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(Animation by Julia Pott; Music by Eric Beug)
Gentlemen! Brush the crumbs out of that tired beard and embrace a smooth, dapper face that will be catnip to ladies and men alike. Today we’ll be learning how to achieve an old-fashioned barbershop technique at home: the straight razor shave.*
We ventured down to Ernest & Olivia’s Barber Shop and Salon in New York’s West Village to get a personal tutorial from Oscar, a talented third-generation barber. Our brave model (and victim) is Etsy’s Office Ecologist, Jakob.
MATERIALS NEEDED:
• Straight edge or cut-throat razor
• Shaving cream
• Pre-shave oils
• A dry towel
• A hot towel
STEP 1: INSPECTION
Everyone’s face is unique, so the first thing you want to do is to inspect the shaving area for things like irritation, cuts or bumps. If you find any places where the skin is rough or damaged, make a note to be especially careful when shaving these areas.
STEP 2: TREATMENT
Using circular motions, gently massage the pre-shave oils into the hair. This will loosen up the follicles and prepare them for the blade. Then apply a hot towel to your face for about a minute to loosen up the pores. To make a hot towel, simply run a face towel under hot water or warm it in the microwave.
STEP 3: LATHER
Apply your shaving cream. Be sure to cover the whole shaft of the hair, but there’s no need to make a huge foamy beard! As long as the hair is completely covered, you’ll be fine.
STEP 4: THE FIRST SHAVE
You’re now ready to begin your first shave with the razor. For this shave you will be using gentle, downward strokes and shaving with the grain. (Which way is with the grain? Rub your hand on your stubbly face. In one direction it will feel more rough and will resist the push of your hand. That rough direction is against the grain, while the other, smoother-feeling direction is “with the grain.”)
- Begin by shaving the right side of your face. Go from the right cheek down to the chin. However, do not shave the chin yet!
- Next you will shave the moustache area, using gentle, downward strokes.
- Continue with the left side of the face, from the left cheek down to the chin.
- Shave the neck area, making sure to shave with the grain.
- By now there should only be a small amount of hair left on the chin. Finish up by shaving the chin area with small, gentle strokes. Take special care, as it is the most difficult area to shave!
When you are done, why not throw on another hot towel?
STEP 5: THE SECOND SHAVE!
Not all men need a second shave, but it is the closest shave you can get!
Apply your pre-shave oils to the face once again (you will be using them as a lather instead of shaving cream in this instance). Use the blade to go against the grain, cleaning up anything you left behind with smooth, gentle upward strokes.
The end result? Now you should be a handsome, clean-shaven man. Show that face with pride!
*If you’re new to the technique, be sure to practice on an inflated balloon before trying this on yourself!
About the filmmakers: Buffalo Picture House is a production company founded by a select group of award-winning, young filmmakers and producers in New York City. Check them out at www.buffalopicturehouse.com.
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Search Shaving on Etsy | More How-Tuesday Projects | Supplies Category
76 comments
Sign in to add your owngrandmamarievintage says:
Oh my! So cool! I'll definitely have to let my man know. Thank you!
2 years ago
Earleyimages says:
Great Items here
2 years ago
Floreal says:
Nice...this link will be shared with my man immediately! :-)
2 years ago
overthemeadow says:
Wonderful! I can almost smell that fabulous shave cream!
2 years ago
loopyboopy says:
Barbering was my prior profession. I gave many a men a clean close shave with a straight razor, definetly a dying art and service. Love this article!
2 years ago
LittleMissDressUp says:
Oye- just watching made me nervous. But what a shave!! Just how I like them- smooth to the touch.
2 years ago
MegansMenagerie says:
Ha! I have my cosmetology license and this post just brought back some crazy school memories! I had to do this as part of my State Board! =)
2 years ago
orchardfarmsoap says:
Reminds me of my dad's old shaving tools, very cool!
2 years ago
battysbath says:
Ooooh.. my guy has been interested in the "straight razor shave" for sometime now! I'll definitely be sharing this with him :)
2 years ago
mudpuppy says:
I've wanted to treat myself to a straight razor shave for years now. Seems so decadent and fantastic. If only I could afford to do it every day!
2 years ago
emilybidwell says:
Awesome!
2 years ago
BubbleGumAndButtons says:
I think I leave this one to my man, but I have to say I LoVe the barber chair photo! ~You know it is from "Bubble Gum and Buttons" when you find the button!
2 years ago
SallysJewelsandgems says:
Brave man! Excellent item, great picks.
2 years ago
JudiPaintedit says:
Hmmmm... Wonder why its called a "Cut throat razor"..... That just scares me.
2 years ago
VeraVague says:
excellent.
2 years ago
mcldrygoods says:
so cool. love. :)
2 years ago
VintageEye says:
Smooooth! ;)
2 years ago
choisette says:
my grandfather was an old school barber. what i remember most vividly is the framed severed ear hanging on the wall of his shop. yeah, my granddad was a hoot.
2 years ago
DevineCollectible says:
wowouch! peace out, devineCollectible
2 years ago
goodegear says:
Great clean shave!
2 years ago
treasurebooth says:
Really neat to see that. I've always wondered how those old-fashioned blades work :) Such a brave guy to get in the chair!
2 years ago
breadandroses2 says:
Love the oldtime shaving accoutrements but straight razors make me cringe. Still prefer a bearded guy.
2 years ago
museumshop says:
Cool.
2 years ago
ohbabydotcom says:
I loved watching my dad shave as a kid.
2 years ago
markvictorkeefer says:
omgg this not should not and never be taken litely by beginners but. real good skills though and i am sorry 2 say i had a bad experience once shaving my girlriends in a sensitive spots. but hey i was new at it and now am getting better cuz i think the old ways are better, nice vids tho
2 years ago
LifeSoapSimple says:
Love it!!
2 years ago
BareTree says:
I had a hot towel shave in Ireland, it was awesome. highly recommend. im going to go shave now
2 years ago
aioh says:
i really enjoyed this film! but i must add that there are 2 items that are VERY important to maintaining a sharp razor, and to the safety offolks who might like to try shaving in this old way. one needs a strop, and a stone to hone the straight razor. by neglecting to include this information in the video, amateurs who try this shaving method without a strop and stone could cut themselves very badly when the razor gets dull after a shave or two. i even strop the razor 100 times after shaving the left side of my face, before moving on the right side.
2 years ago
daydreamjewels says:
So cool :-D
2 years ago
filofashion says:
Love it ! Congrats :))
2 years ago
myvintagecrush says:
Awesome! I love that Etsy is including more and more items for the men around here!
2 years ago
arsniccandy says:
Awesome article! I am geoing to school for my esthetician license and the barbers are definatley appreciated:)
2 years ago
paramountvintage says:
i've always wanted to learn this for the special boy in my life. thanks!
2 years ago
CoolStuffByDesign says:
Nice article on mens items! Love It!
2 years ago
coolstuffartgallery says:
Nice article on mens items! Love it!
2 years ago
HulaGirl1922 says:
very cool post! I remember watching my papi getting a straight razor shave :) such a treat! Fab ♥ Post! Thanks :D "If you teach a young man to shave himself, and keep his razor in order, you may contribute more to the happiness of his life than in giving him a thousand guineas." ~ Benjamin Franklin
2 years ago
AvianInspirations says:
My brother is super into shaving with a straight razor. I'll have to let him know about all that Etsy has to offer on the subject!
2 years ago
BeatificBijoux says:
Sigh. Wouldn't trust my husband or myself with one of these things. Fatal fumblefingers. But an awesome tutorial nonetheless!
2 years ago
Caracarmina says:
wooooooow that´s scary and and cool in a very odd way.... ;) love the vintage chair!!!!!!!!!!!!!! great idea for a treasury! loved the video!
2 years ago
HeartOfGlassDesigns says:
It's weird how the universe (or Etsy it seems in this case) knows what we need at just the right time. Case in point~my man has made it known that he would like to start shaving the good ol' fashioned way! He is an expert with a blade so it makes sense that he would excel at this too! And now, poof! This wonderful tutorial~ He will enjoy and no less watch and learn. Thanks so very much! Can't wait to see and FEEL....yummmm.
2 years ago
FairyBubbles says:
What a lovely and informative article.
2 years ago
TheVinylChalkboard says:
This was so very interesting to see! I"ll have to show my man this! Great piece!
2 years ago
marymary says:
Absolutely loved this - what a great sport Oscar was!
2 years ago
wwcsilverjewelry says:
As a hair dresser I never have trusted myself to try this on anyone. I have a hard enough time with a regular razor. My poor legs. I think it is a great art to do this. It's nice to see the tradition is being carried on. Wonderful!
2 years ago
JulieMeyer says:
Great article - I got my husband a gift certificate for a traditional shave a few years ago and he loved it!
2 years ago
ArtemisiaAtelier says:
you're a brave man Jakob
2 years ago
elmstreetmarket says:
I've always been fascinated with men's grooming and dressing ritual. Because there's so much they can do, the magic is in the details. Love this!
2 years ago
SweetlyFallen says:
Very interesting article! Thanks for sharing!
2 years ago
Mere says:
This is awesome! I actually own a straight razor however the next thing I need to learn is how to sharpen it. Please add this how-to next!!
2 years ago
wickedminky says:
rad! i will have to have my man check this place out asap, as it is in our neighborhood!
2 years ago
beijaflores says:
Although, Im a chica whos boyfriend has a beard, I do remember always hearing HOT water is the key for a smooth and bumpless shave. Good info!
2 years ago
ErichJoel says:
Awesome! I just switched to this. It's a bit tricky, but totally fun!
2 years ago
theroyal says:
dashing
2 years ago
beliz82 says:
Great !! Hubby mus see this :)) Thank you for sharing :))
2 years ago
marbled says:
Great!
2 years ago
LittleWrenPottery says:
Got to be brave for that sort of thing!
2 years ago
ikabags says:
Cool :))
2 years ago
grnthmb says:
That was surprisingly relaxing to watch!
2 years ago
herblueyestudio says:
My hubs has been wanting a straight shave forever can't wait to show this to him. Need a shop on Etsy now!!!! Thank you Etsy for more dude stuff! xo
2 years ago
DirtyDeedsSoaps says:
I wish my lumberjack of a fiance would occasionally use our shave sets. Its kinda hard for him to a salesman for old fashioned shaving, if he looks like a grizzly bear most of the time. :) But alas, I probably wouldnt have it any other way... Probably.
2 years ago
Parachute425 says:
Good to know. Great video. Thanks. Jakob - you're a trooper.
2 years ago
mazedasastoat says:
A few years ago my better half broke his wrist, so I had to shave him. He was considerably less than relaxed with me wielding a safety razor near his jugular, so I very much doubt he'd allow me to have a go with a cut-throat one... :-)
2 years ago
bananastrudel says:
Thanks for shaving, and thanks for sharing :)
2 years ago
roseandroot says:
Amazing tutorial, thank you!
2 years ago
accentonvintage says:
My father was a barber, so I saw him many times giving a shave. I wouldn't want to try it though.
2 years ago
pinkbijou says:
cool!
2 years ago
NicoAndMooMoo says:
hey, I wanna try on my boyfriend! HIHIHIHIHIHHI
2 years ago
artworksbycarol says:
I'm reminded of the movie Rio Bravo in which Angie Dickinson gives Dean Martin a sraight edge shave.She pinches his nose to raise his chin and gives those last few strokes on his whiskers as he sports a worrisome look on his face.I love that scene!
2 years ago
artworksbycarol says:
artworksbycarol says: I'm reminded of the movie Rio Bravo in which Angie Dickinson gives Dean Martin a sraight edge shave.She pinches his nose to raise his chin and gives those last few strokes on his whiskers as he sports a worrisome look on his face.I love that scene!
2 years ago
kenlittle says:
wow — really cool!
2 years ago
tinyearsjewelry says:
my stylish uses a straight razor on the back of my neck. For some odd reason, I love the sound. A lost art indeed. Casey @ tin years
2 years ago
suncreationsemporium says:
OOh, I remember the sound of my grandfather sharpening the blade on the strap before a shave and watching through my fingers to see if he was going to slit his throat or something.(Too many horror movies, I guess) Watching a straight razor shave still gives me the willies! I watched the video clip through my fingers praying he didn't sneeze and cut his face off.I am such a WUS!!!But my dad swore that the hot towel was the key to a good shave and nice skin. He never had a pimple on ingrown facial hair his whole life.
2 years ago
galstudio says:
Great video, I need to get one done. Thanks for posting this! cheers Richard
2 years ago