For many men, shaving is an essential part of their grooming routine. While the act of shaving may seem straightforward, there is art to achieving a smooth, clean shave, especially when it comes to using traditional tools like the straight razor or its much safer cousin the safety razor. In this blog post, we will explore a classic traditional method of achieving a clean shave with the safety razor: The Wet Shave. We’ll break down the tools you need, the preparation, and proper technique to get the very best wet shave experience.
The wet shave is a time-honored tradition, passed down by our forefathers unto us. To get this one done, you’re gonna need to pick up a few things first.
Your tool of choice today will be a safety razor. First invented in the 18th century and popularized in the 20th century, the safety razor features a single double-edge blade and guard to prevent injury while shaving. It won’t give you quite the premium shave a straight razor can, but it also won’t leave you with nicks or cuts. We will, however, cover the proper technique for using a straight razor in an upcoming article, so keep an eye out for that one.
In addition to your razor, you are also going to need some high-quality shaving cream or soap. There are numerous products to choose from when it comes to selecting your shaving cream or soap, so feel free to try out various products to find the right one for you.
Finally, you need a shaving brush to apply your shaving cream or soap.
Now that you have done the leg work and have all your tools, it’s time to get to work.
1. Sturdy your facial hair
Before lathering up, you are going to start by taking a good hard look at your hair growth patterns. You want to know which direction the hair grows before you try to shave it, as this can make a big difference in the final result. As you start actually shaving, you want to always shave in the same direction as the hair growth to avoid irritation and achieve the closest possible shave.
2. Lather up your face
Let's get out your shaving cream or soap and apply it to your face using your shave brush. You really want to make sure you have a nice lather coverage to help that blade glide across your face and neck. Not only will it make removing the hair easier, it will also lead to less skin irritation in the end.
3. Apply the razor
Now you are going to shave. You should hold your razor at a 30-degree angle, and use short strokes around 2 or 3 centimeters in length. This technique will improve with time and your mastery of this technique makes a big difference in the speed and end result of your shave. When done correctly, a wet shave should only require gentle pressure to accomplish, so if you find yourself forcing the blade through the hair you’re probably doing it wrong. Let your very sharp razor do its thing.
4. Unclog your razor periodically
Your razor will clog with hair as you shave. When this happens you can flip over the safety razor and use the other side. When the other side also inevitably clogs, simply rinse out both sides of the blade under some running water and you are good to continue with your shave.
5. Go for another pass
After your first pass is done, you might find that some patches of hair aren’t quite the close shave you were hoping for. No worries! Simply reapply some of your lather and give it a second go. This will lead to the closest shave and the very best results. Just try not to overwork the skin too much, because that can lead to irritation.
6. Clean up
When you are satisfied with your shave, rinse your face clean and dry your face using a soft towel. Make sure to clean off, dry off, and stow away your razor. Many razors will rust if they aren’t properly dried, so keep that in mind. To help sooth any irritation and bring in extra moisture, you can also apply an after-shave lotion. This step, however, is optional.
While modern cartridge razors or electric shavers can achieve great results, there is something deeply rewarding about a wet shave using a traditional safety razor. You will never experience a closer shave than the one accomplished by a sharp safety or straight razor. Give it a try for yourself and experience the difference that this tradition can make.
And if you want a truly exceptional shave done by a professional, book your appointment at Headquarters Barbershop in Scottsdale Arizona. Our experienced barbers can give you a hot towel straight razor shave that will leave your face as smooth and supple as they come. And you bearded guys out there, we also do beard trims that will elevate your beard or mustache style to the next level.
