The 3 Razor Shaving Method

September 27, 2016 By THE GROOMING ARTIST in Beard Care, Skincare, TIPS & FACTS, Wet Shaving Tags: 3 Razor Shaving Method, DE razor, Edwin Jagger razor, men's skincare, mens grooming, Merkur razor, Muhle razor, safety razor, traditional shaving, wet shaving Leave a comment

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A traditional shave has 3 passes: the first removes bulk, the second further reduces stubble, and the third polishes.

The 3 Razor Shaving Method optimizes the traditional shave by using the best tool for each pass. A deftly slicing slant bar razor for the first pass, an all-around razor for the second pass, and a mild but effective razor for the final pass.

Benefits of the 3 Razor Shaving Method

Faster than a traditional shave – By using the right tool for each step, each step goes by with less effort and time.
More customization for a close shave – In addition to having a different razor for each pass, you can use a different razor blade for each razor. Experiment with what works for you – perhaps a Feather for the first pass, an Astra for the second pass, and a Personna Platinum for the last pass.
Gentler on sensitive skin – Efficiency means less skin trauma.
Less skin trauma means less razor burn and fewer nicks and cuts – Since you are using the best tool for each step, you don’t have to work as hard to get results.

You should use the 3 Razor Shaving Method if:

You have several razors already that you keep in rotation, each with a different cutting profile.
You have very fine stubble in areas that are hard to shave with a regular razor.

The 3 Razor Shaving Method

Step 1

Remove bulk with a slant bar razor. The Merkur 39C HD effortlessly slices through stubble, with its angled safety bar exposing more cutting edge to remove most of the hair in one pass.

See more about the benefits of a slant bar razor in our blog post here.

Step 2

Smooth your face with the Edwin Jagger DE89L, which is easy to use even for beginners yet effectively cuts through stubble. At this point most of the hair on your face should be gone.

Step 3

This is the step that makes a difference. Polish away with a razor like the Muhle R89, which is lightweight and so gentle you would actually have to try to cut yourself. It’s the perfect razor for touch-ups and problem areas where you usually get weepers (areas you could never touch with a more aggressive razor).

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What are the Best DE Razors for Beginners?

May 6, 2016 By THE GROOMING ARTIST in Beard Care, Skincare, TIPS & FACTS, Wet Shaving Tags: DE razor, de razor shave, edwin jagger, male grooming, merkur, Muhle, parker, traditional shaving, wet shaving, wet shaving tips 2 Comments

Between specs like closed comb, open comb, adjustable, slant bar, and 2-piece vs. 3-piece vs. butterfly, deciding on your first double edge razor can make your head spin. We’re here to simplify the process by giving you a solid starting place.

One of our most frequently asked questions is what razor is best for beginners, and in order to give a qualified response, we have to consider two things: beard hair type and blade selection (since the blade is what ultimately does the cutting). We covered how to find the right DE razor blade for you in another post, so today we’ll discuss great beginner DE razors, broken down into razors for fine/medium hair and medium/thick hair.

It’s important to select a razor in tune with the density of your hair, since a razor that’s too aggressive may be overkill (and even quite damaging) for men with fine hair, but a perfect match for those with thick hair. Conversely, if you are a man with a sizable, coarse beard, a beginner DE razor with low to medium aggressiveness will produce an unclean shave.

Read on for our DE razor picks!

Fine/Medium Hair

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Parker 22R Butterfly Brass Safety Razor

The Parker 22R’s closed-comb butterfly head makes blade changing a cinch, so there’s less chance of nicking your finger. The extra long, ridged handle adds balance and control for beginners.

Made of heavy brass, the 22R’s hefty weight means it sits tangent to your skin, swooping in easily for a clean pass.

SHOP: Parker 22R Butterfly Brass Safety Razor – Gun Metal Finish

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Muhle R89 Closed Comb Double Edge Safety Razor

The Muhle R89 Closed Comb Double Edge Safety Razor is a forgiving first razor, with a closed comb construction that exposes less of the blade, so it provides a less aggressive shave. Because of its lighter weight, it will give you more feedback as you make passes over your skin, as well as enhance maneuverability.

The 3-piece construction means simple blade changing and cleaning.

SHOP: Muhle R89 Closed Comb Double Edge Safety Razor

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Parker 60R Nickel-Plated Butterfly Safety Razor

With an extra-long handle for better control in larger hands, the Parker 60R gets in for an irritation-free close cut. Closed comb construction means it’s forgiving if you’re still nailing down your technique, and the textured grip gives you excellent control.

It shaves with a medium aggressiveness that can easily tidy up fine to medium hair.

SHOP: Parker 60R Nickel-Plated Butterfly Safety Razor

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Medium/Thick Hair

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Edwin Jagger DE89 or DE8911 Double Edge Safety Razor

The Edwin Jagger DE89 is designed to make shaving a breeze, even if you’ve got a bad case of shaky hands. 3-piece, closed comb construction means reduced possibility of a bloodbath, and the fluted handle is especially desirable because it’ll give you a solid grip, even in wet and soapy conditions. Weight is distributed evenly across the handle, enhancing balance and control.

The resulting shave is somewhere between mild and aggressive.

Beyond just being beginner-friendly, the DE89 is chrome-plated to resist rust and will last you a long time. Though we recommend this razor to those just getting started in the world of wet shaving, its precision and durability have made it a favorite of veteran wet shavers.

SHOP: Edwin Jagger DE8911 Double Edge Safety Razor

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Merkur 34C Classic Safety Razor

The Merkur 34C is one of our top-selling razors, and for good reason. The balance on this razor is near perfect, with a shorter handle than the other models to counterbalance the head. Plus, the knurled handle makes it easy to grip.

Amongst our customers, longtime wet shavers have told us how they’ve returned to this razor after many years and remembered how effective it was, while a gentleman trying wet shaving for the first time mentioned he was “impressed at how mild yet effective the razor was. I was very nervous the first time. No nicks but the closest, smoothest shave ever in over 30 years of shaving.”

At an affordable $39.99, it’s a fantastic entryway into wet shaving.

SHOP: Merkur 34C HD Classic Safety Razor – Polished Chrome Finish

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Merkur Long Handle Progress Adjustable Safety Razor

If you’re a man with particularly coarse hair, deciding on your first DE razor can present a conundrum – you need a razor (and blade) strong enough to cut through your thick beard, but not so aggressive that you end up with razor burn and irritation.

This is why we recommend the Merkur Long Handle Progress Adjustable Safety Razor, which features an adjustable knob with five aggressiveness settings so you can either dial it up or down to the exact blade angle you need hit your hair shaft just right.

As you start, begin with the least aggressive setting, then increase aggressiveness gradually as you hone your wet shaving technique.

SHOP: Merkur Long Handle Progress Adjustable Safety Razor – Polished Chrome Finish

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Should You Use a Synthetic Fiber Brush?

February 25, 2016 By THE GROOMING ARTIST in Natural Grooming, Skincare, TIPS & FACTS, Wet Shaving Tags: artificial badger hair brush, badger hair shaving brush, mens grooming, shaving brush, synthetic fiber brush, traditional shaving, wet shaving, wet shaving tips Leave a comment

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Muhle Silvertip Fibre Travel Shaving Brush

Synthetic brushes haven’t always gotten the best reputation. The older generation of synthetic brushes were stiff (or conversely, floppy) and didn’t retain water well, producing a dissatisfying experience overall. These synthetic brushes, made from thick white nylon, were no competition with badger hair brushes.

However, over the past few years manufacturing technology has done an exquisite job of refining the synthetic hair brush, creating thinner, softer, more durable bristles. The ends of these new synthetic brushes are treated for a fine, bushy finish.

Muhle helped lead the way with their silver fibre brushes, which are on par with some of the best shaving brushes out there. In fact, several wet shaving sites have claimed the tips on these silvertip fibre brushes are softer than any animal hair brush.

We will always cherish the luxurious beauty of a finely made badger hair brush, but there are some pretty good reasons to go the synthetic route.

Why use synthetic?

Saves Time

If you’ve got a busy schedule, synthetic brushes, also called artificial badger brushes, are as low-maintenance as you can get. They dry faster than badger bristle brushes (a few hours vs. up to a day for the natural fibers), and produce richer lather more readily. That’s because synthetic fibers are solid rather than porous, so they don’t absorb water like animal hairs. This makes them less susceptible to mold and odors, as well as more hygienic.

Plus, higher-quality synthetic brushes don’t shed hair and don’t require a break-in period.

Saves Money

Synthetic brushes are quite economical. Since they are made of artificial bristles, they are more durable and have a long lifespan. They also tend to be more affordable than animal hair brushes.

And because they produce lather easily, you’ll save on shaving cream/soap too! You only need about half the amount of shaving cream or soap you’d usually use with an animal hair brush.

Hypoallergenic

Men who are allergic to badger hair or animal hair can confidently continue shaving by switching to a synthetic hair brush, which is hypoallergenic.

Environmentally Friendly

As traditional shaving grows in popularity, the demand for animal hairs will increase. However, due to various political and natural reasons, the supply may not grow and may even decrease. Synthetic bristle brushes are excellent alternatives, and are vegan and PETA approved.

You can purchase Muhle’s acclaimed silvertip fibre brushes at RoyalShave.

The History of Wet Shaving: Truefitt & Hill

January 21, 2016 By THE GROOMING ARTIST in HISTORY Tags: barbers, barbershop, Geo F. Trumper, royal shave, Royalshave, Taylor of Old Bond Street, traditional shaving, traditional wet shaving, Truefitt & Hill, wet shaving culture, wet shaving history Leave a comment

If you’re a wet shaver, you’ve probably been indoctrinated in the three Ts of traditional wet shaving: Taylor of Old Bond Street, Trumper, and Truefitt & Hill. All three brands are based in Britain and are even located in the same shopping district. Preserving the nostalgic elements of wet shaving, these brands are considered to be the best in the world.

At RoyalShave we understand that one of the wonderful things about practicing wet shaving is that it links us with a rich historical past. It’s a legacy that we carry on every time we start whipping up a lather, or put a razor to our face. As such, today we will be taking you back in time to the rise of the standard-bearing Truefitt & Hill, recognized by the Guinness Book of World Records as the Oldest Barbershop in the World.

Check back for our next wet shaving history lesson soon!

The Beginning

Up until the early 1800s, British men and women wore powdered wigs. Grooming regimens focused on making these wigs look lavish, a feat usually accomplished at the barbershop. But by about the beginning of the 19^th century, barbershops began offering more options for pomades and hair products, allowing the vogue to sway on the side of natural, shorter hair.

In 1805 William Francis Truefitt opened one of the first barbershops in London, quickly becoming known as an exceptional barber who helped Britain’s gentry look equally regal for society events as for everyday. Soon Truefitt received the highly revered Royal Warrant to His Majesty, King George III, becoming the Court Hair Cutter, Court Hair Dresser, and Wigmaker.

An Esteemed Clientale

In additional to serving the Royal Family, Truefitt boasted as his clientele some of the most notable figures of the time – according to the Truefitt & Hill website, “glancing at Truefitt’s appointment books is like reading entries from a ‘Who’s Who’ of distinguished society and names of those who shaped the history of the world…”

Among these famous patrons was Sir Winston Churchill and William Gladstone, the Duke of Wellington, as well as entertainment figures like Frank Sinatra, John Wayne, and Fred Astaire.

In 1935 Truefitt acquired the hairdressing business of Edwin S. Hill & Co., moving into Edwin Hill’s old space at 23 Old Bond Street and becoming the Truefitt & Hill we know today.

Long-Running Royal Ties

Since the brand’s inception, it has served the Monarchs of Great Britain for nine consecutive reigns, and to this day Truefitt’s barbers visit the Buckingham Palace or Windsor Castle to attend to the Royal Family.

Find out more about Truefitt & Hill on their website, and shop Truefitt & Hill at RoyalShave.

The official blog of RoyalShave

Tag Archives: traditional shaving

The 3 Razor Shaving Method

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