How To Shave With A Safety Razor Like Your Grandpa Did! – For Beginners

Shaving properly and perfectly is an art that modern men have almost lost their hand in. Today’s men have become used to cheap and disposable shaving products (which are the babies of new technologies) that do no good. 

No matter how many new methods of shaving, the old school method of shaving with the safety razor is the perfect way to get the closest shave possible. 

Is Shaving with a Safety Razor Better?

The use of double-edged safety razor has widely come into use, which is considered to give more consistent and better shaving at a reduced price.

Also, a safety razor helps you get a neat and clean shave without causing any harm to the environment. Whereas, the disposable razors create an impact on the environment in a bad way, though these modern ones are much safer and prevent cuts and injuries. 

So, any day, safety razors are the best when it comes to shaving. As it is compact, you can reach any hard-to-reach areas on your face and also the neck, making it easy for you to shave. Moreover, as the blades of the safety razors are sharp, you get a clean shave in minutes without applying much pressure. 

Another advantage with safety razor is, your skin will be less prone to irritations, as the blades are made of high-quality stainless steel.

Selecting the Perfect Safety Razor:

Considering all the advantages, you might be ready to purchase a safety razor right away. But, you must first be ready to take the risk. Here are some of the points you need to know before purchasing a safety razor. Here we’ll discuss what type of safety razor is best for whom.

• To begin with,  when you are using a safety razor for the first time, go for the 38C and the 99R ones as their blades are not that sharp, so you are free from injuries.
• The 91R razor and the 34C razors are for those looking for a balanced razor with short handles and more weight.
• Apart from just a beard, if you also want to give a touchup to your mustache, sideburns, and also eyebrows, then go for the 907 and 700 razor.
• Depending on the type of shave you want, you can also go for  straight razors, butterfly , smorgasbord and shavettes. 

How to Shave With a Safety Razor

Here are the safety instructions from our side on how to use a safety razor properly. Follow these to prevent any injuries even while using it for the first time. 

• To make your existing beard and mustache hair smooth and easy for shaving, first wash your face with warm water. You can also use a soft towel dipped in warm water to clean the face. If you don’t like wet hair before shaving, you can use beard oil instead.
• The blades of your safety razor are sharp, so without applying any pressure, gently move around the razor on your beard at a certain inclination. 
• Start with one side of your face and go for short strokes for a perfect and desirable result. Start from the top of your chin and then reach the jawline. 
• Follow the safety razor along the direction of the hair growth Shave with grain to ensure a smooth and complete shave. Move the safety razor, according to the direction of the hair growth for an effective shave. If you want a closer shave, you can start to shave against the hair growth once you get used with using the razor. 
• Once you are done shaving the entire face and neck, use cold water to wash your face.

Things needed

For a harmless and smooth shaving process, here are a few things you need:

• A good safety razor from a reputed brand.
• Few packs of razor blades.
• A shaving brush to create perfect lather.
• Shaving creams or soaps to soften the skin.

DIY Process

Soap Making Process – Cold Press method

If you are allergic to chemicals, you can prepare your own shaving cream or soap the following way:

• Firstly, you need to prepare a mix with all the oils.
• Those include, coconut Oil (3-spoons) – for getting thick lather, Palm Oil (3 spoons) – for the creamy texture, castor Oil (1 spoon) – for additional density, sunflower Oil (1.5 spoons) – to condition the beard, olive Oil (1 spoon), cocoa butter (½ spoon) – for rich fragrance and conditioning. 
• You can also include bentonite clay and other essential oils too.

Tips for a Smooth and Complete Shave

Here are some of the tips to get a clean shave:

• Shaving while having a dry face is not safe and does not yield proper results. So, always wash your face first too with lukewarm water. If possible, take a hot shower. 
• To remove any leftover dead skin cells after cleansing, exfoliate your face using a scrub that is specially designed for men.
• Always make sure you use warm water only during the shaving process. Too much hot water can leave your skin prone to more cuts and injuries. 
• Instead of using a soap to create the lather, go for a shaving cream that is filled with natural ingredients. This shaving cream will be in the form of gel too.
• During the beginning stages of your shaving journey, always move the razor in the direction of your hair growth.
• After the entire shaving process is over, wash your face with cold water to seal the pores. Apply a moisturizer right after that.
• Now that your face is bare, it is vulnerable to tanning. So, always use a sunblock before you step out.
• Replace the blades and also the safety razors on a regular basis for better hygiene.
• Try and ignore the myths that circulate around shaving with a safety razor.

The Benefits of Safety Razor Shave:

Now that you know everything about the process of shaving with a safety razor, let’s look at the benefits of doing so:

1. You get a closer shave: 

Safety razors are incorporated with sharpest blades that make them special and efficient. This is the reason you get a close shave every time you use it. So, using a safety razor can be a daunting task for beginners but once you master the art, you get a perfect shave every time.

2. You will be less prone to irritation: 

Unlike other modern razors, a safety razor has a single blade that is strong and efficient. The use of a single blade is an indication that there is less chance of cuts, bruises and injuries. 

This also means that there’s no issue of hair getting stuck in between the group of blades. All we mean to say is that a safety razor gives you a healthy and promising shave when you use it correctly. 

3. It is good for coarse hair: 

If you have tough and thick hair, it may not get into the hands of normal razors. So, a safety razor is the best bet for such a hair type. Also, long or coarse hair can cause irritation to your skin when you use a normal razor. So, a safety razor is the right fix. And, as you will replace the blade each time after use, you’ll never get a dull shave. 

4. Easy to replace the blades:

For a normal razor, replacing the blades may cost much ( 10 to 25 cents).  But, for a safety razor, replacing the blades won’t cost much and they are readily available. 

5. You’re in charge of your shave: 

Though using a safety razor requires more alertness and concentration, you are in complete charge of the entire shave as it is not an electrical one. Each stroke you take is in your control and you can move it in any direction you like. However, you need to think twice about the amount of pressure you put on each stroke. 

Frequently Asked Questions