Tips and information about the open razor

• First start with a Shavette razor Or a cheap open razor. Rhavers are already available from € 80.
• 5/8 "(= inch) wide razor is a common size.
• A razor with a rounded point at the end causes slices less quickly.
• Carbon steel razors are easier to grind and polish. Carbon steel rust faster than stainless steel (stainless steel or stainless steel).
• The current open razor is usually full-hollow-ground (hollow cut). The advantage of this is to grind easier and use it smoothly while shaving.

• The open razor is also suitable for heavy beard growth.
• 6/8 "(= inch) wide razor is the most suitable for shaving heavy beard growth.

• An open razor lasts a lifetime if it is well maintained and stored.
• An open razor is vulnerable. Gently do, prevent it and store it well.

The head or tip of the shaving leaf

• Rounded point, most razors have a rounded point
• Semi
• Unauthorized or square point

Different widths of the shaving leaf

• 3/8 "(= inch)
• 4/8"
• 5/8 ", is the most common size and very suitable to start
• 6/8 ", is a common size and suitable for heavy beard growth
• 7/8"
• 8/8"

Shaving Shaver Grinding Shape or Holling (see image below)

• Flat-ground
• Full-Hollow ground, is the most common grinding shape
• 3/4-hollow-ground

Which steel the razor is made

• Carbon steel or carbon steel is widely used for razors. It is easy to grind. Therefore very suitable for the starting shaving. Carbon steel can rust. So well maintained and dry.
• Silver steel
• Stainless steel (stainless steel or stainless steel) is also widely used for razors. Stainless steel is harder and therefore more difficult to grind. Stainless steel does not rust.
• Damascus steel

• Only use the open razor to shave. Do not test the sharpness of the razor on paper.
• Never feel your fingers on the cut to feel if it is still sharp
• Do not walk around with an open razor. Always close after use.
• Close the razor calmly to prevent the knife from happing in the handle.
• After use, blow the razor dry and possibly open it to let it dry.
• If the razor accidentally falls out of your hand, it will fall and try not to catch it.
• Always wear clothing while shaving. Do not shave naked in the shower.
• Prefer not to save the razor in a damp space, such as the bathroom.
• Store the razor safely on the disease of children.

Clean the skin in advance with soap or a pH neutral cleaning gel.

• Wet the face with lukewarm water.
• If necessary, use a pre -shave Oil or gel for extra protection during shaving.
• Soap the face well with one shaving soap or shaving cream.
• Let the shaving cream work. This makes the beard hairs soft and week.
• With your favorite hand you shave both the right and left of your face. Pull the skin tight with the other hand.
• Hold the razor light and smoothly with the fingertips.
• Holding razor between thumb and 3 fingers - see instruction drawing
• Keep the razor at an angle of 10 degrees compared to the skin. Use a slightly smaller angle at the cheek, chin and upper lip. Also use the right angle (10 degrees) at the curves of the chin.
• Press the razor very light on the skin. The shaving leaf does not slide straight down, but make a small angle. As a result, the shaving leaf makes a more sloping cutting movement.
• First shave with the beard hairs.
• Pull the skin tight while shaving with the other hand.
• Shave with quiet small and even movements.
• Start with the sideburns and cheeks, then the neck and finally the chin and snoring part.
• Don't forget to rinse the razor clean while shaving.

The maintenance of the open razor naturally depends on the type of razor and the degree of use.

The way of maintenance is personal. The steps of maintenance below are a theoretical description.

There are 4 steps in the maintenance of the open razor. Targeting, polishing and grinding are the most important steps of maintenance.

Before every shave:

• Align
• Polish

The finishing touch:

• Turn on

If the razor is blunt after a while:

• Grind 

• Rinse it razor Good clean after use.
• Polishes the razor dry with soft paper, for example tissue paper.
• Make it dry after shaving. If necessary, use a hairdryer to dry the knife.
• Always store the razor in a dry place. So not in the bathroom.
• Knives that are not used for a long time is best to be rubbed first with oil.

• This of course depends on the use of the open razor.
• If the open razor pulls instead of cutting.
• If the razor is blunt.

The leather string strap has a leather and a canvas side:

• The leather side is for polishing the knife.
• The canvas side is for cleaning or targeting the shaving leaf.

The ironing strap must be used in advance any shave for aiming and polishing the razor.

The tension strap is for the finishing touch and can - depending on the use of the razor - be used once a month.

The tensioning belt can also be used as an alternative to the leather string string. In this case, the tension strap must be used in advance each shave.

There are 4 types of ironing paste:

• Yellow iron
• Green iron
• Red iron
• White iron

The yellow ironing pasta is a fat pasta that cares and protects the leather of the ironing strap. This means that the strings lasts longer.

The green ironing paste has a strong polishing effect and is applied to the leather of the Span belt.

The red ironing paste has a medium polishing effect and is applied to the leather of the tension strap.

The white ironing paste is for the maintenance of the canvas side of the ironing strap. This cleans the canvas side again and lasts longer.

• The Ardennes coticule sharpening stone or Belgian blue whetstone from the Ardennes is the best whetstone for sharpening and maintaining the open razor. 
• This sharpening stone has a yellow coticule top stone with a grit (grain) of 6000 - 8000 and a blue bottom with a grit of 4000.
• Only the yellow top is suitable for grinding the razor.