How To Shave With a Straight Razor: Getting a Close Shave And a Baby Face
I have always been interested in caring for my face. I use facial cleansers such as Neutrogena pore-refining cleanser. I also always use a facial moisturizer with SPF protection and a facial toner. My personal favorite is the Neutrogena pore-refining toner with witch hazel. The hairs on the body of the child will be short than they should use haartrimmer. Several haartrimmer test will be conducted for the benefits of the small babies.
I had been wanting more, though. I wanted to take it to the next level, and get the ultimate close shave. Not only did I want my face to be healthy looking, I also wanted that impossibly close shave that can only be accomplished with a straight razor. I decided to learn how to use a straight razor and went to my local cutlery store to do some research and purchase a straight razor.
A decent straight razor, shaving brush, soap mug and strop to hone the razor can cost anywhere from $75 to $300 for the entire kit. You do need all these items, including the shaving soap and the brush, as normal shaving cream just won’t cut it.
Selecting the proper straight razor can be confusing. You can get normal high carbon steel or stainless steel. Typically normal steel can hold a sharper edge than stainless; however it can rust with even the slightest moisture associated with storing it in your bathroom. The more expensive razors use a special process to have an amazingly sharp edge on a stainless blade. If you are willing to spend around $150, then I recommend these. You don’t have to worry about rust, while also having a great sharp edge.
Try to avoid buying used razors. Vintage razors may have the allure of nostalgia and ooze hip and coolness; however the edge may not be what it used to be. If a blade has been improperly sharpened throughout the years, it can have an irregular shape that will not conform to your face. And small, even microscopic nick in the blade will be felt on your face. A flawless blade is an absolute must.
When selecting my razor, I decided to go with the Dovo No 105, which retailed for around $180. It is a beautiful brand new, ice-hardened stainless steel blade. It has heft and a sturdy handle. It is a work of art, hand made in Germany. I am very satisfied with this razor.
I selected a badger bristle brush, which ran about $50. Badger is much more soft and supple than a boar brush, hence it is more expensive. A Good shaving brush is necessary because not only does it help froth the soap to make a nice creamy foam, it also helps stand your whiskers straight up on your face.
The shaving soap was the cheapest part. I selected an old bay rum glycerin based soap that also has avocado and Vitamin E. High glycerin based soaps are the best for shaving soaps. I didn’t even need to buy a shaving mug, as the soap is in a self contained plastic container. The soap was only $5. There are many scents available, and any good cutlery shop worth its salt should have a wide variety.
A Strop is a wide piece of leather which is used to hone your razor blade. You will need to hone your blade before each use. Honing basically re-forms the thin metal on the razor’s edge, lining it all up again. You need only have your razor sharpened professionally every 6 months or so if proper care is taken to hone your blade before each use. A good strop has two sides, a coarse and a fine side. The coarse side is typically made of a linen. One end of the strop will have a handle to hold on to, the other side will have a hook to anchor it to something sturdy, to provide a taught surface. Strops typically run about $50 new. Strop conditioning oil needs to be applied a couple times a year. Your cutlery dealer can show you how to properly use a strop.
When you get home and ready to use your straight razor, there are necessary steps involved. This is not a quick shave. Allow a good 20 minutes to get the deed done properly.
First off you’ll want to wash your face to remove dirt and oils that can potentially damage the blade. The blade is so delicate in fact that the only thing the blade surface should only touch is your face and facial hair. One should not even feel the blade for sharpness with one’s fingers.
After your face is clean, you may elect to put a hot damp cloth on your face to relax your skin and further moisturize. Once you are ready to begin shaving, get your brush wet with hot water. In a circular pattern, brush it on your shaving soap until a rich and thick lather is formed. With your brush, in a circular pattern, apply the lather to your face. Keep your brush handy, as you’ll likely need to lather spots over again.
When your face is ready, grip the shank of the blade with your index finger, middle finger and thumb. Think of shaving as scraping away hair with the razor. Hold the razor at about a 30 degree angle to your face and begin scraping in short strokes. Re-apply lather as necessary. Eventually you’ll want to scrape away all the lather, frequently rinsing your razor in hot water.
It will take you many shaves to get the right touch down, and when you do you’ll be hooked. Never move the blade parallel to your face, only move in a 90 degree angle to the blade. If you move the blade in a slicing action, you will do just that, slice your face. You may have a few nicks here and there when you’re first learning, but with practice you’ll become a professional.
When you are done shaving, use an aftershave or alcohol based toner to help prevent ingrown hairs. If you’re like me, once you try it you’ll never go back. With proper care your razor will last a lifetime.
