Wet shaving. Because Grandpa was right.
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How to Hold a Double Edge (DE) Razor

by double edge

To get the best shave from a DE razor, you want to apply very, very light pressure (close to none at all) and keep the blade at as near to a 30 degree angle to your skin as possible.

What this usually means is: Hold the razor down near the end of the handle. This will allow the head to lean into your face at a good angle for cutting the whiskers.

I recently read a thread at Badger and Blade where the author said he finds the center of gravity of the razor handle, and holds it there. The razor pivots along the central point and leans at a good angle from there.

I tried it with my Merkur 39C Barber Pole Slant Sledgehammer (the best razor in the world). It works!

To find the center point, locate the spot where the razor balances as closely as possible. This is the area to hold. Give it a try, see if it works for you. If it seems sketchy, you’d probably want to go back to holding the razor at the end of the handle.

However you hold the razor, remember the cardinal rule: Don’t apply pressure. Let the razor head do that.

2 comments

1 Stan { 12.17.08 at 01:54 }

This tip was all I needed. My DE shaves were still a little rough, even after a year of practice. Changing my hold position, and letting the head find its own way has enhanced the entire experience.

Thanks.

2 double edge { 12.18.08 at 04:37 }

It’s strange how a little change like that makes such a difference. With a long heavy handle like the Sledgehammer has, that grip makes the shave much easier.

Thanks for the comment, Stan.