How to Shave With a Blade Razor

The manufacturers of the finest and priciest electric razors have a single benchmark of quality that they compare the product to. That benchmark? A shave with a blade razor. In truth, there is nothing that can compare for closeness and smoothness. Additionally, if done properly with good quality equipment, there is nothing so good for a man’s skin as a shave with a blade.

Difficulty: Easy

Instructions

Things You'll Need:

• Shaving soap and cup
• Boar bristle shaving brush
• Good quality safety razor
• Two soft, clean hand towels
• Witch hazel or after-shave lotion

1. Run water in the sink until it is very hot. The hotter the water that you can stand on your face, the better, as you do not just want to get your face wet, but you want to steam your beard to open the pores and to soften the whiskers.

2. Wet your soap and brush, and aggressively lather the soap with the bristles of the brush. The lather should not be watery, so just dampen the surface of the soap, then pour off any excess moisture. Same with the brush: Wet the bristles, then shake them off and form a thick lather.

3. Wet one of the hand towels in the sink. Wring it out, and cover the bearded portion of your face. You should feel your pores open and a little perspiration beginning under the towel. After about three minutes, remove the towel and return it to the sink and keep the hot water flowing on it.

4. Lather your beard and mustache with the shaving brush. Give yourself a good thick lather, and don’t be afraid to be a bit abrasive with the brush.

5. Recover the hot hand towel from the sink, wring it out, leaving it slightly wet, and put it over the lather on your face. This is the secret that the old-time barbers used to use that we have forgotten, and it will make for a great shave. Let the lather steam–this will remove the lather from your face. Allow your face to steam for another three minutes.

6. Lather your beard and mustache a second time with your shaving brush. Again, give yourself a nice thick lather–this is a luxury that anyone can afford, and it feels great.

7. Rinse your razor in cold water and shave. Start by cutting defined lines where the shave will meet hairlines–the bases of your sideburns and, if you are retaining a goatee or mustache, carefully define those, then shave the bulk of your face. Be sure to keep your razor rinsed clean in cool water to prevent razor burn. You will find that by steaming your face, lathering, steaming the lather off and re-lathering your face, you will have built a very slick layer of lubricant consisting mainly of the lanolin content of your shaving soap. After you have finished shaving, wipe your face off with the now warm, wet towel and feel your face. You may find some residual stubble which you can clean off with the razor.

8. Rinse your face with cool water, splash with witch hazel or aftershave, and dry with the dry towel. Though time consuming, this method will provide you with a close and pleasurable shave.

Tips & Warnings

• Do not use a dull razor blade, as that is the best way to get razor burn. Not all modern razor blades need to be replaced every shave, but be aware of the edge and dispose of it when it starts to pull the least bit.