How to shave with a Safety Razor, making the switch from disposable razors.

Are you looking to switch from wasteful disposable razors to eco friendly, bad ass re-usable safety razors?

Switching to a double edge safety razor and shaving oil is a great way to save the environment and get the best shave of your life at the same time. Our shaving gift set will get you started with the highest quality shaving oil and safety razor around. It's not just for men! Women also love the close shave and value of DE razors and shaving oil too!

Want to learn the technique to a perfect Safety razor shave? Check our these tips from Artofmanliness.com (for the ladies, simply replace the word "beard" with "legs" or "armpits" :)


The Technique

Prep your beard. If you want a clean shave, you need to prep your beard adequately. The goal during beard prep is to soften your whiskers so shaving is easier and causes less irritation. The best way to soften your beard is to to shave right when you get out of the shower. The hot water from your shower should hydrate and soften your beard enough for shaving. If you haven’t showered, at least wet your beard with some hot water. A hot towel is a great way to soften the facial hair.

Oil up! Apply a few pumps of shaving oil like our Natural Shaving Oil. Allow the oil to sit for a few minutes to soften the hair and moisturize the skin.

The shave. Unlike shaving with cartridge razors, shaving with a safety razor actually requires some skill and technique. Once mastered, though, you should be shaving effectively in no time. The four keys to a successful shave with a safety razor are: 1) use as little pressure as possible, 2) angle the blade as far away from your face as possible, 3) shave with the grain, and 4) go for beard reduction, not beard removal. This will take some getting used to if you have used cartridges your entire life.

You don’t need to use pressure because the weight of the safety razor is sufficient to cut your beard. If you press down, you’ll end up hacking up your face. To help counter the tendency to apply pressure, try holding the razor by the tip of the handle.

Angling your razor is probably the trickiest part. The proper angle is somewhere between 30 and 45 degrees. To get the proper razor angle, put the top of the razor head directly on your cheek, with the handle parallel with the floor. Now slowly lower the handle until the blade can cut your whisker. Practice on your arm if you’re not comfortable practicing on your face.

While shaving against the grain can get you that smooth feel, you risk slicing up your face and causing ingrown hairs. When you’re first starting out, shave with the grain of your beard. If you lather up and pass the razor more than once over your face, you’re guaranteed to get a smooth finish.

The goal with shaving should be gradual beard reduction, not beard removal in one deft swoop. Most men try to get rid of their beard in one pass of the razor. This hack-and-go technique is what causes the majority of skin irritations. If you want to avoid skin irritation, lather up and pass your razor over your face several times. Your face will thank you.

Post-shave. Rinse your face off with some cold water to close your pores. 

Apply a skin serum, beard oil or lotion to lock in that fresh shaved feeling and you're done!

Full article can be found of Artofmanliness.com