Home » Shaving Tips »
The most important factor in getting a smooth clean comfortable shave (I would say more important than the type of razor, blade, brush or soap) is getting the technique right. Like any new skill, it takes practice and there is a bit of a learning curve. Thankfully, it is not too steep. Here are six tips for improving your shaving technique:
- Keep the pressure light. Traditional safety razors work far better with lighter pressure. The amount of pressure you should use should be just enough to hold the razor against your skin. The blade edge will do the rest. No matter how much the temptation, never (ever) bear down on the razor. Remember, shaving is about removing the hair and not the skin. Removing too much skin is what causes irritation and razor burn.
- Keep your blade angle consistent. Find the angle that works best for your razor (normally around 30 degrees). Lock your wrist and control the razor from your shoulder. This makes a very big difference. Too steep an angle will start to remove skin; too shallow and angle will not cut any hair at all.
- Do not get too fussed if you miss a spot and then try to scrape it off without lather. You can always catch it on the next pass (or the next shave). The idea is to gradually reduce the beard in passes. This ensures that the hair is taken down to the level of the skin, and only the thinnest top layer of the skin is removed.
- Know your beard growth pattern. This is vital. Hair growth directions on the face and neck differ for each person. For example, ‘with the grain’ could be north to south on your cheeks, but east to wet on your neck. Draw a small diagram to help work out which way the hair grows for you.
- Experiment with different makes of blades. All DE blades look the same, but the manufacturing process and edge grinding differs between brands. Try out a blade sampler pack to find the blade that works best for your skin / razor / beard combination
- Try not to chase after a baby smooth result – with good technique, smoothness will come naturally. Don’t be discouraged by a few nicks and scrapes at first, stick with it and you will find it most rewarding.
Bonus Tip: One of the great joys of traditional wet shaving is that you can experiment with razors, brushes, blades and soaps to find the combination that work best for you.
