Every day we sell straight razors and regularly explain how to handle the straight razor safely. We also frequently receive questions about safe shaving. In this blog, we explain how to safely handle the razor as a beginner shaver.
Do not shave smoothly right away!
As a beginner shaver of the straight razor, you usually want to shave smoothly right away. Our advice is especially at first not to shave too smoothly. First shave off the shaving foam from your cheeks and the beard hairs will follow naturally. Take your time. Do not shave during the week but start calmly on the weekend. Also, at first do not immediately shave the difficult parts of your face. For the first few weeks, only shave the sideburns and cheeks. After a few weeks, carefully start working on the neck area and chin. In short, build it up slowly: Rome wasn’t built in a day either.
Tip 1 Fold the razor closed after use
Use the razor only for shaving beard hair. The ergonomics of the open razor are designed for shaving facial hair. Do not use the blade for other purposes or for shaving the scalp or body hair. Many people tend to carefully feel the sharpness with their fingers. Do not do that because the razor is razor-sharp.
Do not walk around with an open razor. After use, fold the blade or razor closed into the handle. Fold the blade calmly and carefully into the handle. This prevents the blade from possibly biting into the handle or you cutting your fingers.
Tip 2 Clean the razor well after use
Hygiene during shaving is very important. After use, clean the razor well with water and carefully dry it with a soft cloth or tissue.
While shaving, rinse the razor clean under running water. Rubber stropping trays are available on the market for stropping the razor. Our advice is not to use these stropping trays. You risk damaging the edge during stropping. It is better to simply rinse the blade under running water.
Tip 3 Do not catch the razor if it falls
A normal human reaction is to reflexively catch something you accidentally drop with your hands or feet. Do not do that with the open razor. Do not catch the open razor with your hands or feet. Just let it fall.
To prevent the razor from getting damaged after a fall, it is best to stand on a nice soft high-pile bathroom mat.
Tip 4 Do not shave naked
Do not shave naked in the shower with the straight razor. You risk slipping. Just stand in front of the mirror and shave. Also, do not shave naked. If the open razor falls from your hands, it could possibly injure your manhood with all the consequences that entails. And that is of course the last thing you want.
Tip 5 Store the razor safely
After use, fold the razor closed and store it safely. Make sure children cannot reach it. So keep it out of sight or store it high up.
Watch our instructional video on safely shaving with the straight razor.
