I have been using a safety razor for three years now and I could never go back to using a disposable razor. Besides being way better for the environment and your health, it shaves the best of any razor. It’s the closest shave imaginable and I rarely, if ever, cut myself. I know that safety razor can seem a bit intimidating but once you get used to it, you’ll never go back.
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Benefits
- After the initial investment, costs pennies to replace blades
- Lasts ages and is easy to maintain
- Super close shave
- Reduces razor burn and the chance of ingrown hairs
- Healthy for your skin and no chemicals like razors with moisturizing strips
- Zero waste! Produces no waste metal razors infinitely recyclable
- Better for the environment
- A breeze to use and you can shave any (and I mean any) where
Using a safety razor
Straight razors got a bad reputation during the Victorian age which led men to start shaving at home instead of going to the barbers. And later, you bet advertisers started convincing people how disposable razors were “more convenient.” Safety razors might seem daunting, but, hey oy, safety is in the name.
Here is my beautiful Parker safety razor that I purchased from the Copper Hat, a small Canadian company. It has a ceramic handle and has a basic screw closure. It’s a three-piece style, meaning you twist the head plate that sandwich the blade off. It’s doubled-edged, so you can use both sides of the blade.
Some safety razors have a butterfly closure, meaning you twist the bottom mechanism and the head plates open outwards.
Make sure to shave with soap that has a good lather. You can try making your own shaving cream or buy shaving soap. I personally use Bronner’s Castile bar soap* for shaving and washing my body (and face). It’s my go-to for everything! Most body washes and bar soaps produce enough lather to shave with, especially on the legs.
When saving, hold the razor at a 30-degree angle and use short, gentle strokes. Do not press down or apply pressure. Just let the weight of the razor itself drag across your skin. You can shave with or against the grain.
It’s actually false that the more razor blades the less chance of razor bumps. Having a single blade irritates the skin much less!
SELF CARE TIP: I love to follow up shaving by using a moisturizing sugar scrub.
Everything you need to know about replacing blades
Replacing a blade is so inexpensive and blades are easy to obtain. You can buy safety razor blades at most supermarkets or online. I know my local Wegmans carries safety razors and blades! I’m a fan of Astra blades*. You can get a pack off 100 blades for only $7. Which means you are paying only seven cents per blade! It’s a far cry from replacing disposable razor heads at $7 each.
The Astra blades come in a cardboard box (easily recyclable) and the blades are each individually wrapped in wax paper which, while also great for safety, can be composted!
Replacing blades depends on how often you shave (obviously, Hayley). But here are some general guidelines. If you use it every day or every other day (like shaving your face) replace every 2 weeks.
If you are using your safety razor a couple of times a week, replace once a month. If using it once a week, replace every 6 weeks or so. As always, replace on an as needed basis. When you find the razor dull go ahead and replace it. I’ve gone a couple of months (hello, winter) without changing a blade.
I store my razor blades in this cute metal safety razor blade bank*. The bottom comes away so you can properly recycle the blades. You can also store your blades in an old Altoids box, a soda can, or other metal/glass jar. Just make sure to label the container!
Please do not recycle used blades in your regular metal recycling. Metal is often sorted by hand and this poses a serious risk to workers. To recycle, take it to your local metal recycling and see if they can take them. If not, check out Terracycle.
How to take care of your safety razor
Taking care of your safety razor is really easy! Just store your razor in a dry place, and not in the shower, to prevent moisture from building rust on the blade. Although, I am guilty of storing my above my shower. But since I am the only one that uses my shower, it’s dry enough. Most safety razors are plated so they don’t rust but the blades can.
But if you see spots it’s easy to take care of. Take an old toothbrush every month or so and some Castile soap and scrub the razor. Every three months I soak my razor in a mixture of warm water and vinegar. This helps get rid of any buildup from hard water and kills bacteria. I use about 1 tbsp of white vinegar to 1 cup of water.
I’ve have gotten my dad, brother, and a couple of my friends to switch to safety razors. They make great gifts 😉 There are a great many videos as well as pictures out there that can show you how to use a safety razor if you’re still unsure. However, I must assure you that safety razors are safe and effective. Have I convinced you yet?
Happy Day-
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