Safety Razor Double Edge, Butterfly Open Razor 7 Piece Traveling Kit for Men & Women Small & Discreet Includes Razor 5 Replacement Blades Stand & Travel Case with Mirror By Elkaline

If you're looking for your first safety razor, this is a good one. I had one a while ago that I wasn't overly fond of, so I only ever used it once. I used this one for the first time this morning, and I only cut myself twice. Keep in mind, that's really not much, because I am an amateur at using this type of razor. The short handle was something I thought would be a problem, but it was actually better. Grip is solid, too. As for the process of putting the blade in and adjusting it? Brilliant. You twist the bottom of the handle, and it really does pop right open on top! Then you drop in your razor, and twist the handle to close it again. BOOM. That easy. no joke, it's that easy.I probably need to modify the way I shave a little -- change my products, be more patient about letting the lather soak into my face, etc. Yes, I probably should do that. But even being hasty and impatient this morning, I got a pretty good, clean shave. Oh, and I stupidly (and out of habit from using my disposable expensive razor blades) shaved against the grain. Dumb. Dumb dumb dumb. I forgot all the lessons my father painstakingly taught me! But here's the thing: even being a novice to safety razor shaving, I was able to get a decent shave on the first try. I did a lot of things wrong -- insufficient lather (probably), hasty shave (definitely), against the grain (super dumb), and I shaved before my shower instead of after (really dumb). Even doing most things wrong, I got a pretty decent shave!Also, the little travel box is a nice touch! My big question about that travel carrier is this: why the mirror? I'm trying to imagine a situation where I'd need it. If I don't have a mirror, I probably don't have a sink either. If I don't have either of those, do I really need to be shaving? Like, I go camping but don't want stubble? Really? This isn't a complaint. Just a "Huh, why that?" kind of thing. I guess it probably didn't cost them anything to put the mirror in there, or whatever, so why not?So I guess I'm a convert now. i tallied up the expense I usually go through. My old blade cartridges were around 1-2 dollars a piece (depending on the quantity i bought them in), and I used a new one every week or two. So that's about 5-6 bucks a month, on average. Double-edged disposable blades are about 10 cents apiece. Even if I use a new one every day, I'm still paying less than I did with my cartridges.Anyway, if you're nervous about taking the plunge on a safety razor, this is a good starter!

UPDATE: The hard water here has finally gotten the best of this after three years. When it "locked up", I soaked it in white vinegar on a few occasions then lubricated with PTFE oil. The made is operate very smoothly. But I did that about two months ago, and I think the wear and tear was too much. It works with difficulty. I will buy another.Having used it several times now, and getting consistent results I will say the following in addition to me initial review: This doesn't shave as close as the disposable single and twin blade shavers I was using. But it is plenty close, and it really helps to know which way your whiskers grow on different parts of your face and shave in the opposite direction. That is, feel your beard and see which way the hairs are growing. Shave in the direction that gave you the greatest resistance when you rubbed that part of your beard with your fingers. Gillette's website has an excellent tutorial on how to shave (and I thought I knew everything after having shaved for more than 30 years).At least I don't have to worry about ingrown hairs (which can result from shaving too close). But this can provide a very close shave if you're careful and figure out the best way to shave your particular face (or whatever).2017-02-26: Beware that if you buy this, they will nag you for feedback, even if you already left some, like I did yesterday. I really hate that. Two stars off my review for that.2017-02-25: I just tried this for the first time. My first impression: Why didn't I pay attention when Grandpa and Dad were using these double-edged razors? This is how to shave. It didn't nick, and was just as smooth as silk. (I use Gillette 3x shaving lotion). As there was a question about the included blades, I took a photo of the blade package.2018-05-09: I have been through about 30 blades in 9 months (I am surprised at how few). I still recommend this razor! It looks and works like new. I use a cheap toothbrush to clean it occasionally and always open the butterfly and dry it after use.

I am new to wet shaving and this is my first DE safety razor. After a ton of research, I mainly chose this Elkaline safety razor due to the good reviews and lifetime warranty(not sure how I sign up for it though; someone PLEASE ADVISE, since there was no literature of any kind in the box). I have shaved with it 2 times now, paired it with Wilkinson Sword Classic DE safety razor blades, Proraso pre-shave "sensitive" cream, Taylor of Old Bond Street Peppermint shaving cream, alum block and Nivea post-shave "sensitive" balm.It takes me about 3 good passes to get smooth, then a 4th touch-up cleanup pass, which I feel could be more due to my inexperience and still learning the proper technique OR also this razor having the comb system on it that makes it more of a mild safety razor(meaning the blade isn't as exposed as others).Nice chrome finish, cute little stand and case. Butterfly mechanism works good and closes tightly.My ONLY negative about it is that it feels a little lightweight which makes the balance off a bit and harder to gauge how much pressure to use(obviously don't use as much as cartridge razors).