Skin flint :DL

Safety razor for me.
Only the control of a single blade lets me get right up to the 'tash line.

TMI :o :oops: :-? :06:

One day a long time ago I was sick of growing a beard so I decided to go to a barbers to get it shaved off. Full treatment with the hot towels straight razor face massage etc. One of the best feelings and closest shaves I've ever had.

Oh no doubt a straight edged razor finely honed in the hands of skilled person can deliver the closest shave possible.

However in my hands in the morning when my eyes are barely open and half asleep is a recipie for disastor.

I checked with a Barber shop walking distance from house.

Under California State law, Straight Razors used in Barber shops must use disposable blades. Aids health issue.

Oh good lord. Wouldent a quick dip in "Barbacide" take care of that?

Besides if the barber is drawing blood with his impliments I'd consider another barber. :rotfl:

Never used a razor in my life (well, except to finish off my hair) and tbh I wouldnt feel very comfortable having something as sharp as a straight razor that near my throat... especially after seeing that barber movie thing with J. Depp. :hmmm:

I prefer White Gold and Wild Magic for the closest shave around.

When that's not appropriate:

http://img168.imageshack.us/img168/2667/23te8.jpg

+

http://img246.imageshack.us/img246/4...kursrb1fb4.jpg

= A better shave than most modern disposable razors I've tried. Takes a couple of goes to get used to it, mind, and a proper shaving brush and some decent soap etc also makes a surprising difference.

The Merkur safety razors are a quality bit of kit. I used to use a Gillette sensor jobbie until everyone started putting millions of blades on them. Then I bought a Merkur Safety Razor 23 and some extra Merkur Super blades and some decent shaving soap/cream and I haven't looked back. The missus got me a brush and I pinched one of her small rice bowls to lather the soap in.
All in all it does the job better than any of those cheapo space-age plastic things with the blades that cost the earth. Plus it will last for as long as I'm likely to need it, and with a practised hand it takes no more time to shave with it than any other razor.

Just have to remember to keep rinsing the blade and use the handle to follow the contours of your face to keep the angle of the blade right. I tend to use it with shorter strokes than the old Gillette because of the single blade; but has anyone ever actually shaved like you see in the adverts, with one swift sweep from ear to ear like some kind of crazy man? :O:

oh, yeah... about those disposable razors... death to the Bic face snagger!!

In 1973 I was in Port Kelang and came upon a piece of single bladed kit similar to the one above (I still have it and will photograph and post here if requested).

It cost about 10 pence in English, 20 cents US at the time of purchase.

It has an enscription/engraving on the top depicting an alligator or a crocodile being cut in half.....a constant reminder of how dangerous razor blades can be!! :o