Straight razors definitely went out of fashion for a little while. With a range of exciting new technologies popping up, most people felt like they had to give something new a try – in recent years, however, people have been flocking back to the OG shaving solution.
While it’s definitely seeing a resurgence in popularity, you might be wondering if it’s something that you should give a go. To help answer that surprisingly tricky dilemma, we divided the topic into four further questions.
Do you care about shaving quality?
Straight razors don’t just look great – they also provide just about the closest shave you can get. If you really want a clean look with minimal hair left over once you’re finished, straight razors are absolutely worth a go.
Unlike with other razors, however, you don’t just get a top-quality finish without any work – as we’ll explore, straight razors take a lot of work to get just right, and it’s a skill that you need to be able to commit to learning.
Do you want to learn a new skill?
Early on, it’s important to mention that when it comes to straight razors, it can take a little bit of time and effort to learn how to use one. Unlike cartridge razors, you can’t just pick them up out of the box and drag them along your face.
You need to learn just how much pressure to apply to the blade, what angle it needs to be at against your skin, and how to keep the blade sharp. This means that you need to be prepared to learn a new skill – both to ensure a high-quality of shave, and to ensure your own safety.
Are you looking for an eco-friendly option?
Many of us in the modern day and age are becoming increasingly aware of our impact on the environment. The small things that we consume and use on a regular basis – like razors – can have a substantial impact on our carbon footprint, and it’s important to be conscious of how we can minimise that impact.
Straight razors are the only razor technology where you don’t replace the blade when it’s worn out – instead, you sharpen it. Instead of having to throw away cartridges or electric razor foils every week or two, you can simply hone the blade between uses!
Are you hoping to save money in the long run?
Because there are no disposable parts in straight razors, you only need to buy them once. As a result, that initial investment in your tool of choice will likely last you for years to come, potentially saving you a lot of money. If you’re trying to watch your purse strings in the long run, without having to sacrifice on your shaving experience, then straight razors are definitely worth considering.
Straight razors definitely won’t be everyone’s cup of tea. However, we believe that the benefits listed above mean that they’re absolutely worth the added effort in a lot of cases. If you were previously on the fence, then we hope these pointing questions have helped clarify things a little, and allowed you to come to a decision.