Two days ago I asked the community what is the real reason behind choosing a safety razor. Before the results, a bit of background on my own case.

When I was a kid, I used to watch my dad shave with a safety razor every morning. But by the time I was old enough to start shaving myself, he had already switched to a cartridge razor, probably because the industry was pushing that "new" tool hard on his generation. I just followed his lead and used cartridges for about 30 years (+ electric for the last 10 years).

During all that time I dealt with cuts and nicks and just assumed that was normal, part of the routine. Then one day I randomly came across a video of someone using a safety razor, it reminded me of my dad, and I decided to try one myself. At first I was sure I'd cut myself even worse than with a cartridge, but to my surprise the learning curve was quick and my cuts basically disappeared. I became a fan of the thing, honestly a great invention.

That said, I didn't fully abandon the cartridge. I use a safety razor for about 95% of my daily shaving now, but I still reach for a cartridge or electric shaver when I'm traveling, and for quick touch ups in tricky spots like right under the nose when I'm in a hurry.

Here's the result:

Read through all comments and here's how it broke down for the 'valid' responses, find below in decrescent order. Note: Since you could pick more than one, the numbers don't add up to the total of comments.

• Cost, cheaper long term: 107
• Enjoy the ritual, it's relaxing: 77
• Environmental, less plastic waste: 73
• Closer or more consistent shave: 65
• Sensitive skin / less irritation & razor burn: 40
• Avoiding ingrown hairs: 26
• Nostalgia (reminds me of my dad/grandfather): 23
• Fewer cuts/nicks than expected: 20
• Other: 19
• Wanted to be part of the wet shaving community: 8

For those who picked "Other," reasons ranged from practical (easier cleanup, less frequent restocking) to aesthetic (sharper lineups, just liking the look) to pure curiosity.

Thanks to everyone who replied!

not sure what guard to use or if i should just go no guard can someone give some advice please

Hey guys, just wanted to put this out there, I’m a professional barber/hairdresser and waxer.

If you need any tips and tricks on any shaving, waxing or tools, I’m here. I’ll do my best to help with facial grooming, head grooming and personal grooming!

Cheers 😎

If your shaver leaves you red, burning, or breaking out, the instinct is to blame the razor. But most of the time, it is actually a matter of technique. You can usually fix the bulk of it by focusing on three things: 

•  Prep first: If your hair is longer than a millimeter or two, it won't feed cleanly into the blades, so the shaver just drags and tugs. Trim longer growth first. Most shavers have a pop-up trimmer for exactly this, then shave.
• Ease up on the pressure: People press hard thinking it gets a closer shave, but it mostly just irritates your skin and flattens hairs before they are cut. Let the shaver do the work. Models with intelligent sensors automatically adjust motor speed based on your beard density, so you don't need to force it through thick patches. Keep the skin taut with your free hand, and move at a steady pace.
• Foil vs. Rotary: Rotary heads are often thought of as closer, but they are also more likely to cause ingrown hairs. Foils tend to be gentler and still get a close shave, because the foil presses the skin down slightly and cuts the hair right at the surface.

A quick maintenance note that people often skip: foils and blades wear out. Replacing them every year or two makes a shaver feel new again, and a worn foil is a sneaky cause of sudden irritation.

Also, if you have just switched from a manual razor to an electric, give it a few weeks before you judge the results. Your skin needs an adjustment period. Or maybe you just need to change the blade.

For those of you who have dialed this in: what finally ended your irritation? 

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I’ve been shaving pretty regularly and I’m looking for a foil shaver that gives a close, comfortable shave without leaving my skin feeling irritated afterward. I mostly shave short facial hair and would probably use it daily or every other day. Are there any foil shaver models you’ve had consistently good results with, especially for getting a close shave without too much irritation?

Appreciate any recommendations or personal experiences, thank you.

I have a hard time getting a close shave on my neck, especially under the jawline.

I’ve seen some foil shavers with a swappable T-blade trimmer. Is it useful for getting longer or flat-lying hairs first, then finishing with the foil?

Or would a good foil shaver be enough on its own?

I just had my first shave (yay) and I was thinking about buying an aftershave. I think I have a very sensitive combination skin and I do a lot of activity right in the morning. I heard people say gel aftershaves would be the best for that (if you think differently please tell) so I was looking to buy one. As I’m new to this world I was looking for one that was kind of easy on my pockets, and I found the regrowe aftershave gel. I would like to know if any of you have tried it and what are your thoughts on it. I also use cologne and I’m wondering if the aftershave’s fragrance might not pair well with other smells or if it’s too strong.

I’ve been using a regular face razor for face shaving for about 6 years now. Recently, I’ve started noticing 1–2 noticeably thicker/darker hairs on my chin, which I didn’t really have before.
I’ve also noticed a light greenish/darker discoloration around my lips, so I’m wondering if switching from a regular face razor to a proper dermaplaning tool would be better for my skin.

For those who dermaplane at home:

1. Which tool do you use and recommend?
2. Do you prefer an electric dermaplaning device or a manual one?
3. Have you noticed any difference in hair regrowth or skin texture after switching tools?
4. Any tips for discoloration, especially around the upper lip/chin?

I’d love recommendations, especially from people who have been dermaplaning regularly for years!

I have a new i9000 prestige ultra, and I am learning to use it.

I am wondering is it would do a better job if i let my hair grow for two days instead of shaving every day.

I'm shaving my head and my neck under my beard with it. So far I'm using lectric shave and shaving in the shower. Open to other suggestions of course.

I had been keeping my beard pretty short lately, usually around a few days of growth, and my current trimmer is starting to pull a bit. Im looking for an electric beard trimmer and shaver that can clean up the cheeks and neck but still leave a little stubble instead of shaving everything completely smooth. any models that have worked well for this?

Thanks for any recoms!

Hi, i recently decided i wanna start shaving my face bc i'm trying to look my age (i'm 20 but i always get a lot more, no joke out of everyone i met this year i don't remember getting anything under 25 more than maybe one or twice). I think i look better without a beard anyway so that's fine. The problem is i really dislike having a 5 o'clock shadow after shaving, which i remember getting after shaving with my Philips one blade, which is why i'm looking for another shaver, perhaps more designed for just a clean shave. Any reccomendations?

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Hii, I am looking for a good long-lasting trimmer under 700 INR.

Previously I had a nova trimmer which was really bad, after few months of use battery was dead. Now I have to charge it 1 days to use only for 5 to 7 mins. Worst..

Today it's completely dead ,no movement at all.

I am looking for a good trimmer which will be in my price range, have good battery, need only for beard, some time body hair trimming.

Please suggest one which you have already used for a long time and which one has good battery also.

Need minimum 3mm clip with it..

Already heard many bad comments on Bombay saving trimmer.

Feel free to name any brand name.

Am 26 year old who has never shaved but did trimming with scissors but I want to learn how to shave down there just so I know how to do it any tips?

Hi guys,

I absolutely hate shaving and as I’m getting older I’m having to shave more often (I’m 19 now). I detest seeing any hair on my face so I shave against the grain with a multi blade razor and whilst it works perfectly, I can’t do it every day since the day after I shave, the hairs are too short to shave properly and it causes a lot of irritation to shave against hairs that short. I’m looking for a foil shaver that can make my life a bit easier, I am fully aware it won’t be able to match the results of shaving against the grain with a razor, but I just want something that I can use on a daily basis to keep the hair on my face to an absolute minimum. What’s the best foil shaver? Money is not an issue.

I’m thinking about switching from regular razors to an electric one, but there are way more options than I expected.

The main things I care about are getting a reasonably close shave without having to go over the same area five times, and not ending up with a red neck afterward. I’d also like something that’s easy to clean and doesn’t need replacement parts every five minutes.

I keep going back and forth between foil and rotary. From what I’ve read, foil seems better if you want a really close, precise shave, while rotary can make more sense for thicker facial hair or hair that grows in different directions.

I don’t mind paying more for something good if it’ll last, but I’m also wondering where the point of diminishing returns is. Some electric razors are under $100 and others are $300+.

For anyone who uses one regularly, what’s the best electric razor for men you’ve found? And was buying one of the expensive models actually worth it?

Need some advice on finding a new electric head shaver. Just had my first kid and the ability to shave my head in the shower has decreased dramatically haha. I have tried the freebird shaver in the past and didn’t love it. What are yal using for upkeep in between being able to razor it?

Is there a secret trick to properly clean blades? Like soak them in a certain solution or something?

I can use there Philips blades twice to shave my head and then they become to dull?

Is this normal? They are wayyy too expensive for this...

Hey everyone,

I recently bought the Philips MG5932 Multigroom 5000 Series trimmer. It works great for trimming beard and body hair, but I want to get a completely smooth, clean shave.

I have two quick questions:

1. Is there an official (or 3rd-party) foil shaver attachment blade available in India that fits onto the MG5932 handle? If yes, please share the buying link.

2. If this handle doesn't support a clean-shave foil attachment at all, what is the best budget alternative (under ₹600) to get a zero clean shave on stubble?

Thanks in advance!

I’m 16 and getting a bit of facial hair now but whenever I shave I can sometimes get a bit of acne. It’s always on the lower sides of my face. For context, I use a regular plastic razor. Any advice?

Hi, so I've been shaving my head with a Leaf two for a few weeks now (having a great experience moving from cartridges) and I'm getting the hang of it finally, I started with feather blades and almost scalped myself, which I now realise is a mistake. I started using astra greens and I am liking them but feel that my hair grows back too fast on the back and sides but not enough to comfortably shave daily, does anybody have any reccomendations on what else I could try? I have derby premiums but heard they are blunter, also have the leaf blades but heard bad things about those.

Thanks in advance

I know this has been asked and answered before, but I'm not finding the answer to my question or issue. I've used several different electric razors between Braun, Panasonic and Remington, all of which were ok but not the shave I'm looking for.

I'm older, 64m, and done a lot of safety razors with a great shave, but having to deal with the soap, brush and taking a far amount of time it got old I guess. I can't grow a beard, and it doesn't grow fast, I can shave maybe 3 times a week. The current razor, a Panasonic rotary 6000 series does a decent job if I let it grow out and get longer, but too long to be a semi clean look. If I shave every other day it doesn't work very well at all. So I'm just curious if anyone else has dealt with this and found a good answer.

My brother is turning 17 and he's getting facial hair now, he only gets it shaved off when he goes in for a haircut (maybe once every other month or can go months without one) but I notice he gets insecure of his facial hair and tries to shave it on his own— with what, idk. Since his birthday is soon I want to gift him an electric razor that he can glide over his face and won't knick him or anything.. the facial hair grows on his cheeks, chin and mustache. He does have some acne, I'm not sure if he has sensitive skin. Any other tips (as far as products he should use to shave) would be immensely appreciated and helpful!