Ever used a straight razor? I’ve had one used on me by a professional but have not used a straight razor myself. The idea of using one kind of fascinates me as it’s the original shaver that men used before today’s disposable razors, cartridge razors and electric shavers existed. The straight razor came before the original safety razor, too.
But up until now, the thought of running out and getting a straight razor to use myself hasn’t really dawned on me. I’m quite happy using disposable razors for both my head and face. Having said that…
What kind of shaving cream do you use with a straight razor? Can you just use a regular canned shaving cream or do you need something a bit more upscale and worthy of such a historic shaving device?
What Kind Of Shaving Cream Do You Use With A Straight Razor: The Pros Speak
I decided to check with the pros. I contacted several razor and shaving stores that specialize in straight razors and the advice was unanimous. Here are some quotes from the experts:
We do sell both shaving soaps and shaving creams, however if you are looking to start using a straight razor I do recommend using a shaving soap. Shaving soaps are typically made with an oil base which makes for a slicker shave. Straight razors can be very sharp so you do want to use a soap that provides slickness to better help the blade glide across the face. I do recommend watching a couple tutorials on YouTube to familiarize yourself with a straight razor.
–www.westcoastshaving.com
Great advice from West Coast Shaving. For something like shaving instructions, I think a nice video beats a document. I’d like to visually see how to do it. Plus, the quote confirms that you’re better off with a shaving soap than a cream.
I also contacted ClassicShaving.com and they were kind enough to respond too. Here’s their response to the same question.
Shaving with a straight razor and safety razor is kind of the old style of shaving. So using the shaving soap and brush is also like the old way of making shaving cream. You can use shaving cream shaving and it works just fine.
–https://www.classicshaving.com/
So while they endorse the use of shaving cream it should be noted that they do not sell canned shaving cream products on their website and actually mention the following:
The best shaving cream for men isn’t in your local drug store, we promise!
www.classicshaving.com
They sell higher end shaving creams from a tube, in gel form and from a container. But not from a can.
So in that regard, here’s what to use if you decide to use a straight razor.
Avoid canned shaving cream
Canned shaving cream is in a pressurized can and while it comes out foamy and fluffy, it offers the least amount of protection to your skin. Shaving cream from a can is a generic, mass-produced product that is widely available and works for most guys who simply use a disposable razor.
But it’s not good enough for a straight razor. Canned shaving cream wipes off easily and doesn’t adhere to and coat the skin like better quality products do.
Use A Shaving Soap
As mentioned in the above quote from West Coast Shaving, shaving soaps generally have an oil-base that helps to soften the skin and whiskers and better prepare the skin for shaving. So shaving soap has ingredients that a regular soap does not have and is more appropriate for shaving.
Many higher quality shaving soap products also include moisturizers like shea butter, glycerin and sunflower seed oil among others. Shaving soaps also come with various scents like sandalwood, rum, cognac, cedarwood and more. Scents that you won’t find with mass-produced canned shaving creams.
Regular soap on the other hand tends to have a drying effect which you don’t want while shaving.
A good shaving soap that is properly lathered according to instructions will produce a great lather than protects your skin. It won’t foam up like a canned shaving cream but that doesn’t mean it won’t help produce a good shave.
Shaving Hierarchy
The truth is that for most guys, a decent disposable razor and shaving cream/gel/soap or an electric shaver will suffice for their shaving needs. You might need to deal with sensitive skin or razor burn or razor bumps. You can use a sensitive skin shaving cream and perhaps a DE razor to reduce razor bumps and ingrown hairs.
Here’s a table comparing the relative strength of a DE razor and disposable cartridge razor along with various shaving cream options including shaving cream from a can, shaving soap and shaving cream in a bowl (ie. shaving cream from a jar that is mixed with water and lathered in a bowl).
| Ranking | Shaving Method | Comments |
| Best | Straight razor with shaving soap | Best razor and best lather |
| Best | DE razor with shaving soap from a bowl | Best razor and best lather |
| Very Good | Cartridge razor with shaving soap from a bowl | Good razor with better lather |
| Good | DE razor with canned shaving cream | Best razor with poorest lather |
| Fair | Cartridge razor with canned shaving cream | Poorest razor and poorest lather. Does work well for most men though. |
Straight razor users will generally swear by the close shave they get. You do need skill to use one and many guys simply don’t consider the option and might not feel comfortable using a straight razor either. You’d need to see for yourself if you want to use a straight razor on your skin and if so, how it compares to the other options shown above.
Straight Razor Tips
It takes skill and time.
Not every guy has both. You need skill to properly use a straight razor and it takes time so you need to go slowly. Especially when you’re doing it for the first few times and getting comfortable.
You generally hold a straight razor at a 30 degrees angle. Otherwise you’ll either cut yourself or cut your whiskers incorrectly. Again, it takes some skill and getting used to a different style of shaving. And extra time. More time than you’re used to spending shaving.
Don’t let a barber use a straight razor on you
Unless you’re 100% certain (how can you be?) that the razor has been properly sterilized between customers, why would you? I recently read a story about a barbershop who was temporarily closed down as it was discovered the owner was reusing single use razors and wasn’t properly sterilizing straight razors between customers. Why risk getting a disease?
Unless your barber uses a disposable, one-time use straight razor and you can see it’s brand new, I wouldn’t let one touch my skin.
Conclusion
- A straight razor offers the possibility of a clean, close shave but you’ll need some skill and extra time compared to using a regular disposable razor or electric shaver.
- You won’t get away with using a canned shaving cream with a straight razor. A good quality shaving soap is a better option for the reasons mentioned below.
- Shaving soaps also tend to come in very cool, masculine scents that you won’t find with cheaper shaving creams. They also have moisturizers added to help protect your skin.
- A Double Edge (DE) razor is also a good choice if you want a great shave but aren’t willing to go the straight razor route.
What kind of shaving cream do you use with a straight razor? Let us know in the comments below!