I got fed up with the high cost of cartridge type razors which started of with one blade and suddenly had 5 blades and started vibrating and taking countless £'s out of my pocket every time I went to the supermarket.

Consumerism gone mad and paying for high cost advertising.

Switched to a double edged safety razor and save pounds. Bought a brush and use natural products which are more environmentally friendly, sometimes cheaper and can be lighter on he pocket.

More importantly, it gives a far superior and improved shave, stops the possibility of ingrown hairs and is more relaxing than a cartridge razor. It makes shaving fun in this fast paced world.

Electric razors. Don't get me started on them. I have several in drawers that never get used, never delivered on their promises and cost a fortune.

If anyone wants suggestions or assistance, I am happy to oblige.

A typical pack of 4 cartridge blades costs about £12- £16, sometime you get an offer including a razor which ties you to that make.

The more blades you have in a cartridge the more they get blocked up with gunk ie shaving foam and beard hair. It is almost impossible to clean them when a single blade is cheaper and easier to use.

Here is how I started

Double edged safety razor- basic razor and 10 Wilkinson blades for £8.99 (see, saved money already). Better made and more costly razors are of course available ie Muhle, Merkur, Parker, etc. Cheapest razor I have seen is £1.99 from China, and they make razors for a lot of the main sellers in Europe and USA.

http://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/CLASSIC-DOUBLE-EDGE-SAFETY-RAZOR-10-WILKINSON-SWORD-SHAVING-BLADE-FREE-/121234615634?pt=UK_Health_HairRemoval_RL&hash=item1c3a256d52

You can buy 100 Rapira blades for £7.89, post free from Turkey. (not many DE blades are sold in UK although Boots, Asda, Tesco etc have them and Home Bargains also sometimes have Persona which is another excellent blade). Those blades work out at 8p per blade. What does a cartridge cost you? You can afford to throw these out (safely disposing of them of course) after 5/6/7 shaves dependent on how strong your beard growth is. The Rapira blades are a good all round blade, made to high standard.

Give up on tins of shaving soap gunk made by Gilette or Wilkinson. They are expensive and damage the environment. You pay for advertising and they are full of chemicals. One of the products I use is a Turkish soap called Arko. This costs £3.65 (post free) and is what Turkish barbers use:

http://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/ARKO-SHAVING-CREAM-SOAP-WITH-BOWL-CASE-90-GRAMS-FREE-UK-DELIVERY-/201002518265?pt=UK_Health_HairRemoval_RL&var=&hash=item2eccaf06f9

Next you need a brush. This Omega one is excellent and under £8 (you can get synthetic ones if you don't want to use animal products) ie badger etc. :

http://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/OMEGA-10077-SHAVING-BRUSH-NATURAL-BOAR-BRISTLE-GREEN-BLACK-HANDLE-/190952230390?pt=US_Shaving_Hair_Removal&hash=item2c75a3cdf6

That is you equipped with blades that will last a year and the basics needed, which I bet will save you 50% on what you currently pay in the first year alone, with even bigger savings in future years as the capital cost of the razor and brush are already paid for.

Then all you need is some guidance on how to use a safety razor and there is plenty of that available on youtube.

Found an even better offer on the Rapira blades. 400 blades for £20, post free from Turkey. That would last about 3 years. Just think what would have been spent on over priced cartridge blades. They are a complete rip off.

These Rapira's are just 5p a blade. I told you it could be cheap.

You could also consider giving a cheap shaving set and blades as a Christmas present by buying some things over the course of the year.

Guys, this method of shaving will stop the missus from pinching your current razor for her legs and under arms, as she will not be tempted to use this set up.

I enjoy using a cutthroat! It took a few months to get the hang of but it sure gives you an extra sense of "manliness" when you do it the real old fashioned way

Guaranteed the missus won't use it then! haha

Only drawback is if you're late and you need a quick-shave, I'd HIGHLY not advise this... lol

While this thread contains excellent advice, novice or young shavers should be aware that the cut throat razor requires a very high degree of skill to shave day in, day out without having to turn up at work with half a dozen dabs of tissue paper stuck to your face (with blood).

While somewhat accepted in the '50s and '60s, the "tissue paper look" is distinctly unfashionable these days.

Safety razors merely require a high level of skill to avoid the same look, instead of a very high level.

I found I cut myself a lot less whenI used baby powder as opposed to shaving cream wit the cut throat. Dunno why or how, but it worked But lol @ Bandit... Yeah it's all fun and games when you're learning

Sorry I didn't catch this post earlier, It says it all and here's my 2c worth FWIW

http://www.consumeractiongroup.co.uk/forum/showthread.php?456441-A-close-shave%281-Viewing%29-nbsp

Wilkinsons Sword razors are rubbish. I have been using Gillete mach3 for over 10 years. I had about 10 razor blades, some of which I gave to the ex but they have lasted me from 2002 to NOW. Gillete really IS the best a man can get! So in other words I haven't actually bought new razors of any kind since 2002?

So in other words I haven't actually bought new razors of any kind since 2002?

You'll be tripping over your beard by now !!!

:lol: Lol

Thankfully not quite!! Actually each razor lasts a long time.

You'll be tripping over your beard by now !!!

(From a female of this parish) As a side observation, a real DS shave leaves the skin altogether more snugglable against. Completely Unlike the results from an electric razor - I have retreated from embraces when I was getting an unexpected dermal abrasion. Avoid the multi-blades, put the time in with the assorted soaps & other shaving unguents & enjoy the many benefits!

Grow a manly beard and stop this nonsense. Wish I knew how to add an image. Wonder how much I have saved over the years.

(From a female of this parish) As a side observation, a real DS shave leaves the skin altogether more snugglable against. ....I have retreated from embraces when I was getting an unexpected dermal abrasion..........

disgusting things are beards and moustaches, they harbour more germs then the toilet! yuk.

No lass, we do give them a wash every so often to keep them clean, generally, every three or so months is about right.