Wet shaving made easy with a safety razor or straight razor.

More and more men are enjoying the benefits of a traditional wet shave . Straight razors and safety razors are particularly well-suited for this. We'll outline their features and show you how to remove your beard hair thoroughly and without injury using these two classic shaving tools.

Preparation – soak once please

Before you begin shaving, you should soak your beard. This usually makes removing facial hair much easier. If you prefer convenience, simply shave right after showering. Alternatively, you can use a damp cloth. Shaving foam is essential for a good wet shave. Massage it onto the areas to be shaved – preferably with a shaving brush, but your hand will do in a pinch – and let it sit for a moment. Then you can continue with either a safety razor or a straight razor.

Safety razors – uncomplicated and affordable

Safety razors have been in use for over 140 years. They are particularly well-suited for beginners to wet shaving because, unlike straight razors, they are more forgiving of minor mistakes, as the blade only protrudes a small portion. However, many experienced users also appreciate the safety razor's uncomplicated and economical shaving experience.

The main differences between safety razors lie in their weight, handle length, and whether they have an open or closed comb. Beginners should use a scraping motion with minimal pressure , keeping the blades perpendicular to the edge. Otherwise, they risk cuts. An angle of approximately 30 degrees to the skin is ideal, with the razor's foaming edge ensuring the skin is taut and easy to shave. Overall, the safety razor offers the perfect balance between a good shave and ease of use.

Straight razor – traditional and thorough

For those who prefer a more traditional approach, a straight razor is used for wet shaving, similar to those men have used for thousands of years. This generally requires a bit more skill than shaving with a safety razor. Here, too, an angle of around 30 degrees between the skin and the blade is recommended. Finding the optimal angle of the blade for each area often takes some practice. The best way to hold the straight razor is with your thumb, index, middle, and ring fingers, with the open handle facing away from you.

Because of the lack of a lather, it's recommended to hold the skin taut with your other hand while shaving. Guide the blade across the skin's surface with light pressure in short, straight strokes, ensuring the razor blade remains perpendicular to the cutting direction at all times. Otherwise, you risk cutting yourself.

After the first pass with the beard line, a second pass in the opposite direction is often necessary to remove all stubble. Extra care is needed in problem areas – such as the corners of the mouth and above the lip. For true experts, shaving with a straight razor is a relaxing and almost meditative ritual that – provided the blade is sharp – is characterized by exceptional thoroughness.