razor blades

They probably shaved about the same but mostly used double-edged (100% steel) blades that could easily fit in a slot, rather than the plastic-clad, quadruple-blade nonsense sold for $8/cartridge.

You can still buy double edged razors for about 10-15 cents apiece, by the way.

Mhm, that's what I use. Not sure why other people around my age don't, to be honest. Super cheap and you don't exactly have loads of cash to spend at 20
- Dude I’m 38 and I’m surprised everybody doesn’t at any age.
  
  I shave my head. I’ll admit I had to unlearn some habits from cartridge shaving. First couple of times my head was a bloody (literally) mess. But once I got technique down, it’s easier and faster than cartridge shaving.
  
  What slows me down over “the modern way” is that I whip my soap with a brush and bowl. That’s a little less convenient than shaving cream/gel, but it’s optional. No reason you can’t use canned foam/gel. Holy shit is it cheaper though. I ordered a 3 pack of cheap shaving soap (3.5oz bars, $10 total) last January and I’m not even halfway into the second bar.
  
  Best part is, less waste. No plastic. Every handle I’ve seen is all metal and even the cheap ones feel better in the hand. Stainless Steel Blades are wrapped in wax paper and packed in a little cardboard box. Soap gets shipped in cardboard boxes.
  
  Literally no reason not to.
  
  You and me both. Last year, I bought enough Feather brand razor blades to last me the next couple of decades. I recall it cost less than $100.
  
  I just dry shave (safety razor) and it seems to work well for me. Less hassle + blades don't rust so they last longer
  
  I also heard that the blades can be sharpened by running it against trousers or something like that, so it is possible to reuse them / extend their lifespan
  
  It's called honing and you can hone a blade on a piece of leather, like an old belt. It's not sharpening per se, but it keeps the little burs on the blace's edge lined up nicely so it stays sharp and if kept up, prevents the need to sharpen with something more aggressive like a sharpening stone (or the bottom of a coffee mug in a pinch).
  
  I tried it. For months and months. But I always ended up with either a bad shave, or a bloodied face. Apparently my skin is to weak for this stuff. So I am back to expensive cartridges.
- Yeah used DE since my grandpa gave me one of his when I was like 13, his father was a barber by trade and I also have his straight razor collection (which I don't use).
  
  Actually use a mix of DE, disposable, and electric, depending on the purpose. The Philips oneblade and classic Andis foil for face and jawline with finishing DE touch on flat areas sometimes. I know electric on face... used to have acne too but I find they keep my skin barrier more intact by barely not getting to the skin.
  
  I legit use the double edge on d+bs more than anything... sounds like a bad idea I know but for me it's the easiest, quickest, far superior result, and way less injury than any other method. You maybe wouldn't think this but going on every 3-5 days for like 10 years at this point so I'm completely confident in it. An electric with shortest attachment for pubes and around the edges, then the DE on genitals, nothing better.
15¢ per double edge blade is high unless you're only buying 10 or 20 blades at a time. Get the 100 count pack and you're paying under 7¢ per blade... Each blade should easily last 3-7 shaves depending on your hair, more if you have tough skin ;)
not only cheaper, but better
As someone who shaves daily, this is the way to go, its so much better, not just on the wallet.
I have been using at minimum a 3 bladed safety razor since I was 14. I have a feeling I would obliterate my face if I tried using straight blade.
- First couple of times I had to unlearn some old habits. Was a bit of a mess. But that was mostly in my scalp. My face was largely fine (to be fair, I have a beard, so it’s just cheeks and neck that gets the blade).
  
  After my technique improved, though, I get nicked about as often as I would with a cartridge.
  
  The hardest part was finding a blade that worked well for me. There’s a ton of variation in the blades. Once you find a brand you like though you tend to lock in. I bought a bunch of sample 5-10 blades from the most popular brands (feather, astra, gilette, tiger, etc). I ended up settling on Gilette Silver Blues. Ymmv.
- Nah. It takes a little more awareness while you're shaving for sure, but you're rarely if ever going to cut yourself once you get your gear and technique dialed in. For me, I had to find the right blade. I found Feather brand blades, which a lot of people recommend, didn't work well with my skin, but Astra blades are great for me. Everyone's a little different.
  
  I also like the Astra blades. Even more important ive found is a quality razor holder. I had a few, but when I got a Henson for Christmas it was the best shave I've ever had. Their marketing isn't a gimmick. A well supported blade held rigid doesn't flex and pull at hairs.
  
  My Merkur 23C has served me well for 13 years. Recently the threaded screw broke off and I had to get a replacement head. But it was very reasonable. I have been curious about the Hensons, but have tended to stick with the "if it ain't broke, don't fix it" philosophy. People really seem to like them though. Do you have the light, medium, or aggressive?
  
  I have the standard AL13. I didn't know they had different levels. My beard isn't super thick, but not sparse either. I can shave a full weeks growth (4-6mm length) without issue. My previous razors would clog a fair bit if I did the same and I'd have to take less per stroke and rinse more frequently.
  
  I couldn't resist. I went ahead and bought that AL13 aggressive after reading and watching a bunch of reviews. It's great. It holds the blade more firmly than the Merkur and shaves really smoothly without pulling. I would like it if it were a bit heavier, but it still feels good in my hand. Thank you for the recommendation.
- I'm talking about double-edge blades that fit into a handheld razor that looks a lot like a Gilette or Bic, except it's all metal, and about 2% of the price per blade, not a straight "safety" razor that you might see a professional barber use.
- No the 3 blades get stuck so I went with one and got much better results.
  
  I am back at electric razor but shaved with the 1 blades for years.
- There's a bit of a learning curve, but just be cautious at first and you'll figure it out. It's not rocket science. Also don't use dull blades as that's an easy way to cut yourself. Fortunately they're dirt cheap.

Depending on how often I shave, I use 2-6 blades per month. If I stay in a hotel, I bring a fresh pack of blades, and would probably toss the blade rather than trying to wrap it back up before leaving if there was a convenient way of doing so. It's not hygienic to keep using the same blade more than a few times anyway.

Hygiene has you replacing blades? I replaced mine when they're blunt. I can't see any contamination on my blades after a week of use
- I wash the razor after usage lol
- I can't see anything wrong either. I wash them after. It's just what I've read. Don't remember if from some shaving guide or the blade manufacturer. You can't see bacteria.
  
  Yeah you need to wash your razor after shaving to remove the hair and soap, but I'm reading the above as something more than that, like removing the blade from the razor to clean it
  
  Perhaps I'm spoilt by a modern razor, back when I used a 1960s Gillette I did have to open the blade holder to rinse it
- Besides not knowing exactly how contaminated the blade got, it's better to replace it a bit in advance before it gets blunt. But if you use the same brand you would know when that moment approaches, sure enough
  
  It's highly polished smooth steel, it's not the sort of surface that holds contamination

You don't shave every day?

Beards are pretty popular these days, as is the 'stubbley' look.
- Yep I've been rocking the stubble/light beard look for about 15 years now and it has been great.
You do?
- Of course. I would look like a fucking monkey if I didn't
- I would be too lazy to shave every day (and sometimes I am) but I get skin irritation if I don't shave. Could use some strong ointments as a temporary fix but those are not good to be used too often. My dermatologist said that as long as shaving helps I'm better off shaving
  
  I'm the opposite. If break into an itchy rash if I shave. I need to leave some stumble to enjoy life.

It seems like a presentable person was supposed to shave twice a day, in the morning and after work. Considering that you need to make three passes to shave well it would make 6 passes a day.

I tend to replace blades after about 5–10 shaves, so 15–30 passes, but I heard of people replacing after each pass. Some brands may also stay sharp for longer, giving even more spread to numbers.

All-in-all, it seems like one can expect to produce from 70 to more than 2000 disposed blades per year. At a thickness of about 0.1 mm it would be something between 7mm/year and more than 0.2 meters/year

Now I really think that even the most sensitive skin doesn't require you to change a blade after each pass. I also find it hard to imagine producing a pile of blades a meter high in 4.5 years

They shaved more often in the old days I presume...

People were hairier thousands of years ago.