Why shave with a safety razor?

The safety razor is no longer a historical artefact, more a beautiful object of desire to shave with! Why switch to shaving this way? Agent Shave has gone undercover with real shavers to find out why they decided to start wet shaving with a safety razor.

The curious and ritualistic art of wet shaving

Double edge safety razors and straight razors are now family heirlooms, passed on from Grandparents, Fathers & Uncles. The curious, research. Hence why you may have ended up here, the start of your wet shaving journey! 

There has been a recent surge in a taste for retro habits. When everyone’s favourite secret agent, 007 shaved with a straight razor in the James Bond film Skyfall - immediately a macho following ensued. Bond has long served as an example of what epitomises manliness, allowing gentlemen to embrace indulgences without being metro-sexual.

These indulgences started for some as a Turkish barbers wet shave, say for a special occasion such as a wedding, or on holiday. Finding a traditional wet shave with hot towel somewhat relaxing, many seek to re-create the same experience from home. 

The conversion to traditional wet shaving is simply a different approach to a daily chore. Some employers specify a man must be clean shaven, thus making shaving a mundane task to be undertaken daily.

But why must it be this way? Think of wet shaving as your time for concentration, being absorbed in the now of the task, mentally calming and relaxing. Women spend hours pampering themselves, treat shaving as ‘you’ time. For those that have made the switch, wet shaving is an event to be looked forward to, almost ritual.

Shave for better skin health

Traditional wet shaving enthusiasts have commonly made the switch to shaving with a safety razor due to persistent skin irritation and sensitivity. 

Think about a cartridge razor, you may have 4 or even 5 blades. That is 5 blades, dragging across your skin each pass. No wonder you may have sensitive skin! A safety razor uses a double edge razor blade, which with practice can achieve excellent results. 

You can carry on using a your normal shaving gel or foam, yet why would you? Have you ever actually looked on your can of fluffy marshmallow goo at the contents? Here is an example; Hydroxyethlcellulose is a gelling agent, widely used in household cleaning products and you are putting this on your face!

The experience of a wet shave with a safety razor goes hand in hand with using a traditional shaving brush, artisan shaving soaps and creams. Artisan shaving soap makers use handpicked ingredients; with many, such as Wickham Soap Co being parabens-free, lanolin free, sodium lauryl sulphate (SLS) free and suitable for vegans. 

Those that have made the switch to a safety razor have also found traditional wet shaving products to be kinder to the skin, have seen irritation decrease and in some have never had better skin!

A wet shaving hobby!

Yes agents, you read that correctly - a hobby! Sharing an experience with like-minded people is one of the main reasons people switch to wet shaving with a safety razor. The internet has seen groups and forums emerge, allowing wet shavers to share their experiences with others and learn from them. As one shaver recently said ‘it’s a whole new world I never knew existed!’

Forums such as ‘The Shaving Room’ & Facebook groups allow shaving enthusiasts to help each other, from new shavers just starting out with a safety razor, to long standing members who’s shave dens are taking over their bathrooms! You Tube also has countless step by step guides & reviews – making starting your wet shaving journey much easier. Even opening your mail is a big deal! What shaving gear have you ordered recently?

Shave of the day? Ever heard of that? Well search the hashtag #shaveoftheday on Instagram and you will soon find a wealth of wet shavers who post regularly about their shave of the day. Yes, you guessed it, a plethora of posts with wet shaving enthusiasts sharing what shaving soap, safety razor, shaving brush and aftershave they are shaving with! 

Thrifty money saving wet shaving?

We say this through gritted teeth. Technically, shaving with a safety razor if sensible can be cheaper than cartridge shaving. One of the core reasons people switch to a double edge safety razor is the expense of cartridges v’s double edge razor blades. Once you have purchased your safety razor, replacement razor blades can cost as little as £1.25 for a tuck of 5 blades.

The reality however, is that wet shaving is an addiction. The money saved on cartridges is often spent on building up a vast collection of artisan shaving soaps or creams, stylish safety razors and shaving brushes! Many would argue, the difference is money well spent on looking after yourself rather than wasted!

So fellow agents are you intrigued? Let your journey begin….

Over