Men's Razors and Shaving Brushes

Besides a lubricant,  the razor  is possibly one of the most important tools used for shaving.  A brush,  while less common, is still preferred by some who are dedicated to an old fashioned shave. This guide focuses primarily on razors, but it will also touch on brushes and even razor/brush kits.

Choosing Razors and Brushes 

The most important consideration when it comes to buying a razor is personal comfort. A razor that doesn't feel comfortable on the skin is not only a waste of money, but it's going to leave the skin irritated and possibly lead to breakouts, cuts or ingrown hairs.

Besides comfort, there's convenience and cost. If you're the kind of guy that likes to grab a new pack of disposable BICs while dashing through the grocery store to grab a pizza, chances are you're not too worried about a fancy schmancy razor. There's nothing wrong with sticking to something you like if you know it works well. But if your daily shave is less than average, you might want to consider switching to something a little more refined -- something that takes more effort than just throwing it out when you're done with it. 

Cartridge razors  are not only convenient, but they're reasonably priced and give a pretty good shave. The next step up, a safety razor,  may not be quite as convenient, but the quality of the shave plus a low overall cost and durability make be worth it.

As for a brush,  should you do decide to invest in one, you can be sure that it will last a lifetime. Feel free to indulge on something you'll enjoy everyday for the rest of your shaving life or hope that someone gets you a nice one as a gift.

Razor Types

Disposable Razors  Inexpensive, but cheap construction. They aren't flexible enough to adjust to the contours of your face and the blades tend to rust and wear quickly, which can cause nicks and cuts. Add to creating more waste, but they are convenient.	Cartridge Razors  Reasonably priced for what you get. A solid, nicely weighted handle that you can buy replacement heads for as often as needed saves hassle and ensures that you will always get a good shave with less irritation. The blades on the cartridges tend to be of higher quality than regular disposables, plus the heads are flexible and some have moisture strips.	Safety Razors  Safety razors have double-edge replaceable blades that require less strokes to get a close shave, meaning less irritation. The quality permanent metal head and handle are solid and will last a lifetime. Preferred by those who like wet shaves and are a good alternative to a cartridge razor because it cuts costs over time. These razors are inches shorter than the standard cartridge razor and cost from $25 to $60. Popular brands include: Merkur,  Muehle-Pinsel,  and Edwin Jagger  (luxe). You may also want to look for the Schick Injector.	Straight Razors  Oh so classic! But you better get some Straight Razors. There is technique required to both use and care for a straight razor. They will last forever with periodic blade sharpening, which reduces overall cost and negative environmental effects. The downside is the maintenance.

Cartridge vs. Safety Razors

Cartridge style razors are the most frequently purchased types of razors namely because you don't have to spend a lot initially to get a decent shave. They are better than an ordinary disposable because you only have to buy replacement blade cartridges and you can hold on to the handle until you decide that it's time to chuck it and buy a new one. In the end you are wreaking less havoc on the environment than if you were to buy disposables. One the other hand, it's not the most cost effective method of shaving. A safety razor  costs more initially, but it will last you forever and the blade replacements are cheaper than cartridges. The reason why safety razors haven't swooned over the entire shaving population is that they are less common. Standard cartridge razors of the drugstore variety are easy to find replacement cartridges for because these major brand razors are sold just about anywhere while safety razor cartridges are not.

Quick Picks 

The products mentioned below are some of the best cartridge razors around. The emphasis here is on the cartridge blades themselves and not as much on the handle design, since they are all relatively similar. The only ones that really stand out are the battery operated razors, which actually have something unique going for them. Otherwise, it is the blade cartridge that will make the most difference in how good a shave you get. Remember that some are compatible (like if you own a Gillette Sensor handle, you might be able to use Mach 3 blades on it). Check the manufacturers Web site before purchasing to double check.

• Schick Octo: Just when you thought that it couldn't get any better than six blades on a razor, think again. This eight-blade wonder will be hitting stores in April 2007. While the handle is expected to cost around $13, the replacement blade cartridges are going to be priced on par with the Gillette Fusion or a little more.
• Gillette M3 Power : This is like an oversized version of the Mach 3 spruced up with AAA batteries  and a heftier than average price tag. From what users have said, the buzz is no more worth the bucks than you would spend on the original Mach 3.
• Gillette Fusion : Not three, not four, but five blades! Despite the positioning of the blades, which is closer than its predecessors, it doesn't gunk up or drag too much. The skinny sixth blade helps get into tight spaces and helps shave around side burns. The jury says? Good shave but a bit pricey.
• Gillette Mach 3 : There's no review (that I have seen) that doesn't claim this razor to be everything a razor should be. It gives a smooth, close, less irritating shave, and it has a reasonable price tag to boot. Sometimes simplicity is as good as it gets.
• Schick Quattro : This is certainly competition for the Gillette Mach 3, with four blades wrapped with eight wires. That means less nicks and less irritation. The only question is whether it's worth the extra money.
• BIC : The cheapest of razors on the drugstore shelves have proven that when it comes to shaving, price and quality do have at least something in common. BIC is definitely the last on most folks list because they tend to nick and cause irritation. In fact, one reviewer calls them "evil." Go figure.

High-end cartridge razors that run up to $70 or more are made by the following manufacturers: Concord  and Muehle-Pinsel.  Some are compatible with razor blade cartridges such as Mach 3. The reasons for going with these pricier handles is that they will inevitably last longer and are usually ergonomically designed to fit the hand. They also have nice designs with more luxurious detailing on them. Otherwise, like with the more disposable cartridge razors above, the blade is what really makes a difference.

Head Shavers Only While the regular razor meant for the face (or other body parts for that matter) can work fine on your head, there are razors out there designed specifically to enhance the head shaving experience. Contoured handles and innovative designs, albeit higher price tags, can make shaving easier. Some of the most popular models are at headshaver.org, which features lots of product reviews related to head shaving supplies.

Shaving Brushes

So you want to look hip and use a brush and a safety razor to shave with. Excellent choice, sir. When looking for brushes, the main thing to remember is that the brushes should be 100% badger hair. If you can't afford a badger hair brush,  then boar's hair brush  is the nest best thing. Beyond these animal derived brushes, there are synthetics, which you shouldn't even bother with since they don't do a great job. For badger brushes choose from one of three grades (in descending order of quality and price): Super,  Silvertip,  Best  and Pure.  A brush will typically cost you from $20-$80 depending on the brand and the level of badger you choose. Of course boar is less expensive, as are synthetics. However, when you consider that a brush can last you for years on end, the price becomes less of an issue. Finally, if you want to get a brush, you will also need the proper accessories, including a shave mug  and a brush stand.  Which brands are best? For an entry level brush, FHM recommends the inexpensive Men-U Barbiere Pure Bristle Brush.  Muehle-Pinsel  and Concord  also make inexpensive brushes. Also try Simpson Wee Scot  and Vulfix.

External Links

• ClassicShaving.com: Advice and shopping for straight and safety razors.
• ShavingStuff.com: Want reviews? Want details? This blog is updated regularly, and it has everything to do with shaving and more.
• Shaveblog.com: A must see for all men. This is a great how-to blog on shaving and much more.
• Web.Mit.Edu: If you want to know how to shave, Hudson's All About Shaving is a must see.