Ask Aaron Q/A: Beard shaping - Mach 3 Razor vs Double Edge Safety Razor
Aaron is asked a question about the best ways to shape a beard using a double edge safety razor
Saby Sambhi, from the UK, asks:
“Hey Aaron, I have recently graduated to a DE safety razor from a Gillette Mach 3. I have a Merkur 34c razor, Edwin Jagger super badger hair brush and Taylor of Old Bond street almond shaving cream.
So far the shaves have been amazingly close but I am having issues with shaping my beard. The razor works great shaving large areas such as my neck but I can’t see where I am shaving for the intricate areas due to the thickness of the cream and this is leading to shaping mistakes.
Can you please advise the best way to address this? Previously with my Mach3 I was able to to cover the areas requiring detail with a thin layer of soap allowing me to see where I am going and due to the relatively benign nature of the blades this provided adequate protection and lubrication but I feel a DE razor will be too aggressive for this approach?
Any help is greatly appreciated! Many thanks, Saby.”
A double edge razor is a great tool for shaping a beard
AARON SAYS
“Mr. Saby,
Actually the same approach you used with the Mach 3 you can apply with the Merkur. What I recommend (and I do myself) is to take your finger and gently wipe away the majority of the lather, leaving behind a thin layer. The thin layer will give you the protection and glide you are looking for and still give you good visibility! Another thought would be to use a shavette such as a Dovo or Bluebeard’s “cut-throat” to do the fine work. Both methods work equally well and should give you the results you are looking for!
Smooth Shaving!
Aaron”
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The very closest of shaves with big savings!
The Parker Model 90R “Knightsbridge” Metal Safety Razor comes in at number four in our list of the top 15 gifts to buy Dad this Father’s Day.
The 90R is an all-metal construction safety razor with nickel-plated finish, a butterfly opening, and some great styling on the handle.
Put this together with a decent blade, a nice rich lather and hot water and you get a close satisfying shave reputably out performing the likes of the Mach 3.
And don’t forget the savings in razor blades compared to the cost of the average Mach 3 refill cartridge; this razor will pay for itself!
The Parker 90R is priced at just £19.99 on the Shaving Shack website.
A great gift for Dad this Father’s Day.
Desperate move by Asda to halt growing trend towards double edged shaving
It has recently been reported that British supermarket giant Asda is to significantly reduce the cost of its Gillette razors by up to 40 percent.
And while this is an admirable move at last for those who use the brand’s shaving products, especially when you think of how cheap it is to actually make these blades, the fact still remains that razors which utilise disposable cartridges such as Mach 3 and Fusion still do not provide value for money for the country’s men.
The company has decided to finally act against widespread anger from guys who have been complaining about the cost of shaving products over the past few years. Therefore, it is no surprise then that many of these men are turning back towards retro wet shaving products like double edged razors.
Even though the cost of replacement cartridges may be dropping, by over a third, by at least one supermarket, the truth is, Gillette razor blades will still end up being more costly in the long run. As Britain’s men of shaving age are waking up to the thought that double edged razors are not just a traditional shaving product confined to the distant past, but make for a luxurious and much more enjoyable experience, people are growing tired of the gimmick which Gillette started when replacement razors were first introduced.
Marketing can only get you so far, and now men are beginning to take a stand against the rising cost of shaving products from the likes of Gillette and aren’t prepared to shell out a small fortune on blades which only cost about 5 pence to manufacture (with a 4,000 percent mark-up).
They may have been clever in getting top sports stars like Roger Federer and Thierry Henry to promote their shaving products, but this latest move by Asda only goes to show that while the blanket pricing from Gillette may be over, the damage has already been done. For those switching to the affordable yet luxurious world of double edged shaving, all we can do is welcome you to the real men’s club.
Forget the socks & jumpers - Treat Dad to a luxury Mach 3 razor on June 20
17 days and counting… Father’s Day is less than 3 weeks away! And what better way to show Dad how much you really care by treating him to a luxurious razor on June 20.
And they don’t come more impressive than the Shaving Shack “Regent” Nickel Plated Mach 3 Razor.
Stylish, modern and elegant, this is perfect Mach 3 luxury, and number 13 in our top 15 gift ideas for Father’s Day!
Tom Trueman, customer services manager at the Shack, says: “This nickel plated Mach 3 razor is absolutely stunning and represents fantastic value for money at just £22.99.
“The handle is perfectly balanced and feels substantial and solid. It comes in a blue gift box (pictured), making it an ideal gift for Father’s Day.”
The razor is 120mm in length and comes with the Mach 3 razor blade.
So forget the socks, jumpers and silly T-shirts, get Dad something he really wants this year!!!
Please check back on Friday for perfect gift number 12, or better still, sign up to our email updates by clicking here.
Double Edge Shaving vs Mach 3
BEAT THE CREDIT SQUEEZE! LUXURY DOUBLE EDGE SHAVING FOR THE MODERN MAN!
Why are so many people switching from Mach 3? The cost, the affordable luxury and of course the sheer pleasure.
Recently there has been a huge demand for double edge shaving as people increasingly turn away from expensive multi-bladed systems and start to enjoy the daily chore that most men face each morning.
You will save money. As the following example shows, you will actually save money in the longer term. Not bad during a recession, saving money and enjoying luxury every day!
PRICE COMPARISON MACH3 VS DOUBLE EDGE
Based on an average use of one Mach3 cartridge / two double edged razor blades a week
MACH3 CARTRIDGE YEARLY COST
Typical cost for twelve cartridges is £11.99 - (£11.99 divided by 12 weeks of shaving x 52 weeks a year = £51.96 for a year’s worth of Mach3 cartridges.)
DOUBLE EDGED BLADE YEARLY COST
At the Shaving Shack, we do 30 blades for £5.99 (15 weeks shaving at two blades a week). So: £5.99 divided by 15 weeks of shaving x 52 weeks a year = £20.76 for a year’s worth of double edged razor blades.
That’s a saving of around £31 a year and less than half the cost of shaving with Mach3s.
Merkur 570 Chrome Progress Safety Razor
In the first year the saving is more than enough to cover the investment of a double edge razor.
OK, I’m interested! What kit do I need? These are the basics:
Double Edge Safety Razor - by far the most popular for newbies and veterans alike is the Merkur 34C (£28.99) and the longer handled version, the Merkur 38C (£33.99). As a cheaper alternative I would recommend the latest Parker razors (£20.99)
If you really want to treat yourself to a contemporary looking razor then look no further than the Merkur Futur (£44.99), a fantastic piece of German engineering!
Double Edge Razor Blades - buying one of the razors above will qualify you for our free gift of 10 free double edge blades for spending over £9.99 - that’s about 5 weeks of shaving on average and a great start!
Shaving Cream - for the perfect creamy rich lather forget goop in a can! Try some great quality yet inexpensive Proraso (£5.50) or Omega (£3.95) cream.
For affordable luxury and some great scents, indulge in any of the Taylor of Old Bond Street range (£6.95) offering the best value for money quality you will find today.
Shaving Brush - treat yourself to a badger brush such as our popular Buccaneer (£14.99) or Pure Badger (£15.99) brush which is used to apply the lather.
Again, for something a little bit special try the GB Kent badger brushes (from £27.99) or the ultra luxurious Simpsons range (from £64.99).
So, by investing a total of less than £40 based on the recommended products above you can experience this wonderful world of luxurious shaving and make savings year on year!
Lastly, don’t forget our Shave Points Rewards Program which rewards regular shoppers. Example, spend £60 on products and get 60 Shave Points. 15 Shave Points can be redeemed for £1 so the above example would give you the equivalent of £4 off your next order.
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