How to Shave with a Safety Double-edge Razor?
A type of razor that is gaining popularity
Given the sharp rise of the price of razors and razor cartridges, more and more men are turning to a less expensive alternative. The safety double-edged razors are gaining popularity because of their low maintenance cost, their simplicity, and their efficiency. The era of 5 blades razor is now over. We are now in the era of safety double-edged razors. This blog post explains you step by step how to shave his beard with a double edge razor. Shaving with this type of razor is normally done in 4 steps.
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First part: The assembly of the razor
1. Prepare the razor to receive a new blade
The safety razors fitted with a double-edged blade are generally made in one, two or three pieces. The first step when you want to use a safety razor with a double-edged blade is to open it, so it can be ready to receive a new blade. The double-edged razors are more often made in 3 pieces. You have a handle, a cutting head that covers the blade and a comb that lies between the cutting head and the handle. To disassemble this type of razor in all his small parts, you must maintain the cutting head and comb in one hand and unscrew the handle with the other.
2. Insert a new blade in the safety razor
Once the cutting head of your safety razor is open, comes time to place a new blade between the cutting head and the comb by making sure that the blade holes are perfectly aligned with those of the cutting head and the comb.
A question regarding the blades of safety double-edged razor is commonly asked to us. What type of blade should I use to shave my beard?
The answer of this question is relative and depends on the size and characteristics of your beard. Those with a thick beard should opt for a sharp razor blade which is perfectly sharpened while those with a shorter and less dense beard should opt for a more dull razor blade. However, duller blades can have the effect of pulling the hairs rather than cutting them. You must be vigilant to the reactions of the hairs on your face when you use this type of blade. There are also feathers razor blades. These blades mainly made in Japan are currently popular since they allow a neat close shave.
3. Fix the blade inside the cutting head of the razor
Once the new razor blade is inserted, you must keep in one hand the razor cutting head and comb and with the other hand screw the handle to tighten and fix the blade. Then, your DE (double-edge) razor is ready to use. Once this step has been accomplished you are almost ready to begin the shaving step.
Part Two: Develop a pre-shaving routine
1. Take a shower before shaving
Take a shower before shaving considerably facilitates a close and neat shave. Many people neglect this simple principle but in reality, it allows your skin pores to be completely dilated. Also, take a shower before shaving helps moisturize and soften your beard so facilitate the shaving and preventing cuts and scrapes.
2. Wash your face with lukewarm water
Once out of the shower, you should wash your face with lukewarm water and with facial soap and scrub. Over time, the dead skin residues on your face tend to accumulate. A cleaning of your face with appropriate products before shaving allows these dead skin residues to fall, and thereby, to get a better shave. Scrubs containing small abrasive particles and do excellent work to remove dead skin residues. At this stage, many men use glycerin-based shaving soaps. This type of soap has the property to help to remove dead skin residues and to smooth your face while keeping it moistened.
3. Apply a pre-shave cream
Put a small amount of pre-shaving cream in the palm of your hand and rub it with your other hand to make it lather. Once foam, extend it on your beard. The pre-shaving cream has the property to soften your beard and to prepare your skin to be in contact with the razor blade. Rather than using pre-shaving cream, some use baby lotions. This one has the effect of smoothing your skin and help to reduce irritation during shaving.
4. Add warm water in a glass
You are almost ready to shave. Just before, prepare a glass of warm water that will be useful for shaving. This warm water will leave you with a pleasant feeling on your skin when you will shave and will allow you to more easily clear the shaving cream on your face between each pass.
5. Apply shaving cream
At this point, you must apply shaving cream on your beard by taking good care to not remove the pre-shaving cream. You should use a badger-hair brush with light circular movements to expand the shaving cream on your facial hairs that you want to shave. Using a badger-hair brush to extend the shaving cream allow to soft your beard in addition to ensuring that the cream penetrates all areas of your face.
Part Three: Master your shaving skill
1. The razor should always be positioned at a 30° angle
When the shaving cream is applied, now comes time to shave. To do this, your razor should always be wet and placed against your face at a 30° angle. When the razor is placed in this angle, you greatly avoid cuts and scrapes and make sure you get a close shave.
2. Always shave in the grain direction
When you are at the stage to make your first passes, be sure to follow the direction of your hairs. In other words, the hairs on your face all grows in a natural direction; this is called the grain. To obtain a loan and smooth shave, you should always shave in the natural direction of the hairs of your beard during the first passes. If you've never shaved your beard before, leave you a learning period to know the natural growing direction of your beard hairs. The growth direction of hairs of a beard varies from one man to another. This is why you will have to know by yourselves the grain of your facial hair.
3. Regularly clean your razor in water
After each pass, you should rinse your razor blade under warm water to remove the hairs that getting stuck and other dirt. Thus, your blade will always be clean and efficient for shaving. No need to tell you that an obstructed blade with hairs does not cut as much and doesn't do such a great job than a clean blade.
4. Let the sheer weight of the razor do the work
When you make a pass with your safety double edge razor, make sure it is a small one. Moreover, you should not put any weight on the razor. The simple heaviness of the razor should be enough to allow a close smoothly shave. Contrary to what we see in most razor pubs when men make long passes, you need to make small passes. Otherwise, this could lead to severe cuts. If you ever feel the need to add pressure on your razor to it cut properly, it is a sign that the blade is worn and must be sharpened or replaced.
5. Hold your skin taut for an easy shaving
When you shave the hairs areas located at the neck level, you should keep your skin taut to facilitate the shaving. This will be easier for the blade to glide well along your skin. When you shave the mustache (above the upper lip), you should keep your upper lip down. In contrast, when you shave under your lower lip, you should keep it up. Generally, areas difficult to shave are quite easy to shave when you stretch your facial skin.
6. Pay special attention to areas of your face that are problematic
If you do not consider the areas of your face that are problematic, you might experience problems or even nick or cut yourself. Often, these areas are located below and above the lip and below the jaw line. When you shave near these areas, try to shave against the grain. Well sure, you will definitely need to make several passes since you shave against the direction of your hairs. This takes time, dexterity and patience.
7. Clean your face with water and make a second pass
The first passes of a shave aim to remove the bulk of facial hairs. Obviously, for a full and smooth shave, shaving normally require more than one pass. When it comes time to make the second pass, you should first unclog your razor of hairs, wet your face and apply a second layer of shaving cream. These second pass should be done with lateral passes and against the grain of your hair.
8. Repeat the process if necessary
The steps listed above should be repeated as many times as necessary until you get a close shave as desired. Keep in mind that a beard is different from one man to another and that the number of passes during a shaving varies according to men shaving preferences.
Part four: Develop an after shaving routine
1. Rinse your razor and your face with cold water
When your shaving is done, you should get the habit to rinse and clean your razor. In addition, you should always rinse your face for the last time with cold water which has the effect of closing the pores of your skin and greatly reduce the chances of irritation that can be caused by one or many cuts or scratches. Finally, cold water on your face after the shaving provides a refreshing sensation that can be quite pleasant.
2. Submerge the blade of your razor in rubbing alcohol
Leave the double-edged blade of your safety razor submerge in rubbing alcohol after shaving allows it to be well clean (allow to wick away moisture excess). If you clean the blade of your razor just under the water, it could cause rusting. A rusty razor blade causes additional friction so, it is less pleasant and harder for your skin on the next shave. If you take the time to overwhelm the blade of your razor in rubbing alcohol after each shave for about 5 to 10 minutes, you will see his life greatly improved. After 10 minutes of soaking, remove the double-edged blade of rubbing alcohol and when it is dry, put it back on his razor. This one is now ready for the next use.
3. Clean your badger-hair brush and make sure that it is dry
If you use a badger-hair brush to extend the shaving cream on your beard, rinse it under cold water to remove any cream and/or soap residues that is found in his hairs. Once your badger-hair brush is rinsed, pass your finger(s) against his hairs to stir them and help it to properly dried. When your badger-hair brush is clean and completely dried, it can be stored since it is ready for it's next use.
4. Apply an aftershave cream
Once your face and shaving equipments are well rinsed, apply an after shave lotion on the areas of your face that have been shaved. An after shaving lotion has for effect to toning and moisturizing your skin. Generally, two types of after shave lotion are available. On one side, you have the alcohol based after shaving lotions and on the other side, you have the hazel based after shaving lotions.
After shaving lotions from alcohol based are the most common on the market because of their low cost. However, this type of after shaving lotion tends to sting and cause dry skin.
After shaving lotions from hazel based are less popular although they are currently gaining more and more market share. This type of after shaving lotion is cold and refreshing for your skin and stings much less than an alcohol base after shaving lotion. However, hazel based after shaving lotions provide less toning than alcohol based after shaving lotions.
5. Moisturize your skin
Finally, the last step of shaving is to hydrate your skin with a moisturizer. The moisturizing creams nourish the skin of your face of good nutrients and thus help to keep it clean and help it to have a neat look. A daily application of moisturizer helps your facial skin to be healthy.
