I never thought of shaving as a hobby, but apparently it is now in 2025, especially with double edge safety razors and straight edge razors. I didn’t know this was a thing, but apparently razors are now something guys even collect and talk about like bourbon, cigars, and now your grandpa’s safety razors (together with new ones made by people who make satellites with aluminum.)
The other day I was at Costco and this old guy was looking at the 24 pack of Gillette Fusion Five razors which now cost almost $100 a pack. He said to me that it’s too expensive to shave anymore and he didn’t buy any. That got me thinking.
My grandfather used to shave with a double edge razor. And I remember watching him. It seemed kind of a romantic at the time because I was about eight and wished that I had something to shave.
And then I was on Facebook and Hensen shaving runs ads all the time. And they promote that it’s only $.05-$.08 per blade, and you only need one a week and you’re gonna save a ton of money. And I’m all about saving a ton of money. So I ordered an $80 shaver. And it’s not that good, it’s kind of like a Bic disposable. And it also gave me a little bit of razor burn feeling afterwards, not burning, but not feeling great. But it was lightweight.
So that let me down the rabbit hole and after that I ordered a Rockwell Razors 6C, Feather Stainless Steel AS D2 at $165, and a Merkur 34C, then a Rockwell Razors 6S. You can watch YouTube videos on these all day, but I’m here to tell you that they’re all about the same.
And nothing was extraordinarily above the other one, otherwise I would’ve made a note of it. And I would’ve just stopped there. But now I’m starting to think it’s all actually about the blade, not the platform holding it. A company called the Shaving Emporium, they sell blade packages in starter pack or in diversity packs. And they rank the blades on how sharp they are from one to five. So maybe it’s all about the blades. So the 6C is the baby brother to 6S, stainless steel. They both shave about the same but the 6S is heavier and more sure in your hand.
The Henson is easy for easy peasy shaving, but with the most burn, at least with the blades that it comes with in the package. My favorite so far is:
Merkur HD 34C
By now, you’ve likely discovered that a shave with a double-edge (DE) safety razor rivals anything short of a barbershop straight razor. What often goes unspoken — but needs to be said — is how major corporations like Gillette and Schick have spent decades convincing men to abandon this superior method in favor of expensive, over-engineered cartridge razors. Their marketing promises “advanced technology,” but the reality is more about locking consumers into proprietary systems. Once a product is no longer profitable, these companies stop making the blades, forcing customers to upgrade to a new (and costlier) system.
Take the Mach3 Turbo, for example — a pack of eight cartridges can cost around $25. In contrast, DE shaving offers a better, more personalized shave (with a bit of practice) and only costs $5 to $15 for 100 high-quality blades, depending on the brand. These blades typically last longer than cartridges, and the risk of ingrown hairs is significantly lower.
Of course, a great DE shave isn’t just about the razor. Blades, brushes, soaps, and even a quality aftershave balm all contribute to a luxurious and effective experience. Many new shavers save money and time by starting with a shaving kit that includes everything needed — razor, brush, stand, and cream or soap. Canned shaving cream, though widely used, actually clogs pores and provides poor lubrication. Traditional shaving soaps and creams, on the other hand, offer better skin protection, are more cost-effective, and elevate the entire experience.
There’s also a thriving online community of DE shaving enthusiasts who are eager to share advice and reviews. Forums like Badger & Blade, The Shave Den, The Shave Nook, Shave My Face, and Gentleman’s Gazette are great resources for tips and recommendations.
As you get deeper into the world of DE shaving, you’ll encounter a range of acronyms that describe different shave qualities. The most common include:
– **BBS** – Baby Butt Smooth
– **DFS** – Damn Fine Shave
– **CCS** – Close Comfortable Shave
– **SAS** – Socially Acceptable Shave
These terms reflect the level of shave quality, from excellent to just okay. For a full glossary, check out BadgerAndBlade.com. This is all Subaru man bun bullshit, but whatever, they seem to believe it.
In summary, DE shaving is affordable, delivers a closer shave, reduces the likelihood of ingrown hairs, and promotes healthier skin when paired with quality products. It’s more than just grooming — it’s a ritual. For those looking to get started, the Merkur 34C is a solid, all-purpose choice. Beginners may prefer the adjustable Merkur 700 series.
Sure, disposable and electric razors serve their purpose in a rush — but nothing compares to the satisfaction of a true BBS shave. Your skin — and perhaps your significant other — will thank you.
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Other Razors
I have tried the Henson mild, Rockwell Razors T2 | Twist-To-Open (TTO) Double-Edge Safety Razor, Rockwell 6S (no different shave than the 6C other than the price), the Merkur 34C (and the Merkur blades it comes with are my favorite), Feather Stainless Steel Double Edge Razor AS D2 (and the Feather blades it comes with are very aggressive and my least favorite)
Lotions, Potions and Other Accoutrements
Proraso makes an excellent after shave bar, a lot of guys recommend THAYERS Alcohol-Free, Hydrating, Unscented Witch Hazel Facial Toner with Aloe Vera Formula, and Nivea men’s aftershave lotion.
Next up…. the choices in blades, which make a huge difference. Merkur double edge razor blades are a moderately sharp razor blade. They definitely aren’t mild like a Shark or Derby Extra, but they definitely are not as sharp as a Feather.
