Shave and a Haircut , Two Bits !

How can we make shaving and haircutting sustainable ? Without going totally Cro-Magnon . My initial thought is purchasing razors and scissors that will last decades , if not a lifetime . Disposable razors are definitely out . Straight Razors require some skill but can be used for daily shaves and cutting hair . Anyone with recommendations for brands of scissors and razors that will last ? Sharpening tools ? Tips ?

I've started shaving with a straight. There are forums dedicated to straight razor and double edge shaving. Straightrazorplace.com and Badger and Blade are the two that come to mind. I don't have any specific recommendations since I inherited my blade from my grandfather and I'm still in the hack and slash portion of my shaving learning curve:).

Dovo seems to be a popular brand on those sites, but do your own research.

I have no idea about scissors.

Vintage straights can be found in antique stores for very little money. If you don't know how to sharpen them or can't find them, this guy does good working restorations to blades: http://whippeddog.com/products/find/straight-razors-1

He also sells good budget strops and brushes and stuff.

Scissors will cost you. You have to buy HIGH end models from a beautician/barbershop supply.

Some day I also plan to make the switch to a straight razor, but it looks like it'll be quite a challenge.

I'd just to point out for people like me who are daunted by the straight razor scene that while you are trying to screw up the courage to take the plunge, there's a much easier step that is still a significant stride towards frugality and sustainability and that is to go from aerosol cans of foam shaving cream to a mug and brush and from the plastic and metal cartridge plus handle to the safety razor.

Micky Ewing wrote:Some day I also plan to make the switch to a straight razor, but it looks like it'll be quite a challenge.

I'd just to point out for people like me who are daunted by the straight razor scene that while you are trying two screw up the courage to take the plunge, there's a much easier step that is still a significant stride towards frugality and sustainability and that is to go from aerosol cans of foam shaving cream to a mug and brush and from the plastic and metal cartridge plus handle to the safety razor.

+1. That is where I am right now. My 17 YO son started shaving w/ a straight, but I don't yet. I have 3-4 years worth of safety blades left until I have to try to make the switch.

Beards are more economical, but my wife doesn't like them. Shaving is a small price to pay with big dividends.

As to hair, I started using an electric clipper when I went to college. I have done my own hair ever since, with my wife trimming the edges. Cut all my boys hair, too. $20 in 1990, I finally had to buy a new one a couple years ago. The new consumer one isn't so good, am going to buy a professional one and be done with it for life. You can re hone the blades with a good flat stone, but they stay sharp forever as long as you cut clean hair--it is the dirt that dulls them just like sheep shears.

And don't forget: human hair is just like chicken feathers - 15% Nitrogen.
Put it into the compost heap.

A pair of professional thinning shears is a big help for amateur hair cutting. I am the only mom I know who cuts her own kids' hair all the time. The thinning shears help smooth out choppy snips.

I love men with beards. They look like adult men!

I too used electric clippers to cut the male head hair in my household for years, still cut my Dad's.
Cut my own middle of back length hair with barber scissors that I've had for so long I don't remember when/where they came from. Still work beautifully as I don't use them for anything else (like pruning herbs or cutting flowers ).

My pair of $20 Whal's has lasted me almost 15 years.

Assuming a haircut a month, that comes out to about eleven cents a haircut, plus electricity.
Nothing like a freshly shorn scalp. ..

I keep my triple edge disposable razor in 91% rubbing alcohol, using a large pill bottle with cap. Just enough to cover the blades. Change it weekly. (initially I bought a product called Razorlast(?)

The alcohol keeps water and air from rusting/dulling the blades.

I shower shave and just use warm water. You develop a good feel with time.

My wife cuts my hair most of the time. She has the Wahl and a kit.

Shave while soaking in the tub and wetting the face several times prior. Don't wash face with soap in advance. Your natural oil lubricates the blade and prolongs sharpness. Rasors pull more and dull quicker when used on a really clean, oil free face. No need for cream.

Dale Hodgins wrote:Shave while soaking in the tub and wetting the face several times prior. Don't wash face with soap in advance. Your natural oil lubricates the blade and prolongs sharpness. Rasors pull more and dull quicker when used on a really clean, oil free face. No need for cream.

I remember an episode of Seinfeld where Kramer started using butter for shaving.

I have pretty sensitive skin, especially around cheeks. I'm going to try using coconut oil shaves, instead of the soap/brush that cause me break out like a thirteen y.o.

wayne stephen wrote:.....Without going totally Cro-Magnon......

Hey! I resemble that remark! .........

My husband will never grow a beard (too itchy, he says) and had the same issue - he a daily shaver and hated going through so many razors.  It felt so wasteful.  He ended up switching to an old-fashioned butterfly head safety razor.  He wasn't happy with the first one he bought, and spent a bunch of time finding one he liked.  

Turns out they are all quite different.  Some have more or less razor edge exposed, or the razor edge is tighter to the comb - and this makes a big difference because men's beard density and hair coarseness is very individual.

After spending so much time finding a good one, the one he found wasn't sold anywhere online!   So he decided to private label it and sell it.  Now that's a side home business he runs.  This is his website talking about the product is www.things-that-work.com .  He sells it mail-order through Amazon.

I even use it, though I rarely shave.  It's better for men, though.  The razor is very sharp and designed for coarse hair, like beard hair.  The technique used with an old-fashioned safety razor is also different -  it's important to read directions or watch a quick video about it.  The real key is to use zero pressure with the blade.  You glide it over the skin.  Disposables take pressure, and if you apply the same pressure you'd use with a disposable while using a double-edge safety razor, you will get razor burn.  They are much sharper.

Another interesting thing - it's made it a lot cheaper for him to use fresh blades.  The blades are really inexpensive and are recyclable.  So, for guys who are prone to getting "shaving bumps" or infected follicles, with a safety razor you can reasonably and affordably change the blade frequently.