re: Anybody have any experience with saving consistently with a safety razor?

Like others have said dont push, and use good blades. Personally im a feather guy. Use both a merkur 34c and 38 long handle merkur.

This is probably the best starter pack out there, given that it will give you a solid variety of quality blades. Many sample packs are heavy on lower quality ones.

Everybody's beard and skin are different, find what works for you.

That's a very "mild" razor. Check Amazon for sampler packs of blades. My first several attempts were with Shark Chrome blades. I almost threw my brand new razor away. Worked my way around a sampler pack until I found Astra (blue) blades. I get a very comfortable and close shave now for 11 cents/blade.

I also switched from a Merkur 38HD (similar to your r89) to their Futur model razor. It's got a much bigger blade gap and more exposed blade. I left it somewhere I traveled recently and went back to the Merkur 38. Good gosh- I don't know how I ever cut myself or irritated my skin with how mild that thing was. Point being- there is a learning curve. You'll get the hang of it. But at least dabble in blades a bit before giving it up.

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Hopeful Doc

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Thanks Doc. Not throwing in the towel in the least. I just purchased a sampler pack as you and others have suggested. I think you're right about trial and error, finding what best fits your own beard and such with different blades. I'm also going to try to take my time and let the razor do the work. I think I was trying to get it all in one shave. I'm going to take my time and get the technique down pat.

Thank you for all the wealth of information. Very helpful.

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Muhle R89 Grande

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Sounds fancy. Better hide it from the wife.

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And not too many blades that will go to waste when you realize you don't like them.

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That's what sold it for me. It's cheap also, but yeah it's by no means perfect. Feather, Derby, Astra, Wilkinson, and Shark though...

I use feather blades. They're sharp. You can buy 50 for nothing and it will last a year. Shaving cream makes a huge difference too. I've found I get the best shave with proraso in the tube. I haven't had razor burn in 10 years since switching over.

www.tryablade.com

$2 shipping whether you buy 2 blades or 2000. They are pricey blade by blade, but they are the only place that you can make your own sample pack. One blade at a time if you want.

Derbys are smooth but can be dull. Feathers could split a god damned atom but can be rough if you have poor technique or angle.

Vintage Gillettes were mentioned. I can't suggest these enough. They are all over eBay. Any Gillette Tech or any Superspeed are good Razors. Unlike Merkur or others, these old razors will outlive us all if reasonably cared for.

Taylor of old bond street: $15 lasts me 6-8 months

50 Feather platinum coated blades: $13 and will last me 12-18 months


Here's what I use and I have great results. Someone find me a really good shave that is cheaper than this.