Safety Razor Shaving Journey: 3 Years Later!

 

I caught up with a familiar face around Knifewear & Kent of Inglewood to ask him some questions about his journey into traditional safety razor shaving, and find out what he's learned after becoming hooked 3 years ago.

 

(Nolan is known for having the worlds biggest Japanese knife collection. He also works at Knifewear!)

We went over his favourite shaving products, and what his Dream Shaving Kit looks like, so you can shave like a 3rd year safety razor pro too!

 

(The sharper the better is his motto for kitchen knives, but a single blade safety razor taught him a more mild edge was better for his sensitive skin.)

 

Here's what he had to say:

How often do you shave per week? 

N: "I can’t grow much facial hair to begin with so it’s usually once a week, or if I wanna look super clean shaven, then a couple times a week."

 

Before using a Safety Razor, what problems did you have with shaving that made you consider switching to Traditional Safety Razor Shaving? 

N: "I tried cartridge razors a couple times, but my skin would break out and become so irritated, it was awful and it wasn’t worth it so I used an electric razor for like 15 years, but could never have that clean shaven look..."

N: "My co-workers told me to talk to our pals at Kent of Inglewood and that it was possible I could get a clean shave without all the irritation. I was like yeah, sign me up!!!"

 

(If you've got dry or sensitive skin, winter can be be the straw that breaks the camels back! Follow these tips to help soothe skin while shaving)

 

What safety razor do you currently use and how do you like it? 

N: "I've been using the Hoxton Knurled Chrome Safety Razor for the past few years. The price point is killer for dipping your toes into safety razor shaving like I was when I bought it.  It shaves great, and because it isn't a huge investment it's allowed me to spoil myself with the best shaving creams and aftershave balms."

(The Hoxton Knurled Chrome DE Safety Razor in all it's shiny glory)

 

N: "I also bought my wife the Merkur chrome DE safety razor, with the extra long handle and I've tried it a few times too. It’s a great option, the long handle is awesome to use! I also really want to try a Henson one day, I love that they're Canadian and come in many colours."

 

(Hensons are Canadian made aircraft aluminum razors that have become extremely popular)

 

What are your thoughts on using shaving creams vs shaving soaps - do you notice a big difference?

N: "I’m a big texture person, so the shaving creams made sense to me, but it's all personal preference at the end of the day as they both work great. The shaving cream just lathers up easily and works really well for me!"

 

 

What's your favourite shaving cream you've tried at Kent of Inglewood?

N: "The goto for me with shaving creams is anything lime, or mint scented. They're both such refreshing fragrances in their own ways, which is a part of it for me, because it’s all about self-care and feeling good."

N: "If I had to pick just one, I’d 100% say Castle Forbes Lime Shaving Cream is my absolute favourite. It lathers up so easily, it’s smooth, and feels great on the skin, plus It smells really good!"

 

(Astra blades are mild and fantastic for sensitive skin! Alum matches can be used to help any cuts heal while shaving.)

 

What safety razor blades do you like best, and have you noticed a big difference between other blade brands?

N: "I've used Astra Blades since they were recommended to me for my sensitive skin. I think they are great! I’ll continue buying them for the rest of my life. I’ve also used the Kai ones (my wife uses them). The Kai Blades worked well on my hair, but were a lot more aggressive in their sharpness, which is too much for my sensitive skin."

 

(Kai blades are our second most aggressive razor blade, making them excellent for course hair!)

 

Was switching to traditional shaving more or less expensive than cartridge shaving after 3 years?

N: "I feel like it is a better deal overall, but it can get expensive in a fun way if you're not careful. It becomes like a fun hobby and because it’s so tied to my self-care, I wanna try a bunch of different shaving creams all the time. I currently have five different shaving creams right now!"

N: "If you're just getting started and only wanna buy the basics it's easy to get going and a lot of products like the razor blade packs are so inexpensive and last a long time! Like all hobbies, you can pick and choose what to invest more or less in depending on what you like about it."

 

(Shaving Creams come in many different scents. Some woodsy, some bright and citrusy.)

 

Do you use a Preshave oil, or Aftershave? Do you find they help your shaving/aftercare routine at all?

N: "I apply a hot towel prior to shaving, so I don't use a preshave, but I do use the Kent Of Inglewood Aftershave Balm, which I highly recommend as it works wonders and is made by a local company! It really soothes and moisturizes my skin, and it smells great too!"

 

(Our Aftershave Balm comes in an easy to use pump bottle with a fresh botanical scent)

 

Other than the locally made aspect, what keeps you coming back to our products VS the bigger name brands out there? 

N: "I feel like if you go to a bigger chain store, your options are super limited and it’s all the same stuff that’s been around for the last 20+ years that hasn't changed or developed to suit the needs of different types of skin." 

N: "With buying shaving products, my past experience always felt like, you just get what you get, and you end up paying a lot more for an inferior product in the end. With going to a place like Kent Of Inglewood you’re getting specialty products with many, many options, for different scents and skin sensitivities."

 

(Nolan shaving his legs for a body shaving campaign we ran - Safety Razors are great for shaving anywhere!)

 

Did switching to traditional shaving require a lot of practice, and did you have to change your routine significantly to learn to get a clean shave?

N: "Well, I was really nervous at first. I thought I was gonna cut up my face. I didn’t realize how thin and bendy the razor blades actually are though, which makes them so easy to handle. I thought they were gonna be big thick blades, like you’d find in a razor knife. When I finally jumped into trying a safety razor, I quickly got more and more comfortable with each shave."

N: "Once I made the switch, using a safety razor also became that extra step of self-care in my life and I was hooked. I can still use my electric razor - It does an ok job for a quick trim, but the process of warming up my face with a hot towel, putting the shaving brush in the cream, mixing it all up, and dabbing it onto my face is so relaxing to me."

 

(We bundled up Nolan's All-In-One Shaving Kit here for folks to try themselves!)

 

N: "When I pull out my shiny Hoxton razor with an Astra Blade in it, it feels fun and more like a mindful ritual! I rinse off with cold water when I'm done and apply my aftershave balm feeling refreshed. It’s the process that makes it all worth it. The outcome is amazing too, but it’s just so worthwhile and you're taking that self-care routine to a whole other level."

 

(Our Silvertip brushes are made with genuine badger hair and can last over a decade if cared for properly)

 

What shaving tool stood out the most for you when you were first switching to traditional shaving? Did it improve your experience like you hoped?

N: "Probably the Shaving Brushes. Before using a safety razor, when I used random shaving creams, you just, you know, you spray it in your hand, and you kind of mash it all over your face and then you have to wash your hands before you can even use your razor..."

N: "With a Shaving Brush, you have this super soft brush applicator that you can mix your cream with, and it exfoliates your skin too. It's really fun to use. I went for the best brush as soon as I saw them and I'm happy to know I won't have to replace my Silvertip Badger Shaving Brush possibly ever."

 

 

Would you ever try a Straight Razor or Shavette?

N: "I do not use a straight razor, but i'd love to one day! I would probably take one of the in-store shaving classes if I buy one to make the most of it, though.  That being said, I have tested a few just on my arm and there’s a huge difference in the shave you get!"

 

(Select Straight Razors are currently 20-50% off till March 15th!)

 

What about Adjustable Safety Razors? Have you ever tried one before? 

N: "I’ve never used one before. I think they’re really cool though. I really like concept of being able to control the aggression of my razor without having to change the razor blade. The versatility of them is really interesting to me."

 

(The Rockwell 6S Adjustable Safety Razor is on sale right now from March 1 - 15th!)

What are you thinking of picking up during our razor sale in march? Any razors you've been waiting for a deal on?

N: "Probably stock pile a sleeve of each razor blade that my wife and I use. I'll do a bit of research and figure out which straight razor I want to buy and then take the class to learn how to use it. I really like the Japanese ones!"

 

(Our blog on everything you need to know about the Kamisori - The straight razor of Japan)

 

Our Razor Sale is running March 1 - 15th

Safety Razors, Straight Razors, Bundles, & Kits are 10-50% off!