Safety Razors

We also have stainless steel safety razors here, and an adjustable range here.

Safety Razor FAQ's

Here are some answers to common questions we get about safety razors.

What is a Safety Razor?

A safety razor is a shaving device using traditional metal razor blades with safety features to protect your skin from the edge of the blade. This means it requires less skill to use, and so can be used by anyone at home with relative ease. They also result in less shaving cuts because of this, hence the name "safety razor".

How to Shave with a Safety Razor?

1. Warm up - You want your face to be warm to open and loosen everything up. You can do this by washing your face with hot water, using a hot towel, or shaving straight out of the shower.
   
2. Use a pre-shave gel/soap - this will help to reduce friction (you don't want any friction!).
3. Sharp Blades - whilst you don't need a fresh blade every time, it's important that it's still sharp. Most blades can last between 5-7 close shaves, so if it's been longer than that, change it for a fresh one.
4. Shaving Cream/Soap - apply shaving cream or soap liberally in a circular motion using a brush. This will ensure all of the hairs are adequately covered.
5. Start Gently - let the shaving bar of the razor touch the skin first, then lift the razor until you get the right angle to shave with. You shouldn't need to put much pressure on the razor, as they're balanced to reduce the effort you have to make. Holding the skin tight can prevent snagging, and help you do the tricky areas like the chin.
6. Rinse - you should rinse the razor between shaving strokes, to ensure you're working with a clean blade.
7. Hair Thickness Matters - If you're shaving thicker hair, use shorter strokes. Fine hair can be handled with longer strokes.
8. Post Shave Skin Care - after you've finished, wash away any shaving product with warm water. Next splash your face with cold water to close the pores. Finally you can use a post-shave moisturiser or balm to soothe the skin and prevent irritation/infection.

How to Clean a Safety Razor?

It's definitely easier to clean a razor little and often, to avoid any large build up of soap or other debris. To give your safety razor a good clean, use an old toothbrush and hot soapy water. You can then dry and buff it with a towel.

Where to Buy a Safety Razor?

 You can buy a safety razor from the Shaving Time online store found at shavingtime.co.uk.

How Often Should You Change Safety Razor Blades?

 You should replace your safety razor blade every 5-7 shaves. This prevents the blade from going dull, giving you a good quality close shave every time.

How Should You Store a Safety Razor?

Make sure you have cleaned and dried your safety razor after use. You can store the razor itself however you like, however bathrooms tend to be steamy, humid places which can rust a safety razor more quickly, so consider storing it away from that environment.

How to Dispose of your Safety Razor Blades?

Rather than disposing of blades one by one, it's often easier to box them up and dispose of them in one go. To do this, you can use an old razor blade box, or other safe container. It's important to keep them out of the reach of children, and ensure they're safe if anyone was moving things around near them.

Once you're ready to dispose of them, if the contiainer is secure, you can simply through them away.

Can you Recycle Safety Razor Blades?

Some areas of the UK will allow you to recycle razor blades in the scrap metal part of a local recycling centre, but it's important to check ahead of time.

If using this method, having a metal disposable recycling case to use will help, as you can simply throw the whole thing in the scrap metal at the recycling plant. Open razor blades can be dangerous, so always ensure your razor blades are contained.

When was the Safety Razor Invented?

The safety razor was invented in the 1700s (approximately 1762) by the french inventor Jean-Jacques Perret, when he added a protective guard to a normal straight razor. The modern double-edged safety razor was popularised by King Camp Gillete in the 1900s, and went mainstream after it was used in the First World War by the U.S. Army.