Just wondered do any of the guys on here shave with safety razors, (or a straight razor?) and what type of razor and/or blades you use?

I've been using safety razors for a couple of years now and have to say since I ditched the multiblade cartridge ones and the nasty shaving foam that comes in a spray can, for a Merkur razor and shaving soap and a brush, it helped improve the condition of my skin no end and meant I have a far closer shave. With the cartridges I couldn't shave more than every other day as my skin got too irritated but I can do every day with the safety razor. Recently I got a Merkur slant, where the blade is at a slight angle like a gullotine, which has been even better for my skin, although you do have to take your time as its easy to nick yourself if you put pressure on.

For blades my favourites are Derby, Dorcos and Feathers (although the Feathers are a bit more expensive, but they are the sharpest around and they do go close).

I've found it much cheaper over time as the blades cost next to nothing and the shaving soap whilst being expensive lasts for AGES. Only downside is it takes longer but I find I like the feeling of warm lather with a brush and the benefits to my skin feeling much smoother make it worth it.

So does anybody on here use safety razors and have recommendations, or I'd particularly be interested to hear from anyone that uses a straight as I was thinking of moving on to one of those in time?

I detest shaving. I've never graduated from disposable razors and soap as tools of the trade and they've never done my skin any harm. Admittedly there's only one or two in any pack that are any good. You haven't lived if you aint tried to hack 3 or 4 days growth off with a months old disposable.

The best shave I ever enjoyed was from a proper, old barber on Kos. It took the best part of an hour and included hot towels, lotions and a face massage. His skill with an open razor was incredible, it was about three days before I needed to shave again.

I remember my old man using an open razor, the clever 2@ used to swap hands as he shaved too.

My advice is to learn from a master, especially honing and stropping. If you can't sharpen a kitchen knife properly, you'll never manage to get an edge on an open razor

i m not supposed to wet shave anymore due to the warfarin,(the slightest nick and i bleed for hours, and these days i bleed everytime i shave, and brush my teeth ) but theres no way i could use a leccy one it just wouldnt shave close, like wise i couldnt use a cut throat..
ill just stick with my disposables and carry on bleeding.

Yup. I'm pretty good at cutting myself with disposables. Usually neck or above upper lip region. Dry toilet paper applied until the bleeding relents then a big splash of Armani. Aaaargh!

OK if you use Izal or Bronco to wipe your 'arris. Otherwise use Rizlas, far better than tissue. Better still buy a styptic pencil, if you can find a chemist or an old barber that still sell them

On the very rare occasion I do go clean shaven, I always use a cut throat. Started as a whimsical thing in 2010 and just stuck with it.

I don't like being clean shaven, but using A cut throat makes it bearable and prevents the awful razor burn I get on my neck.

I do tend to be a little more careful when shaving my ballocks with a disposable. Mind, I have give them a nick before...Armani on balls. Arrrrgh!

Anyone have any experience with electric shavers? I understand they don't give as closer shave as regular old razor blades. But I've toyed with getting one for a few years now, mainly down to laziness on my part. Plus the fact that don't cut as close to the skin wouldn't be as much of a concern for me, with me having blonde hair.

I never found electrics good value for money and I found they irritated my skin. Also I'm not sure if they are any 'easier' really, you are still moving the shaver over your skin and you have to go over and over to get missed bits.

I use an alum block as a shave finisher but it also has the same properties as styptic pencil for stopping bleeds from nicks. I found the nicks from the multiblades were worse, I used to get some real nasty bleeders from them but with the sharper blades on a single blade I sometimes get nicks but the blade is sufficiently sharp that it's only a narrow one. Although if you get a spot the odds are a single blade razor will slice the top off no matter how careful you are. I've actually found that when I've cut the head of a spot off it actually scabs over and heals quite quickly but it's a scarring risk I suppose so wouldn't recommend it as a treatment for acne.