Shaving

I owned a Norelco 805 three rotary-head electric razor for about twelve years, until the battery no longer was able to hold a charge. Note: Not realizing I could purchase replacement cutters and batteries for my old Norelco 805 online, I threw it away. :P Doh.

For the first time in my life, I started reading about traditional shaving techniques. I decided I wanted a closer shave than I was getting with the electric, and purchased the Gillette Mach3Turbo and a can of Barbasol Soothing Aloe Shave Cream. I feel disgusted at the cost of replacement cartridges though. I value bang-for-my-buck -- $20 for eight cartridges means that if each cartridge lasts five shaves, an eight-pack lasts 40 days, at a cost of $0.50 per shave. Using a trick involving mineral oil and rubbing alcohol, I might double the life of the blades by reducing oxidation, so 80 days for an eight-pack, or a cost of $0.25 per shave.

The only alternatives I see are:

1. Adjustable double edge safety razor
2. Straight razor
3. Beard (unlikely considering my growth pattern, unfortunately)
   

I considered getting a straight razor, since a properly maintained straight razor will last the rest of my life (and most likely my child's life), no expensive cartridges/cutters/razors require replacement, and it provides the closest shave. I decided to try safety razors first, so I could get used to the process of shaving, and not end up scarring myself with an errant beginner mistake.

It says here that "good safety razor blades are under $0.50 a piece." So that means #1 costs about $0.13 a shave, a 74% savings over the safety razors from Gilette.

I might extend the life of my razors using these alternative methods:

• http://www.razormax.com (hydrophobic oil system)
• Claims to extend razor from 5 shaves to 40-50 shaves
  
• http://www.greatrazors.com (cryogenically freezing to -184 C (-300 F)) changes austenite to martensite)
• Claims to extend razor from 5 shaves to 30 shaves, and costs the same as store-purchased razors
  

The most important element in improving a shave, however, seems to involve purchasing a shaving brush.

Things I am considering purchasing, per this article:

1. $60 Shaving brush. For example, Vulfix #2234 Super Badger Shaving Brush.
   
2. $30 Razor. For example, Merkur "Hefty Classic" Safety Razor.
3. $6 Blades. For example, Cryogenically frozen Merkur blades from GreatRazors.com.
4. $9 Stand. For example, Cream Vulfix Shaving Brush Stand
   
5. $29 Shaving cream. For example, Trumper's Violet or Avocado.
   
6. $23 After-shave or moisturizer. For example, Trumper's Skin Food.

Total cost: $157 plus shipping and handling. Will have to think about this a bit.

Links:
"How to get that perfect shave" http://www.msnbc.msn.com/id/6886845/
"Shaving Brushes - What you Need vs. What you Want" http://www.classicshaving.com/articles/article/590351/5618.htm
"Vulfix Shaving Brushes" http://www.classicshaving.com/page/page/800550.htm
"ShavingStuff.com" http://www.shavingstuff.com
"Cryogenically Frozen Razor Blades" http://www.greatrazors.com
"RazorMax Wet-Storage System" http://www.razormax.com
"e-Barbershop, specializing in men's shaving and grooming toiletries" http://www.qedusa.com/
"MSN TheWetShaversGroup" http://groups.msn.com/thewetshaversgroup
"Clubman Online, another store" http://store.clubmanonline.com/
"Safety Razors and Blades" http://www.classicshaving.com/page/page/522941.htm