Traditional shaving, with its myriad of razors and brushes to choose from, plethora of accompanying products, and array of principles and techniques, can seem like a bit of a mystery to many and throw up a lot of questions. Here, and in our other articles and guides, we hope to answer all your traditional shaving questions and help enrich your shaving and beard-grooming lives.
If you need more information, or have any suggestions about content we could include here, then please give us a shout.
Frequently Asked Questions
What is traditional shaving?
Traditional shaving is the practice of shaving using a combination of traditional equipment and techniques. There’s no precise definition, but the core concept involves the use of a double-edge or straight razor, and a shaving brush.
The experience is further enhanced by incorporating other products, principles and practices into the shaving routine.
A quality shaving cream, whipped up in a bowl to produce a luxurious, rich lather. Investing more time pre-shave to properly prepare the skin and hairs for impending bladed assault, and to improve razor glide. Using pre- and post-shave oils and balms to soften, protect and sooth the skin. See our guide What is Traditional Shaving, and why do I need it? for a more in-depth explanation.
Ah, funny you should ask. We have a whole article dedicated to the age-old question; Razor or Brush?
Yes. Much. And at Beardy Pete’s Shaving Emporium we care about that a lot. A decent DE razor will last a lifetime, and the replaceable blades are all steel. Zero plastic.
Many of the fine shaving creams and soaps available are made from natural ingredients, and many are not tested on animals. Shaving soap pots can be reused with soap refill blocks, recycled or repurposed.
Read more on our Environmental & Ethical page.
As with any new venture there is an initial outlay, but ‘running’ a DE razor is incredibly cheap; blades cost between 20-35p each. Compare that to a replacement Mach 3 cartridge, which comes in at around £1.80. That makes a double-edged blade between five and nine times cheaper than an inferior, non-recyclable cartridge.
A DE razor will set you back around £30, give or take, but it’ll last a lifetime and looks so much better on the bathroom shelf. Shaving cream and soap seems to go on forever, long out-lasting a can of shaving gel and offering far greater benefits in terms of shave quality and skin care.
Shaving brushes vary in price but, again, a properly looked after brush will last for years. A brush will significantly enhance your shave, and is a fundamental part of the traditional shaving experience.
Check out the other content in our Guides & Information section for more answers to your traditional shaving questions.
