Straight Shaving

How To Use A Straight Razor

To be most effective, a straight razor must be kept extremely sharp. The edge is delicate, and inexpert use may bend or fold over the razor’s edge.

To unfold and straighten the microscopic sharp edge, one must strop theblade on a leather razor strop before every use. The blade must also be sharpened periodically by honing with a razor hone.

Strops prepared with pastes containing fine grit are also used for honing but are not recommended for the inexperienced user as they can easily rake off the edge. Some strops have a linen or canvas back embedded with a fine abrasive used to maintain a sharp edge before final polishing with the leather side.

A face’s worth of thick hair may require multiple stroppings for one shave, but ablade is usually honed only two or three times a year.

Occasional regrinding by a professional may be required to restore a badly worn or damaged edge.

Experienced straight razor aficionados often advocate stropping after each shave and allowing the blade to recover its edge for several days before reuse. Historically this necessitated a collection of several razors sometimes sold in a sets for a week’s use.

Shaving soap in a cup is traditionally lathered and applied using a rotating in-and-out motion of a Shaving brush, usually made of boar or badger bristles, though modern barbers are usually required by law to use other methods.

The shave is completed using as few strokes as possible, honing sparingly if at all. A second shave with another razor in an alternate direction against the beard yields an extremely close shave, at the risk of producing ingrown hairs.

Rinsing with cold water constricts minor abrasions or cuts, followed by patting dry (not rubbing) and an astringent or aftershave lotion.

More serious nicks can be attended with direct pressure for perhaps a minute with a styptic pencil. A light steady touch is most effective at providing a close shave, preserving the edge and avoiding cuts.

In the heyday of straight razor shaving, wealthy users maintained a weekly “rotation” of seven razors to reduce wear on any one piece. Straight razors were often sold in special boxes of seven labeled for the days of the week. However, many users owned only one razor.

About the Author

At the Straight Razor Collector you will find the latest contemporary, antique and vintage straight razors for you to collect, restore and enjoy.

How to shave with a straight razor part 1 – equipment

Norton Waterstone Starter Kit: 220/1000 grit stone, 4000/8000 grit stone, SiC flattening stone $129.00 The Norton Waterstone Sharpening Starter Kit is a complete kit for a faster, easier way to sharpen tools. The two 8 by 3 by 1-inch combination grit waterstones offer a complete grit range from 220 for major edge repair to 8000 for producing a mirror finish. The inclusion of a coarse grit, silicon carbide flattening stone allows the user the ability to quickly and easily maintain the flatness of th…

Norton 24336 Japanese-Style Combination Waterstone 4000/8000 Grit, 8-Inch by 3-Inch by 1-Inch $64.99 Introducing Nortons premier system for sharpening woodworking tools, knives, cutlery and other blades. Their synthetic waterstones can produce a surface that is almost unbelievably bright and chrome-like while putting a legendary edge on cutting tools. Coarser grit stones are used to remove nicks and for first step sharpening of badly dulled tools. Mid-range grits, 1000 and 4000 take that shaped …

Col Ichabod Conk CHROME Shave Mug cup bowl with Colonel Conk Shaving Soap $18.92 * Chrome Shave Cup Col. Conk # 917 * Fits small 2.25oz Col Conk Soap * 2.25oz Soap included * Will Ship in 1-5 Days…

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SOG F06TN-CP FASTHAWK TOMAHAWK $30.14 FastHawk Clam Pck.The SOG FastHawk is faster, lighter, more agile, and easier to carry than its sibling the Tactical Tomahawk. This is not to say it is not still powerful, versatile, and functional. It is a tool that will be used for much more than you might anticipate. Chopping, breaking, cutting, hammering, piercing, digging, prying, pounding, shaving, notching, opening and throwing are all capa…

Trademark Huge Sweeney Todd Replica Straight Razor Knife $3.99 This extremely sharp replica Sweeney Todd straight razor is ready for a close shave and would make and excellent addition to any razor or Sweeney Todd enthusiast’s collection. Razor is modeled after those used in the movie and is an extremely accurate reproduction in 100% stainless steel.Features include:10.5 inch overall length7.25 inch length closed4.5 inch blade100% Stainless SteelAcid Etched H…

Fromm Razor Strop 2 1/2 X 23 $35.79 Keep your dog stylish! This Illinois Fighting Illini Dog Collar Bandana in 100% cotton design features the embroidered team logo sewn into a team color, striped, nylon web collar with silver grommets and hardware….

Dovo Stainless Steel blade BLACK Handle Shavette Straight Razor Replaceable Blade $22.00 The Shavette, Change Your Blade, system is the leading system used by barbers and stylists. It is also a great razor for learning to shave your face. Why? Because the blade is designed for shaving the neck area, so the blade edge has less flex. Less blade edge flex equals less nicks in the learning phase of shaving. Replacement blades sold separately, item includes one blade only. Features stainle…

Silver Nitrate Applicators – Tube 100 $30.00 Rigid wooden applicator stick tipped with 75% Silver Nitrate/25% Potassium Nitrate, for precise placement. Silver Nitrate tips (70mg) are soluble in all secretions. Control strength by dipping in (sterile) water. Convenient dispenser tube vial….