I use a safety razor. Mine was manufactured in 1969.
Both sides have a blade. The blade is an insert:
The blades are cheap - real cheap, I pay something like $5.00 for a pack of 20 blades, each blade lasts a month with proper care. There are also sharpeners, the blades are typically stainless steel but now they have titanium.
There is a trick to shaving effectively with one of these types of blades. One you go with the way the hairs grow, not against it. Two is you go slowly and clean out the slot where the blade meets the handle/head often.
Shower, then shave. It helps if you use conditioner in the shower after shampoo. It is hair, it will respond to the same treatments as the head on your hair.
If you re not showering then wet a rag with hot water, wring to prevent dripping and hold up against the beard stubble for about a minute. After you shave use cold water (it closes the pores quickly.
I refrain from using products like aftershaves. Alcohol tends to burn too much and also leads to a bit of reaction (redness/rashness) for me.
If I go a month without shaving, then I use the beard trimmer to trim the bear back as far as the trimmer will get the hairs. This way the blades doesn't get gunked up and you are not fighting.