If you've ever dreaded the idea of shaving in the morning, balked at the cost of replacement razor cartridges, or heard the landfills cry out after you tossed another empty can of shaving foam into the trash, there is a better way. Welcome back to art of wet shaving -- the brush, soap, and razor method your granddad used.
When it comes to wet shaving, there are three phases and many options.
Bid adieu to your can of aerosol shaving cream. Not only are these environmentally unfriendly, but the chemicals they contain wreak havoc on your skin. A simple brush and a good shave-specific soap will cut down on waste and exfoliate your skin as you swish the brush across your whiskers.
BOAR BRISTLE BRUSHES: 
Generally less expensive, coarser, and more widely available, boar bristle brushes will work reasonably well for a person just testing the wet shaving waters.
Generally less expensive, coarser, and more widely available, boar bristle brushes will work reasonably well for a person just testing the wet shaving waters.
BADGER BRUSHES:
King of the wet shaving world, badger brushes are available in different grades.
100% pure badger brushes will retain water better for a finer, denser lather. Mixed badger brushes are still 100% badger, but are taken from various parts of the badger. They tend to be coarser, which results in a greater amount of exfoliation and a faster lather on soaps. Pure badger brushes are gentle on the face, but still work to lift each hair for smoother shaving. Better badger brushes use thinner hairs from the softer parts of the badger resulting in more hairs per knot (how the brush is attached to the handle). The silvertip badger brush is the best badger brush available and using one is like rubbing a badger's nuzzly neck across your face, without the hindrances of claws and angry badger noises. You have to feel one to believe it.
SOAPS
A good brush, however, is only as good as the soap it lathers. For optimal shaving, look for soaps with natural oils such as avocado and almond. These oils are easier to rinse off and leave your face feeling clean, yet moisturized.
A good brush, however, is only as good as the soap it lathers. For optimal shaving, look for soaps with natural oils such as avocado and almond. These oils are easier to rinse off and leave your face feeling clean, yet moisturized.
If paying $16 for 4 cartridges is starting to grind you down, there is a better way. Double edged safety razors use blades that cost less than a dollar a blade and will last as long or longer than cartridge razors. They are also less likely to clog up with stubble from even the most manly of beards. Finally, many safety razors have adjustments on them to tune your razor to your own hair and skin type.When selecting a double-edged safety razor, look for one that has some weight and balance. The razor, just like any well-built tool, should do most of the work for you. A heavier safety razor will glide smoother and require less input from its pilot. Look for a safety razor that is adjustable and can be catered to individual beard types.
Finally, when shopping for blades, look for high quality blades made in Germany, Japan, or England which will last longer and give a better shave right out of the box.
If the thought of using an exposed blade to transform you from a rugged bushman into a proper gentleman appeals to you, then consider a straight razor, the staple of every barber. Straight razors are the epitome of shaving satisfaction -- once you get used to them, that is. Because they are some of the sharpest instruments on the planet, great care has to be taken with them to minimize springing a leak.Straight razors are available in both carbon and stainless steel. Carbon steel blades are easier to sharpen, but will rust and corrode if not properly cared for. If you use a carbon steel razor, ensure that it is cleaned, dried, and oiled after every use. Stainless steel razors use harder steel and will hold their edge longer. However, they are also more difficult to re-sharpen. Although a stainless steel blade requires less care and maintenance, it is still important that it is always stored clean and dry.
When choosing a straight razor, you must also invest in a strop. This is not an option. Straight razors and strops go together like cars and tires -- one will not work without the other. When buying a strop, look for quality leather, good width, and a usable length. If using a polishing compound on your strop, use it sparingly and keep your strop free of polishing compound for a quick touch-up prior to your shave.
For more edge-u-cation about wet shaving, visit your local House of Knives.
Visit any of our 14 House of Knives locations for a full range of wet shaving products
