Thread: Newbies, how NOT to shave with a safety razor.

YouTube - Broadcast Yourself.


To anybody new to wet shaving and especially safety razor shaving, here is an example of why you cannot trust everyone out there to be a "how to expert".
I don't mean to bash this gentleman, who is a barber, and is only trying to put out a little video to promote the enjoyment of wet shaving, but this is a very bad example of the proper way to shave with a safety razor.

NOTE: He does make some good points regarding shave preparation and use of the alum block and such, just take notes on the improper technique used in the actual shaving process.
Check out Mantic or Geofatboy on You Tube for great instructional videos.

1: You want to use short strokes with the razor, not long strokes.
2: The lather he generated in this video is very dry and most likely would not provide a comfortable shave. ( I cannot be certain but I don't think he had a blade in the razor for this demonstration).??
3: You DO want to use your shaving brush in circular motions as this helps to exfoliate your face while working the lather into your whiskers all at once.
4: The great thing about a safety razor is you CAN flip it over when one side fills up with lather.

Once again, this IS NOT a bashing thread, I am simply trying to help educate the newbies of wet shaving.

Happy shaves all, Jeremy-

Two things:

1. The link is a generic link to youtube.

2. I think long strokes are just fine-- I use them myself-- although I go with short, choppy sweeps at the chin.

I guess it just goes to show that technique will vary from person to person...

Maybe it varies from razor to razor.My EJ DE89L is happy with short strokes. I know when I was first beginning and trying long strokes, I would get bad razor burn. Maybe I was putting too much pressure.

Since then, I have settled on short strokes and always have the fear that with a long stroke if something should happen to go wrong I could have a long nasty cut.

Swirling the brush in circles I think is decent to deposit a nice rich lather on your face but I always finish up with paint brushing the strokes to make it nice, even and fill in any missed places like along the sideburns.

Originally Posted by cessnabird

3: You DO want to use your shaving brush in circular motions as this helps to exfoliate your face while working the lather into your whiskers all at once.

According to Simpson and many of the brush manufacturers, you should not use circular motions but should rather use "paint strokes". The circular motions can put undue stress on the knot and limit their life. I do not necessarily adhere to this advice...I'm just sayin'

If that is true, than we are all breaking the rules! I cannot imagine lathering with paint stokes and feeling fulfilled. I utilize paint strokes only after I have really worked that creamy lather in well using swirls! Like I stated above, this gentleman in the video is not totally wrong, he does however mention things I don't see fit for someone new to wetshaving.

Originally Posted by BullGoose

According to Simpson and many of the brush manufacturers, you should not use circular motions but should rather use "paint strokes". The circular motions can put undue stress on the knot and limit their life. I do not necessarily adhere to this advice...I'm just sayin'

I think this is just a great loophole... by saying that using the brush the way it ought be used can cause the hair to fall out, you virtually eliminate any liability for brush problems.

Over the years, it seems to me, every one seems to develop their own unique rituals both with shaving and lathering. If you really want a good laugh you guys should see me shaving with a straight razor. LOL

I always used swirling strokes as more of a lather builder. for some reason it always builds the lather only on my neck. then I use the paint brush strokes to redistribute it.