Another vote for Cremo, although I mostly use C.O. Bigelow Premium Shave Cream for Men with Eucalyptus Oil, which I apply with a shaving brush. I like it much better than traditional shaving soap.
I use a Gillette Fusion Power, because I can get the blades at Costco. I think most razors today are similar quality, so shop price.
I used a two-blade Gillette Atra with a brush and mug of Williams mug shaving soap for many years until both disappeared from local stores. Then went to the 3 three blade things for a while. Tried a 4 blade once then a 5 blade once and decided they were ridiculous.
For the past 15 years or so I’ve been using a Merkur double edge (don’t know which model) with Feather blades and an Arko shaving soap stick with a brush. Tried several fancy / popular shave creams / soaps; most were good but expensive. I’ve been sticking with the Arko for several years now – cheap, it works well, and has a classic barber shop smell.
I don’t often use after shave but when I do it is the Pinaud Clubman After Shave; less than $10 found on the bottom shelf of the CVS shave stuff. Another classic scent; it smells like a barber shop.
I’m in a similar boat of shaving about twice/week. I use Dollar Shave Club’s 4-blade razors, along with Aveeno “Therapeutic” Shave Gel, which I find foams up nicely. The Aveeno is like 4 bucks and lasts me a couple of months. The DSC blades work out to about $1.75/blade, delivered.
Seconding Harry’s. I shave my head, so I need razors and gel that actually work. Harry’s gel is wonderful at reducing nicks and cuts, and their cartridges are very smooth at covering large swaths of stubble. Try them out at Target. If you like them, get a subscription.
I’m always skeptical about the idea of saving money by switching razors. I use the expensive Gillette Fusion blades and I spend maybe $30 a year (and that’s being generous). That seems like a small price to pay for a really close shave.
Note that if you buy the Gillette Fusion blade cartridges at Costco, they regularly sell sixteen for $40 or about $2.50 each. Depending on how often you replace them, it need not cost much at all. (I replace mine once a month but you can continue to use them for at least a couple of months.)
I switched from Fusion 5 to Harry’s. Not just cheaper, but also better.
Harrys blades and whatever cream is cheapest at the grocery store.
I’m 72, so I’ve been shaving a long time. For years, I tried every new razor, though I’d go back to the ones that didn’t cut me or pull harder than most. I used Bic disposables while they were pushed as loss leaders. I used Techmatic with a long blade on a reel. I used Wilkinson Sword blades. I used Atra razors for quite a while. Double bladers for a while. Triples, fourples… I don’t see any reason to go past 3 blades; the fifth blade is not going to get any closer than the third.
I’ve been using Mach 3 triples for a few years now. I’ve gone a long time without a shaving cut. I change blades once a week, though maybe I could go longer.
Once Edge gel came out, I never went back to plain foam. The last time, they didn’t have Edge, so I’m now using Fusion 5 gel. If you’re using foam, and you get shaving rash, try a gel.
Oddly, electric shavers hurt my skin worse than blades ever did.
I use shave gel from the Dollar Tree. It’s an exact replica of Gillettes version.
I got a shit ton of Bic Comfort 3 razors four years ago on clearance after Christmas. They will last many years.
I shave down, then re-gel and shave up against the grain. It’s the best way to get the “smooth as a babies cheek” condition. I know some guys don’t do that for fear of ingrown whiskers but I have never had a problem with it.
In the past I have used products like Shave Secret and King of Shaves. They’re great but can be pricey.
FYI, that’s rebranded Italian Proraso shaving cream. Great stuff!
If you liked that, Gillette has a new shave gel in the “King C. Gillette” collection that seems to be the same basic product- a clear, slick gel.
I had used my grandfather’s old Gillette razor for years, with Wilkinson blades. William’s mug soap.
A couple of years ago I found a Maison Lambert kit at a thrift shop for 5 dollars. Still use the same blades and soap but my vanity looks classier.
Bought a big box of Mach 3 blades at an estate sale a few years ago. I shave only a few times a week and it’s just my neck and my cheeks. I get about 3 months from each blade. I have enough for about 7 years now. Last year stopped in the town of Halfway, Oregon. A little shop selling home made stuff had some shaving soaps for 50 cents each, I bought all 3. Bought a shaving brush from Amazon. I’m set for quite a while.
I also use a double edged so-called safety razor, which I love because it’s incredibly cheap and very sharp… I need an edge.
With respect to shaving cream, I always used whatever soap was handy, and then a couple of years ago I saw my son’s can of Harry’s gel, gave it a try, & have been stealing from him ever since. That stuff is really good.
The mysterious thing about safety razor blades (I mean the double-edged kind Gillette patented in 1901) is that they are sold at a price ranging from less than $1 for a 10-pack, to over $10 for a 10-pack. Strange.
I wonder if anyone really has to shave so much that price is an issue. (Should grow and style a magnificent beard if you are that hirsute?)
Double edged razor blades are the best, and cheapest. I once found a package of 200 assorted blades on Amazon for $20. You can’t get cartridge blades for that kind of a deal.
Yeah, I’m typically paying $30 for 200, but even that’s cheap relative to alternatives given I use a blade every week or so.
When I first got a safety razor I browsed some of those shaving forums, and there’s definitely a culture thing going on - people spend a lot of time thinking about the “right” blade. I can’t tell if that’s like that famous study where people couldn’t actually distinguish their favorite vodka from other vodkas, or if it’s a realistic assessment that their face demands a specific blade…probably a mix. I do know some blades are sharper than others - I tried a sample pack of those Feathers, and that did not end well.
Yeah, I haven’t been able to detect significant differences among brands of double edged blades. They’re all better than cartridges though.
Yeah, I did the sample pack thing when I first switched to double edge. The differences were noticeable and Feather became my choice.
Good old straight razor. Styptic pencil. Most any kind of soap, and hot water. This is just about free once you get the hang of keeping the razor sharp and pay off the ER bills for your first few attempts.