But if that isn’t enough of a reason to try a safety razor, here are three more… Why shave with a safety razor? Do you ever get an urge to live life on the edge? Do you fancy running off to become a pirate on the high seas? Oooh…how about lion-taming? Or maybe you could start a new life as an international art thief? Your safety razor glides most easily over your skin when you use a lighter product, meaning gels aren’t always the best option. A product with a light, slippery consistency allows the blade to slide across your face effortlessly. However, for some people, especially those with sensitive or dry skin, a shaving cream with good moisturising properties is best. Bulldog’s Bamboo razor has been a big hit thanks to its eco-friendly design and excellent shaving performance. It features a recycled bamboo handle and uses recycled steel blades. There are five blades in total combined with a lubricating strip with aloe vera for a smooth, comfortable shave.

All this means is shaving in the direction your facial hair grows – not against it. Going against it is tougher on your skin and can lead to irritation or ingrown hairs. So maybe give that a miss until you’ve had a bit of practice with your double edge razor. Step 5: Angle the blade We’ve been carefully crafting innovative men’s razor blades for longer than anyone at Wilkinson Sword can remember – and we’ve never sat still since we first took shaving by storm in 1884. Always searching for the perfect shave, we’re constantly thinking of new ways to design smoother, closer and most importantly safer men’s razors. Once you’ve been over your whole face, you’ve made one “pass”. Don’t be tempted to go over the same area without first applying some more shaving soap or cream. The soap protects your skin, so if there’s still some hair left after one pass, rinse your face and then pop some more on. Step 7: Clearing up No problems to report in the first pass. It feels smooth enough and efficiency is perfectly acceptable. The Hydro 5 Sense Energize has our Ultra Glide® blades and a water-activated gel reservoir that smooths your shave for maximum comfort. In fact, every men’s razor in our Hydro range is designed around you, providing a tailored and reliable shave that suits your busy lifestyle while keeping your skin protected at every step. For those hard-to-reach spots there’s nothing quite like the Hydro 5 Groomer razor which combines expert trimming with gentle skincare.Prep your skin: Rinsing your face with plenty of nice warm water, or shaving after a hot shower is great for opening up your pores and softening hairs. Today, there are lots of options available for all your shaving needs, but a classic safety razor is still a great option for anyone looking for a good old-fashioned shave. Second pass across the grainand the only complaint I have is with the handle size. I am finding myself changing grip locations to get it comfortable in my hand. It’s not a major problem, more a combination of preference and me not being used to using a long handle. The shave is done in my usual two passes with a good result. Handle length compared to a Muhle R41 Post Shave But, if you follow these simple steps, you’ll soon feel like a pro with your safety razor in hand. Step 1: Prepare your skin

Although…despite how sharp the blades are, it’s really not dangerous. You just need to know how to shave with a safety razor. And once you’ve mastered it, enjoying a super-close shave time after time, you’ll wonder why you ever did it another way. The head size is fine as far as TTO razors go, I much prefer a three-piece because the head profile is smaller which makes getting under the nose easier, but this has no issues here. The soap or cream is best applied with a brush – not just because it feels great and makes you look like a Hollywood tough guy, but also because it lifts hairs up and makes sure they’re completely covered.

How Much Should You Spend?

Generally at Wilkinson Sword, we like using a vintage shaving brush to work a classic shaving soap up into a foamy lather, or smothering on a lovely rich shaving cream for maximum moisturisation. Shaving subscription services have been gaining traction for a good few years now. The idea is that busy men can simply sign up, have a razor delivered and then receive replacement blades and shaving creams in the post as and when required, without having to lift a finger.

Don’t worry though: people will still think you’re mad, bad and dangerous to know if you casually mention you use a barber’s razor. They don’t have to know it’s actually pretty easy – and leaves your skin smoother than a baby’s bum. Plus, there’s even safety razors suitable for beginners. How do you shave with a safety razor? One of the positives of using a classic double-edge razor is it doesn’t create any plastic waste. But Bambaw has taken things a step further and made this one out of bamboo. The brand’s approach to shaving creates zero waste as both the blades and the handle are recyclable. A great shaving option for the eco-minded consumer. The Wilkinson Sword Classic is a twist to open double edge razor. The handle is brass and the head Zamak, both plated in chrome. My first, and probably many people’s, foray into DE shaving was with the plastic three-piece Wilkinson classic so I was interested to test this one out. Got all that pesky hair off? Great, now it’s time to give your face a good wash, using cold water to close those pores up. Then you’ll want to apply a soothing, alcohol-free shaving balm. And there you have it: baby smooth skin. Gillette’s Sensor3 is the world’s best-selling 3-blade disposable razor, and for good reason. Its three-blade, 40° pivoting head allows it to effortlessly adjust to the contours of your face, giving you a closer shave, while the integrated Lubrastrip with water-activated Comfortgel technology reduces drag and ensures it won’t irritate the skin. A travel bag must have.

Do You Really Need That Many Blades?

But some people choose to graduate onto something a bit more specialised once they’ve mastered the art of safety razor shaving. There are adjustable safety razors, ones with slanted heads, various safety features, travel razors and even ones made out of titanium or stainless steel. Some manufacturers offer artisan-made safety razors that are entirely customisable, come in various weights and can be engraved. And if you want to look achingly cool and professional, you could always try a vintage cut throat razor . Of course, it’s not all as simple as that. Our blades are designed in a number of different ways. Classic Double Edge blades represent shaving at its most traditional – these are simple blades that can fit into any butterfly or even cut throat razor. Many of our more modern razor blades boast an innovative lubrication strip or hydrating gel pool that helps to provide an unbelievably smooth glide along with unbeatable comfort whilst shaving. You can get as close a shave as you want, since double edge razors only need a light touch. And if you’re after a really close shave, they’re sharp enough to deliver it. Apply shaving cream or soap: You’ll want a good layer of creamy lather all over the area you intend to shave.

Safety razors can be great when you’re looking for a clean, close shave, avoiding irritation and ingrown hairs. Replacement blades for a safety razor are also very affordable, making a safety razor a great investment, which will save you money in the long run. But ‘razor’ is a broad term these days. There are a lot of different types of razors to choose from and a range of factors to take into account before handing over your money. How much should you be looking to spend? How many blades is too many blades? Just what exactly is a safety razor anyway? In essence there are really three main price points to consider, and that is really about how much you are prepared to pay. To get the closest shave possible, it’s a good idea to take a shower first, or at least place a hot towel on your face for a minute or two. This softens your facial hair up and opens your pores. It’s like rolling the red carpet out for your razor. Step 2: Lather upChoose a mild or medium level of aggressiveness – a scale used to indicate how efficient the razor is. A razor with high aggressiveness increases the chances of cuts, so a mildly aggressive one is the best type of safety razor for beginners. Simple, twist to open system, the mechanism is operated by turning the bottom of the handle and both doors on the head open up to allow the blade to be seated. The locating bar centralises the blade however there is some lateral movement. What I mean by this is the blade can be seated off to one side. The result of this is that the blade lugs can protrude quite far outside the head if you are not careful. Of course, the blade can be seated centrally very easily but I think it’s worth mentioning. Once the doors are closed there is no movement. Here you can see the lugs protruding because the blade is not seated centrally. The Shave Perfectly reflecting the current trend for timeless, old-school style, they make for a clean, comfortable finish by keeping redness and irritation to a minimum. They also do good for the planet by reducing your consumption of single-use plastics and cost less in the long run. You know what? Perhaps you don’t need to go that wild. You could just start using a sharper razor, one of those that looks so cool and feels so good when you get a shave from a barber. The razor handle is long with a type of barber pole knurling. It feels smooth and well machined but maybe not as grippy as I would like. The head is a twist to open with laser-etched branding. Fitting the blade