Shaving with a straight razor is an old-fashioned method of clearing hair off the face. It does not feature the same safeguards as modern shaving tools, which uses small razors protected by safety buffers to prevent deep cuts. Straight razor shaving has become a type of hobby, even an art, practiced by a relatively small number of people. It is a natural method of shaving that does not use harsh chemicals on the skin, and when done correctly, it can result in a close shave as good as any achieved by simple, mass-marketed blades. This skill doesn't come without practice though.
Step 1
Wrap a hot towel around your face to soften your skin and open up pores. This makes it easier to cut the hairs from your face without them getting pulled out, and it lessens the risk of irritating your skin. Many people also find the hot towel wrap to be very relaxing.
Step 2
Apply a lubrication mixture--sometimes comprised of heated leather and warm water--to your skin using a lather brush. MadeMan.com recommends using a brush comprised of real hair. These can be found in some men's specialty stores as well as some barber shops. The lubrication is another step toward reducing irritation and cuts on the skin.
Step 3
Hold the straight razor against your skin at about a 30-degree angle. Move the razor up against the grain of your hair. If the razor is too flat against the skin, you'll find yourself pulling hairs out of the skin instead of cutting them, and if the blade is at too sharp an angle, you can cut your skin. Reapply lather to the skin prior to every razor blade. Most sections of your skin should be cleared of hair after two strokes.
Step 4
Apply aftershave, if desired, to clean any cuts you've given yourself.
Tips and Warnings
- Make sure the blade is sharp before applying it to the skin--otherwise you may develop small nicks and cuts.
Things You'll Need
- Straight razor
- Towel
- Lather brush
- Lather
- Aftershave
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