Yes, get out your airsickness bags, you shaving prima donnas I've been a Mach 3/Edge gel guy since both products were invented.

Recently I've been trying to up my game. Not because I'm unhappy with my shave, but because I'm just bored and trying to see if I can do better.

I bought a Henry's starter kit and, oh my god, what total shit. Their shave cream was like shaving through mud, and the razor didn't work anywhere near as well as my Mach 3 no matter what lotions and potions I used. It went back in a hurry.

More recently I tried a Henson razor. As an engineer I was impressed with their razor engineering theories. Right or wrong, as least it was a little better than the average razor hype. And the product was impressive, too. Well made, the starter pack of blades looked very nice. I put some effort and commitment into it, a great deal more than the Henry's crap. Alas, even if I spend some serious quality time with it, it does not do any better than my Mach 3, and it requires far more time, effort and skill to get the same result.

With the Mach 3 I can just slap on some hot water, some Edge gel, and go to town at warp shaving speed. Multiple directions, no need to apply more Edge, no need to whip up some fancy potion or use brushes or whatnot, no worries about cutting myself. The result is just as good as shaving twice with the Henson.

I suspect the answer is "No", but is there a way to do better than that at the same level of time investment? Or should I just stick with my crappity ass Mach 3 and be happy?

I use a Harry's to shave my head and face, works great.   Are you part Sasquatch with hair more like a wire brush?  I used to use a Gillette but when they went with their here is my tranny "son" learning to shave commercial I moved on.  I find Harry's just as good.

Been using Mach 3 for years.  Have tried others, I always come back.  Just got a good deal on cartridges at Costco - $30 for $33.  That should last me well over a year.

Meh, I use a single blade safety razor, a good cream with a badger hair brush.  Baby smooth and feeling fine.  Single Blade master race... chiming in.

No, not really. I'd say my beard is probably medium, maaaaybe medium-heavy in some spots.

I use to use Pace 6 - and the old versions worked quite well...a few years ago the changed stuff up and I could not even get one clean shave from a blade.

Right now Harry's is much better than the current generation of Dorco's Pace #6 blade.  It is a bit better performance wise than the previous generation in shave quality, but not as good for price per shave.  And for what it is worth, ShaveClub uses some of Dorco's blades....


If I shave in the shower, I have no issues keeping the razor clean. If I shave at a sink, I have a shaving mug full of hot water and keep a old tooth brush to keep the shaving head clean.

I will use a very mild / creamy bar of soap (Camay) to prep the face before using the razor.   I will often go between 3 days and a week before shaving so I have a bit of growth that will plug up almost any modern razor.  

Harry's have to be held at a tighter angle to your face.
Bring the bottom of the handle in.

I won't use Gillette anymore because of their woke bullshit.
The Mach 3 is off my shopping list.

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Harry’s is absolutely dog shit at best.

I don't have to be clean shaven so I use a Harry's + whatever soap my wife buys to shave around my beard in the shower about once a week, Harry's because to refuse to buy Gillette products. If I want a good shave I use a old safety razor with a feather blade and real shaving soap  but I'm too lazy for that 99% of the time.

I like Harry's. The single blade on the back is great for getting up to the edge of my beard.

I found the Henson razor to be utterly incapable of giving me a close shave, but I am basically a caveman so my hair is pretty thick/coarse and grows at weird angles.  

A traditional shave typically takes a few minutes longer than a cartridge + canned shave gel shave.  Since you typically do 2-3 passes it’ll take longer than 1 pass plus maybe some buffing.  I use a double edge razor and shaving soap to shave because: I also shave my head and I make up time there vs a cartridge, shaving my head means I burn through cartridges or disposables + shave gel at an insane rate, and I travel for 60-90 days at a time for work and need to take all my shit with me when I head out.  I can fit a year’s worth of shaving supplies in a small part of my Dopp kit when I use a DE Razor.

Honestly if you’re happy with your shaves as is, are happy with what you’re paying for shaving stuff, aren’t getting irritation or skin rashes, aren’t concerned with dumping additional waste into landfills, and just want to get the shave out of the way as quickly as possible vs taking a few extra minutes to enjoy the daily ritual, I would not bother.  Some people enjoy shaving and feel traditional shaving transports them back in time in a good way, and some people want to just get it out of the way and get on with their day.  If you want to put about as much thought into shaving as you do taking a leak, brushing their teeth, or wiping your ass, just stick with cartridges and canned shave gel.  No reason to overthink it.

I use the Henson and love it, it having replaced my Mach 3 and Electric shaver.

A couple points to make it work.

-"Burst" shaving. No idea what the actual term is. Basically, with the Mach 3, I'd use one single continuous stroke to shave. Ie pull from my sideburn to the base of my jaw in a continuous movement. Trying this with the Henson, I got mediocre results.

What I found instead is doing a 'burst' of shaving, where you a rapidly shaving over the same spot by flicking the razor up and down with your fingers, covering a ~1" section of the face. This is very fast, takes about as much time as a single normal stroke, but instead you end up with 3-4 strokes in that area, making for a very close shave.

This segment of video gives a good idea of what that looks like; I do a bit tighter 'burst' myself, while moving the blade sideways across the face:

https://youtu.be/s5n0y0h0JUw?t=274

- The 1.5x pass shave. Basically after shaving a section of my face with the grain, I do a quick side shave across the grain with the blade without applying any more shaving cream. This takes only a few seconds, but is super helpful for hitting 'straggler' hairs that may have been missed on the first pass.

-Start from the bottom. I found the razor works best shaving 1" sections of hair, with nothing below. So I start 1" from the bottom of my neck, and shave down. Then move up 1" and shave down. Up and up that way. This makes I think for a smoother shave since the hairs lack any 'foundation' below them as more and more of the face is shaved away.

-Duct tape. I have a little .25" section of Gorilla Tape attached to one side of the razor, which lets me keep track of which side of the blade is which. I do 2x shaves with the non duct tape side, then 2x shaves with the duct tape side, then replace the razor blade. In this way I get 4x shaves per $0.10 blade, and yet I am certain that every shave is either with a brand new edge, or a like new edge.



This all takes practice, but becomes quite natural and automatic after 10-15 shaves. It used to take me about 15-20 minutes to shave, now I'm down to around 8-10 mins for a very nice shave.

but seriously, if a Mach 3 works best for you and you like it go with it. If your happy why change?

Personally, I got fed up with the irritation, the ingrown hairs and the high price of replacement cartridges that came with using a Gillette Sensor, Gillette Mach 3, Schick Quattro, Gillette Fusion or the like so I went to the one or two blade disposable razors for a very short while only to find they weren't any better for me. It was when I switched to a Double Edge Safety Razor my shaves started to improve and finding superior traditional wet shaving products to what I started with has made my shaves even better. But I'm not you nor you I, so I feel the adage Your Mileage May Vary is apt in explaining our difference in opinion on what works best.

Thanks for the excellent and honest feedback and input, gents!

For a few minutes I thought about ordering Henson's more aggressive version, but I don't really think it will improve shaving speed or convenience by that much. While I love the styling, feel and engineering of the Henson, now that I'm reading that it will not outperform a Mach 3 functionally, the shaving esthetics, and economy, of it it are just not enough to sway me. And Henson, being young and Canadian, probably isn't any less woke than Gillette, they just have less money to make fancy, woke commercials.

I so badly wish that someone made as beautiful a handle for Mach 3 cartridges, but I can't find a single one that doesn't avoid a cheap, plastic head that breaks. As esthetically displeasing as it is, I've never had a standard, all plastic Gillette handle break.

I feel like I’ve tried them all and have lately been using the BIC 4 blade razed with replaceable heads.  I’ve got thick wiry beard and it seems to have the blades spaced a little further apart.  It does the best as I don’t hVe to wash it out ever 1/4 inch of shaving.

Reportedly, unscrewing the Henson a 1/4-1/2 turn will bump up the aggressiveness.

this.  Muhle razor and brush.  Personna blades.  ToBS shave cream.

Muhle has some interesting Mach 3 handles. Hmmmm....

eta: just watched some shaving porn on Youtube. Took the guy 12 minutes to do what I do in 2 minutes

If your razor is clogging up that easy you may want to try an open comb razor.  Like you I'm not required to be clean shaven so I only shave a couple of times a week.  
This is my razor that I'm using: (usually with Voskhod Teflon or Astra platinum blades)
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With this head: Attached File

The short answer is no, you won’t find something to get the same or better shave as your Mach 3 with the same level of work/effort. However, you can get a better shave with a little effort and more time while not supporting a woke company (Gillette).

Safety razor, brush, and shaving soap/cream is great. It takes commitment to learn and does require a bit more time. It takes me about 10 minutes to shave my face in the morning. On days I shave my head (anymore it’s just once a week because I’ve gotten lazy with it) it takes me 20-30 minutes to do face and head.

There is a bit of an “investment” up front but you’ll save money in the long run. You can get an old handle for reasonable prices from eBay and the like (I’ve got a Gillette Super Speed from the 1950s that cost me around $20 a decade or so ago on eBay). Brushes are available for around $20 (maybe even less) on up to a couple hundred or more. I started with a boar hair and upgraded to super badger when I knew I was going to stick to it. For soaps and creams there are practically an infinite number so you’ve just got to try some. Blades just grab a sample pack and try them until you find what you like. They’re cheap.

I alternate between a beard in the winter and clean shaven in the summer. I use a Henson razor and I’m happy with the results. It took a while to get used to the technique, which does require some patience.

No one has mentioned shaving oil yet. I tried it and have added it into the mix. A quick coat of shaving oil before applying the lather has really helped me achieve consistency.

Now I just need to cut a slot into my bathroom wall!

Harrys is a bunch of woke commies, try Jerrys razors.

i tried harry’s and found it pretty meh. dollar shave club was ok until i found out their razors were just drop shipped from dorco, so i started ordering from them directly. unfortunately, now that brand is only sold via amazon and i’m considering going safety razor. the only challenge is i shave my head, not my face. i typically do it in the shower and zip through it. the latest batch of dorco razors tore me up until i got used to the shaving angle so i’m concerned what a safety razor might do.

Wow, talk about thread resurrection! Nope, nope, nope, stayed with commercial, multi-blade cartridges. "Real shaving" takes too long and doesn't do as good a job. Don't care about saving money. Don't care about the art or the experience. Just want it done right and done fast.

Try the Wet Shaving Club Merica Razor (made by Yates) and buy a sample pack of DE blades to figure out what you like.  I got one to travel with after my expensive razor nearly got stolen (or lost . . . Depending on who you believe).  It’s pretty brainless, but more efficient than the Henson razors.  Also made of stainless steel, around the same price, and made in America.

I've had good luck with my anti-woke 1970 Gillette Super 109 adjustable double edge. Add your favorite gel, soap, or whatever...plenty of blade choices. Why reinvent the wheel?

I use disposables when I shave my head and neck daily. No shaving cream or any other wimp gear. Just have at it in the shower   Takes me maybe 2-3 minutes tops.

Shaving is not this tier one exercise some seem to make it out to be.

When Gillette went woke, I switched over to Schick Quattro.  Excellent shave.

Anybody tried a Single Edge yet?  https://supply.co/products/the-single-edge-se

After Gillette's toxic adds, I tried Harry's, Dorco, Bic and Schick.   Stuck with the Schicks.

I've tried a few SE razors. I prefer DE.

When Gilette went woke I swore not to buy any more cartridges for my Mach 3.  And I didn't.  I have literally been using the same one for 3 years.  I guess that should tell you that these companies are way over-selling you on what is required for replacements.

I just bought a Harry's as I figured the Mach 3 was getting long in the tooth.  Wow, a shave where you don't feel it pulling through.  But I cut myself, and no closer shave.  So maybe I should have kept going for another couple years on the Mach 3?

Prep face or shave after exiting shower
Cremo shave cream or whatever shaving cream you would like
Shaving cream makes a difference - several good ones to mix with a bruh.
I like Cremo in a tube, no brush needed.
Double edge handle of your choice
I use a long handle model that is 20+ years old
The double edge blades - this may take a little trial and error
Blades are not the same
I bought a sample pack and currently use shark blades
I get 6-10 shaves out of a blade.
I switch blades as soon as I feel any pull or friction
I know the cream i use is not the problem when I feel any friction so change blades
Shave with the grain and immediately against - no re-lather

Rinse face with cold water
Dry
A little clubman pinaud special reserve after shave
A little post shave lotion from em’s place

I'm with you, long time safety razor and straight razor user.  I just bought a Henson handle and find it to great.  I've long used Merkur but wanted to change it up.  The aluminum is super light and the head creates a great angle.  I use a badger hair brush and Proraso cream.

Mach 3 with water works for me. I get about 7 or 8 shaves from a blade before I replace it.

You might want to try other blades in your Henson razor.

Try Japanese Kai or Feather blades. These Japanese blades are super sharp and when you use them you will increase the efficiency of your razor.