Shaving Essentials

I’ve been wearing petite handlebar-mustache recently and I’ve grown quite fond of them, but I feel like they (and me) look their best when the rest of my face is clean-shaven. So today’s post is about shaving tools. I’ve used super-cheap plastic razors in the past, but these days I have a single vintage safety razor and an electric hair clipper purchased second hand.

I use a safety razor that used to belong to my grandfather. Grandpa was a small gentle timberman who to baked cakes, and always warned us kids against drugs. He didn’t sport a beard, but had a greyish stubble like old sandpaper. His bathroom cabinet smelled of old soap, and he kept the safety razor there, near the hard porcelain-like bar of blue green soap that never seemed to wear out. After he passed away I asked if I could have the safety razor if anyone else didn’t need it, and my dad brought it over.

I’ve used the razor for some years now, and I’m still infatuated by the simple but just about right amount of decoration in the handle, and the experience of shaving with a sharp fresh blade. The razor is both new and old: there’s a vintage feel to using it, but it’s also very current and ageless in a way classics are. I can’t imagine it breaking or going out of style.

I’m also really pleased that the amount of waste my shaving creates is small: the only disposable part is the blade when it dulls, and it’s recycled as metal. I’ve also read of people sharpening the blades, which elongates their life even more. Always drying the blade after use can also help it last longer.

Lathering (which is whipping the soap to get a nice foam) can be done with a sponge or a brush. Many recommend Mühle’s synthetic Silvertip Fibre v2.0 brushes, I’m currently using an old watercolor brush. I’m using my hand-soaps as lather soaps, currently Lush’s Devil’s nightcap. Vegan Marseille olive oil soaps have been effective too.

Using a vintage safety razor or even one purchased new is way more smart and sustainable than sticking to hard-to recycle razors with plastics, metals and gel strips. It’s also a lot cheaper in long term. And safety razors can be used for any facial and body hair, by anybody.

PS. My hair clipping tool is an old Moser. It’s a little bulky and not black, but it cuts incredibly well and since it’s a model still in production spare parts and combs are available.

~Amir of Gentle Adventure