Eco-Shaving?

[Christ]

I have one of those "speed" things... I don't use cream or water, never have. Sometimes, I shave in the shower, so I use soap, since its' already there, but I don't go out of my way to turn the water on while shaving.

Ironically, I've never cut myself shaving, and my dad never showed me how to shave. I started out w/ a strap razor (what you all call straight razors) at about 14 Y/O, b/c I got tired of having a few large patches of hair that would only grow so long, but would get all wiry and such.

[ecomax]

After 2 decades of shaving, I've found that the best compromise for being green and getting a nice shave is:


1. Shave using 5 drops of shavesecret (you can buy this at your local Xmart store, or online at www.ShaveSecret.com)


2. Shave using your favorite razor


** NOW, HERE COMES THE CRITICAL PART!

3. When you're done having, rinse the blade well, and keep it immersed in alcohol when you put it away for the next day's shave.

--> It's not the cutting of hairs which makes the blades become dull, it's the oxidation/corrosion due to being exposed to air !


I've reused the same "disposable" Bic Twin razor for 6 months straight an it's still 95% as sharp as new. I always get a nice clean, smooth shave even after using it for MONTHS!

The Shave Secret stuff is awesome. Before this, I had experimented with various natural creams from Trader Joes, Whole Foods, etc. They were nice.
But man this stuff really cuts down on waste. I use 5 drops, and no aftershave at all, because it leaves a nice conditioning (thin) film afterwards, even after rinsing.

If anyone is interested, I can share more info on my process and also how I made my own storage thing for the razor to stay immersed in alcohol without evaporation occurring.

HTH

[alohaspirit]

will regular rubbing alcohol do?

[ecomax]

Hmm, I'm not sure.
FWIW, I use isopropyl alcohol (that's what the label says), and I've never tried it using "rubbing alcohol"

The article in Wikipedia seems to imply they are the same? (not clear to me)
Isopropyl alcohol - Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia

HTH

[UfoTofU]

Originally Posted by ecomax

FWIW, I use isopropyl alcohol (that's what the label says), and I've never tried it using "rubbing alcohol"

They're the same

[Tango Charlie]

Originally Posted by ecomax

If anyone is interested, I can share more info on my process and also how I made my own storage thing for the razor to stay immersed in alcohol without evaporation occurring.
HTH

Post up some pics and tell us more about it. I'm sure that I'm not the only one that would be interested.

[jonathan150cc]

This whole thread got me thinking...

I've always had an affinity for old school technology, I'm talking before plastic, when everything was metal, wood, leather, or glass.

Someone should start a thread reviving some of these old ideas and how they can be applied to the eco-friendly side of living.

Much like this shaving idea with the soap foam and the safety razor, old school tech is, by it's very nature, practical, cheap, easy on resources and usually 100% recyclable or reuseable.

Who's with me?

[NiHaoMike]

Here's a new tip I found:
After shaving, rinse the razor, shake it to remove some water, and wipe it off backwards with a small piece of toilet paper. Then put a few drops of mineral oil on the razor and let it coat the edge of the blade. Not only does the mineral oil reduce corrosion but it also helps shaving the next time.