Things You'll Need:
- Straight razor
- Shaving brush
- Leather strop
- Water stone or whetting stone
- Shaving cream
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Step 1
Prepare your face. Wash with hot water or take a quick shower before shaving. Use the shaving brush to spread lather or shaving soap evenly over the areas you will shave. Let the lather sit for a few minutes to soften the beard hairs.
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Step 2
Prepare the razor. Securely attach the hook end of the shaving strop to towel bar or other wall fixture. Turn the leather side face up. Pull on the free end of the strop until it is taut. Run the blade back and forth over the strop. Test that the blade is sharp enough by pulling a hair from your head. When the razor easily cuts the hair, it's ready.
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Step 3
Start to shave. Grip the razor firmly with your thumb on one side and three fingers on the other. Use your free hand to pull the skin tight in the area where you will start to shave.
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Step 4
Hold the razor at a 35- to 45-degree angle to your face. The exact angle will depend on the shape of your face. Find an angle that feels comfortable and provides a clean shave without cutting your skin.
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Step 5
Move the razor in short smooth strokes across the tightened skin. Shave against the grain of the beard. If your beard hairs grow out toward the left, shave in the opposite direction, from left to right.
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Step 6
For a closer shave, wash and lather your face again and repeat.
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Step 7
After shaving, wash your face and apply aftershave or moisturizer. Rinse the blade in cool water, wipe dry, and return it to its case. Store the blade out of the reach of children between shaves. Every few months, sharpen the blade with the whetstone or water stone. This will help keep the blade usable for years.
