Posts Tagged ‘straight blade’
My Review of the Top Three Braun Electric Razors and Learn Why It’s The Best Electric Shaver
If you’d prefer to make use of an electrical shaver, you understand how disappointing of an shave they’re able to often give. It can be not easy to pick one up that truly gets as near like a traditional razor. Unfortunately, to get that close shave with a traditional razor, you regularly find yourself heading into benefit your day having a face packed with make-up from all of the cuts you endure in your shave. Lucky for everyone, Braun comes through again and Braun’s top three shavers provide closest shave which will perhaps you have putting that straight blade where it belongs, within the trash!
The Braun Series 7760CC is a lot and away the very best electric razor in the marketplace. Provide you with the nearest shave of the electric razor which is out and provides the ease of a self-cleaning system that can much of the inconvenience away from owning an electrical razor. Additionally, it has among the longest lasting charges that exist while on an electric shaver.
* Super long charge * Self-cleaning feature * Painless shaving
* Expensive (however you get everything you purchase)
* Noisy cleaning system
The Braun Series 1190 provides you with a more economical option whilst still being receive the quality of shave that only Braun can deliver. This shaver provides you with every bit as good like a shave since the Braun 7760CC but lacks a number of the punch as much as amazing features continue greater expensive models. It’s a great choice to explore if you do not need to pay the among the more expensive models and don’t forget, an individual always has 1 month to attempt against each other and take it back if you’re not satisfied with it.
* thin foil design provides you with equally as close like a shave since the more costly models
* an easy task to clean
* can not be used in case you have let flowing hair grow set for a short time
* A great deal noisier as opposed to more costly models
* no self-cleaning mode (but as pointed out, cleaning painless)
The Braun Series 5570CC is an additional great option from Braun that performs an exceptional shave in a reasonable price, see more infos here electric razor reviews. Though it may be rated below another two Braun’s, effectiveness is stiff and yes it really could depend upon only a matter of preference concerning what type you decide on.
* Offers a top quality shave
* Won’t have a vibrating head
* in the more expensive of foil shavers (nevertheless it does provide you with the best shave of the ones)
Straight Razors Explained
What is a straight razor?
A cut throat razor has a single straight blade that is attached to a handle by a hinge and that is stored by folding it edge-first into a slot in the handle of the razor.
This method of shaving with a cut throat razor or straight razor is the most traditional and argued by some shaving traditionalists as the only way to shave.
The straight-edge razor was also called the cut-throat razor because it was dangerous enough to cut a man’s throat. .
History As far back as the civilizations of Rome and Greece used iron blades with a long handle and developed the shape of the cut-throat’ razor which was the only practical razor until the 19th century. with improvements in steel manufacture came cut throat razor blades that were really sharp and capable of being re-sharpening.
Advances in razor technology changed shaving habits in the 20th century. in 1900, most men were either shaved by the local barber (your trusted confidante, wielding a cut throat razor), or periodically at home when required, rather than regularly. The barber’s better-off customers would have personal sets of seven cut throat razors, labeled ‘Sunday’ to ‘Saturday’. Today, nearly all men shave everyday in their own homes, using a wide variety of equipment.
Cut-throat razor must be used with extreme caution. Executive Shaving would be very pleased to give advice on using the cut-throat razor before purchase.
Straight Razor Material. In general, the blades of straight razors are made of steel, the more recent razors have blades made from stainless steel. The manufacturer’s markings are often found engraved or etched on the blades which may include the model.
The Handles of straight razors are made from all sorts of different materials, including wood, rubber, horn, ivory, Bakelite, vegetable ivory, and metal. Inlays and additions can be of mother of pearl, silver, copper, ivory, wood, tortoiseshell.
Looking after your cut throat razor. The straight razor must be properly looked after in order to ensure the maintenance and long life of this traditional men’s accessory. While straight razors made of stainless steel are less demanding, other straight razors have to be rinsed with clear water and thoroughly dried after each use. When not in use for longer periods, it is recommended that the blade of the straight razor be rubbed with light oil. likewise, the razor should not be stored in a damp and unaired state. there is no generally valid rule for the whetting (stropping) of straight razors; in many cases, it is sufficient to draw the razor lightly over the ball of the thumb, especially when it has been left unused for several days between shaves. Wet shavers of the old school know that the facet (blade) “grows”, i.e. the microscopically discernible and extremely fine “fin” on the cutting edge changes during the shave but returns to its old position afterwards; it stretches and again becomes extremely fine. Nevertheless, this fine “fin” will still wear away at some stage and a suitable strop should then be bought.
There is no common rule for sharpening of straight razors; sometimes it is sufficient to sharpen it at the ball of the thumb, especially if the razor is not used for several days. People, who often use razors, know: the cutting edge is growing, meaning that the very fine burr on the cutting edge (which can be seen under the microscope) changes whenever the razor is used, but it finally goes back to its old position and will become very fine again. Nevertheless the burr will wear out after a certain period of time, and then the suitable razor strop should be bought.
How do I whet the razor with the strop? While flat blades are whetted on a suspended strop (velvet knives), 1/2 or 1/1 concave blades require a hanging strop made of fine cowhide leather or extremely supple Russia leather either with a turning device for hanging up or with hemp hose on the back, which serves to align the “fin” in the direction pointing away from the razor. If required, the leather side can be rubbed with an extremely thin layer of fine abrasive paste (red paste) and – for a final polishing on a separate strop – with polishing paste (black paste), which is worked in with the ball of the thumb. Stropping is performed at a flat angle with the back of the razor laid on the strop; the razor is drawn in the direction away from the body.
The razor is then turned over on its back and drawn in towards the body. Changing directions without turning the razor over makes the blade become round (crowned) so that the cutting properties are lost. in this case, only re-sharpening can help.
Straight razors are usually whetted in the factory for use (whetting on leather by hand). If you own a suitable strop, you should nevertheless take into account that the razor must first “rest” after use. After the razor has been carefully rinsed and dried, it should not be used again for at least 24 – 48 hours because the fine “fin” on the cutting edge straightens up again extremely slowly. If the razor is stropped too soon (or stropped incorrectly by moving it backwards and forwards without turning it over), the “fin” which is necessary for a close shave breaks off. Between six and fifteen shaves are possible without stropping in between.
How do I shave with a straight razor? The beginner starts first with the smooth and unproblematic areas of the face. to do this, the open straight razor is held with thumb and three fingers so that the opened holder points away from the face. Lathered with good shaving soap and thus made supple, the skin must be tightened; the straight razor is moved at an angle of approx. 30° firstly in the direction of growth of the beard and then against the direction of growth. If held too flat, the razor rips the stubble; if held too upright, it cuts the skin. Always move it in the direction of the cutting edge and never horizontally (danger of injury); always draw it through evenly and hold it a little more upright at corners, dimples and at the upper lip. If the razor gets damaged by being dropped or when being put into its holder, it should not be used further. Stropping does not help here; the razor must be re-sharpened and whetted by a specialist.
Tips for straight razor users. In general, the best environment in which to store straight razors is well-ventilated, dark, room temperature (72F or 20C), and neither too dry, nor too damp.
o It is advisable to keep straight razors out of water and away from liquids as much as possible — both because water will encourage the iron-based blades to rust, and also because water can cause serious damage to many handle materials. Cleaning straight razors with bleach, ammonia or detergents is discouraged, as these substances can also cause damage.
o The Blade: Metal polishes, such as Brasso, Silvo, or Autosol should never be used on the blade of a straight razor. As well as damaging the surface, they can leave polish residues which are both unattractive, and can be harmful to the blade and handle.
o If the blade is exceptionally dull or nicked, the use of a sharpening stone is recommended. a leather razor strop can be used to maintain a keen edge. You know you’re getting close when you can slice a piece of paper with your razor.
Next, clean the entire surface of the blade with a Q-tip dampened with either ethyl alcohol or rubbing alcohol. this will help degrease the blade of the straight razor. then, apply a thin coat of light mineral oil to the blade; let it sit for a short while (10 minutes, or so), and then wipe the excess oil off using a clean, dry cloth. this oil coating will help prevent any further rusting. If you use your straight razor, use rubbing alcohol to remove the oil before use, and again after use to clean the blade. use mineral oil to re-oil the blade after use, as well as after sharpening. be careful not to get any alcohol or oil on the handle.
Article Source: EzineArticles.com/?expert=Kevin_Nicholls
Review of the Top Three Braun Electric Shavers
If you like to use an electric shaver, you know how disappointing of a shave they can often give. It is tough to find one that actually gets as close as a traditional razor. unfortunately, in order to get that close shave on a traditional razor, you often end up heading into work for the day with a face full of toilet paper from all the cuts you endure during your shave. Lucky for all of us, Braun comes through again and Braun’s top 3 electric shavers give the closest shave that will have you putting that straight blade where it belongs, in the trash!
The Braun Series 7760CC is far and away the best electric shaver on the market. It will give you the closest shave of any electric shaver that is out and gives you the convenience of a self cleaning system that takes a lot of the inconvenience out of owning an electric razor. It also has one of the longest lasting charges that are available on an electric razor.
* Super long charge * self cleaning feature * Painless shaving
* Expensive (but you get what you pay for)
* Noisy cleaning system
The Braun Series 1190 gives you a less expensive option and still get the quality of shave that only Braun can deliver. This shaver gives you just as good as a shave as the Braun 7760CC but lacks some of the punch as far as bells and whistles go on the more expensive models. It is a great option to explore if you don’t want to spend the money for one of the higher end models and remember, you always have 30 days to try it out and return it if you are not happy with it.
* thin foil design gives you just as close as a shave as the more expensive models
* Cannot be used if you have let your hair grow in for a couple of days
* A lot noisier than the more expensive models
* no self cleaning mode (but as mentioned above, cleaning is quite easy)
The Braun Series 5570CC is another great option from Braun that will deliver a high quality shave at a reasonable price. While it is rated below the other two Braun’s, the completion is stiff and it really could come down to just a matter of preference as to which one you choose.
* Delivers a high quality shave
* Does not have a vibrating head
* At the higher end of foil shavers (but it does deliver the best shave of any of them)
Old School Razors – Not So Old School After All
For those of you who think of safety razors as ‘old school’ think again: safety razors are a pretty new idea and the direct predecessors of the disposable cartridge razors so popular among men today. in the days of your great-grandfather (well maybe great great-grandfather), shaving was such an ordeal that most men elected to go to the barber regularly to have their whiskers shaved rather than face the dangers and risks of the hard to wield straight blade. That’s why, when the first safety razors appeared on the market, they were immediately a big hit. A man could get a daily shave affordably and comfortably in his own home.
Not long after, the ‘adjustable’ safety razor made its appearance, making it possible to extend the edge of the razor resulting in a shave of varying intensity. Men could shave closer without having to resort to using more pressure on their safety razors. New safety razors such as Merkur’s line take the concept one step further by allowing the operator to modify the angle of the blade as well as extending it. the razor is adjustable from 1 to 5, 5 requiring a great amount of delicacy and skill and not recommended for new users. the razor itself is elegant and very sturdy. it literally could last one a lifetime.
A setting of 2 is fine for maintenance shaving, and perhaps up to 4 when a very close shave is needed. the Merkur line consists of three models- the Progress, Futur, and the top end Vision. any of the three are bound to satisfy the needs of the average shaver, although men with more experience and skill in the art of shaving would undoubtedly delight in the Vision.
Is the Merkur Futur model expensive? I would answer that with a definitive ‘no.’ First of all, let’s consider where the disposable cartridge razor actually comes from: the lowly disposable razor, that haunt of airports and hotels in unfamiliar cities everywhere. Most men can relate to that let down feeling they get when they realize they’ll have to shave with a disposable razor. And that’s essentially what most modern razors are: disposable razors on a semi-permanent stick.
Now there are some nice things about disposable cartridge razors: the flexible heads that most of them employ and a brand new cartridge does a fine job on my beard. However, I don’t buy that ‘double-bladed’ (or even triple or quadruple!) is any better necessarily than single. but the biggest annoyance with the razor today is that it is brand specific, the cartridges are non-interchangeable and subject to obsolescence.
And given the hefty price tag on a single pack of cartridge razors, the savvy consumer will find that the double edge safety razor is well worth its initial cost. Razor blades are cheap, standard, and very sharp! Congratulations to you if you are thinking about or have already bought any of the wonderful ‘new school’ safety razors on the market now. They’re not always easy to find, but they’re well worth it.