THE RAZOR GUIDE
Many users find shaving with a razor or shavette to be a unique experience that no razor comes close to. With just one blade open, a razor can give you the closest shave possible.
It takes time to learn the technique required to shave with a razor or shavette, as it requires both caution, patience and a lot of practice. However, those who have learned the technique usually think it was well worth the effort. Especially users with extra thick beards, where regular razors never seem to give a close enough shave, usually appreciate the close and smooth shave that the razor or shavette can provide.
Whether you want a classic razor or shavette, you can find what you are looking for at Shavingroom.
Which razor should I choose?
There are two things that can be good to consider when it comes to choosing a razor, the width of the blade and the tip of the blade. A razor with a blade width of 5/8 inch and a rounded or Dutch tip is what we recommend.
Blade width 5/8 inch
A blade width of 5/8 inch is suitable for both beginners and experienced razors. 5/8 means that the knife blade is five-eighths of an inch.
Rounded lace / Dutch lace
Rounded lace (also known as Dutch lace)
Razor parts
The razor consists mainly of two parts, a handle and a blade.
The magazine
The blade is usually made of carbon steel because it is easy to get very sharp and thin, something that is required for a blade for the razor.
Blade width
The most common width is 5/8 inches. It is also the one that we recommend for a beginner. But there are also several.
The tip of the blade
A razor’s blade has slightly different types of tip where each type has its special advantages. You should always choose the type of lace you feel is suitable for you.
Blade sharpening
There are three different types of knife blades when it comes to sharpening. The more sharpened the knife blade is, the more flexibility it has at the tip. It also affects the precision of the blade and how close you can shave.
Handle
There are several different materials used for the manufacture of handles. The material that the handle is made of does not affect the usefulness of the knife. However, it does affect the experience and the feeling that the knife provides. It is important that it is ergonomic and comfortable to hold, for you to have a really comfortable and safe experience.
Wooden handle
Wood is an exclusive, highly durable material that makes a very beautiful handle. We offer a variety of different types of wood.
Plastic handle
Plastic handles are a slightly cheaper, simpler material. But which can be had in many different nice colors and patterns.
Shavette
A shavette is an excellent alternative to a razor for those who do not have the energy, time or other opportunity for above all the maintenance required for a razor. At the same time, the shavette provides more or less the same close shave as you get with the shavette.
Shavetten parts
As mentioned earlier, a shavette has a construction similar to that of a razor, but instead of a fixed knife blade that requires a large amount of maintenance, the shavette’s blade can be replaced. Either special shavette blades are used, or in some cases double razor blades that have been broken in half can be used. In some cases, the razor blade is mounted directly into the shavette, in other cases a blade holder is used.
Handle
The handle of the vast majority of shavettes is not very different from the handle of a razor. The purpose is to be able to fold in and protect the edge of the blade when the shavette is not in use.
The blade holder
The blade holder or shaver head of a shavette is usually made of stainless steel to make it easy to clean and maintain. Blade holders usually consist of one or two parts.
Shavettebladet
A shavette can be used with special single-ground shavette blades that have one side. But which are sharpened on both sides of the blade. This is in contrast to a double razor blade that is sharpened on both sides on two edges.
Questions and answers about razors and shavettes
In our guide, we have collected some of the most common questions we receive. If you have more or other questions, please feel free to contact us.
Maintaining a razor is almost as big and important a part as shaving with a razor. The maintenance is mainly three parts, cleaning, grooming and sanding.
Grooming the razor is something that should always be done before every shave with the razor. It has two purposes. To remove dust and other small particles from the knife blade. In addition, straighten the microscopic waves that appear in the blade during shaving.
When you groom your razor, use a sharpener. The most traditional is a hanging shovel that is held in place at one end and attached to the other with a hook. There are also completely hand-held harrows.
A groom typically has two sides, one side that is covered with a heavy cloth and one that is covered with leather.
The fabric side is first used to clean dust and other small particles from the knife blade.
Then the leather side is used to straighten out the microscopic waves that are created in the razor blade. The waves occur naturally when the knife blade cuts off the beard hairs. If the waves are not straightened, there is a risk that the sharpness of the blade will deteriorate. Something that can lead to unnecessary wear and tear and or the risk of injury.
The cleaning of a razor is a very important part and not something that should be neglected or rushed past due to lack of time. If you find that you do not have time to thoroughly clean your razor, one piece of advice is to switch to a shavette where the need for cleaning is slightly less.
The most important reason to be thorough with the cleaning of your razor is to prevent the spread of bacteria. When you shave with a razor, it’s easy for bacteria and viruses to end up on the edge. If an accident then occurs and you cut yourself, there is a risk that these will get under the skin into the bloodstream. Something that can have serious consequences.
You should therefore always rinse the razor thoroughly after use. Keep in mind that parts of the razor can be extra sensitive to moisture. Therefore, be very careful. At the same time, it is important not to expose the razor blade to more water than necessary and to always gently wipe the razor blade. Very important that you use a special special clean towel for this and not your regular towel. Again, to reduce the risk of cross-contamination. Make sure the razor is completely dry when you set it aside and store the razor in a dry place.
You should preferably avoid strong detergents and the like. Plain lukewarm water is usually enough. If necessary, you can use a few drops of alcohol to clean the blade. But be sure to use a product designed for cleaning.
Keep in mind that the razor blade is usually not resistant to moisture and moisture. Something that can damage the blade.
Sharpening a razor is an important but also a very difficult process.
It requires great care and knowledge to be done right. If you are a beginner with a razor, it is recommended to let someone more experienced sharpen the razor for you. Of course, over time, you can learn it yourself. Feel free to start with another razor that you bought cheaply and do not intend to use for shaving. This is so as not to ruin your nice razor.
A soft brush, such as a toothbrush, can be used to remove all the hair and any soap residue on a shavette
Remember not to use the same toothbrush that you use to brush your teeth to clean your razor. It can cause the spread of bacteria and viruses.
A good rule of thumb is that every time you change the razor blades, also unscrew all the parts of the razor and clean them.
Strong detergents and the like can have a corrosive effect on the metal and should therefore be avoided. Use only a mild detergent if necessary. In the vast majority of cases, water is just fine.
No, not really all, but most shavette leaves can be used for all shavettes. Above all, shavettes and shavette leaves from Feather are the exception, which can only be used with each other.
In addition, almost all double razor blades can also be used with all shavettes.
Perhaps the most common question of them all.
Normally, you need to replace the shavette blade in a shavette after about 3-7 shaves. It is important to point out that some people need or want to change significantly more often, while others manage longer.
This can vary depending on factors such as beard growth, hardness of hairs, and how much you shave at a time. You can also feel the blade to determine if it is still sharp or if it has become dull and should be replaced.
It is important to change the blade regularly to avoid irritation and get a close and comfortable shave. In addition, the risk of cuts increases if you use a dull blade. By having multiple blades on hand and replacing them regularly, you can maintain a consistently high quality of shaving.
We recommend storing your shavette leaning in a rack. This is so that the water can easily drain off. If the water collects in a fragile part of the shavette and remains there, it can lead to unnecessary damage to the safety razor. In the long run, it can lead to the shavette breaking and no longer being usable.
We have a number of blog posts for those who want to know more about razors and shavettes.
A guide to help you choose the right razor in five steps
Read more: Choosing a razor in 5 steps
In our shaving guide, we’ll walk you through how to shave with a razor or shavette.