Safety Razor’s Edge Over the Others

There has been or still existing argument on if the double edge razor is the best razor out there. For many cartridge or electric razor users, they don’t just seem to get the fuss about the DE razor. to give more light into the world of DE razors, here are two main advantages the safety razor has over the other  razors.

Price

The cartridge razor was at one time the glory of shaving. Its principle uses multiple blades to cut stubble by passing the hairs through a series of closely fitted blades. The DE razor came to change all that, mostly because men were expected to spend a lot in changing these blades. With the DE razor, you just have to buy a single blade with double edges. This not only reduces the cost of changing blades, it also ensures a better shave.

Closer and More Detailed Shave

Unlike the other razors, the DE razor is designed to give close shaves to men. It is able to achieve this by the positioning and angle of the blades. Most DE razors have their blades placed at an angle of 30 to 45 degrees. This pushes the head of the razor closer to your skin. The closer the razor is to the skin, lower and cleaner the shave will be.

The Vikings Blade Review - Aggressive but Soft Feel

The Vikings Blade is my best DE razor yet. I'm not even trying to promote the product but want to give my personal experience with the razor. I shave twice every week and obviously like to keep a clean shaved face. Before the Vikings Blade experience, I had to battle with cuts and nicks occasionally. I almost always hated shaving.

For me, the Vikings Blade is aggressive but has a soft feel to it. I'm trying to keep this review as simple as it can be. While the razor would cut any stubble in its path, it doesn't give you the impression that it can cut your skin. With its classic handle, you have a firm grip of the razor. I discovered I did not even have to apply much pressure to the razor. The razor's head is well weighted to push the blades closer to the skin.

If you are a frequent shaver, you may want to consider this razor because it is affordable. Honestly you don't have to spend a fortune in a year just because you want to keep a clean shave. This was the problem I was having with my last razor. Generally the Vikings Blade is amazing and I will highly recommend it to anyone.

Common Practices to Prevent Ingrown Hairs

Don’t let the ads or pictures deceive you; most men do not have a pleasant experience shaving. For most of them, they consider it a necessary evil. This is usually because of the associated skin irritations they feel, of which ingrown hair is a common occurrence. If you are easily plagued with ingrown hairs, then you should try out some of these common everyday practices.

Proper Hygiene

This may not seem like something new but it is often the first step to prevent ingrown hairs. Most times, ingrown hairs are caused when the skin pores are blocked with either dirt or oil. This blockage will prevent the cut hair from growing out as it would normally do. This will eventually lead to inflammation because of accumulated bacteria in the pores. This is what is known as ingrown hair.

Shave Only Moistened Face

This has been stated over and over again by shaving experts and professionals. Wet shaving may seem a bit too elaborate when in comparison with dry shaving but the resulting effects cannot be over-emphasized. Ensure you always prep your face before applying a razor to it. Start with warm water to help open up the pores before proceeding to using shaving creams to soften the hair and provide enough lubrication for the razor.

Shave with the Hair Growth

The idea behind this is to prevent the probability of having sharp hair edges bending backwards into the skin. It is best to know the direction of your hair growth, so you can know exactly how well to shave with it.

Male Grooming: The After Shave Life

Too often we focus on the software and hardware of shaving without placing much emphasis on the resultant effect of shaving. Any professional barber will recommend a good After Shave to help soothe and repair skin after shaving. Naturally, Aloe Vera is a good ingredient to help repair and soothe skins. So you shouldn't be surprised if you see it as a key ingredient in your After Shave products.

After Shave Balm

This balm is made specifically for men with extra sensitive skins. To prevent those annoying skin irritations, you would have to rub this balm daily to help soothe and repair your shaven skin. These shave balms have anti-infection properties that help to prevent bumps, ingrown hairs and other skin irritations.

After Shave Splash

This is a more common After Shave product used by traditional men. Not until the development of the balms, men were often seen slapping their faces with this product. It is effective but may leave behind a stinging feel.

Alum Block

This product, although still in use, predates the Splash. It was used by Egyptian men many centuries ago. Alum is rich in potassium and helps block cuts and nicks. Sometimes we get these nicks and cuts while shaving and we try to stop the bleeding by playing a bit of toilet paper or cotton wool. Old Egyptian men realized potassium is needed in blood clot and used same principle in using the alum block to stop bleeding by sealing cuts and wounds.

Far Better Than I Anticipated

I bought the Vikings Blade roughly 5 weeks ago and I have to say it has been a tremendous shaving experience ever since. I have had to struggle with razor burns and cuts for far too long, I just wanted anything to make shaving more appealing. I took my research online to see the best razor that would reduce these burns. The Vikings Blade got some mad reviews but I was so skeptical thinking it was all paid reviews.

After using the razor for these weeks, I can agree that it is simply an amazing piece of Swedish shaving technology. I have not suffered from shaving burns and cuts ever since! It's more like I have been punishing myself all these time by settling for those other brands. I had completely forgotten how affordable the razor was until I exhausted my blades and was looking to refill. It's just great to have a razor than can guarantee such quality and do it at a price below $100. Honestly, why would anyone still invest so much in those expensive razors when there's a Vikings Blade alternative?

Prevent Razor Burns with the Vikings Blade

A razor burn or any other skin irritation can be a bit embarrassing, especially when you are the only one with it among your friends and colleagues. This in no doubt means you have to suffer alone and in silence. There are ways to help combat your razor burn and we will be addressing one of them in this article. We will be looking at how to prevent it with a good, quality DE razor.

Razor burns are gotten when shaving is done against the direction of hair growth. This is known largely as shaving against the groin. When hairs are cut against the direction in which they grew, they tend to bend backwards. Cut hair usually has a short, sharp tip. When these hairs bend backwards, the pierce through the skin and causes inflammation.

Another cause of razor burn is accumulation of bacteria or bacteria buildup. When you use old, dull blades, they usually have a residue of bacteria. When cuts occur as you shave, these accumulated bacteria tend to enter into these wounds and cause razor burns. The Vikings Blade is designed with superior quality materials that make its blades ultra-sharp. It also comes with 5 blades that allow you make changes without breaking your shave. Its micro-comb feature also prevents accidental cuts while you shave. With no cuts, there is no way bacteria can get under your skin and cause a razor burn. 

My First DE Razor Experience

Since I started shaving some 15 years ago, I've used the Gillette Mach 3. It served me well but I was beginning to get fed up with paying so much for cartridge blades. In my search for something affordable, I stumbled upon a few disposable razors but they always left my face with lots of irritation. Eventually I decided to settle with a DE razor and came across the VikingsBlade.  

I have been using this razor for about 3 weeks now and I'm just in love with the cuts it gives. However, it took me a while to get used to using it; maybe it's because I've been a cartridge man for too long. The Vikings Blade comes with a classic handle which I found to be very good for close shaves. I like the hefty feel of the razor as it gives me an assurance of its durability.

Apart from the fact that I was still getting used to double edge razors, I'm yet to have issues with the razor. I'm quite impressed that it comes with a lifetime warranty. This goes a long way to show the level of quality that was put into its design. If you're a cartridge man like me and looking to test the waters of the DE razor, I highly recommend you start with the Vikings Blade.

How to Shave - from experts at Vikings Blade

A true Viking knows the importance of a good, clean shave. So if you're still in doubt on how to get that great Viking shave, then just follow these steps from the experts.

Open Up Your Skin Pores

Too often we read about getting the hair wet but not many care to tell why this is needed. The pores are pits where hairs sit in. By getting the pores opened up a bit, it would be easy to cut off the top part of the hair - usually called stubble. Warm water would naturally open up the pores. Try washing your face with warm water if you can take a warm shower.

Make a Good Lather

Using warm water opens the skin pores but you would also want to soften the hair. A good shaving cream will help soften the hair. To do this, you would need to form lather with a badger brush. After making the lather in a shaving mug, gently apply the lather on your face.

Run the Razor through the Stubble

With the lather well applied on the face, you would need a good, sharp razor to cut the stubble. Using short strokes, shave with the grain to cut the stubble. If you want a smooth, low cut, rinse off the razor in warm water and use on the face again.

Close Up Your Skin Pores

When you're done with the shave, you have to rinse your face with cold water. Cold water will help close up the pores to avoid infection or any skin irritation.

Use an After Shave

These after shaves are designed to help moisturize your shaved face to prevent any form of skin irritation.

Using Shaving Creams: The Why's and How's

While many may try to argue for dry shaving, wet shaving has got more advantages. Using shaving creams help keep the hairs softened and allow for easy movement of the razor through the bristles. Some of the advantages are a smooth shave and reduced risk of skin irritation. Wet shaving has been a practice for centuries and has seen several modifications of the razor.

Having shaving creams is one thing; knowing how to use it is another. To use a shaving cream properly, you would need to use these steps.

·         Soak the Shaving Brush

While there are two types of shaving creams - brush less and brush shaving creams - we will be focusing on brush shaving creams. Get your Vikings Blade badger shaving brush and soak in warm water for about 3 minutes.

·         Prep the Area to be Shaved

Use warm water to clean the hair bristles to be shaved. This is done to soften the bristles and open up the hair pores. If you feel you can't get the right amount of water for the prep, then take a shower instead.

·         Apply Cream to Brush

With the brush already soaked, take the brush and swirl it on top for take up some cream. It's best to get a small bowl to make the lather in. If you have thicker beards, then you would need more lather than someone without.

·         Lather the Area

Take the cream with the brush to the area you need to shave. With the aid of a good badger lather brush, you will be able to form a good lather. Occasionally dip the brush in warm water before reapplying the lather.

Easy Way to Cut a Beard

When it comes to beards, there are many creative possibilities that it can be styled into. Facial hair for men has seen many variations over the century. If you have a beard you would love to shave, here are some steps to take to avoid any skin irritation.

Prepping the Beard

Just like hairs on the head, you will need to clean out your beards and get rid of as much dead skin cells or dirt in it. You could clean the beard in the sink or in the shower. Although not entirely visible, just like the hairs on your head gets oily, so also does the beards.

Comb the Beard

To prevent tangling, it is paramount to comb the beards. The fuller the beards, the more likely it'd get tangled. While combing, ensure you do it in the direction of the hair growth. This will make shaving a whole lot easier.

Trim the Beards

If you got really full beards, you may need to trim it down with an electric trimmer or scissors before using a DE razor. For more experienced DE razor users, trimming can be achieved with the razor. It's all about using your wet shaving techniques to form a good lather.

Use the DE Razor

When you have been able to trim your full beards to a low level, your DE razor is the next equipment to use for a clean, smooth shave. Always remember the essentials for a good wet shave to achieve maximum results.

Things to Consider When Buying a Razor

The razor itself plays an important role in getting quality shave. When looking to get a good razor, you should look out for...

Blade Count

The more the number of blades, the better it is - right? Well experience has thought us that this is not always true. For instance, in a cartridge razor with multiple blades, the shaves are less deep and close than a conventional DE razor. This is one of the advantages the DE razor has over other cartridge razor.

Blade Specifications

Many people do not realize that razor blades so have certain specifications. They usually differ from one brand to another and also within the same brand. We can see such difference in model types. These specifications include coating, metallurgy, grinding, etc.

Blade Angle

Razor blades are designed with angles ranging from 30° to 45°. A blade with a steeper angle is more aggressive while a blade with shallow angle is very mild but comfortable. You wouldn't want a shallow angled blade and this is why good DE razors are designed with steep angles.

Price

While DE razors use only two blades, they can still be expensive if you settled for an expensive razor. The price of blades varies in the market and is usually a function of brand and construction material. This doesn't mean there are no quality blades at a cheaper price. As a matter of fact, the Vikings Blade is a brand that defies such statement. When buying razors, always settle for one that fits just right into your budget.

The Chieftain Gets Launched by Vikings Blade

We currently live in a world where men are totally allowed to carry facial hair of all kinds. Just name them – trimmed beards, moustaches, long beards, and goatees. While this is a fashion trend that has come to stay, shaving as an art has kept men looking neat and clean. Vikings Blade realizes the importance of shaving as a integral part of men’s grooming. To continue with its promise of ‘Restoring the Art of Manliness”, it has released its latest 3-piece safety razor.

Irrespective of the kind of beards men carry, it would need perfect grooming and trimming. Beards and moustaches on the face of any gentleman must meet up with these two conditions – suit the face and undergo perfect trimming. If any of these are not met, the beards and moustache looks unkempt.

The Chieftain is a perfect blend of technology and innovation. The 3-piece safety razor was designed to give men all over the world the perfect trim and shave for their facial hairs. The razor comes with all the quality and sharpness needed for a clean and smooth shave. Its features include:

• ·         Design
• The Chieftain is made from superior bronze and brass alloy which gives it its characteristic strength. For an elegant and stylish appearance, it has a chrome plating finish which gives it a shiny surface. The Chieftain comes with a classic handle which allows for closer and better shaves.
• 
  
• ·         Technology
• The Chieftain is designed to eliminate all the fears and worries for people with sensitive skins or less experience. It comes with a micro-comb technology that sits in its butterfly head. This technology will help prevent all accidental cuts during shaving.

It also comes with an advanced butterfly head that allows for quick and effective blade changes. Unlike most other butterfly heads, the Chieftain gets activated and opened quickly with just a little twist of its handle’s end.

A high quality shaving razor is needed to properly maintain facial hair and look fresh. Vikings Blade provides a wide range of men shaving products with the Chieftain being among its latest release.

Make Razor Burns a Thing of the Past

Where can we really start with razor burns? They are annoyingly painful. Its better experienced than explained. So you have been having razor burns for as long as you can remember or it’s just a recent encounter for you. It’s time to take the fight back to them and stop these burns right in their track.

Change Razors Regularly

Unless you are using a really great DE razor, chances are the cause of your razor bumps is the low quality razor you are using. So it’s best you invest in a good razor like the Vikings Blade or you regularly change the blades.

Shave in the Right Direction

The problem with this is that most people really do not know the direction of their hair growth. If and when you shave against the hair growth, you end up with ingrown hairs, inflamed skin, and irritation. Like we earlier stated, you just have to experience them to know how painful it can be.

Stick with Wet Shaving

Hairs are usually stiff when dry. If you have tough or coarse hairs, then you have twice the toughness. The best way to soften hair and keep it easy to shave is to keep in wet during shaving. It is best to shave in the shower with a good shaving cream. 

The Vikings Blade

The Vikings Blade gave me a clean, excellent shave. Yet to experience a shave as clean and smooth like Vikings Blade made mine. At first when I was searching for a better replacement from my Parker, I kept seeing the Vikings Blade but the reviews were just too good to be true. I was thinking they were all paid reviews but when it didn’t seem to end, I decided to give it a try. The razor is cheap; like seriously cheap. I got it delivered on schedule and couldn’t wait to test it out. I decided not to shave that evening and wait till the next. I wanted to test the sharpness and quality of the razor.

With my hair prepped and wallowing in the shaving cream, the first stroke from the VB left me speechless. 95% of the stubble was gone with the first stroke, and then I started getting worried on the aggressiveness of the blade. I didn’t want everyone to know I just changed razor with lots of cuts and bumps. With every stroke, I just fell in love with the razor even more. If you have never used the Vikings Blade, you just need to try it out to fully understand what all the reviews are all about. I’m so glad and impressed I settled for the Vikings Blade.

The Vikings Blade Shaving Cream: How to Lather

With the recent release of the Vikings Blade shaving cream, Viking men will no longer have problems with forming the perfect lather. Here are the steps to follow to get that perfect lather for your next shave:

Soak Brush in Cup

The first step is to place your Vikings Badger shaving brush into a cup and allow soaking for about 2 minutes. You could just leave it in the cup while you go take a shower.

Shake the Brush

After properly soaking, take out the shaving brush and shake it 3 to 4 times to get rid of the excess water. This will allow for a better lather formation.

Swirl on Shaving Cream

With the wet shaving brush in hand, swirl on the top of the shaving cream for a maximum of one minute. Prepare your cup and fill with warm water or you could use your sink. Do this before proceeding to the next step.

Begin Lathering

After swirling for about 40 seconds or so, take the brush to your face or wherever you want to shave and start lathering. You do not need to apply much pressure, especially if you are using the Vikings Blade badger shaving brush.

Dip into Cup

If needed, dip the tips of the brush into the cup of warm water or sink basin. Take brush back to the face or wherever area that needs to be shaved. Continueworking the lather until you get the required consistency. On average, a dip of 2 to 3 times is ideal to form the perfect lather.

Begin Shaving

If done properly, you can begin shaving with the Vikings Blade DE razor for smooth, close, and clean shave.

Harmful Ingredients in Shaving Creams to Look Out For

Shaving creams are an important piece of the shaving puzzle. The primary function of shaving creams is to create lather. Irrespective of the kind or brand, shaving creams are usually made up of 80% water. So basically what this means is that much of the differentiating ingredient from one brand to the other falls in the remaining 20%. Like is experienced in other health products, there are some harmful ingredients secretly introduced into the creams to make it produce more lather.

Propolene Glycol

It is a humectant like glycerin (humectant - a big word that means any substance that promotes the retention of water). Unlike glycerin, propolene glycol is found in brake fluid and antifreeze.

Triethanolamine (TEA)

TEA is better known in the chemist world as an emulsifying agent. Basically it helps bind water and fat together. While this may not seem harmful in itself, TEA is suspected to be a leading cause of skin irritation and also found to be in connection with nitrosamines. Nitrosamine is reputable for its link to cancer.

Sodium Lauryl Sulphate (SLS) & Sodium Laureth Sulphate (SLES)

Both of these ingredients cause great formation of lather but also have health implications. SLS acts like estrogen in women, while SLES acts as host to a carcinogen called dioxane.

Introducing the New Vikings Blade Razor, Chieftain, Designed to Prevent Accidental Cuts While Shaving

Vikings Blade is making plans to launch the new Chieftain butterfly razor, which uses patented technology to give a shaving experience that protects men from accidental cuts during shaving. This improved technology includes an upgraded micro-comb feature.

Using its patented technology, the Chieftain offers features which include:

·         A reimagined classic handle

The Chieftain comes with an ergonomic handle that promises to improve grip and precision control. It is made from bronze and brass alloy to give it strength and durability. This handle allows for closer contact of the blade with the skin.

·         Design

The Chieftain is designed with the finest and strongest of razor construction material. It has the chrome plating finish of top razor products. It is a butterfly razor and enjoys the Twist to open mechanism at the base for the handle. This mechanism is designed with a technology that makes opening of the butterfly easier to open with a gentle twist of the handle base.

·         Micro-comb feature

The micro-comb technology is being included to ensure there are no accidental cuts during shaving. The mechanism is well fitted in the advanced butterfly head. It includes a small comb that protects the blades from making direct full contact with the skin.

·         Other features

According to the company, the razor will come in a package made from Italian leather. This would give the razor a more stylish and elegant look. The company says it would also be including 5, unbranded, ultra-sharp blades to allow customers to have an uninterrupted shaving experience. The Chieftain would also come with a travel case with an embedded mirror.

The company is looking forward to pushing the product into the North American market. With over 100,000 units of its Vikings Blade sold already in North America alone, the company is projecting an even bigger and better sales volume for the Chieftain.

The Chieftain is already being projected to revolutionize the shaving world. It is targeted at helping men with sensitive skin experience the smooth, cut-free, everyday shaving experience befitting of a real Viking. The company is pushing forth it motto of “Restore the Art of Manliness” once again.

How Often Should You Shave?

This is a question that has been asked too often, especially by beginners or what we like to call ‘first timers’. Some people believe that the more they shave, the quicker the hair grows back. This is an entirely different debate topic we won’t be bothering ourselves with today. So, back to the question of the frequency of shaving…

There is no ideal standard for the frequency of shaving. It has a whole lot to do with personal preference. This is because we all have different skin and hair types. It would not be fair to impose on one skin type, what works best for another. Some people shave every day because they want to make sure their skin is as hair-free as it can possibly get. For others, it has become more of a habit to place razor on skin everyday – it’s considered part of their daily routine. Some professions like the military demand that shaving is done daily or that no hair is seen growing on the face.

Yet there are some that shave once or twice a week. Usually these people don’t have fast growing hairs and may not necessarily need to remove stubble so often. There are some that may shave bi-monthly and so on. The basic idea is to find what works best for you and stick with it. There is absolutely nothing wrong or right in the frequency you have chosen, unless of cause you have a sensitive skin. If you do, you may want to reduce your frequency to reduce the likelihood of getting cuts and bumps so often.

What's the Badger About Badger Brushes?

Badger brushes have made badgers a very common animal - more like one with a celebrity status in the shaving world. There are about 8 species of badgers in the world. This of course, doesn't take its subspecies into account. Of these 8 species, the Eurasian Badger is the most harvested species in the world for its hair. Although this species hair was once heavily harvested in Europe, as of today, it is a protected species.  

In rural China, the species is often regarded as a nuisance. So much of a nuisance, the National government gives license to local operatives to hunt the badgers and sell their hairs to local and international markets. This disparity in the harvest of badger hairs all over the world has made China be a major distributor of its hairs all over the world.

What makes it so special?

The badger hair is renowned for its special properties. Their bristles are wider at the tips than it is at the base. This allows for better retention of water while wet shaving. Capillary action and knot density also plays an important role in water retention. 

Shave in the Shower to Beat Time

You hoped to shave in the morning just before meeting up with that appointment. Things got a bit busy that morning or you probably wake up late. No need to worry; you can kill two birds with a stone. 

Take a Bath

Just like you would normally do, take a bath. Get wet from head to toe and apply shampoo to hair. Whatever ways you usually take a bath, don't let shaving disturb you.

Clean Shower Mirror with Shampoo

While you got the shampoo on your hair, just apply a little dab on the shower mirror. This is to allow for a better view of your face. Even the best mirrors with anti-fog features will still need a dab of shampoo.

Prep the Face

Wash the face and rinse with clean water. Get your good shaving cream or soap and lather your face with a good badger brush. If no shaving cream or soaps with you in the shower, use your bathing soap. Apply soap to other areas of your body. This will help give the lather on your face time to soft the hair.

Shave with a Good Razor

Using a good double edge razor, shave off the stubble on your face and rinse off when done. Rinse your entire body from the soap lather formed.

Dry Face and Body

Using a clean towel, dry off water from your body and apply an after shave and moisturizer. Get out of the shower, get dressed and head out of the house! 

Vikings Blade vs Ikon Bulldog Safety Razor

For many old users of razors, especially if you don't change brands too often, these brands may seem somewhat new. Vikings Blade as at today is one of the most sought after double edge razor. Both are great products in their right but let's see if they share any similarities or differences.

Design

Vikings Blade is a beauty to behold. First appearance shows it off as a shiny, elegant appeal. It is made from bronze and brass alloy and coated with chrome plating finish. This butterfly razor has an advanced butterfly head that allows for quick blade changes. The Ikon Bulldog comes with an open Comb and Safety Bar Unique Design. It comes with the superior Ikon OSS handle.

Dimension

With a length of 3.75", the Vikings Blade is a classic handle razor that allows for close shaves. It has a weight of 85g which gives it a hefty feel. The Ikon bulldog is also a classic razor with a length almost similar to the Vikings Blade.

Unique feature

Vikings Blade has a micro-comb feature which makes it a great razor, even for beginners. This feature ensures there are no cuts or bruises during shaving. The Ikon Bulldog comes with a professionally engineered Open Comb and Safety Bar Unique Design.

Accessories

TheVikings Blade comes with 5 extra blades and a travel case. The Ikon bulldog also comes with blades but no travel case.

Three Common Shaving Mistakes People Make

For most people, shaving is finding a blade, lathering up some shaving cream, and putting mixture and blade in contact with skin. Shaving is no rocket science but it isn’t as straightforward as that - let's give it due respect. This is not a matter of how many years you have been shaving or where you leant shaving from, just ensure you avoid making any of these three mistakes.

Using Poor Quality Blade

Some people think they can identify low quality blade through its dullness. Quality and dullness are two separate characteristics that shouldn't be interchanged. In trying to save money, some take to buying inexpensive blades with no regard for quality. A brand name will always stand out and you should not settle for less. There are quality brands out there like the Vikings Blade that offer inexpensive blades without compromising on quality.

Shaving Experience

It's very possible you've have been shaving for several years and still know little to nothing about how to shave with a double edge razor. These razors come with ultra-sharp blades that give very close and smooth shave with little effort. With double edge safety razors, it's all about the angles. Learn how to shave properly with a DE razor and you will experience what delight there is to shaving.

A Defective Razor

This isn't even about the blade but the razor itself. Some razors come with defects either from its manufacturing or sales stage. Top brands ensure that each product undergoes quality test before certified for distribution. Using a defective razor, although less expensive, could result in cuts and bumps later on. Once observed, seek to get a replacement immediately.

Parker 96R - Long Handle Butterfly Open Double Edge Safety Razor Review - Price is good, build is not

This is my first foray into shaving with a safety razor. I've used a mach 3 for about 10 years, and a shick quattro for a year. Becoming frustrated with the price of replacement cartridges, and the poor quality of shave, I decided to go old-school, and have found many helpful articles and reviews on safety razors. I didn't want to spend a whole lot of money on this project, since saving money was part of the goal. I found the Parker 96R on amazon, which looked to be a good balance of price, quality, and features.

The first shave was terrible, but I chocked it up to not adequately softening by beard. I nicked myself pretty badly and had terrible razor burn. But I had only prepared myself with a hot washcloth on my face. The next shave, I showered first and it was awesome! Smooth, no nicks, and no razorburn. Ha, I figured it out... So I shaved again two days later with good results. I thought it was settled, but the next shave was TERRIBLE again. Blood everywhere. Nicks and razor burn with not even that close of a shave.

What I discovered is that the blade sits unevenly in this razor. It is not wide enough, such that when the correct amount of blade is exposed on one side of the razor, there is too much exposed on the other side. You can try to correct this by shifting the blade over, but then there is too much exposed on the other side every time.

I like to shave with only one side of the razor, then go to the other side only for the next shave. I rotate sides, then flip the blade and rotate sides again to evenly use the blade. What I noticed is that I can consistently get good results on one side only, and started paying close attention as to how the blade sits on the holding mechanism. I discovered that it is badly machined, and has slop in how it fits the blade.

I am going to return this razor, and get something more precisely made. Getting a good shave requires more than this razor has to offer. I'm looking at a Merkur 180. It is more simple and has German build.

On the Parker 96R I do, however, like the butterfly mechanism and the handle balance feels nice. I just wish it was made better.

Edwin Jagger DE89Lbl Lined Detail Chrome Plated Double Edge Safety Razor

I ordered a DE89Lbl from Amazon Warehouse Deals that was described as being in Like New condition. I figured maybe it was a return and that at the very worst it would have water spots and one of the 5 included Derby blades might be missing. But there were no water spots and all the blades were there, but I immediately noticed that the bottom of the screw on the part of the head that screws into the handle was shorn off. This was obvious because unlike the rest of the razor, it was not shiny chrome but dull, jagged metal. I shook the handle and heard rattling. It looked as if the broken off piece of screw was in the handle, and sure enough I was able to spin it out of the threads in the handle with the tip of a toothpick.

I took a photo of the shorn off screw under an illuminated magnifier so you can see what I'm talking about.

A number of reviewers have had bad luck with this razor because of this screw. In some cases this screw sustained damaged as a result of the razor being dropped. It's possible that the razor I received was dropped by a previous buyer, who then returned it. Of course there are certain objects one should avoid dropping at all costs, such as fountain pens and expensive double edge razors. But a tool designed to hold a blade used for shaving shouldn't be that delicate or fragile, should it?

I've also read on Amazon and elsewhere about DE89 owners who say that the screw eventually rusted.

And, it's possible the screw on the razor I received broke due to the handle being over tightened. If you visit Edwin Jagger, then go to safety razors, then follow the link to order online, you are taken to The English Shaving Company of Sheffield, where this warning appears in the listing for this razor: "Warning: Do not overtighten the DE head. Cast metal is fragile if dropped."

I own three one-piece design double edge butterfly type safety razors that I inherited from my late father. All are Gillettes, and all were manufactured in the US in the sixties or seventies. They are solid tools built to last a lifetime or longer. I don't know if my dad ever dropped any (knowing him, he probably did), but I doubt a single drop would suffice to damage one to the point of rendering it unusable. Because I have those, I don't really need a new DE razor, but I'm eager to try a good quality safety razor of a type that is being manufactured today. The DE89 comes very highly recommended and I don't doubt that it deserves the many 5-star reviews it receives, but the fact that it is built with a cast metal screw that apparently breaks pretty easily is for me a real deal breaker. The one I purchased from Amazon Warehouse Deals that was listed in Like New condition was marked down to nearly twenty bucks, and I can't imagine paying over thirty for something so fragile.

Why buy a razor that you may have to baby and that, unlike the aforementioned older Gillettes, does not seem built to last a lifetime or more? To protect the cast metal screw from rust, you might have to disassemble the razor after every use and dry it. You will have to be careful to never ever overtighten the handle. And of course you must never drop the razor. I don't see the latter as a terribly significant problem because as I say, you don't want to ever drop a fountain pen either, not to mention glassware, cellphones, babies, etc. But that cast metal screw is clearly a problem with this razor (and maybe three-piece* safety razors in general) and although I'm disappointed that I received a DE89 with a broken screw, I think I may actually be lucky, because it would be worse if it arrived undamaged only to break in after the return grace period was past. I contacted Amazon about the problem with the DE89 I received and they sent me a prepaid return label and are giving me a full refund. *(Butterfly safety razors, which are sometimes called TTO razors for twist-to-open, are one-piece, the DE89 razors are three-piece, and there are two-piece safety razors that are similar to the three-piece except that the bottom part of the head doesn't separate from the handle.

Grey Market Goods are a Growing Concern

Unless you're in the manufacturing kind of business, grey market operations may not have a direct effect on you. Greg market good have put some one time big brands out of business or annihilate products from the hands of the original brands. Greg market is undoubtedly a huge multi-billion dollar industry with no concrete plans on ground to slowing its growth.

Many consumers of products are unaware of the copycat activities of the grey market users. As long as consumers keep buying and demanding for more of their products, it's almost next to impossible to put these copycat companies out of business. A good example of products that have found its way into grey markets is the Vikings Blade. The brand grew its reputation from sales of quality double edge safety razors at an affordable price.

Defective or products that fail to meet up to the company's standard during its quality tests are discarded. These discarded goods somehow find its way into the grey markets. Using the design of the Vikings Blade product, copycat companies manufacture their own products. They sometimes go as far as buying materials from China in other to reduce production costs. Usually the grey markets products sell lower than the original products - hence the demanding patronage. For the above example used, copycat companies using the Vikings Blade design are Smoothere, JTrim, eBetter, and Bigfoot Shave.