10 Must Know Tips to Not Destroy Your Straight Razor

[@louisfenters5833]

My Grandfather was a barber for 50+ years, he's passed now but he stroped his razor like the cartoon. I always loved watching him do that. I've never seen anyone else do it.

[@ravencrovax]

#11 one if the most important things I tell people that I have suggested straight razor shaving to. Don't throw out your old razor the instant you get a straight. Straight razor shaving is a learning process and until you get good at it, you will definately want something to get the areas you don't feel comfortable with yet.

[@misterf7739]

Or if you're in a hurry

[@joshua96022]

I just got into the hobby, currently using a shavette due to the inexpensive option. I love everything about straight razor shaving, and will be on the hunt for my first actual straight razor soon. First shave was an absolute hack job. Had about 7 different small cuts, looking a bit like Robin Williams in Jumanji. But with continued practice i have gotten much better. Shaving used to just be something I had to do, but now i get excited each andv every time.

[@r.b.ratieta6111]

When I was a kid, I went to my Grandpa's barber who was one of the old-timers that had been in the business since the 1950s. He never stropped his straight razors fast. He always went with a slow to moderate speed, which stood out to me because I remembered the cartoons always doing it quickly. Now I know why.

[@dappershaves]

lovely story, regards dapper shaves

[@billjordan8779]

It never would have occurred to me to plink the edge of a razor, until I watched the video where Matt was plinking the edge to demonstrate the difference between soft and hardened steel.

[@RazorEmporium]

Yes LOL I did that with the Gold Dollar razor that sits in the video studio for all the abuse :)

[@peternorton5648]

@@RazorEmporium maybe you should’ve stressed that was what you were using so as to not confuse us newbies. I certainly didn’t know it was a bad thing until I saw this video later. Much good info from your videos by the way thanks!

[@magnoliamike]

I learned to shave and hone with gold dollars. I still keep 2 in my rotation. Learning with them taught me all about proper geometry lol it’s actually a hard razor to learn on. But a great one to learn on nonetheless. It’s best if you send it to Dr. Matt or Anthony Esposito “the stallion”. Because they have lots of experience working the dremel to fix that heel. It has a pronounced shoulder and It often runs into the edge of your stone making life that more difficult. But Dr. Matt does it in a way that actually makes the razor look better! He actually takes the time to have it sanded real smooth to the touch. So learning with an adjusted gold dollar makes the razor just function properly.

[@magnoliamike]

Another think I’ll say is the gold dollar is my favorite razor to hone, it has good weight, a nice think grind, and has tight jibbing to give you that added grip. Because with my Dubl Duck, the tang is squared off so most of the time I have to sit there and stop and re shuts my grip as to not cut my strop lol. It also doesn’t help if your s skew are a little loosy ghoosy

[@LutherusPandragon]

I have my grandfathers razor, Zwilingswerk, he used it for 70 years, still i perfect condition and still shaves every day

[@geecee12]

I learned all this on the fly after finding my great grandfather's razors. They were rough, but ground, honed, and sharpened them. Then learning to use it, I didn't like the square edge, so I re-shaped the blade, then did all the honing and sharpening again. Then I had a nice soothing shave, only one pass for a clean shave vs the crap from safety razors. The cleaning of the blade, you do those tips automatically because you don't want to furl the edge you just spent 4 hours refining. Also, use metal penetrating oil to protect it from moisture if you don't shave often. Kroil is good. I use it on my guns as well

[@maxbusinessprofitssergiode5747]

"Its a process, not an event." Well said Sir.

[@johnduffy6546]

Absolutely the best video about straight razors, use and maintenance! Thank you for saving me from some idiot mistakes I might have made

[@michaelmanger8640]

Hi guys, I recently bought a straight razor, I am saving your vid's and watching them repeatedly just to get a better knowledge of how to maintain and use my blade efficiently. Thanks for caring! P.S. it remains unused a month after purchasing.

[@dappershaves]

I hope you’ve had an opportunity to shave your razor. How is it going? regards dapper shaves

[@kymdurance9547]

perhaps one of the most comprehensive yet simple education in blade maintenance!! -- thank you

[@TracyDuncan-n7q]

Awesome video! I just got my razor sharp enough and was able to get my first shave this morning with my vintage razor. I bought it at an antique store and tried a few times to shave, but it was not sharp enough. This video gave me lots of confidence and information for caring for my new strop, gifted from my son, and how to maintain it and the razor. Thanks a million!

[@RazorEmporium]

Nice work!

[@mattwoods8381]

Errors Ive made myself as a newbie that i found were ruining my edges: 1) Not laying the blade perfectly flat on the stone or strop while using. This will result in an edge that may shave but it will not feel like butter. No buttery feel.. something is wrong somewhere. 2) Make sure your pressure is even throughout while honing and stropping. Dont raise the heel or toe. 3) too much pressure on the blade while honing increases the chance of you gouging the blade in one or more areas which could lead to a double bevel. 4) dont hold your strop with a death grip. It should be comfortable while holding it, if its not, theres your sign. 5) dont apply so much pressure with your blade hand that you roll your edge while stropping. 6) test shave with your razor after you finish on the 8k stone and after the razor has been stropped. Once again, if the shave is not buttery smooth and effortless on the first stroke than put the razor down and find out where you went wrong. Was it your stropping? Maybe your pressure or not laying the blade flat at all times? Or was it the bevel not being set correctly? Eliminate one variable at a time and test after each time you do something different than what you did prior. Do this and eventually you will weed out all of your problems and BAM!!!! You got it!!!!

[@bomber4t63]

I am so grateful that you have put out this video! I regrettably destroyed my razors fine edge 😢 years ago, but I kept it in case someone could fix it for me.

[@siguie2355]

I live in California near the ocean my straight razors live in a dry box, and before they go back into the dry box they spend the day in a pelican case with silica gel drying beads. On the coast if you air dry it better be stainless steel.

[@tikkidaddy]

Its just like ANY high carbon steel cutting tool. Keep it CLEAN, DRY and sharp. The oils on your skin, salt from sweat , high humidity...😂 I've had people here on YT, supposed "super steel.experts" chew me out because I said I have seen CHUNKS of the bevels of old high carbon steel knife blades snapped OFF due to CORROSION. If there is one thing I have learned it is that if a person refers to themselves as a "master" of a given craft, there is one thing they have ultimately failed at being a master of. THEMSELVES.

[@JeffSmith-eq3kc]

Good stuff. I got into straight razors about a year ago. I have a small business, side business if you like, sharpening knives. Most of my clientele have high end knives and I use no power equipment or jigs. All on stones so I have a background in sharpening and stropping. Darn straight razor took me a good 6 months to feel decent about and I went through probably 10 Gold Dollar $20-$30 razors just practicing. I'm nowhere near sharpening anybody else's razor ha but I'm happy to be able to get my own Dovo sharp! Razors are so darn fickle it's wild. You'd think it's easier than putting a 12 degree edge on an SG2 Gyuto but it's definitely not for me!

[@johnrussell1766]

I use a tormek with angle jig to rough it in, then go to fine Japanese whetstones, and you're right the chance of screwing it up is high....but exp has helped

[@luket6405]

I just stopped by your store today and got set up with my first safety razor. Thank you guys so much! Will definitely be back

[@Stevarian]

Great video! I just received your Razor Emporium Gold Dollar razor in the mail today, and am anxious to try it, and was reviewing your videos before I get started. There is a lot to learn!

[@dinalobanik2802]

Started straight razor shaving recently. Really enjoying it.

[@edgardoliveira2547]

"Have fun!" The best advice! Thanks

[@guyfisher2050]

Excellent Tips. Need to try getting back into straight razor shving. Kind of gave up on it as I usually cut myself even though I took it nice and slow. This will be my new year's resolution.

[@vonelmendorf]

bonus points for tip #10. thank you from a beginner (but i do have all the stones) for an encouraging and informative video.

[@TWalsh2]

#3 1:50 With someone with that level of concept of a straight what did their face look like #5 3:40 Or use a round sponge and wipe around the clock as you go # 11 If you're learning to hone do it on a cheap razor before going near one with a properly set bevel.

[@kumadbd]

I've been searching infos about straight razors for about month a now. I'm using a shavette for the moment but the more I look into straight razors, the more I'm glad I ordered a Kai Captain instead of a straight, the process is interesting and fun but it's just crazy the amount of care and work to get a good shave...I might still get into it someday though! :D

[@garystephens1258]

As always great video (class!) Matt! Been a wet shaver since 2014. Last year started in with a straight first time then dropped off. A couple of months ago got back into it with sharpenning and honing and reading stuff til 2am at times (with my wife having something to say about it). Today I received my first brand new Dovo Best straight from RE and I cant wait to use it! Im still practicing a lot using a vintage Bismark. Once better and smoother I will dive in with my Dovo. Lots of helpful info here, thanks! Already have an RE shirt but may buy a couple more soon. Just received 2 polish cloths too. Excellent. I was washing the blade in the faucet water then using a dry wash cloth to wipe the blade clean while shaving but now will forgo the faucett. When done I run a piece of tp thru the scales then blow thru them with a can of air. And now I know to leave the razor open for awhile after shaving. So I take it I should just wipe off the oil with a dry cloth when ready to use. I strop after shaving but didnt know to use the linen side, good advice. This razor is my first new straight so its going to be special forever. Its also my retirement gift to me so is an additional special reason. FINALLY retired! I can easily see me using my Dovo every other day, only using a DE when in a hurry. Thanks for the great service and great videos! My mantra now, Shave Straight!

[@RazorEmporium]

Great stuff thx for sharing 💯

[@amirandasantos]

Very nice presentation. I shared it on Facebook. A lot of blades are being destroyed all over the world and that can be so easily avoided by following this precious tips!

[@thumbthumbs4968]

Thank you for the video. It’s very informative for people like me that are trying to get into shaving with a straight.

[@inspectorgadget346]

One thing I learned from watching all the ASMR videos and actually now in my infancy of learning straight razor shaving is the proper handling of the razor. When barbers are shaving someone else it is much easier in maneuvering than when you are attempting to shave your own face. You will have a great dominant hand and a weaker hand that takes time to muscle train the proper stroking that your dominant hand tends to not need as much of

[@vivingeorge8417]

This is one of the best all-time funny shaving videos I have seen. Super nice one 🙂🙂

[@lawrencegaydos5128]

Definitely some tips I had not considered. Thank you.

[@michaeloldaker2559]

Just getting started. I haven’t even shaven either my straight razor yet. I’m watching and saving various videos on various aspects of shaving with a straight razor. Thanks for the insight!!! I’ll be back!!😂

[@oneprinceofamber1]

I also run a piece of paper tissue between the scales. Soap sometimes gets in there, especially around the pins and rivtes.

[@efraserify]

Dang it, I just got my razor today and broke rule number 1 lol.

[@davidfrazier-h8g]

I completely understand , but mine was a POS from the minute I opened it .

[@mikeh9701]

Hi Matt- Great straight razor tips; thank you! I hope you have a great weekend. Take good care and be safe and be well. All the best, Matt.

[@IAMCDB]

Nice tips.

[@lancepheng]

As a beginner I would just start with a shavett with some disposable razors from Amazon. The derby disposables are amazing. This way u don’t have to wreck a nice $250 -$2000 straight edge. Plus good way to practice the technique before spending the money on a straight edge

[@rflats771]

My apologies for "necroing" a 3 year old vid, but I noticed a few incorrect details, steel does NOT have "natural oils" in it, no kind of steel does, using isopropyl alcohol is fine for cleaning blades as it DISPLACES water and evaporates much more quickly(99% isopropyl) also I doubt your razor would start to rust WHILE you're using it, so using water to clean it while using it shouldn't be a issue

[@RazorEmporium]

Ya I misspoke about that. I meant to say you take off the oil that is there and promote rusting.

[@byrnedes]

Great tips Matt. I bought a lovely vintage Gillette Slim Adjustable from you guys about a year ago and am always wondering whether I am maintaining it correctly. After every shave, I carefully and gently dry it using a small piece of microfibre cloth, so would be great if you could do a similar vid with tips on how to look after your DE razor. Thanks

[@RazorEmporium]

Great idea!

[@aaront7041]

Well my friends. I confess I got duped by one of those fake razors that claims to be carbon steel but was never hardened. Yes I'll admit it. I did order some stuff from y'all the other day but thank you for your channel and Matt's help. I am learning how to hone and strop and going to give this a legitimate shot!

[@master.187.]

Awesome video. I started with disposable strait razor blads and I'm looking to upgrade and my first mistake was buying one from a knife dealer. No good. Blade won't even cut hair, needs worked.

[@tvcstache]

Great video! Every time I think I want to dive in I’m reminded about the care involved so I continue to practice with my Feather SS Folding Razor 🙂

[@johnc7544]

"you're not that guy pal, trust me you're not that guy" lol

[@MC90pastel]

Fantastic video, Matt. Funny and informative, well done!

[@MrMalakatron]

ALWAYS be dressed from the waist down ......!!!!!!! Because if you accidently drop the razor it could cut something on the way down !!!!

[@paulspeller968]

now this is a top tip indeed 🤪

[@manfrommeeteetse3880]

Possibly how the custom of circumcision began?

[@MrMalakatron]

@@manfrommeeteetse3880 could be ..... Moses could of had a straight razor .!!!!!!! Things are starting to make sense!

[@jamesfranksain3227]

@@manfrommeeteetse3880 lmao! "Uhhh yea.. I uhh.. I meant to do that."

[@MrMalakatron]

So this proves that Moses was a "old school " wet shaver !!!! I wonder what he used for shave soap ?

[@williambrown2149]

I have my grandfather's old razor that I still use I will pass it down to my kids when they get old enough

[@ChristopheMenta]

Totally avoiding the sink for me! 2 days ago, I rinsed the blade, and I've been lucky to have slightly hit the spine only. Now I am only using a towel to clean the blade.

[@dappershaves]

sage advise, regards dapper shaves

[@UncleTravelingMatt2]

Great video! I’m new to straight razors, I have the Boss 5/8ths blade and I’ve only used it twice, it’s definitely a learning curve. I supplement it with a safety razor for the parts I’m not skilled enough to get. But I’ll keep at it and get better!

[@dappershaves]

How’s the shaves going my friend? blessed week ahead, regards dapper shaves

[@JanWeinhold001]

I really like your videos - so many good vibes!

[@rjwrightrw30]

Good tips. Especially using a towel to wipe soap off during the shave. I'll start doing it that way instead. I've been lucky so far.

[@jamesfranksain3227]

I confess I did the plink. During your last video you were talking about how to tell if it's a fake razor by the plink and I had just bought one from Amazon. Alas, I had been bamboozled. It did not sing and the handle was floppy.

[@vivekkrishnamurthy134]

Excellent. Very informative video

[@melchurch3019]

Thanks Matt, for the entertaining video. I'm still learning the straight but starting to build muscle memory and not afraid to put the blade to my face but still ever mindful while I'm shaving.

[@RazorEmporium]

Congratulations! You are the winner of the weekly T-shirt giveaway contest! Please Contact me at [e-mail] with your shipping address and your T-shirt Size. I will ship it out right away! Thank you for your support! - Razor Emporium Team

[@Belsnikel]

great channel! very informative.

[@kiwiunknown6890]

I just brought a cheapish straight razor for my first one and im looking forward to Learning how to use and look after it thanks for your video it was worth the watch

[@micko4463]

Haha what a really great presentation, probably just made loads of new converts who only came here by accident, you may have missed your calling, if you ever give this business up consider being a presenter great attitude, back to razors, wish I had seen this first, really good advice, Thanks 👍

[@zathrasnotzathras655]

All great tips but it’s the sound effects that really sell it 😄 my best advice is just to go slow and enjoy the process. Let it be a relaxing part of your day.

[@neux64]

Definitely saving this for later when I switch from detachable blade to straight blade. Always wanted to use the kind our ancestors also used.

[@weirdlywonderful829]

I don’t even know this dude but seem so nice 👍🏻 just from the way he talks and acts

[@abdullahmenevse]

I hope you have a good shave, congratulations my master

[@michaelwallace9583]

If you have compound really caked on your strop, 3 in 1 oil works well for removing it, not sure what this does to leather, but it works.

[@paulspeller968]

spot on i would say . if your going to get into it you really need to think about it . it will take up a bit more time and effort not a huge amount because you should really be looking after your nice experience de stuff same sort of rules apply for me personally.

[@brianwright4067]

Thanks for the video. Good information from start to finish.

[@hopsandstrops2416]

These are great tips! Im new to SR shaving so these are all super helpful!

[@lanced3256]

Great post Thanks!!

[@MrsGCMS]

One thing I always take care of is to close it slowly and centered, I don’t want to touch the scales with the edge. It sounds unlikely but it happens because the blade is mounted on a pivot and the materials of the scales can deform.

[@Sswamy10]

Excellent video!!

[@stoyan.velinov]

Great video!

[@barnburner2475]

Good video.

[@durzagon88]

Great video.

[@Techbrentc]

Great tips Matt! Some things to add to my routine, relatively new to straights.

[@theangryguitarist]

Light use of a hair dryer helps combat any remaining moisture between the pivot pin and scales.

[@coreychilders9238]

The cartoon was an awesome touch

[@EricNopanen]

thanks dude

[@earlwinesiii953]

Great tips man

[@JoshNieporte]

Excellent advice.

[@scottstewart6260]

this video makes me glad i got the shavette. lol. i love my DE blades, wanted to try straight razor but the honing and maintenance is a bit much lol. opted for a gravity shavette

[@roywittmis6237]

Thanks for some great tips for this newbie. I now will NOT do several things I likely would have done when my razor gets here.

[@intisarmuhtadee1117]

I like your vintage Seiko by the way!

[@signaturerush]

5:18 I think I’ll use lard instead.That’s what they used to do for swords and knives. Plus to me lard is more accessible than mineral oil

[@norm_was_here]

Thanks for the tips

[@terrym1065]

Matt👍👍 As always great tips and video explanation. Account maintenance and continued cost to have honed or restored by a professional, I gave up straights years ago. I just ain't no good at it. It's time consuming, delicate and expensive work to sharpen, hone or restore a straight. Most folks won't learn the process because there's a steep learning curve and the tools to do so are expensive. The mystique of having and using a straight is alluring, after all, it looks cool. Just saying.

[@magnoliamike]

I’ve been honing and straight razor shaving for just over a year now and I got really good at going through the progression. I use only Naniwa superstones and my progression is 1k 3K 8k 12k. Then I finish after on my green DIALUX Crome ox crayon 🖍. I also got my refreshing technique down pretty well. I’ll either just use the inside of my strop (CromeOx). Or I’ll do a mix of both stones and CromeOx. Last time I did 20 laps each on the 8k and 12k then only 8 laps on the CromeOx. That being said I still want to try my edge without the CromeOx to see how that feels, and also I have yet to shave off my 8k. So there’s still some experiments I have to do. I also have done a lot of research about natural stones, but that can be a headache especially when you get to the J-NATS, but I’d like to try a Cotty, small Koppa, or a black Arkansas stone in the future. Stuffs fun! Really brought it back to life! ITS ALIVE!!! 🧟‍♂️ 👨🏼‍⚕️ 💈😁🤙🏻💈 ~Mike 🌹

[@richmondvand147]

my theirs came with a leather sleeve for travel which is great. Who wants tohide their razor? have this beautiful silver art deco display for my hoxton brush and razor thats on the counter with my wood container for soap and several bottles of balm, preshave etc

[@budelliot9598]

Thanks

[@andydixon914]

Great tips 👍🏻😎👍🏻

[@Sk8free09]

Ohh.. I got into shaving with a straight razor... y’all got me into DE shaving.. my straight razor might be coming back out!! Definitely need to send it in though.

[@sierrapapa9932]

Hey Matt do a video tutorial on how to clean the Rex properly please or maybe how to disassembly and reassembly the Rex for clean up porpuses. That would be great!

[@DE_Razor_Shaving]

VERY GOOD video! 😁👍🏼🔥💈👌🏼

[@joe18750]

Good information. Thank you.

[@Samuel-ge7im]

Great video Matt

[@royalandrosey]

I'll use a carbon steel dovo in my shop.. how should I clean it then? What type of detergent is best? Thanks

[@RazorEmporium]

Dawn

[@Shaverboy516]

It’s great Matt included a video of his customer messing up his straight razor😂

[@hoalex8089]

After the shave, do you wash the blade. I’m sure you don’t want to store it away with some chemicals (soap/lather) left on it.

[@kylekramer5491]

Great video! Beginner here, I have a question if you'd be so kind to answer - what about using toilet paper to wipe the blade during the shave as opposed to a towel? I just don't love the idea of lots of hair fragments being washed in my laundry. Just wondering if that's a viable alternative that won't harm the blade, thank you!

[@RazorEmporium]

Sure

[@samuelgallo6777]

How do you cure the leather ...i bought a londpn brand Nd it came with some vaseline looking i guess thts for the leather conditioner...

[@RazorEmporium]

Not needed on new leather. Only old dry strops.

[@paulstewart238]

Good one

[@avelukov]

When I search "mineral oil" in my country it brings up different products but one that sticks out is magnesium oil. Is that the same stuff? Could I use that?

[@RazorEmporium]

Yes

[@tompvic]

New music? Another very informative video, Matt. But this reminds me of the old “Happy Fun Ball” sketch on SNL.

[@CristovamDias]

Excelente! Você fala com conhecimento e propriedade. Eu uso navalha há mais de 30 anos. Tenho dois exemplares da marca Philarmónica, uma #12 e uma #13. Elas estão em minha família há três gerações e são muito eficientes. A propósito: eu já consigo afiar minhas navalhas como os barbeiros dos desenhos animados. LOL

[@downsouthgeorgiaboy7660]

Just ordered a kit from RE this afternoon and can't wait for my order to arrive. Got the Ralf Aust 5/8, 3" strop, angel hair brush and RE shave soap. Staff service was awesome and they returned my call quickly and were a joy to deal with