I just received the latest edition of Michael Ham’s classic how-to: Leisureguy’s Guide to Gourmet Shaving: Shaving Made Enjoyable, and boy did I have a ball with it. I immediately adjusted some of my bad habits (pressure and direction), and added some new indulgences to my daily routine!
Well written, extremely informative and nuanced, and very opinionated – just like Michael’s Blog, LaterOn.
a HIGHLY RECOMMENDED RESOURCE
From Lulu:
“The second edition of the beginner’s guide to traditional wetshaving—brush, shaving cream, safety razor with double-edged blade. Traditional shaving is enjoyable and thrifty: double-edged blades are as low as 9ยข each vs. as much as $3.50 for a single disposable multiblade cartridge.
The multiblade cartridge’s tug-and-cut action often results in skin irritation, razor bumps, ingrowns, and razor burn—thus all the “protective” shaving preparations and “soothing and healing” aftershaves now offered. Most men with skin problems decide that they have “sensitive skin” and never realize that the problem is the multiblade cartridge.
This new edition tells how to cure and prevent razor bumps and ingrowns.
The book is complete in itself, but it also includes links to a host of resources on the Web to complement the book. Sources are provided for all you need to get started”
And by golly, Michael included RetroRazor in the resources – Thanks for the shout out!
Give Michael a visit, and if you are looking for a go to resource for shaving advice, buy the book!
Every day, we get emails and comments about RetroRazor products and services; we strive to make every interaction and experience top-notch.
” I love the razor. Unfortunately, I now spend my time looking for new creams, balms, lotions, etc for my new addiction…I can’t believe the change already. The chronic bumps and irritations have all but disappeared!” Jed J. Local Buyer from Vashon, Washington
5 out of 5: “In our world it seems to be go go go! With this beauty I take my time and enjoy the shaving process again. The razor is well balanced and the blades are very forgiving. Have also tried the Derby and the Feather blades with my Weishi with great success. Excellent value and quality. ”
Reviewed by Meridith, Seattle
5 out of 5: “Excellent product and excellent bargain.”
Rated by Buyer: stardreamers
5 out of 5: “I have never tried a safety razor before, but after purchasing this retro razor, I have to say that I will never go back to disposable or electric razors ever again. This razor gives you a shave the Sweeney Todd would be proud of. Use it in combination with Bay Rum shaving soap and it is a truly excellent shaving experience. This razor gives you the closest shave you’ll every know.”
Rated by Buyer: Greg G.
“What a relief to find that the traditional double-blade razor and blades are still around. I get an even better shave with this razor than I did with the modern contraptions. I might be classified as a shaving geek, but this system has restored to me the pleasure of the daily shaving routine. I also recommend getting a mug, brush, and shaving soap to complete the traditional experience.”
G Newman
4 out of 5: “Item had odd translations on the box “needlessly load and unload shaver” which I very much enjoyed. And “inimitable rotating handle” I had never used the word inimitable. The razor works well, and will save me many dollars over buying disposable razor blade cartridges. I love the translations!”
Rated by Buyer: Connie N.
5 out of 5: “Great customer service. Even included an extra items as a special even though the special had expired! Excellent seller!” Rated by Buyer: bronco_mike
“I just bought this one after reading about wet shaving in ReadyMade Magazine. In addition i bought a shaving brush and a shaving soap bar from Herban Cowboy. I just got the best shave of my life. It’s so gentle and i had NO razor burns for the first time in my life! I can’t believe that Gilette has a total hold on the market with those useless triple blades. Old school wet shaving is the way to go! ”
P. Bratset
5 out of 5: “Fast shipping excellent product with the best price!”
Rated by Buyer: Alvin G.
5 out of 5: “The shipping of my razor was really fast and it was just standard shipping. It arrived in perfect condition and I got a really nice letter thanking me for my business. I will do business with RetroRazor in the future for sure. These guys are great!”
Rated by Buyer: David A.
5 out of 5: “First time I’ve ever had a hand-written note of thanks on an invoice. Will buy from again”
Rated by Buyer: Anthony L.
And here are more:
Amazon Seller Reviews
RetroRazor Reviews
What was once a simple choice between one and two blades, has now turned into three, four, and five blade behemoths. It is easy to spend hundreds of dollars per year on the fancy branded blades: Mach’s, Quatro’s, Fusions.
Double-Edge shaving can save your budget
With talk of an impending ‘R-word’ or ‘Correction’, every last penny counts. You could save literally Hundred of Dollars by converting to the Double Edge.
It is a very simple equation:
Handle + (Cost of Blade * # of Blade Changes per year)
=Annual Cost
I used Amazon.com to compare prices, as they are one of the cheapest places for Multi-Blade razors – close to Costco prices…prices are always fluctuating, but you will get the point!
Lets look at the current Fusion Power from Gillette:
Handle (with one cartridge) is $11.47, Cartridges are 8 for $22 or $2.75 each, weekly changes.
$11.47 + (2.75 * 52)
$154.47 per year for Gillette Fusion Power Pivot Head Razor
And now compare that to the RetroRazor Weishi and Derby Extra blades
The RetroRazor with shipping is about $36, plus $2.15 cents for 5 pack of Derby Extra changed every 4 days (92 blades per year) – 100 Derby Extra blades through Amazon are about $25 if you want to commit to a years worth…
$36 + ($25 with a few blades for next year!)
$61 per year for RetroRazor Weishi plus Derby Extra blades
For fun, lets look at the ‘Budget’ disposable, Gillette Good News!
Amazon has 36 for $20.37 or $.57 cents each, with blade changes every 3 days (122 per year)
($.57*122)
$69.54
It is easy to see that a High Quality shave from the Double Edge razor can save you Hundreds of Dollars per year…even throw in a Badger Brush and some fun aftershaves and you are way ahead of the game!
People often ask, “Why try Classic Shaving?” This article series will discuss the benefits of traditional Double Edge Shaving versus the today’s Autopilot shaving.
Saving Face
Your face has both of the toughest and delicate skin of the body: extremely thin to allow early dawn light to enter; battle toughened and scarred by years of sun exposure and shaving. Wet Shaving improves the health of your face, through simple natural products and techniques that keep your skin healthy and refreshed.
Moisturize your skin and beard- as its namesake, the goal of Wet Shaving is to keep your face and beard supple by lathering heavily with a fine shave soap or cream and plenty of water. Some Wet Shavers apply a pre-shave conditioner or oil to further soften the wiry beard, and many shave after showering when the beard has been steamed into submission. By preparing a well-groomed shaving field, the face will be resilient to the upcoming shave.
Sharp blades reduce bumps and ingrowth
Double edge razors are extremely simple and effective- Most contemporary blades are edged with exotics such Platinum and Teflon, but above all, they have extraordinarily sharp and keen edges. As the razor cuts the beard, it will glide micrometers above the skin with little or no pressure on the face. This allows for a smooth shave, but without the irritation that many find with the multi-blade pivot razor. The action of shaving is micro-exfoliation, sloughing off the old and in with the new.
A reviewer on Amazon wrote this ditty:
I have been plagued with chronic acne and razor-burn all my life.
Then I discovered the Weishi, and my life changed.
Now, I have a glow on my face and a skip in my pace.
Thank you, Weishi.
The commercials by Gillete and Schick have slick computer-generated animations of the first Blade lifting up the hair, and the second blade swooping in for the cut. Common Sense dictates that cutting the hair below the surface of the skin creates a shorter cut, but with the possibility of ingrown hairs, bumps, irritation, redness – aka Razor Burn.
Polish and Protect
After the shave, it is important to protect the freshly shorn face from the elements. Classic shaving brings centuries of emollients, balms, lotions, and potions to contemporary scientific knowledge. I take a three step approach to Polishing and Protecting the post-shave face:
There are plenty of products, introduced in later articles, that provide a balance polish and protection.
Classic Wet Shaving = Healthy Shaving
