How Do I Maintain A Traditional Folding Straight Razor? What is Involved?

If you use a Boker, Dovo, Thiers-Issard, Edwin Jagger, or other traditional solid blade folding straight razor, you will notice that after several shaves, the blade will start tugging on your whiskers as opposed to slicing cleanly through them.
Once you become an accomplished Straight Razor Shaver, you will recognize this feeling right away.
A sure signal it's time to break out your sharpening stones, is when you feel your eyes begin watering while you're shaving...
A reasonable rule of thumb is that you will likely need to perform a touch up honing on your razor somewhere between every 4 and 6 shaves.
Keep in mind YMMV, Your Mileage may Vary depending upon your beard and face prep.
Stropping is also required to line up the edge on your straight razor prior to shaving.
If you are not interested in honing or stropping, you can opt for a replaceable blade Folding or Non-Folding Straight Razor made by Feather, or a Shavette style Folding Razor that requires no honing. stropping, or other maintaining...
Written by Geofatboy
ShaveNation.com


Below is my instructional video regarding stropping a traditional straight razor:

Below is my video using a Feather No-Sharpen Straight Razor / No Honing or Stropping Required.

Why Should I Shave With A Safety Razor and Double Edge Blade?

Chances are, you’re already spending a fair amount of time each morning in preparation for the day ahead. Your current routine might go something like this: Squirt and apply a goo-like substance from a bottle to your hand. Rub that solution onto your face and follow that up by tediously dragging a disposable plastic razor across your face in an attempt to remove the pesky whiskers that have sprouted overnight. Rinse off, then hurriedly splash on some after shave lotion and run out the door to do battle with the day ahead…This routine may be resulting in subsequent razor stubble, rash, nicks, cuts, and annoying ingrown hairs.
Let’s change that scenario up a bit, replacing it with something slightly more challenging, and much more rewarding…
Following a refreshing shower, or the application of a hot, wet towel, you perform the following routine which requires merely 10 to 15 minutes of your morning ritual…
In a warm porcelain bowl, mix up a luscious, aromatic, thick, lather. With a hand tooled badger brush, proceed to apply that intoxicating mixture to your face until the areas to be shaved are thoroughly covered,  lubricated, and protected.
This process also serves to exfoliate your skin, thoroughly hydrate your whiskers, and  prepare them for what lies ahead… A genuine wake-up call for you and your face!!!
Reach for your safety or straight razor, and commence to perform a “with the grain” shave or “pass” followed by another lathering and an across the grain “pass.” One more lathering and lastly, perform an “across” or “against the grain pass,” whichever you prefer.
A final rinse with hot, followed by cold water, to close your pores, and an application of a lubricating, alcohol-free after shave balm to seal and protect your skin against the elements. Or if you prefer, the refreshing ”Sting and Slap” of an alcohol based after shave lotion.
You’ve probably spent only 5 minutes more shaving than your previous method, only now you’ve been rewarded with a ”BSS” Baby Smooth Shave, and the comforting thought that you’ve just bid adieu to your 5 O’clock shadow…
Another benefit of the Double Edge, “DE” Safety Razor, or Single Blade, Straight Razor method of shaving is that stubble and ingrown hairs will most likely become a vague memory, as a result of being cleanly sliced off with your trusty, surgical sharp safety razor or straight razor blade and the absence of pulling and tugging associated with multi-blade cartridge razors.
From a Financial Standpoint, the cost of a Double Edge Razor Blade is substantially less than the price of most multi-blade cartridges currently used.
From a “Green” Standpoint, a Double Edge Razor Blade has a much smaller carbon footprint than multi blade cartridges and take up far less space in a land fill, thus adding further benefit to the environment.
Written by Geofatboy
ShaveNation.com

HOW TO SHAVE WITH A SAFETY RAZOR

ARE YOU TIRED OF THE PULLING AND TUGGING THAT ACCOMPANIES YOUR MULTI-BLADE CARTRIDGE RAZOR? 

Sick of battling razor rash and ingrown hairs? Learn how to shave like your Grandfather and Father did! Yes, The old way is the best way!!!

For those new to Straight and Safety Razor Wet Shaving, Here is a description of how it's done: SAFETY AND STRAIGHT RAZOR SHAVING. HOW TO PERFORM A SHAVE:
Using a Safety or Straight Razor, Badger Brush, and Shaving Cream or Shaving Soap From a Tub or Tube.

A) Ideally, Begin with a Shower with Hot Water/Wash Face/Beard with Soap

B) Apply Softening Hair Conditioner to Hair and Beard Area.

C) Leave Conditioner on for a few minutes/Rinse Off and Head Over to the Sink

D) Soak Badger Brush in Cup of Hot Water for 2 Minutes

E) Fill Sink with Hot Water

F) Apply shaving cream to Tips of Badger Brush

G) Apply Hot Water to Beard/Do Not Dry Off

H) Mix Lather in a Bowl or Apply Shaving Cream or Shaving Soap Directly to Beard with Brush

I) Very Gently apply the razor to your face at a 30 degree angle.

1) First Pass Straight Down With The Grain/Slight Rinse/Lather Again

2) Second Pass From Ear to Nose Across The Grain/Slight Rinse/Lather Again

3) Third Pass: From Nose to Ear with a Slight Upward Motion.

Or, if you prefer/South to North against the grain

4) Rinse with Warm, then Cold Water.

5) Apply Your Favorite After Shave Lotion or Balm/Preferably Alcohol Free.

6) Now You're Ready to Conquer the World!!!!!

That's How Straight Razor and Safety Razor Wet Shaving is Done!

NOW YOU CAN BID ADIEU TO YOUR INGROWN HAIRS AND RAZOR BURN!!!
Written by Geofatboy
ShaveNation.com