HOW TO SHAVE WITH A STRAIGHT EDGE RAZOR
1. Always use a SHARP blade
2. Shaving right after a shower is best so the hairs are loose and your face is warm.
3. Lather with a shave cream or soap.
4. Decide on which side to start- left or right.
5. Make short upward motions with the blade angle at 45 degrees to your face- first with the edge facing down, then with the edge facing up.
6. Make one longer stroke after about 6-8 short strokes.
7. Continue with slightly longer strokes.
8. Careful of the neck- the slow blade cuts less.
9. Finishing with longer strokes is a personal issue.
Tips
1. After showering, run faucet until water is at the hottest point. Fill your mug or bowl and place brush in it.
2. Wet your face, empty mug. Use brush and soap or cream, swirling until lather has formed stiff peaks.
Apply lather to face in a circular motion. Use a hot towel and wipe off lather. This removes any oil from follicles so that moisture can penetrate them.
Relather. Finish by using painting strokes to cover face with a thick layer.
Strop razor on a plain hanging strop. 15 round trips on the linen, followed by 60 round trips on the leather. This allows the lather time to weaken the hair. Facial hair is as tough as copper strands. The longer it stays wet, the easier to shave off. More comfort!
STRETCH YOUR SKIN TIGHT AS YOU SHAVE!
Always shave with the direction of the hair growth first. Relather after first pass and shave sideways to the grain next. If necessary to make a third pass, wet face with cold water. Use no lather for against the grain shaving so that you can see exactly where the entire blade is at all times. This is where most of the storied oops occur. Be aware when trimming side burns that the tip is near your earlobe, etc.
Use a 20 degree angle. 45 degrees puts the edge at a slicing position. You are not shaving skin, this is not your intention. You are cutting hair as close to your skin as close as you can.
Big tip! Get a Styptic Pencil or Alum Block for cuts. Ask a barber where a barber supply store is. It works much faster and better than a pencil. It is also cleaner. No rubbing under water, dripping down your face, then cleaning the blood off.
Warnings
* Use extreme caution and do not attempt if you cannot focus on it. The edge will cut men or women, old or young. It will slice off the ear of any creature that has one, including dogs.
* Never try to catch a dropped razor.
Things You'll Need
* A razor, hanging strop, a hone of at least 6000 grit, shave cream or soap, and a bowl, mug, or scuttle.
* A steady hand.
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