Shaving like a Russian Rapira razor review

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Originally Posted By: expat
We are talking $3.99 for the Razor and $6 postage for a Razor that was likely ripped off in the first place.

If I am advancing a Russian expansionism with my purchase
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Fact is, I could not find a DE razor in the town I live in, and would likely have cost me more than $10 to go looking for one.

Get real guys.


I guess you could get a big bottle of Nair instead.

hotwheels
 
I have been using the Rapira razor for some weeks now, and after shaving for 40 years, with Drug store razors that seem to get proportionately worse as the prices go up and up, I am delighted that BITOG prompted me to try traditional shaving
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I'm very pleased with the razor, it's well made. And looks like it could last a lifetime.
At first I found the handle to be a little short and light (in comparison with the head) But I guess that was a matter of getting used to it.
I may still turn another handle from aluminium, at a later date, just to see how I like it.
But for now, the stock, plastic and steel handle is fine.

The blades that came with the razor were Rapira platinum lux, they are very sharp, and proberbly a little aggressive for a Fist Timmer like me. A VERY close shave, and a few nicks if you were not careful!
I have since bought a blade variety pack from the same Russian vender, and have recently been using LADAS
They seem perfect (I can even shave quite quickly, even when half asleep without nicking) but are only good for 3 to 4 shaves before they tend to drag.
Still, at about 3 cents per shave, I can live with that!

I'm still using Gillette Fusion Gel from a can, but have ordered some Arko sticks from Turkey (ordering from Canada or the U.S. would have been a pain) and a Best Badger shaving brush from the UK

It will be interesting to see what difference that will make.

I actually find I now enjoy shaving, I think for the first time EVER!

Thanks BITOG.
 
That is one of the best things about DE shaving, the ability to personalize the experience with your choice of razor and blade. And, if you become bored with your current routine it's easy to modify.
 
Love DE shaving as well.

I really enjoy how you can grow out your beard like a slob for like 10 days and it makes little difference to a fresh blade.

When you use a cartridge razor all the blades get clogged and you have to throw the razor away after one slovenly shave.

If you use an electric razor, you need to use a beard trimmer with the guard off, making your face red, then you have to rub the electric all over your face and neck for 10 minutes.

DE shaving is just that efficient, 10 days growth to a baby's bottom smooth in no time.

If you want to try good cheap blades Astra may really suit you, I have two 100 ct. boxes of them, I am set for a long time.

I only shave 1-2 times a week, so DE shaving is the most efficient means for me to shave.

I am also guessing that is why DE shaving is coming back in "style" as many young men today can get away with stubbly faces longer at the office as it is more socially acceptable to do so.

Many women love stubble on a guy, and society has really moved away from daily shaving, and cartriges and electric are only really suited to shaving max 3 days of stubble.

After a few months DE shaving is super natural for me, I can have a full shave very fast.
 
I've been using the Voskhod razor blades (same parent company as Rapira) that I purchased on Ebay in January. I snagged 300 blades for $23 shipped. That is enough to last me 4 to 5 years.

I really like the Voskhod blades. They have a good combination of smoothness and sharpness. They are not as sharp as a Feather, but sharp enough to cut through my thick beard without tugging and are smoother than Feathers IMO.

I view DE shaving as a hobby and enjoy using different soaps, brushes and after shaves.
I have a modest collection of two razors(mild and aggressive), two brushes (one badger and one boar) and 5 assorted soaps and creams and a few bottles of cheap aftershaves.
It is kinda boring (and expensive) to use the latest and greatest 5 blade cartridge with shave gel from a can. I enjoy the ritual of whipping up a good lather from a soap puck with a brush.
 
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Falken, I fully agree.
I too let my beard grow two or three days. But now my hair is Grey I start looking more like a Bum than George Clooney.

I was really suprised that after seeing a resurgence of Traditional shaving, and the emergence of sites like Badger and Blade, that our local pharmacy had NOTHING in the way of supplies, othere than a few pucks of Williams soap.
Not one DE blade to be had! Just rows and rows of overpriced, garbage razors and a zillion cans of Foamy.

It seems mail order is the only way to go, and within Canada (many US venders will not ship here, or charge outrageous shipping fees) options are limited.

Still, no big deal. With three sticks of Arko and 120 blades, I'm good for a long time.
If anybody within Canada would like to try some Russian blades, just PM me.
 
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It seems mail order is the only way to go, and within Canada (many US venders will not ship here, or charge outrageous shipping fees) options are limited.


italianbarber.com is a Canadian vendor that has great service and prices. They ship to Canada and US.
 
Though I never tried a blade sample pack I would recommend one, or more, for a new DE shaver. It's a good way to try several different blades. For me, a 100-pack is a two year commitment. 8-{D>

I have liked most of the ones I have used, Personna Israelis, 7am, BIC, Derby, and Personna Medical Prep. I have liked the med preps best so far - no duds.

That is something unique to DE blades - duds. If you're paying several dollars for a multi-blade cartridge a dud would be totally unacceptable. For the price of DE blades I suppose it's tolerable, but if there are more than 3-5 in a 100-pack I consider the manufacturer to have poor quality assurance mechanisms in place. The Derby blades, while good, are in this category. Since the med preps are made in the U.S. and intended for hospital use I haven't found a dud yet, and I'm on my second 100-pack.
 
Oh, the other thing about DE shaving that I didn't see mentioned is that if you have any sort of facial hair you can shave around it with decent precision using a DE. Not so much with a new cartridge as they are quite wide and it's hard to get a feel for exactly where the first cut will land.
 
DBMaster, didn't think of the first cut with a cartridge being difficult but you're right.

The last cartridge razors I have used were Sensor Excel, but that was like only 2 blades.

Trying to make even sideburns with todays mat of razors would be really hard!
 
Sensor Excel was my favorite of the cartridge razors. That was the latest razor when I switched, if that tells you anything. Mach 3 was barely starting to appear in stores.
 
Originally Posted By: Joe1
Quote:

It seems mail order is the only way to go, and within Canada (many US venders will not ship here, or charge outrageous shipping fees) options are limited.


italianbarber.com is a Canadian vendor that has great service and prices. They ship to Canada and US.



I Inquired, a stick of Arko would cost me $10.30 delivered. As opposed to $5 for 3 sticks from Turkey.
I don't care too much about the money, but it just seems a little silly.
 
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