Safety Razor PSA

[JShirley]

hso and I are both very concerned about safety, and I think we usually do a good job of modeling those safe behaviors. We make mistakes like everyone else, though. Here's one to learn from.

We had a recent thread about razors. I tried a safety razor a few years ago, and it not only worked fairly well, but was ridiculously cheap, compared to even store-brand decent disposables. (Do NOT use the Dollar Tree brand!)

I have tried a few different economical safety razors. The "butterfly" pattern where the blade opens up seems inherently less safe, and more fragile. Since 2018, I have used the Lord Safety Razor. My first only lasted a year, but the replacement I've had for about 2 1/2 years.

I was extremely careful when I first started handling razor blades, like these Derby's. I still try to be careful, but...

The Lord is a 3- piece design. The blade is sandwiched between holders, and the handle tightens the sandwich as you screw it on. Unscrewing the handle lets the user remove the blade.

Friday morning, I was changing blades. The handle was tightened very tightly. As I finally broke the tension on the handle, the head slipped, sliding across my middle left finger.



My initial thought, after checking to make sure the cut wasn't life-threatening, was that this would disturb my wife's schedule. (She writes for a local paper, and had a couple interviews scheduled downtown that we were going to work some leisurely Mother's Day weekend activities around.)

Fortunately, the razor hit my finger at an angle. While this means the cut wasn't as clean as razor cuts usually are (I felt a obsidian scalpel cut me when I was 21. I never found the cut), it also meant the cut wasn't very deep. A combination of cold water, direct and blood vessel pressure, and a deluge of liquid skin had me ready for the day. I was reminded of how sharp things cut, and even if we use them daily, caution and respect is always warranted.

John

 

[Whiterook808]

One of the stupidest things I have done is let the razor slip out of my hand and then reflexively catch it. That was a good cut. If you don't like handling blades try an injector, such as the Supply SE. There are also thousands of vintage Gem razors out there.

 

[Shanghai McCoy]

And that's why I've had a full beard for a very long time... Glad that the cut to your finger was not a bad one.
I remember changing blades in the old safety razors. Got cut a couple times too.

 

[JShirley]

I am currently permitted a moustache. I do not want one.

 

[jeepnik]

I'm guessing many folks around here didn't grow up with double edged/single edged/injector blades. Otherwise they would have learned from a very young age how to handle sharp objects.

Oh, by the way, that wierd slot in the back of the medicine cabinet is to drop used blades into so you don't end up cutting the trashman.

 

[Blkhrt13]

I recently switched to a butterfly opening type. A vanderhagen and I am satisfied with it. Short handle but as I have no other experience I like the balance now and it keeps me from over pushing it and giving myself razor burn. I have been looking for a safe solution for what to do with the blades though. I am working my way through a few variety packs trying to find my favorite blade. So far I do like feathers. Super sharp Japanese blade. I was concerned about the three piece style as they could get over tight and create the situation you were facing. I’m glad you didn’t get yourself too bad.

 

[Whiterook808]

I have been looking for a safe solution for what to do with the blades though.

You can buy blade banks on Amazon or repurpose an old jar or can with a lid. I slip mine into the wife's sharps container and let the clinic deal with them. I collect vintage razors and shave with them .

 

[Zaydok Allen]

Ouch. Yes I learned promptly how sharp those things are. I buy Feather brand razors and they are incredibly sharp.

I bought this razor, and so far the butterfly system seems fine. But I've only been using it for about a month I think so time will tell. Consequently I get a better shave and am only on my second blade from a 100 blade box. I have a goatee and only shave my cheeks and neck. Money well spent, and some shaving cream goes a long way.

https://www.parkershaving.com/p/96r-safety-razor/96r-safety-razor/

 

[Coyote3855]

One of the stupidest things I have done is let the razor slip out of my hand and then reflexively catch it.

There is an old saying "A falling knife has no handle." Probably true of razors as well.

 

[Zaydok Allen]

When I posted I think I was thinking more a bout safety razor safety. But general safety is probably more the theme.

View media item 3066
The knife in this pic is a ZT0462. Lovely knife. The action is great. Unfortunately it’s also very drop shut if you don’t periodically tighten the pivot. I learned quickly what happens if it drops on your thumb.

 

[Mizar]

A double edge safety razor cannot cut you too deep - there isn't enough blade protrusion. But yes, the cut can be nasty sometimes, given the right circumstances... All that said, I would use a better made safety razor - Muhle, Mercur, Edwin Jagger... For the cost oriented person, the King Gillette safety razor is a perfect choice - you get a razor with the classic, original Muhle head for just $18.

 

[Ohen Cepel]

Good info.

I have been using a safety razor (was my Grandfather's) for many years now. MUCH cheaper than disposables and no one is trying to lecture me like the disposable companies want to do now. I get a great shave and all is good.

The Germans used to rag on my Brother when he was over there as to how crappy our steel must be to "need" 5 blades to shave when they do it with one of theirs......

 

[Zaydok Allen]

The Germans used to rag on my Brother when he was over there as to how crappy our steel must be to "need" 5 blades to shave when they do it with one of theirs......

That’s exactly why I switched. The steel on those 5 blade cartridges seems to be going down in quality. They don’t last like they used to.

 

[Hasaf]

I have a beard but I use a safety razor on my neck. I remember having a very sturdy solid brass and still regret losing it. It was made of three simple pieces and while non-adjustable, was retro enough that I liked it.

Because I shave after my shower, and keep the blade clean, I don't change blades very often. It has to have been at least a couple of months since I put the last one in.

 

[JShirley]

A safety razor alone won't work for me. I still use a disposable for underneath my nose and my chin. I either nick myself, or miss some if I try to safety razor those places. Instead of using a new razor every 5 days, a disposable lasts me about 2 weeks now.

 

[crstrode]

Truly amazing what kids today don't know . . .

 

[GEM]

Beard and an electric beard mower for my neck. Sorry for your cut! Been there on that. Did a job on my forearm somehow recently with a half inch cut that bled quite bit. Wife's help and clotting patches helped staunch the flow. Since I serendipitously had a doc's appointment and he was quite the military doc in the day - he finished the job.

 

[gotboostvr]

I started using a safety razor about 4 or 5 years ago and I'll never go back. Just as good, and about 1/10th the cost.

 

[JShirley]

Truly amazing what kids today don't know . . .

Sure. But, what are you talking about?

 

[lemaymiami]

I've never been able to use a "safety razor" without doing a nick here or there (and my beard is so sparse that shaving for me is an occasional adventure only..) but I do use lots of double bladed razors for other purposes... Nothing cuts finer than a brand new double bladed razor if you're a fly tyer working with spun and clipped deerhair and other similar materials - but still that double edge, hand held, is problematic when you find yourself bleeding on your work.... So... I learned long ago to break each blade in half lengthwise by holding the narrow end in a pair of nippers while flexing it back and forth until it cracks in two at each end -providing two blades that can be held safely, mostly...

 

[theotherwaldo]

I learned to shave with my grandfather's safety razor about fifty years ago.
Dad taught me how to resharpen the blades using the inside of a water glass.
Blades lasted a long time that way, especially on my teen peach fuzz.
-And no, a dropped blade is not your friend until it comes to rest... .

 

[Mizar]

Guys, it's actually quite simple to not get nicked by a safety razor:
- Lathering - learn how to use a brush with soap/cream to make a good lather.
- Use a quality razor - Merkur, Muhle, Edwin Jagger (rebranded Muhle), Gillette... Don't start with the most aggressive one from the model offering, take your time to learn.
- Use quality blades - Russian made ones in St. Petersburg plant are quite good (Polsilver, most of Gillette, Astra), Feather are excellent.
- Adjust your shaving technique - yes, it's quite different than the one used with a modern multi-edge razor - look for an YouTube video on the subject, there are plenty of them.
Failing to do one of those four will result in a cut, soon or later.

 

[LaneP]

Haven't had my English Rocket HD out in a few years, it will be up to bat tomorrow a.m.

 

[Hasaf]

Guys, it's actually quite simple to not get nicked by a safety razor:
- Lathering - learn how to use a brush with soap/cream to make a good lather.
- Use a quality razor - Merkur, Muhle, Edwin Jagger (rebranded Muhle), Gillette... Don't start with the most aggressive one from the model offering, take your time to learn.
- Use quality blades - Russian made ones in St. Petersburg plant are quite good (Polsilver, most of Gillette, Astra), Feather are excellent.
- Adjust your shaving technique - yes, it's quite different than the one used with a modern multi-edge razor - look for an YouTube video on the subject, there are plenty of them.
Failing to do one of those four will result in a cut, soon or later.

Great points, the thing I will add is to keep the blade clean. Thoroughly rinse it after each use.

 

[entropy]

Haven't had my English Rocket HD out in a few years, it will be up to bat tomorrow a.m.

View attachment 1079753

Apparently a long time, if I read into your avatar correctly.

Those are one step in the shaving evolution I skipped. I've shaved with an axe, (partial Viking ancestry is to blame) straight razors, very carefully, and went straight to the mounted Trac-II types. I have a beard, use a Gillette Fusion 5 blade setup for edging it, I try not to be a neckbeard.