shave to begin with 🤣
@boomramada: Not sure how these compare to a cut throat but I used to use one for a couple of years and it was much closer shave than the cartridge ones
I got this one last time and doesn't cut as close to say the Phat Italian or whatever I had from Shaver shop
What do you guys say about the quality of this razor and the ones you can find in beardandblade for under $100?
Like any cutting tool, the quality is in the blade.
My original was a Merkur 39C which was gifted to me about 15 years ago. I've used others and as mentioned, it's more about the blade. Other learnings are take short strokes, beware of fresh feather brand blades and don't go against the grain. Disposables are more forgiving of bad technique.
This razor is made from cheap metal alloy and coated in chrome but it is perfectly okay. The sub-$100 ones on Beard & Blade use the same material but a lot of them (eg Merkur, Muhle) are made in Germany. This one is made in China. Expensive razors are made from stainless steel. Very expensive razors are made from titanium.
I've got a $60 one that is now 10 years old but seems as good as new, no idea why you'd want to spend more than $60.
It's a bit like cars I guess. They all get you from A to B but some like traveling in Ferrari's. Each to their own. But I get where you are coming from.
For $100 you could get a full stainless razor. for example dscosmetics t7 off aliexpress for $70. It's a copy of razorock mamba 70. Very nice.
These are great. I won't go back to cartridge systems. The Gillette brand blades (Comes with 5) are great as starting blades as they aren't super sharp. I moved from these to Astra, and I'm glad these blades were provided for practice (Astra blades are sharp).
I just use NIVEA Shaving Gel for lather, which is cheap and works well.
ARKO shaving soap costs $7 and will last a couple of years (Amazon)
This should be on the list of true ozbargainer items. Save heaps of money by NOT using cartridge razors
I highly recommend this style of razor to anyone, give it a shot, you won't regret it!
I don't know about this particular Gillette one but I have a $60 one I think I got from beardandblade I've had for about 10 years. The quality of shave it gives is incomparable to to the disposable ones and the cost of replacement razors is much much cheaper.
I was traveling recently and had to resort to a disposable razor, it was horrible, I had to do about 5 passes each time and constantly trying to rinse it under the water to clear it out. With my one at home it takes a max of 2 passes and it's a completely clean shave, couldn't believe how crap the disposable ones are. Following this misadventure I now have an ingrown on my neck that's lasted 3 weeks so far and won't go away. What a disaster.
Thanks for the razor advice, bleeder.
Indeed, username does not check out
Haha didn't think about that. Note, if you shave too aggressively with these razors, you will bleed! They are sharp though, so you won't need to push that hard :)
Will never purchase a product from Gillette ever again. Go woke go broke.
They’re no good for thin skin
Why?
Toxic masculinity. Only thing toxic is this company. I made the switch to double edged razor and so glad Gillette provided me with the impetus to do it.
Totally agree, never give these scumbags your money ozbargainers!
Will never purchase a product from Gillette ever again. Go woke go broke.
Same here. Imagine thinking that shitting on your primary customer base was a good marketing idea…
Bought one of these last year when on special at Coles, now prefer using it over my Muhle r89.
It's a little bit heavier than the Muhle.
The included blades worked pretty well for me but they're bit more expensive than other blades i use.
Some other blades I've used in the past -
Astra Superior Platinum
Astra Superior Stainless
Derby Extra
Feather
Gillette 7 O'Clock SharpEdge
Gillette 7 O'Clock Super Stainless
Gillette Silver Blue
Lord Platinum
Personna Red
Personna Super Stainless
Treet Platinum
Shark Super Chrome
The Gillette Silver blue blades are my usual go to blade.
I like its head. So I got a stainless steel handle from aliexpress so now its an awesome razor.
Get a sampler pack of blades. I find Feather always cuts me up, but Lord and Asco are good.
Ymmv
Yeah, feather leaves me marks everywhere, but could be just my terrible techniques.
I use astra and it's better. But could be again, my techniques haha.
Depends on your hair i reckon (amount, thickness etc.). Feather is the best for me.
Can we use it down under?
As long as you use it upside down.
Yeah for sure, I know a few women who use it down under and after getting the right technique it is fairly easy and a lot more affordable than regular cartridge razors. If you're a dude, then you gotta be pretty brave and make sure skin is pulled tightly. Probably easier to avoid that spot and use an electric for a quick, rough, but mostly safe job.
Muhle R41 - the goat
You guys are flipping your blades before turfing them right?
shoving them in the blade hole of my vanity
I inducted myself into safety razors using this one and will literally never return to regular razors. Took me a good while to settle on a shaving ritual that I'm completely happy with and this ended up being one of the keys.
Not gonna necessarily say theres only one way to shave comfortably but if you are on the fence about safety razors these are a super affordable way to explore em.
If I have crappy puberty-like stubble, would this be wasted on me? Currently using an Aldi 6 blade that isn't the greatest, but I don't know any better and it's certainly better than electric shavers.
This has been great on me. Still advice to use good shaving cream with it
Can these blades be snapped in half so I can use them on my straight razor?
They’re very flexible so I doubt it
For anyone thinking of switching, do it - however, if you are like me you will find that there are little patches which you just cannot get to with a double head eg nostrils, side of mouth. So keep the multi blade and use it to finish off the little spots. Means the cartridge will probably get 3+ months use before needing to be replaced.
These good for manscaping?
Got a safety razor of AliExpress and a bunch of Astra blades, works a treat.
Does take me slightly longer to shave tbh, but I like the process.
How does it take longer? I find it to be quicker because it's less passes required than the disposable ones.
Which shaving cream and brush to buy? Thanks