It’s not more difficult. That’s just what the big plastic razor lobby wants you to think. It requires a bit of technique, but it takes all of 30 seconds to learn.
First, you prep your skin: Part of the single blade shaving thing is all the old school prep. Use a pre-shave oil to get your whiskers standing. Then use a brush and old-school cream to work up a lather.
Pull your skin taught: You should already do this with your drugstore razors, but a gentle tug against the grain of your beard hair will make it easier for the razor to work.
Hold the razor at a 30° to 40° ish degree angle: It varies from person to person, but this is where all the technique comes in. To find your angle, start with the head of the razor on your face. Slowly drop the razors edge towards your skin, and you should be able to feel the blade’s edge on your cheek somewhere near 30°. That’s your shaving angle.
Go with the grain of your hair: You can do against the grain at the end on stubborn sections, but shaving with the grain of your hair prevents irritation.
Also, understand the grain of your beard: Chances are your beard hair does not grow all in one direction. For example, all the hair on my jaw grows downward, but buy left cheek grows slightly more horizontal than my right. And on my neck, there’s a big cowlick on the left side that requires some hand contortions to shave with the grain. You’ll always be trying to find the direction your hair grows. Don’t stress learning this before you start, it’ll be apparent if you’re looking for it.
Short strokes, no pressure: This is what scares guys about old-school razors. There’s more blade exposed to your face, and too much pressure can give you a nick. Don’t worry, it’s simple. Once you find your cutting angle, just let the razor do the work.
Post shave: Congrats, you did an old-school shave. Why not use an old-school after shave like your old man did.
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