What to Know Before You Buy a Straight Razor
Men’s grooming has come a long way since the days when a cut-throat, straight razor was the only choice.
Shaving with a straight razor requires a seriously steady hand, as well a lot of time, patience, and preparation. Before you try a straight razor, you should understand the process of shaving with a straight razor, and how it stacks up to other shaving options.
What is a Straight Razor?
A straight razor is made up of a long, single blade that folds back into its handle for easy storage.
To work its best, the blade of a straight razor needs to be incredibly sharp and should be crafted from quality stainless steel. That means a lot of maintenance is involved when owning a straight razor.
You’ll also need a few other pieces of equipment to complete the shaving experience: shaving cream, a shaving brush, and an “hone” or a “strop”.
What is a Hone?
A hone, or honing stone, is a tool to sharpen a straight razor blade. This keeps it in the best condition to do its job well without hurting your skin.
What is a Strop?
A razor strop is an alternative to a hone. It’s basically a leather strip for polishing the edge of a straight razor to keep your shave close.
With all these pieces, it’s easy to understand why shaving with a straight razor is usually for the pros. Having all those tools at home can clutter your bathroom and might not be the easiest to pack when traveling. The good news is there are several ways to get a shave just as close as one from a straight razor.
Modern, Innovative Shaving from Gillette
If you’re looking for the style of a straight razor, but need something more modern and easier to use, check out the King C. Gillette Double Edge Razor: a safety razor inspired by the original invention by our founder in 1901.
This razor comes with a choice of two cutting edges, a safety cap to hold the stainless-steel blade in place, and a special coating for a more comfortable shave.
Here are a few other options you can try.
Advanced, Re-engineered Razor Blades
Check out Gillette Fusion5 Razor Blades. Each one has five blades with thin, fine edges for a close shave.
Razor Handles with FlexBall Technology
The ProGlide Razor comes with a flexible ball piece in the handle which lets the blades pivot in multiple directions. This is great for shaving every curve and contour of your face for a smooth shave all over.
The Heated Razor
Love the feel of a hot towel shave from a barber? You can get that same feeling at home with the GilletteLabs Heated Razor. The Heated Razor warms up with the push of a button to deliver soothing warmth and a shave that feels like a luxury.
Get Razor Blades Delivered to Your Door
Whether you’re using a straight razor, a Heated Razor, or an alternative for sensitive skin, sharp blades are essential for preventing razor burn and other skin irritation. Gillette’s shave club is a much easier option than having to use a strop or hone every few days.
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