5 THINGS TO LOOK FOR WHEN CHOOSING A STRAIGHT RAZOR

5 THINGS TO LOOK FOR WHEN CHOOSING A STRAIGHT RAZOR

Shaving is no doubt a tricky task. Without proper tools and gadgets it can turn out to be a dangerous and laborious chore. Just imagine bringing a dull blade close to your face? It would require you to exert more force to get the desired result or end in an accident. A disposable razor promises you shaving convenience in a small plastic pack, however if you need to make shaving an interesting experience use something bold, that lets you do the shaving efficiently while giving you a feel of living on the razor’s edge. Straight razors would be the right tool. While you are shopping for shaving sets or a straight razor here are some things that you need to consider.

 

1. QUALITY

Check the steel’s quality. A razor with good temper sharpens better than poorer quality steels. One way to check if the blade is well-tempered is to catch the point of the blade under your thumbnail and let it slip off quickly. If the blade gives a good clear ring, it is well-tempered, if not then it is likely to be unevenly tempered.

Damascus Steel Straight Razor Art # DD-13-3072 PIC 1

 

2. TEMPER OF STRAIGHT RAZOR

The temper of the straight razor is very important. Straight razors are available in soft, hard and medium temper and have their own selling and negative points. A hard tempered razor is likely to keep its edge longer whereas a soft tempered razor is much easier to sharpen. You can choose the right one for you according to your shaving needs and how good you are at maintenance.

3. BEST BALANCE

Look for a straight razor with best balance. Optimum ones are balanced equally when the weight of the handle and blade are equal and make a real difference while you want a wet shave.

Damascus Steel Straight Razor Art # DD-13-3021 PIC 2
4. GRIND OF THE BLADE

Check out the grind of each blade. You can choose between concave and wedge grinds. Concave grinds are barbers choice because they give you a feel of resistance with each stroke of the blade. Wedge grinds are great for guys who sport a heavy beard from time to time. However can be tricky to sharpen properly. They are not the ideal choice for the novice.

 

 

 

 

5. PROFESSIONALLY HONED

Most straight razors do not come shave ready, meaning professionally honed. Purchasing a shave-ready razor is certainly a plus, however the price of the honing process is often reflected on the (higher) price of the razor. If you are familiar with honing straight razors on sharpening stones then it may be more convenient to purchase a not-shave ready razor and hone it yourself. If you are new to wet shaving however and did not hone a straight razor before then you want to have it professionally hone before use.
Never choose a razor that is nicked or scratched prior to purchase. It is not the same thing as one with a smooth blade. Moreover why buy damaged merchandise when it is bound to damage your skin?

Straight Carbon Steel Razor with Chinar Wood, Walnut Wood and Stainless Steel brown handle

CONCLUSION

Straight razor or open razor has a blade that can be folded into the handle. Using it requires a considerably higher skill and fitness compared to using safety razors that are commonly available. However, people using straight razors swear by the fact that the shaving results are superior while compared to using other convenient disposable razors. Hence, it becomes important that you choose the right kind of straight razor to give you superior results.

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