Maybe a bit of a random post, but I have spent some time trying different products and figured if it saves you some time and money, it is worth a post. For some reason, guys don’t really talk about this stuff, but considering how much we spend on it, maybe we should. Also, I had time and was feeling a bit ill one weekend, so this was one way of making the time go by.

Shaving is a thing you just have to do. A while ago I decided to look into the OG way of shaving, and I havent looked back to Gillette since. I tried electric shavers, but I didnt think they cut the beard clean off, which gave me ingrown hairs and not that close of a shave. I feel like those machines dont cut the hairs clean but rather tear them off, though I havent looked in a microscope to confirm. Also, sticking to one brand, charging, and buying new proprietary blades is just annoying.

The price of that Gillette Fusion Ultra Mega Super Shave Glide stuff is just insane. It probably costs 0.5 USD to make, but they charge a fortune for it. Have we completely forgotten the way men used to shave for hundreds of years before the Gillette Mega Fusion Ultra Blade Master came along?

For some, it can seem a bit scary and like it’s easy to cut yourself, but there is no reason to think like that at all. If you try it, there is no going back. However, it is a jungle out there with different products, blades, and brushes. It is not just a hoax to sell more stuff, there are some noticeable differences between the products. I am here to guide you to some of the best stuff I have found after trying loads of different gear.

The Essentials

I buy all my stuff at barbershop.no and these four items are the minimum amount of stuff required to get a perfect shave:

• Brush: Mühle Rytmo Pure Badger
• Razor: Merkur 41
• Blades: Dick Johnson traditional 50 pack
• Shaving cream: Geo F. Trumper bowl

I suggest using a razor with an open comb because you get a closer shave that way compared to other types. The teeth of the comb allow more lather and hair to reach the blade. Some pages say you need to have a lot of experience to use this type of razor but come on, it is not rocket science. Just hold it at a 30-45 degree angle against your skin let the razor do its job. The feeling and sound it makes when shaving is actually a bit satisfying,

When it comes to the blades, there is actually quite a difference between the various types. I have tried a lot and some of them cut me easier than others and you really do feel that the shave is different. I have found the best ones to be Dick Johnson traditional. It comes in a 50 pack as well, which makes each blade very cheap compared to the Gillette Mega Fusion Blade Master stuff. Change the blade every 5 to 10 shaves or so and you are good. Btw, all blades fit all razors, which is quite nice. It is not like the other proprietary brands.

For the brushes, you can get synthetic ones, boar or badger hair brushes. The type of brush depends on the type of shaving cream you use. If you use a softer cream, go for a badger hair brush since it is softer. But if you have more of a hard block of soap, then go for a boar hair brush. I think it is quite fun that badger hair has a purpose in shaving. Who would have thought that haha.

The bowl-based shaving cream is genius. You use just the amount you need and have the rest in the bowl for later. It is much easier than trying to get the right amount back into a tube. The Geo F. Trumper one provides a really thick foam which fits well with the open comb razor too.

These four products will last up to a year, I would say. The razor itself will last a lifetime. It’s a bit of an investment upfront, but it pays for itself once you stop buying those overpriced plastic cartridges. Plus, it actually makes a boring daily chore feel a bit more like a craft.

Extras

There are some other products you can add to make the experience a bit more pleasant. Some extra really good stuff:

• Alum bar (any brand)
• Baxter of California Oil Free Moisturizer

The alum bar (potassium alum) is kind of a magical aftershave product. It is a stone that you just moisten with water, drag across your face, and wash off. It’s an amazing antiseptic that stings a bit where you’ve been too rough, but it stops minor nicks and bleeds instantly. It does dry out the skin a bit, so the best moisturizer you can get to follow it up is the Baxter of California Oil Free Moisturizer. This is just so good and not greasy at all.

Summary

Switching to this way of shaving might take some time getting used to, but the results are much better. Plus, you get to stop spending money on overpriced plastic, save some money and actually get a better result.