Buy European

Wilkinson Sword classics for me for the blades. Pits, legs, pubes... as long as I'm not being a jackass with it I get away cut free and I usually don't even need to Veet these days with how nice and close a shave the thing gets me.

I'm so glad I got over the cringe of all the masculine marketing for safety razors because they're honestly just so much better than disposables or the cartridge based lady razors that come with pads or gel that often just get in the way and all the other stuff I used before.

anyone downvoting: skill issue

I use DE safety razors. It really is a matter of taste but some of the older models are actually pretty good! The blades are crazy cheap and shaving is a dream!

I got one of those adjustable handles because it must be good, right? Well, any time I change a blade, I just twist it somewhere in the center because I don't notice much difference. Same with blades. Many many moons I ordered a bunch of different ones. They all work great and I have enough of them to last a lifetime. I use oil on my face before shaving and a block of alum and moisturising cream after. The only thing I'm picky about is the shaving cream. So far Proraso foam is my favourite. Any cheaper brands leave me with dry skin, sores and irritation in both skin and mind.

Love me a cleanly shaven grandma!!

Keep it toit!

I used Astra Superior blades, but you made me look up where they're from and it seems they come from Russia 😞

There is also Mühle from Germany but I don't know if they're good. Also, they are more than twice as expensive (26ct instead of ~10ct).

Good that I still have 80 blades here so I don't have to worry for another year or two.

Both Aldi and Lidl have their own brand of razors, that are very good IMO.
I use the ones from ALDI called Ombia, unfortunately Aldi left Denmark a couple of years ago, so I bought a shitload and still have a few left. 😋
When I'm out I'll try Lidl again, which I didn't like quite as well, because you had to hold the handle almost parallel to your skin, which is awkward IMO.
But it's been so long they probably have a new model now.

Safety razor with Feather blades at home, disposable BIC or similar with 2 to 3 micro-blade rows when travelling without checking luggage by plane. Try to re-use the disposable ones as much as possible.

Have not tried many different safety razor blade manufacturers. Merkur, Derby are non-US as well I think.

Shaving creams and lotions are a whole other rabbit hole. At peak obsession I loved using Musgo Real from Portugal. Then switched to Proraso from Italy to have shaving cream accessory costs.

There are good European retailers that carry good options (e.g. nassrasur.de, tonsus.com )

Bulldog are fantastic in my experience and give a better (head) shave than Mach3.

This is one where I'm not switching... Yet. My Mach 3 objectively gives me a great shave, and others I've tried didn't cut the mustard (or cut me).

Regarding the blades, which coating is preferable? PTFE is nice but I'd rather not buy them

A trapdoor travel type DE handle and case that I found on a flea market. Just one twist to free the blade so it's easy to rinse and flip each time.

Bought a mixed assortment of blades from somewhere years ago and still haven't run out. Some are very short lasting and some longer, but either way I should be set for years.