The Art of Manliness is a big proponent of the classic wet shave. There’s something almost ritualistic about a traditional shave. Between lathering up with a badger brush and guiding a double-edge safety razor across your face, it’s possible to reach a state of zen. Unfortunately, most men shave with cheapo disposable crap that costs an arm and a leg and gives you a crappy shave. Safety razor shaving, on the other hand, is much cheaper and provides a far superior shave.
So when the fine folks at West Coast Shaving approached us and asked if they could give away a complete classic shaving set to an Art of Manliness reader, we said hell yes.
The Prize
West Coast Shaving is giving away a complete classic shaving set valued at $115. It has everything you need to get started with safety razor shaving:
- Merkur HD Safety Razor $29
- eShave Fine Brush $55
- Taylor of Old Bond Street (winner can choose the fragrance) $14
- Extended DE Blade Sampler Pack $21.50
How to Enter
- Leave a comment under this post sharing your best shaving tip
- Sign up for email or RSS updates. A secret code will appear at the bottom of the RSS feed or email update. Email us what the secret code is through our contact form and you’ll be entered.
- Share this post with your friends using the “Email this post” to a friend link at the top of the page (You have to use this link or I can’t see if you shared the post). For each friend you email this post to, you’ll receive one entry in the contest. This means the more friends you share it with, the more entries you get. You can only send 10 at a time, but feel free to come back and send some more.
Remember, you can increase your chances of winning by doing all of the above, so get cracking gents. And ladies (we know you’re out there) feel free to enter as well. This is a great chance to score a FREE manly Christmas gift for the man in you’re life.
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When I was just a green recruit, we often heard the master sergeant tells a guy to “stand closer to the razor on the next shave”; yes, we used disposable plastic razors, cheap shaving cream and didn’t put much of thought on warm water, softening the edges and all that. One subject-matter between us was doing better under those lame conditions, resulting in “good advice” (shave against hair direction), “smart advice” (grow a beard) or “mal-advice” (say you have a skin condition and get rid of it!).
Only later have we learnt the secrets of good shaving, the better tools of doing it “right”, and the joy, pride and meaning of a well-shaved face.
Your campaign is well in place; young generation should know—there’s more to shaving than buzzing machines with techno-hype rotating blades, half-a-minute travel of the blade on your cheek, or two-days shaved-face appearance among people!
Consider shaving a manly art rather than a chore. Take your time and enjoy the process. Each shave job is a work of art, try to top your last shave in terms of care and quality. There’s no way to go wrong!
My best tip? follow the suggestions above! Go old school and you’ll never go wrong but learn to do it well. My tips are these, when it comes to shaving take your time and make time to do it right. Don’t rush. Next the ONLY way to shave is the Wet shave. Next You need absolutely NEED good quality tools to work with here. You wont fix your car with dollar store tools, why use them on your face?
I recommend a quality Badger hair brush, they usually aren’t cheep but they are worth the money. Razor! wow, I”m sick of spending tons of money for cheep blades and having to get a new one the next week. Spend the extra and get and learn to use a Safety razor, or even a good straight razor. Obviously this is a “skill”, it’s worth learning. If you can, find a true barber in your area, go ask for some tips, Barbers can shave, Hair dressers CAN’T… its in the licensing.
My shaving tip is really boring (and probably already stated in the litany of comments above), but it’s the only one for me: always shave after taking a hot shower. I have a pretty thick beard and I don’t use shaving cream. A hot shower, followed by a razor is the entirety of my shaving routine.
I always like a good shave
Shaving is typically the first thing I do immediately after getting out of the shower, to make sure the beard is moist. In addition, whenever I have a significant meeting, event, date, etc for which I want to look particularly well cut, I DON’T shave for several days before the event. This assures that all the hairs on your beard have grown to a shave-able length and will be cut down, and voila! a far smoother shave than you would get from a daily shave.
I’ve been working to get one of these for a while, but funds have been limited (being a student) for the start-up cost of wetshaving. However, I keep in mind that once purchased, it will be refreshingly cheap to shave from then on.
I usually lather up while in the shower, rubbing against the growth of the hair to get it to stand up. After the shower, while shaving, I reapply the shaving cream, and the hairs are already moisturized and more willing to cooperate.
The best tip is take your time, from the prep stage, all the way to applying the aftershave balm. This is your time to pamper yourself, so enjoy it. The second best tip is stay with it, your techique will improve and so will your shaves.
I forgot to mention, I shave in the evening. So if you are rushed in the morning, this is an option that works for many of us. Don’t be afraid to try it.
Warm everything is essential. Warm water, warm towel, warm shaving cream. EXCEPT the razor, which should be cold. Makes it more brittle, increases its ability to slice through the stubble.
Shaving in the shower works, but spend a few days a week getting the main stubble nice and even, or you’ll inevitably miss spots and look like a goon.
Also, properly lubricate, people!
Shave after shower, use a in shower face cleanser like King of Shaves. Warm towel on face, apply with brush direct to face (Prorasso in between is nice) shave slowly holdling lightly and clean razor in running water after each stroke. It’s simple.
AK
Always Take a hot shower before, the hotter the better. It makes it a nice and close shave.
I don’t get the cold razor thing. I shave each morning in the shower with plenty of warm water but when I use the razor cold it just doesn’t feel right. I always warm it up.
Matt
be fully awake and don’t rush. Washyour face with soap & water then rinse, finally wrap your face in a very hot towel for a minute ofr two before shaving.
I make sure to re-lather multiple times during my shave
Thrift shops will often have used safety razors for a few bucks. Why spend $65 when you can get one for $3?
Logan
I have a very thick beard, so I must shower first. I then require a fairly new blade that is extremely hot and shave with the grain. After, I go against the grain. Smooth as could be until about 3pm…
There are a lot of benefits to shaving with a blade, for example, you dont need to shave as much compared to an electric blade. I’m Italian, and it used to take only 15 minutes to have 5 o’clock shadow, then I switched to a blade. Now I get about 6 hours! Yay!
Rules:
Rule #1 – Do not use shaving supplies you can buy at a supermarket.
Rule #2 – DO NOT USE SHAVING SUPPLIES YOU CAN BUY AT A SUPERMARKET!!
Sorry for the Fight Club reference.
Tips:
First things first – clean your face with a non-soap based, exfoliating cleanser. Not only will it keep you looking good but it will reduce the chance of nicks while shaving.
Avoid using a shaving soap – use, instead, a shaving cream. Shaving soaps have a tendency to dry out your skin and make you prone to irritation.
Use a nice shave oil prior to lathering and shaving. I like oil with eucalyptus.
Try the Method Shave. It’s a comfortable and repeatable way to get a close shave.
When using a DE razor – don’t be afraid to change out the blade frequently. One of the great things about classic wet shaving is that it’s very cost effective.
I like an alcohol based after shave for two reasons – if helps disinfect you skin and helps close up pores and tighten skin; your milage may vary.
To whom ever wins the shave set: congratulations. I use the exact same setup and love it. I’m sure you will too.
A few tips (which may have been repeated by now):
Shaving in the shower helps soften your beard/stubble (hang a mirror), as does using hair conditioner before a shave.
Shave with the grain, then against. If you have sensitive skin, try with and then perpendicular to.
A friend of mine with *really* coarse hair insists he’s gotten the best results using a woman’s razor (after grabbing a girlfriend’s when he had to shave at her place). Contrary to that, I know plenty of girls who prefer a mach3 over lady razors.
Rinse and dry the blades after each use: this will keep them sharper than simply letting it air dry.
If using electric, use shaving cream with it: it’s amazing the difference in shave using it.
A few tips (which may have been repeated by now):
Shaving in the shower helps soften your beard/stubble (hang a mirror), as does using hair conditioner before a shave.
Exfoliate beforehand.
Shave with the grain, then against. If you have sensitive skin, try with and then perpendicular to.
A friend of mine with *really* coarse hair insists he’s gotten the best results using a woman’s razor (after grabbing a girlfriend’s when he had to shave at her place). Contrary to that, I know plenty of girls who prefer a mach3 over lady razors.
Rinse and dry the blades after each use: this will keep them sharper than simply letting it air dry.
If using electric, use shaving cream with it: it’s amazing the difference in shave using it.
I’m a sargent in the Israeli Army and I’m required to shave every morning but all I’m given is a crappy razor. It would really help if I could get hooked up with a shaving set!
Sargent Sam Besser
Not gonna lie, I got this one out of a Salinger novel.
When shaving, in order to avoid vanity, look yourself directly in the eyes in the mirror, using only your peripheral vision to shave. Not exactly easy, but with some practice, it can be one of the most manly experiences of your morning, if not your whole day.
Do Not fill the sink bowl with hot water and use it to rinse your razor as you shave.
A friend of mine in college used to do this and could not for the life of himself figure out how he kept getting infections on his face.
That basin of water is swimming with germs that will jump all over the open knicks on your face.
If you get lots of razor bumps or burn when shaving try and rub a bit of chap stick into your face. Then proceed with lather and the shave. The chap stick adds a nice layer of protection to the face.
My best shaving tip is to always use some sort of moisturizer prior to and after shaving. This act will allow your face to be soft and smooth and will allow the razor to slide smoothly aross your face. This lack of resistance will give you a more comfortable shave and closer shave with less bumps and cuts. Additionally it will allow your face to thwart off winter cold and dryness.
Following up with a salycitic (sp) acid product like Tend Skin goes a long way towards preventing unsightly ingrowns.
Never shave in the shower with a straight razor…if you drop it, you never know what it might hit on the way down.
I like to keep my razor, when not in use, in a small jar of baby oil. Having the blade and razor in oil will stop any oxidation. This will prolong the life of the blade and keep a coat of oil on it allowing it to glide on your face.
Hydrate! Stretch the skin with your off hand; and take your time. Especially if you’re using a straight razor.
Warmth to the face is key! Get your skin toasty warm with a hot towel first, or splash some warm water on it. Post-shower shaving is ideal. Also, I use pre-shave oil which really helps the blade skim across the skin.. good stuff!!
Jim
STIPTIC PENCIL. Don’t be afraid of the pain, Nancy.
try not shaving for a week. it will give you a new appreciation for what can become a tedious daily chore.
Not for us but for everyone else and our children’s children. Don’t let the water run while shaving. Run a little into the stoppered sink to rinse your razor as our grandfathers did. Water is a scarce commodity and needs to be treated as such. Thanks You will also enjoy the quieter shaving experience.
here is the trick i have found for a great shave:
1.) hot shower
2.) shaving oil
3.) quality shaving soap
4.) sharp razor
5.) shaving with the grain while stretching the skin
6.) cold water splash and then some quality balm (alcohol free)
using this method my shave is so good that i am still relatively smooth the next day. and i have a beard like a steel brush!
I have a beard and I shave my cheeks and neck to keep neat looking…
I recommend using rinse the face with hat water to open the pours and then use hot lather on cheeks and neck area and sharp blade to keep one self looking neat and presentable. Then follow up with a cool rinse and cologne of choice..
A good wet shave, HOT water, a good shaving soap, gel or cream and a sharp razor. I shave my neck area first, pulling the skin tight to get a clean shave and then the rest of my face. Rinse it all off with cool water to close the pores…..feels great.
Regarding the use of “witch hazel”. I buy the generic witch hazel at my local Rite-Aid for a nominal price, and not a fancy brand-name label witch hazel price. Poke a small hole in the inner foil liner, and you will be able dispense a small amount of hazel onto your hand to splash onto your face. This is after you have finsed off your face, finishing up with a cold water rinse and BLOTTING your face dry (do not rub). Enjoy!
I had terrible problems with facial breakout after shaving, but now I always finish up every shave with a glycerine soap wash. That cleared me right up and no stinky overbearing after shave needed. I used to find the glycerine bars at Bath and Body in their bargain bins, but now have found them at the body shop.
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