If you're insinuating that DEs fell out of vogue because they're dangerous, you can't be serious. The reason DEs fell out in the 70s is because companies like Gillette poured tons of money into ad campaigns about how much faster and safer multi-blade cartridges are, but it's a load of horse shit. The real reason is because they can jack up the prices on cartridges and butt rape customers while reaping massive profits. Which they've done for the past forty plus years.

Exactly! By constantly changing the handle/cartridge combinations they can "force" men to constantly buy new handles and blades. DE razors will last for a LONG time if properly cared for (I own a 1954 Superspeed that is still in very good condition). Gillette and other companies can't make mega-profits on DE blades, so they had to come up with a new system so they could make more money.

DEs don't compare at all to straight razors in terms of cost per use. The initial setup for straight razor shaving is much higher: about $120 for a brand-new, professionally honed blade; $40 for a strop; $40 for a hone to maintain the edge yourself (or send it out every year or so); plus mug, brush, soap/cream. The savings come over the very long haul though because a properly maintained straight razor will outlive you. Case in point: I have a straight razor that belonged to my grandfather (who died in 1972) and he got the razor in the 1940's. When I got it, it took 10 passes on my barber's hone to get it back into shaving shape. I also got a straight razor that was just about as old that belonged to one of my great-uncles and with it took just a little more effort to put an edge back on the blade, and now it's as good a shaver as the two Dovo straights I bought new.

Just got into this about 2 - 3 months ago. im loving it. my beard grows mad fast and my skin is crazy sensitive. As long as i keep shaving each day (or two max) i get no skin issues at all. I actually look forward to a shave now. Its relaxing and I have found a new appreciation for good aftershave. one of these days i might try a straight razor, but for now the safety razor (and the COST SAVINGS) is awesome!

If you want evidence that Gillette has been making money hand over fist based on its exorbitant cartridge business model, look no further than the Pats' stadium.

A ****ing shaving company has enough money to name-sponsor an NFL stadium.

Those fusion cartridges are $3-4 each or more at retail. I laid out $40 for a top of the line Merkur that is stainless and should last a lifetime.

There are other initial costs, but it would all pay for itself in about a year and you'd be getting a higher quality shave than with the plastic gillette stuff.

That's really awesome. How hard was it to learn?

I've been using a EJ DE89 with feather blades for a while now. (Since the last thread about this got me to purchase one.) Couldn't be happier.

Never said anything about danger. My dad hardly watched TV, read the newspaper and Popular Mechanics. He most likely tried like most men out of curiosity and decided this is convenient easy gives a quality shave. The styptic pen also disappeared from the med cabinet. Men of that generation were not easily swayed by advertizing you had to prove you had a product that worked and was cost effective.

Merkur #34C
Vulfix 600 brush ("super badger")
Feather "New High Stainless"
Soap, etc. - Taylor of Old Bond Street.

Yeah an so? Men shave put out a good product its going to sell and Gillette is going to make money. Its private enterprise and you choose to go a different direction the majority goes the other direction. I was only stating my opinion your pretty defensive about it.

This...

On a side note, my kids love to shave after me. I just take out the blade and hand them the brush and they have a blast. I could not do that with a Mach 4 or 5. Also, given that those disposable heads are so damn costly...I was more inclined to use them longer then necessary and thus end up with more razor burn and cuts.

I'm not defensive, I just seize any opportunity to inform people that cartridge razors suck and are a waste of money after years of wasting money on them myself.

I rarely use Gillette but I favor the sensor that I got in the mail long ago when a man never had to buy a razor handle. I get double blades from Dollar Store or Dollar tree and good to go. But I am only clean shaven in the summer so its pretty cheap when its just for cleanup.

Cartridge razors are a lot more affordable if you buy the right ones and sharpen them with a piece of denim.

Before I switched to my electric Braun I was using the Dorco Pace 6 plus. MUCH cheaper than Gillette, just as good, and one cartridge would last me a month shaving every other day and sharpening once a week.

Exactly! I haven't spent money on DE blades in about 4 years (I got 300 blades...and a blade lasts me about a week).

Straight razor shaving wasn't too hard to learn, after using a DE for a long time. You have to be really careful with blade angle and pressure (you want no pressure, or you will cut yourself, and I mean cut, not nick), but once you get the hang of it, it's pretty easy. I recommend starting slow and only shaving part of your face, and slowly expanding how much you shave. The guys at the The Straight Razor Place forum were extremely helpful.

You don't mean that literally do you? It makes me want to go change my sheets just thinking about it.....