The Zen of traditional shaving

By Edward

I used to use disposable razors. My worst experience using them, was In a Chinese bathhouse In Yantai. We went straight from a local bar and spent the night at a particular one as perusal on a Friday night. I showered in a drunkard haze and decided It was a good Idea to loose my fortnight of beard.

There was a bathroom section with a sink that had free tooth brushes, razors and shaving foam. I readily tore one open and went at my stubble/beard. I was halfway through my cheek, when I realized In my drunken haze the blade was blunt. Opening another, and repeating the process. Realizing shortly that the razors were of Inferior craftsmanship, and ripping open another pack. I almost forgot there was skin under my beard, 5 razors down my face was bloody. Friends and China men looked on in disbelief when I opened the tenth razor as the sink filled with shaving detritus. I was prodded by a worker at the situation to which I snarled.

Shaving drunk Is a bad Idea at best of times. Now I neither drink nor use Inferior shaving products. I use a range of high end traditional shaving products, like tallow based shaving soaps. Or excellent natural shaving creams and shaving oils. I realize that the preparation Is as Important as the shave Itself.

Getting Into Straight razor shaving, was a real thrill. I mean the Image is super cool and gangster. Who wouldn’t take a cutthroat user seriously, and It is far safer than presumed. Traditional shaving for me Is a relaxing time that boosts sense of self. I feel It’s old decorum and revel in the process.

I daily use a safety razor, at the minute I’m using a Fatip Gentile which I adore. It is a small non aggressive razor that I can comfortably do several passes without any rash or cuts.

Edwards sells a wide range of safety razors please choose one.

The Zen of traditional shaving

Psychology Mysticism and traditional shaving

By Edwards traditional shaving

It is a theory, that women are attracted to men who smell like there father. Which Is why for sometime, I have broken Into the family homes of attractive women, and taken note of there dads unique cologne.

I Joke, but this Isn’t such a bad Idea. As children, we watch our fathers shave. The boys longingly await the manhood that It represents, and the girl looks on In mystery at the masculine ritual. Perhaps with what Freud would call, Penis Envy. The process could also symbolize mans taming of his carnal Innards. Girls could see this as a gentile transformation from there fear of mankind’s evil. Carl Jung analyzed the presence of a hairy humanoid In dreams as the encroaching Inner beast.

Perhaps shaving represents mans futility and delusion that we have tamed nature. When really we are all very much her slave. The fact that my stubble returns every morning whilst I stand before my sink. Like king Canute trying to command the tide to retreat Is mad.

But I Just don’t like looking scruffy and having a beard is a hot Itchy mess. I sported on In 2013 when they were edgy, no they are abundant and boring. I use my safety razor my traditional shaving brush and my shaving cream and love the way that It temporally makes me feel. And If anyone wants to take my straight razor away from me. They will have to prize it from my cold dead hands.Psychology Mysticism and traditional shaving.

Advanced shaving techniques

Safety razor

Advanced shaving techniques

By Edward

Now shaving is a necessity for most men, and some ugly women. But It can have it’s downfalls like time, cuts, death, and razor burn. The following blog is a comprehensive list of advance shaving techniques. However for some I would recommend the mastery of basics. First prep yourself, I like shaving oil. We sell Osma traditional shaving oil, It will protect the neck from razor burn and help soften the beard.

Next Safety razors can cut the neck, some say stretch. Don’t Just learn the excellent shaving position named the bullfrog. Push your head back at the neck, thus appearing like a bullfrog. It seems to bounce of any possible cuts.

Blade buffing

This works with any razor, I sometimes use a mach 3 or a Fatip safety razor. How a barber would use this is razor doesn’t leave the skin and you go back and forward an inch and buff the hair off.

J Turn

This can be lethal but also makes for a great close shave, you need some surface area like a cheek. You pull the razor down an Inch then twist your Wrist 90 degrees, Resembling the letter J.

The Gillette Slide

This is gold dust, a long stroke down and at an angle it really cuts the grain careful not to slice though.

For any more advice on shaving please contact Edward’s. We realize that becoming a high standard of shaving takes time. But let’s face it you do it enough to be not bad at it and use good products. Why not try something else out of the realms of the norm and pick up a better way to shave. Edward’s will guide you by the hand into the world of proper gent’s grooming. Now we are ready to receive any questions.

DE Traditional shaving like Edward

The truth about DE shaving or double edged shaving is, you can’t Immediately become an expert like Edward. But all good things are worth working at. The first thing to take heed of is the head style, where there are several types. Ranging from non aggressive to mid aggressive to aggressive. I would certainly for a beginner recommend a non aggressive closed comb head, to many jump into the manly aesthetics of an open comb for they look like snarling beasts. It was my first traditional shaving downfall, when I bought a Muhle R41 for my first razor. These are one of the most aggressive razors on the market. I would only recommend these safety razors to thick haired Irregular shavers, or skilled traditional shavers. I am an everyday shaver, so I use a non aggressive safety razor, the Fatip Gentila is a perfect everyday razor.

Technique and preparation are two Important thing’s after the choice of razor. My friend rushed on his first shave with an aggressive razor, as he had an acting audition. Sadly he did not get the part, I’m sure the lacerations did not help.

Straight razor maintenance by Edwards traditional shaving

Straight razor maintenance by Edwards traditional shaving

There is a misconception about buying a shave ready straight razor, In actual fact you can’t use one immediately from the company. For example If you were to buy a Dovo straight razor you would need to strop it before It’s use. My tried and tested way Is the eight and eight method. Firstly you will need a canvas backed leather strop. The fact that straight razor set’s are sometimes sold without a strop is absurd and takes advantage of the beginner shavers lack of knowledge. A stainless steel straight razor should be stropped eight and eight times before every shave. I tighten the strop on a clothes hook and lightly glide the blade up and down avoiding any scraping. Which might sound and look cool but is detrimental to the process. Strop on the canvas first and finish on the leather.

Traditional shaving with a carbon steel straight razor will need less maintenance as It is a harder metal. Nonetheless I have had great difficulty Honing and stroping carbon steel straight razors. In fact the traditional shaving enthusiast will need to use a heavy honing block like a 1000 grit then use 1500 then a 2000. I would suggest a stainless steel bladed cut throat to any starter they are easy to sharpen. Rinse well after use and dry.

Traditional shaving is a fun skill for any information or questions you may have on straight razors please contact us.

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