{"id":35,"date":"2021-08-05T15:29:27","date_gmt":"2021-08-05T20:29:27","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/imustacheyoutoshave.com\/?p=35"},"modified":"2022-12-17T12:14:32","modified_gmt":"2022-12-17T18:14:32","slug":"are-straight-razors-dangerous","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/imustacheyoutoshave.com\/are-straight-razors-dangerous\/","title":{"rendered":"Are Straight Razors Dangerous? (With Proper Etiquette &#038; Safety Info)"},"content":{"rendered":"\n<p>Shaving is a ritual that has been passed down through the ages, and the act has gone through many technological improvements over time. In particular, straight razors have been used for hundreds of years without going through much design change. But how dangerous are they in practical use? <\/p>\n\n\n\n<p><strong>Shaving with a straight razor requires proper preparation, careful blade maintenance, and a complete focus on the act itself. While the idea of using an exposed blade directly against your skin may be initially intimidating, a straight razor is actually no more dangerous than using any other razor &#8211; as long as basic safety precautions are taken.<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>Read on for more information about the history of straight razors, potential dangers, and how to use them safely.&nbsp;<\/p>\n\n\n\n<div id=\"ez-toc-container\" class=\"ez-toc-v2_0_65 counter-hierarchy ez-toc-counter ez-toc-light-blue ez-toc-container-direction\">\n<div class=\"ez-toc-title-container\">\n<p class=\"ez-toc-title \" >Table of Contents<\/p>\n<span class=\"ez-toc-title-toggle\"><a href=\"#\" class=\"ez-toc-pull-right ez-toc-btn ez-toc-btn-xs ez-toc-btn-default ez-toc-toggle\" aria-label=\"Toggle Table of Content\"><span class=\"ez-toc-js-icon-con\"><span class=\"\"><span class=\"eztoc-hide\" style=\"display:none;\">Toggle<\/span><span class=\"ez-toc-icon-toggle-span\"><svg style=\"fill: #999;color:#999\" xmlns=\"http:\/\/www.w3.org\/2000\/svg\" class=\"list-377408\" width=\"20px\" height=\"20px\" viewBox=\"0 0 24 24\" fill=\"none\"><path d=\"M6 6H4v2h2V6zm14 0H8v2h12V6zM4 11h2v2H4v-2zm16 0H8v2h12v-2zM4 16h2v2H4v-2zm16 0H8v2h12v-2z\" fill=\"currentColor\"><\/path><\/svg><svg style=\"fill: #999;color:#999\" class=\"arrow-unsorted-368013\" xmlns=\"http:\/\/www.w3.org\/2000\/svg\" width=\"10px\" height=\"10px\" viewBox=\"0 0 24 24\" version=\"1.2\" baseProfile=\"tiny\"><path d=\"M18.2 9.3l-6.2-6.3-6.2 6.3c-.2.2-.3.4-.3.7s.1.5.3.7c.2.2.4.3.7.3h11c.3 0 .5-.1.7-.3.2-.2.3-.5.3-.7s-.1-.5-.3-.7zM5.8 14.7l6.2 6.3 6.2-6.3c.2-.2.3-.5.3-.7s-.1-.5-.3-.7c-.2-.2-.4-.3-.7-.3h-11c-.3 0-.5.1-.7.3-.2.2-.3.5-.3.7s.1.5.3.7z\"\/><\/svg><\/span><\/span><\/span><\/a><\/span><\/div>\n<nav><ul class='ez-toc-list ez-toc-list-level-1 eztoc-toggle-hide-by-default' ><li class='ez-toc-page-1 ez-toc-heading-level-2'><a class=\"ez-toc-link ez-toc-heading-1\" href=\"https:\/\/imustacheyoutoshave.com\/are-straight-razors-dangerous\/#Is_it_dangerous_to_use_a_straight_razor_to_shave\" title=\"Is it dangerous to use a straight razor to shave?&nbsp;\">Is it dangerous to use a straight razor to shave?&nbsp;<\/a><ul class='ez-toc-list-level-3' ><li class='ez-toc-heading-level-3'><a class=\"ez-toc-link ez-toc-heading-2\" href=\"https:\/\/imustacheyoutoshave.com\/are-straight-razors-dangerous\/#Does_a_straight_razor_give_a_better_shave\" title=\"Does a straight razor give a better shave?&nbsp;\">Does a straight razor give a better shave?&nbsp;<\/a><\/li><li class='ez-toc-page-1 ez-toc-heading-level-3'><a class=\"ez-toc-link ez-toc-heading-3\" href=\"https:\/\/imustacheyoutoshave.com\/are-straight-razors-dangerous\/#Is_it_dangerous_to_get_a_straight_razor_shave_at_the_barber\" title=\"Is it dangerous to get a straight razor shave at the barber?&nbsp;\">Is it dangerous to get a straight razor shave at the barber?&nbsp;<\/a><\/li><\/ul><\/li><li class='ez-toc-page-1 ez-toc-heading-level-2'><a class=\"ez-toc-link ez-toc-heading-4\" href=\"https:\/\/imustacheyoutoshave.com\/are-straight-razors-dangerous\/#How_to_use_a_straight_razor_safely\" title=\"How to use a straight razor safely\">How to use a straight razor safely<\/a><ul class='ez-toc-list-level-3' ><li class='ez-toc-heading-level-3'><a class=\"ez-toc-link ez-toc-heading-5\" href=\"https:\/\/imustacheyoutoshave.com\/are-straight-razors-dangerous\/#Prepare_your_tools\" title=\"Prepare your tools&nbsp;\">Prepare your tools&nbsp;<\/a><\/li><li class='ez-toc-page-1 ez-toc-heading-level-3'><a class=\"ez-toc-link ez-toc-heading-6\" href=\"https:\/\/imustacheyoutoshave.com\/are-straight-razors-dangerous\/#Prepare_your_skin\" title=\"Prepare your skin&nbsp;\">Prepare your skin&nbsp;<\/a><\/li><li class='ez-toc-page-1 ez-toc-heading-level-3'><a class=\"ez-toc-link ez-toc-heading-7\" href=\"https:\/\/imustacheyoutoshave.com\/are-straight-razors-dangerous\/#Shave_with_care\" title=\"Shave with care&nbsp;\">Shave with care&nbsp;<\/a><\/li><li class='ez-toc-page-1 ez-toc-heading-level-3'><a class=\"ez-toc-link ez-toc-heading-8\" href=\"https:\/\/imustacheyoutoshave.com\/are-straight-razors-dangerous\/#Post-shave_skin_care\" title=\"Post-shave skin care\">Post-shave skin care<\/a><\/li><li class='ez-toc-page-1 ez-toc-heading-level-3'><a class=\"ez-toc-link ez-toc-heading-9\" href=\"https:\/\/imustacheyoutoshave.com\/are-straight-razors-dangerous\/#Post-shave_tool_care\" title=\"Post-shave tool care\">Post-shave tool care<\/a><\/li><\/ul><\/li><\/ul><\/nav><\/div>\n<h2 class=\"wp-block-heading\"><span class=\"ez-toc-section\" id=\"Is_it_dangerous_to_use_a_straight_razor_to_shave\"><\/span><strong>Is it dangerous to use a straight razor to shave?&nbsp;<\/strong><span class=\"ez-toc-section-end\"><\/span><\/h2>\n\n\n\n<p>By definition, shaving is using a blade to remove hair, and any blade has the potential to cut you. <\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>Shaving hair has occurred since at least the 3<sup>rd<\/sup> century BC. Primitive razors were originally hewn from rock shards shaped to a fine edge, but over centuries were developed into sharper and more consistent tools. In antiquity, a clean shave was done for both appearance alteration as well as utility. For example, <a href=\"https:\/\/www.theatlantic.com\/magazine\/archive\/2016\/03\/off-with-their-beards\/426873\/\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noreferrer noopener\">Alexander the Great is renowned as promoting shaving<\/a> as tidying up for a refined civil look as well as safety in battle (beards could be caught up or pulled in combat). Even today, military groups often promote similar appearance regulations. <a href=\"https:\/\/www.theinvisibleedge.co.uk\/content\/the-history-of-straight-razors\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noreferrer noopener\">Straight razors were invented in the 17<sup>th<\/sup> century in Sheffield, England<\/a>, and since then have been the gold standard for simple and straightforward shaves.&nbsp;<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>Maintaining clean tools and keeping the face moist and free of debris is the highest priority here, and crucial to a safe shave.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p><strong>Since you\u2019re dealing with the relatively sensitive skin of your face and neck, you want to avoid cuts and nicks. Even a small and painless wound can develop a host of health issues ranging from relatively mild symptoms to more serious conditions if left untreated. This is the reason that disinfecting your skin and tools is so important when shaving.&nbsp;<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>The most common and ultimately unavoidable issue with shaving comes from the natural inconsistencies in skin and each person\u2019s individual facial features. Straight razors have a wide blade that is designed for single-edge cutting with minimal effort, but in this design, there is little room for error. <\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>It is up to the shaver to avoid any issues with the skin such as pimples, bug bites, dry patches, ingrown hair, or other ailments of that nature. But if any of these are nicked, the blade of the straight razor delivers a fast and deep wound, so always be mindful of this possibility. As long as you are careful and address any issues quickly, you will have nothing to worry about.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>The skill and technique required to use it safely must be ingrained and never rushed; it\u2019ll be worth the time and effort it takes to master.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<h3 class=\"wp-block-heading\"><span class=\"ez-toc-section\" id=\"Does_a_straight_razor_give_a_better_shave\"><\/span><strong>Does a straight razor give a better shave?&nbsp;<\/strong><span class=\"ez-toc-section-end\"><\/span><\/h3>\n\n\n\n<p>It goes without saying that you are using a tool designed to slice hair; there is no guard or guide to protect you. The word \u201crazor\u201d actually comes from the Old French raser, or \u201cto scrape.\u201d <\/p>\n\n\n\n<p><strong>Due to the nature of a single or double edge steel blade minutely honed to make incredibly close shaves, straight razors are notorious for being efficient at cutting\/slicing. The whole point is to cut the hair as close to the skin as possible. <\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>Maintaining clean tools and keeping the face moist and free of debris is the highest priority here, and crucial to a safe shave.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<h3 class=\"wp-block-heading\"><span class=\"ez-toc-section\" id=\"Is_it_dangerous_to_get_a_straight_razor_shave_at_the_barber\"><\/span><strong>Is it dangerous to get a straight razor shave at the barber?&nbsp;<\/strong><span class=\"ez-toc-section-end\"><\/span><\/h3>\n\n\n\n<p>Barbers, as professional shearers, have been honing their centuries-old craft as long as they\u2019ve honed their blades. <\/p>\n\n\n\n<p><strong>When it comes to cutting and shaving hair, you have little to fear from the pros as long as they are licensed, schooled barbers. <\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n<p><a href=\"https:\/\/blog.fendrihan.com\/2016\/02\/are-straight-razor-shaves-legal-in-north-america\/\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noreferrer noopener\">There are well-established and lengthy pre-requisites<\/a> before a candidate is allowed to legally give haircuts or straight shaves. Often a certificate of completion from a state-accredited barber school plus at least 1500 hours of on-the-job training means that your barber is well versed in their trade. <\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>As with shaving at home, a lot of what could be considered \u201cdanger\u201d is actually a matter of sanitation may even require a straight razor with disposable blades that can be swapped out after each shave.&nbsp;<\/p>\n\n\n\n<h2 class=\"wp-block-heading\"><span class=\"ez-toc-section\" id=\"How_to_use_a_straight_razor_safely\"><\/span><strong>How to use a straight razor safely<\/strong><span class=\"ez-toc-section-end\"><\/span><\/h2>\n\n\n\n<p><strong>Shaving with a straight razor requires your full concentration and a routine to ensure you are making the proper movements. You want to be aware of where the blade is at all times, and many straight razor shavers report a feeling of focus that is meditative and zen-like. <\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>Safety is the key here, as we\u2019ve discovered that a finely sharpened blade held to vulnerable skin will cut you with ease. <\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>Here is a sample routine that should cover the basics and give you an idea of how to carefully explore the straight razor shave:<\/p>\n\n\n\n<ol><li>Prepare your tools<\/li><li>Prepare your skin<\/li><li>Shave with care<\/li><li>Post-shave skin care<\/li><li>Post-shave tool care<\/li><\/ol>\n\n\n\n<h3 class=\"wp-block-heading\"><span class=\"ez-toc-section\" id=\"Prepare_your_tools\"><\/span><strong>Prepare your tools&nbsp;<\/strong><span class=\"ez-toc-section-end\"><\/span><\/h3>\n\n\n\n<p><strong>You will want to strop your razor before beginning, 15-20 strokes per side should suffice. This frees the edge of any particulates and ensures a fine point. <\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>You will also <a href=\"https:\/\/imustacheyoutoshave.com\/cheapest-shaving-soaps-that-still-provide-a-great-shave\/\" target=\"_blank\">need a bar of shave soap<\/a> or foam, along with a boar hair brush which should be wetted with hot water and lathered up to a fine foam. You will want a wet towel and a dry towel for cleaning your face.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<h3 class=\"wp-block-heading\"><span class=\"ez-toc-section\" id=\"Prepare_your_skin\"><\/span><strong>Prepare your skin&nbsp;<\/strong><span class=\"ez-toc-section-end\"><\/span><\/h3>\n\n\n\n<p>Before shaving, a hot to cold shower is best, as it will open the pores of the face and raise\/lengthen the hair follicles to ensure you remove the most hair. You can also wash your face hot\/cold and take a few minutes to put a damp warm towel on your face to achieve a similar effect. <\/p>\n\n\n\n<p><strong>The point is to prepare the skin for the shave but also to clear your mind and begin to focus on the task at hand. <\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>Apply a pre-shave oil or lotion to help lubricate the blade, this allows for a smooth pass and reduces snags on the skin. Olive oil can work in a pinch.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<h3 class=\"wp-block-heading\"><span class=\"ez-toc-section\" id=\"Shave_with_care\"><\/span><strong>Shave with care&nbsp;<\/strong><span class=\"ez-toc-section-end\"><\/span><\/h3>\n\n\n\n<p>For a complete shave, you will want to do three passes: one with the grain (same direction as hair growth), one across the grain, and one against the grain. This ensures that all hairs are uniform and no stragglers are left behind. <\/p>\n\n\n\n<p><strong>The focus mentioned earlier is of the utmost importance, do not allow yourself to be distracted. Know what your hands are doing and where the blade\u2019s edge is at all times. <\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>Take your time in each pass, as they require more precision as your progress. Against the grain is typically where mistakes are made and cuts happen. Take particular care on this last pass.&nbsp;<\/p>\n\n\n\n<h3 class=\"wp-block-heading\"><span class=\"ez-toc-section\" id=\"Post-shave_skin_care\"><\/span><strong>Post-shave skin care<\/strong><span class=\"ez-toc-section-end\"><\/span><\/h3>\n\n\n\n<p>After your shave, your skin is going to feel invigorated and vulnerable (it just had a close brush with a sharp blade after all). You have exfoliated and removed much of the grime clogging the pores and protecting the top layer of skin, and now you need to bolster it now more than ever. <\/p>\n\n\n\n<p><strong>A quick rinse with water to close the pores should suffice. Moisturizer helps keep the face hydrated, one with UV protection is even better. <\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>If you have a beard or mustache, apply your oils\/balms. Finish with some aftershave to sanitize and help the skin heal quickly.&nbsp;<\/p>\n\n\n\n<h3 class=\"wp-block-heading\"><span class=\"ez-toc-section\" id=\"Post-shave_tool_care\"><\/span><strong>Post-shave tool care<\/strong><span class=\"ez-toc-section-end\"><\/span><\/h3>\n\n\n\n<p>You aren\u2019t finished with your routine once you\u2019re done shaving and washing. <\/p>\n\n\n\n<p><strong>Your tools must be cleaned and sanitized; otherwise, you risk a dirty shave next time. This is how accidents and infection occur, so care for your kit as much as your face (if not more so). <\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>You should organize your tools into a kit so that you always remove and replace them in the same manner to help establish the routine and keep you from straying. <\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>Always clean, dry, and lubricate your blade before stashing it in its place. An <a href=\"https:\/\/imustacheyoutoshave.com\/can-you-soak-your-razor-in-alcohol\/\" data-type=\"post\" data-id=\"47\" target=\"_blank\">isopropyl alcohol wipe down followed by a towel dry sanitizes the razor.<\/a> Finish with a few drops of mineral oil and a wipe to remove excess. <\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>Now replace your razor, strop, brush, soap, and mug in the kit and you\u2019re done!<\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"<p>Shaving is a ritual that has been passed down through the ages, and the act has gone through many technological improvements over time. In particular, straight razors have been used for hundreds of years without going through much design change. But how dangerous are they in practical use? Shaving with a straight razor requires proper&#8230;<\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":1,"featured_media":144,"comment_status":"closed","ping_status":"open","sticky":false,"template":"","format":"standard","meta":{"_kad_blocks_custom_css":"","_kad_blocks_head_custom_js":"","_kad_blocks_body_custom_js":"","_kad_blocks_footer_custom_js":"","_kad_post_transparent":"","_kad_post_title":"","_kad_post_layout":"","_kad_post_sidebar_id":"","_kad_post_content_style":"","_kad_post_vertical_padding":"","_kad_post_feature":"","_kad_post_feature_position":"","_kad_post_header":false,"_kad_post_footer":false,"footnotes":""},"categories":[18],"tags":[],"taxonomy_info":{"category":[{"value":18,"label":"General Info"}]},"featured_image_src_large":["https:\/\/imustacheyoutoshave.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2021\/06\/are-straight-razors-dangerous_featured-1024x683.png",1024,683,true],"author_info":{"display_name":"Joshua Bartlett","author_link":"https:\/\/imustacheyoutoshave.com\/author\/joshuaebartlett\/"},"comment_info":0,"category_info":[{"term_id":18,"name":"General Info","slug":"general-info","term_group":0,"term_taxonomy_id":18,"taxonomy":"category","description":"","parent":0,"count":80,"filter":"raw","cat_ID":18,"category_count":80,"category_description":"","cat_name":"General Info","category_nicename":"general-info","category_parent":0}],"tag_info":false,"_links":{"self":[{"href":"https:\/\/imustacheyoutoshave.com\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/35"}],"collection":[{"href":"https:\/\/imustacheyoutoshave.com\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts"}],"about":[{"href":"https:\/\/imustacheyoutoshave.com\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/types\/post"}],"author":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/imustacheyoutoshave.com\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/users\/1"}],"replies":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/imustacheyoutoshave.com\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/comments?post=35"}],"version-history":[{"count":0,"href":"https:\/\/imustacheyoutoshave.com\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/35\/revisions"}],"wp:featuredmedia":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/imustacheyoutoshave.com\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media\/144"}],"wp:attachment":[{"href":"https:\/\/imustacheyoutoshave.com\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media?parent=35"}],"wp:term":[{"taxonomy":"category","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/imustacheyoutoshave.com\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/categories?post=35"},{"taxonomy":"post_tag","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/imustacheyoutoshave.com\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/tags?post=35"}],"curies":[{"name":"wp","href":"https:\/\/api.w.org\/{rel}","templated":true}]}}