Razor care

Blade of a straight razor

The edge of the blade is so fine that it is almost invisible to the human eye. This gives great flexibility and allows the blade to easily follow the contours of your face. If you gently push it against your thumb nail, the blade of a full hollow straight razor will bend visibly.

This of course means that the edge of the blade is very delicate and really should only be used for shaving. (A gentle reminder to any of our readers who are members of criminal gangs or wish to dispose of their spouses. Use a different blade for those activities to the one you use for shaving.)

Equally damaging for a straight razor is dropping it.

Razor Care

In most cases straight razors are made of carbon or chrome and therefore are not rust proof.

To maintain the condition, dry the razor carefully after each use and do not touch the edge of the blade.

If the razor is left unused for a period of time, wipe the blade with a little bit of common household oil.

Stropping

Good stropping helps to keep the razor's edge in its optimal shave-ready condition. Stropping also ensures that the edge of the blade is aligned, that the steel is pointing in the same direction and that a straight, clean edge is maintained. Only use light pressure when stropping, otherwise damage may occur.

With careful handling and good maintenance, a straight razor can last a life time.