I'm not going to lie... I'm scared of using a Safety Razor. It conjures up (black and white, slightly fuzzy) images of old-school barbers with a razor at a man's throat, Sweeney Todd styles. But I've decided that it's time to give it a go. Everyone who I know who uses one says it is one of the best low-waste changes that they've made, that it's easy once you get used to it, that you get a much cleaner shave, that you save money in the long run, that I won't bleed to death. So I've done it. I've ordered my Safety Razor... it should be here early next week.
In the meantime I'm preparing myself. I've been told to watch some youtube videos on how to use it before I give it a go, and I've been reading up on tips and talking to others who use Safety Razors. Here are some of the tips I've got so far...
I've been told to make sure to have a good soapy lather.
Keep the blade at 30degrees from your skin.
Let the weight of the razor do the work, you don't need to push down or pull hard.
Keep the razor somewhere dry between uses.
Take your time to start with, you will get faster as you get more confident.
You can also keep the razor submerged in olive oil when not in use to make it last longer.
Hang on a minute... What's a Safety Razor?
Wondering what I'm going on about here? Safety Razors are those old-timey razors — your Granddad probably used one. First appearing in the 1800s, safety razors got their name for being more consumer-friendly than the terrifying straight razors used in professional barber shops (cue Sweeney Todd). They’re generally made of steel, and the blades are replaceable (and recyclable). While the razor itself is a little investment (I've seen them online ranging from $25-$70),the replacement blades are dirt cheap, starting at around 25 cents each. Safety Razors can be used by women as well as men.
Any questions, feel free to ask and I'll do my best to answer, or find out from someone who knows more.
So, here goes nothing! Watch this space to find out how I get on! If you never hear from me again,.. you'll know what's happened.
Juliet