Everyone likes a neat and clean appearance. The good news is that it doesn’t take much effort to get that classic look. All you need is a good razor. There are different types of razors flooding the market. We’ll help you pick the right one.
Use in the stone age, the first known version of a razor was a shaving stone which was essentially a flaked obsidian.
The Egyptians used a rotary razor.
Shaving was adopted by Alexander’s troops. The Romans replaced the circular razor with a straight one.
Straight razor was most commonly used till the 20th century. This razor had a stainless steel blade that is sharpened on one side.
Next came the shavette, had a disposable blade. It is easy to use but less durable.
In 1880 came the first marketed safety razor. Safer to use than straight razor but required practice.
1903 saw King Gillette sell the first double edge safety razor which had edges and protective bars on both sides of the blade.
First disposable safety razor came in 1960. The entire razor is discarded after use over a period of time.
Then came the cartridge razor with disposable blades. whose head remained bent at a slight angle for a closer shave.
The foil electric razor run on batteries or can be recharged. For this, no shaving gel or foam is needed. Since the blades move back and forth, they don’t work well on facial curves.
Based on the same principle as the electric razor, the rotary electric razor has blades that rotate on the head. They are easy to use and work well on facial contours with minimum effect.
If you are interested in learning more, check out the infographic below.
Why Disposable Razors Are Getting Tossed Out And Replaced
It is important for a man to take care of his appearance. A man is more than his clothing. His face should be groomed appropriately and show that he is serious about looking good. Although shaving is often an afterthought, the right razor and tools will turn the chore from monotonous to enjoyable. With the right accessories, shaving may become the most relaxing time of day. Even though you may use use disposable razors, there are better options that deliver better results.
Safety Razors are Making a Comeback
Disposable razors or cartridge razors line store shelves and are usually the tools that men begin using from an early age. However, more and more gentlemen are beginning to turn to safety razors. Safety razors traditionally contain one blade. For many years, they were the conventional tools used for men’s shaving needs. Today, these items have advanced in design, but they still offer the benefits of the past. If you are not sure why you should consider tossing out your disposables, understanding the benefits of using safety razors may win you over.
Benefits of Safety Razors Over Disposable Razors/Cartridge Razors
Edwin Jagger Safety Razor Gold DE89BA11Gbl
Safety razors are made with different styles, which brings a personal touch to your shaving routine. If you prefer a chrome finish, try our Merkur Futur model. For a touch of regalness in gold, consider our Edwin Jagger Safety Razor Gold option. No matter your selection, you are sure to find something that appears nicer than a disposable product. Many people may be surprised at the advantages that come from using safety razors over disposable razors.
Get the Closest Shave Possible. You want your face to be as smooth as it can be. You may be sucked in by the hype that says disposable razors provide these results, especially since they have multiple blades. However, safety razors have curved blades, which offer the ability to enjoy the closest shave possible. Since disposable razors have multiple blades at awkward angles, you may experience razor burn or suffer from painful ingrown hairs. If you have sensitive skin, you are much better using a safety razor.
Preserve Your Skin. Using multiple blades from disposable razors or cartridge razors on your skin can cause more harm than good. Although television ads often display how well this setup glides over skin, the overall plastic construction and shaving action scratches the skin. With every stroke of disposable razors, your upper skin layers become increasingly damaged. Today’s designers have introduced razors that may be shaving your face too close, which is harming your skin. Your face is not flat. It is filled with dips and peaks. Having multiple blades does not agree with this type of surface and will cause nicks and cuts. This causes your skin to become even less smooth and prone to future cuts. This endless cycle can be avoided by using safety razors.
Top Precision. The blades of safety razors extend all the way to the ends of the items. This provides a smoother and closer shave. If you have a mustache, goatee, or other facial hair, you want the ability to keep lines looking clean. Safety razors offer the necessary precision that is next to impossible to achieve with disposable razors.
Savings. When considering the use of safety razors, you may be surprised to learn that they save you money. You will appreciate the investment of a quality shaving kit that includes a safety razor. Replacement blades on safety razors are much more affordable, and blades last much longer than those on disposable razors.
Sturdy Design. Disposable razors are not designed with sturdiness in mind. Safety razors usually have a strong metal construction with solid handles. This gives you top control and allows the razor to do most of the work without much hand effort. For the ultimate shave, it is wise to take your time, use a gentle soap, and soft-bristled brush.
Good for the Environment. It is no secret that disposable razors are not friendly to the environment. They cannot be recycled, which means that approximately 2 billion of these items are thrown into landfills each year. When you purchase a quality safety razor, the unit may last a lifetime.
Are Safety Razors Really Safer Than Disposable Razors?
Merkur Futur Safety Razor Polished Chrome
Many men believe that safety razors will cause more cuts than cartridge razors with pivoting heads. In truth, both types of shaving tools can cause harm when they are not used correctly. To avoid injury with safety razors, you need to learn the proper shaving technique. When using a safety razor, you should use short and straight strokes. Also, it is best to shave in the direction of the hair growth. Following these tips will deliver a clean shave every time. For the more advanced wet shaver, shaving against the grain appropriately will produce the closest shave possible without scraping off layers of your skin.
Enjoy the Art of Shaving
Using a safety razor can offer an enjoyable experience. From its design to the close shave that you receive, you are sure to see the true value from using this type of grooming tool. Besides looking like a piece of art in your bathroom, a safety razor has history. Unlike disposable razors that were produced in multiples along an assembly line, most safety razors have deeper stories. When you use a safety razor, you join a community of men who take special care to look good and to use the best shaving accessories.
When you shave with a safety razor, you must focus on the task. To achieve the perfect results, you must practice the proper shaving techniques, which makes you more aware of the activity. This gives you the ability to forget the day’s troubles and focus on the tradition, smells, and art of shaving. Select a safety razor that fits your personalty and let The Original Shave Company help you make shaving an enjoyable part of your everyday routine. Don’t forget to always check our shaving essentials on sale for a deal!
What you need to know about shaving with a double edged razor
Merkur Chrome & Black Safety Razor
Shaving with a double edged razor is something many men are eager to try today, tossing out their cheap cartridge razors for a little more style, self-indulgence and luxury as part of their morning routine. But many of the terms associated with wet shaving and double edged razors can be as confusing as figuring out which razor to buy and then how to use it.
Below we share a few details about double edged razor shaving, to shed some light on this old classic in male grooming.
Finding Your Perfect Double Edged Razor
One thing about using a double edged razor is that one man’s “perfect” razor is not another man’s right fit. So you can’t just rely on a good friend’s recommendation. Instead, look for a double edged razor that fits nicely in your hand, feels slightly heavy and has a nice grip, like the Edwin Jagger 3D Laser Diamond DE3D14BL.
If your hands are large for example, you will likely want a longer handle than others. Or maybe you will feel most in control with a slightly stout handle, like the Edwin Jagger R35611SR. Whichever double edged safety razor you choose, a quality one will last a lifetime. So this may be something you wish to invest in, as unlike cartridge razors you replace only the blades and not the entire razor.
Using Your Double Edged Razor
Merkur Futur Safety Razor Gold Plated
Learning how to use your double edged safety razor takes time and practice. You will likely experience nicks and cuts for the first several shaves while you get used to letting the razor’s weight do the work. You may still be inclined to press down on your face and neck with the razor, which will cut your skin. So don’t start using a safety razor on an important day or when you are in a hurry, as you may have to take a few moments to take care of your nicks.
To use your safety razor with double edge blades, pull skin taut in one direction and use the blade in the opposite direction. Angle the razor’s handle at about 30 degrees from your face or neck. Do not press down, instead letting the razor’s weight drive itself. Use short strokes in the same direction as your hair growth.
Keeping Blades Fresh
Astra Platinum Razor Blades
Like with choosing your own perfect safety razor, you will need to experiment with different double edge blades to find your favorite. There are multiple factors that determine how long a blade lasts, such as how coarse your beard is, the brand of the blade and other factors. But common blades like Feather usually last between five and seven shaves. If your beard is not coarse, a Feather blade may last longer for you. You will know it is time to replace your blade when the current one is tugging or pulling on your first few shaving strokes. Don’t forget to use both sides of the blade, to maximize life of each one.
Merkur Solingen is a German manufacturer of high quality razors under both the Merkur and DOVO brands. The company has produced razors and other personal care implements since 1906. The Solingen-based manufacturer is known for its high quality metal crafting and balanced ergonomic designs.
Choosing Your Own Merkur Safety Razor
Merkur Razors
When selecting your ideal safety razor, there are a multitude of options to consider. Most first-time safety razor shoppers go through several blade types before finding their own perfect fit, so you can expect a bit of trial and error in the beginning of your wet shaving experience.
These handsome German razors are differentiated by size, comb type, construction type and whether the razor is fixed or adjustable. These are all facets you will explore as you select and use your safety razor. If one razor does not quite fill the bill or seems to leave room for improvement in your wet shaving process, simply try a model with alternative attributes.
Solingen manufactured razors include these specific variations:
Handle length
Two or three piece construction
Closed comb with safety bar or open comb with teeth
Adjustable or fixed razor type
Aspects of the brand’s razors that are consistent from item to item include:
Other brand highlights that are helpful in selection of your perfect wet shaving razor include:
Three fixed position head types
Three adjustable head types
Three piece razors can be customized with varied head pieces and handles
One of the mistakes new wet shavers make with this brand’s models is that of not correctly tightening the blade into place. This failure is usually learned through trial-and-error. If the blade is not held tightly in position, there is up-and-down movement of the blade during shaving. The result is catching of facial skin between the blade and its guard, causing cuts. Fingers are also easily cut when replacing blades. All in all, these types of razors require a learning curve for blade replacement, but are worth the effort once a quality shave is performed.
Shaving with a Merkur Safety Razor
There are a multitude of considerations when first shaving with a razor of this quality and type. First, it is important to slow down your shave and take your time to learn how to properly use a safety razor. You cannot briskly shave with a safety razor like you do with a plastic disposable. You will tear your face up and cause major skin irritation.
When shaving with a double-edged razor, use only very light hand pressure. Novices tend to press down too much, as they do with a disposable head razor. It is important to let the razor’s own weight cut whiskers. Your hand is only meant to guide the razor’s direction.
Shaving with the grain of hair growth is safest, particularly for new safety razor users. Once you are acquainted with your razor and want a better shave, you can execute a three-pass shaving process. The three-pass method includes first shaving with the grain of growth, then reapplying shaving cream and shaving across hair growth patterns. For the third pass, reapply shaving cream and shave against the grain of hair growth. This three-pass wet shaving method obviously takes longer than a regular one-pass shave. But for special occasions or when you have time, the three-pass method using Merkur razors will never disappoint.
Preserve Your Skin. Using multiple blades from disposable razors or cartridge razors on your skin can cause more harm than good. Although television ads often display how well this setup glides over skin, the overall plastic construction and shaving action scratches the skin. With every stroke of disposable razors, your upper skin layers become increasingly damaged. Today’s designers have introduced razors that may be shaving your face too close, which is harming your skin. Your face is not flat. It is filled with dips and peaks. Having multiple blades does not agree with this type of surface and will cause nicks and cuts. This causes your skin to become even less smooth and prone to future cuts. This endless cycle can be avoided by using safety razors.
