For Father’s Day I got an old-school shaving kit. I’d been reading a bit online about the lost art of shaving. Based on what folks say, not only is shaving with a safety razor  considerably cheaper (although I did find out how to make your Mach3 razor last for months) at about $0.20 per blade instead of $2.50 per cartridge, but it gives a closer shave with less irritation. Intrigued about the less irritation part, I asked for a shaving set for Father’s Day.

I ordered the individual pieces off Amazon and they arrived in less time than was originally promised. Nice. The razor is a Merkur long handled razor from Germany, the brush is just a basic cheap-o one and the shaving soap from Italy and has eucalyptus oil and menthol.

So far I’ve shaved with it twice. It’s definitely a different experience – even the sound of the razor on my face sounds different than when using a cartridge. I have to be much more careful around my jaw line and between my chin and my lower lip, too.

The potential bloodbath I was warned about when starting to use a double-edge razor has largely been averted aside from a couple of nicks. The shave itself has been good – but not amazing. Yet. Once I figure out the soap-to-water-to-lather ratio I foresee some very refreshing shaves.

Anyone else using one of these? Any advice?