Many people don’t even consider straight razor shaving as an option. While it might seem strange and scary at first, the reality is that straight razors provide the closest, cleanest shaving experience of all the various razors available on the market. 

1. Blade material

While it’s important that all razors are kept as sharp as possible, with straight razors, this is even more important than with safety razors. To get the sharpest blade possible, you’ll need to choose one that’s made out of the right material.

Most modern razors are made from stainless steel. The benefit of stainless steel razors is that you don’t really have to look after them - they don’t rust, and when the blade is dull, you just throw it away.

With straight razors, you want to go with a high-carbon steel option from somewhere such as Cut Throat Club. This kind of material will hold a far sharper edge, providing a cleaner, more comfortable shave. Carbon steel will rust though, meaning you must always dry your razor after each use.

2. Handle

Another important variable to think about is the kind of handle you go with. Metal handles tend to be a lot heavier, while resin or wood handles tend to be a lot lighter.

Some find that lighter handles are a little easier to wield, providing more control when it comes to pressure. Once you get the hang of heavier handles, you’ll often find that the weight of the thing does most of the work for you.

While most people tend to go with lighter handles to start off with, there’s no right or wrong option - it’s ultimately down to personal preference.

3. Grind

You’ll probably find that there are a lot of different and equally confusing options when it comes to which grind you go with.

We recommend that you start off with a full hollow grind; this kind of grind results in a thin yet highly forgiving tool, perfect for starting off with. 

As time goes by, you can explore other options, such as singing hollow grinds and straight grinds, until you find what’s perfect for you.

4. Blade width

Last but not least, blade width. For beginners, we definitely recommend going with a wider blade. It will provide a more forgiving experience and may help you to avoid plenty of cuts and scratches.

Narrower blades tend to provide a more aggressive shave, and you must be confident with what you’re doing before you start using one.

Once you’ve gotten your hands on a high-quality blade, you should be good to go. Take things slow at first, and remember just how sharp these tools are. It’s important to maintain your razor, drying it between uses and honing it regularly - they’re an important investment and should be treated as such.