Here are some tips you can use when you get started shaving with a safety razor. There is nothing complicated here and many of these tips carry over to all other razor types.
Cleanse: Cleaning the skin before shaving is recommended to remove dirt, dead skin and releasing any ingrown hairs that you may have. It also softens the beard and makes it easier to shave. Those with sensitive skin may want to try a cleanser specifically made for this purpose.
Soften: The easiest thing to do is shave after your shower. The hot water and steam will do a fine job preparing your skin, softening the hair and making it easier to shave. Or you can use a hot towel on your face for a few minutes – just like the old barber days. If you like being efficient you can experiment with shaving in the shower. Get a good fogless mirror to make things easier.
Angle: The safety razor has a fixed head so it is up to you to maintain the correct angle against your skin as you shave. You can experiment with the best position for you – but it will be about 30 degrees from your skin. You will feel what works and what doesn’t. It will soon be second nature and require little thought.
Short Strokes: There is only a single blade doing the work in each stroke. You don’t want to overload the blade with hair and lather. Use short strokes and rinse often.
Light pressure with the grain: One of the joys of a safety razor is the weight of the razor. As you use it – let the weight of the razor do the work. Hair grows in at an angle, called the grain. It will feel smooth in one direction and not in the other. Shaving with the grain allows a more irritation-free experience. Perhaps there are certain times you want to shave against the grain. If you can do it without irritation – you will get an incredibly smooth shave.
Flip Side: The double edge safety razor is called a double edge razor for a reason. There are two sides and you will use them both. The sides are typically not marked in any way so treat them both the same. Use one side until you feel it is not doing the job anymore. After a few short strokes – flip the razor around and use the other side.
Be Mindful: Users of safety razors are typically quite mindful in their shaving experience. You will notice the weight of the blade against the skin, the feel of the resistance or even the sound it makes as you experiment with angles and stroke direction. For instance, you will find that the direction of the stubble (the grain) on your face changes from one area to another. Shaving is never one razor pass everywhere and you are done. It will take a few passes in some areas but done correctly, you will find the shave with a safety razor is super close with reduced skin irritation. Shaving doesn’t have to be a Zen experience every time – but learn to be really present at that moment and you will learn a lot.