When it comes to essential man skills, knowing how to give yourself an old-school shave is right up there with making fire, managing a BBQ and understanding the offside rule. But like knowing how to darn your own socks, it’s a skill that seems to be dying out. Back in the day when a cut-throat or ‘open’ razor was the only tool a man had to help him achieve a smooth chin, patience, skill and dedication were shaving prerequisites. The advent of the safety razor in the 1890s made things a little easier by allowing removable blades to be mounted in a handle that even the most nervous of shavers could get to grips with. But once disposable razors made their debut in the 1960s, it seemed the gentlemanly art of performing a traditional wet shave had begun to wane. But this is one skill worth re-acquainting ourselves with. Have a go at shaving with a cut-throat razor – or a traditional safety razor if you’re a bit wary – and you will not only get an exceptionally close shave, but also achieve something even more important: you acquire a new skill you can boast about down the pub. Here, we pinpoint the pros and cons of traditional ways to shave.

The Cut-Throat, ‘Straight’ Or ‘Open’ Razor

Why Try?

The modern-day battery powered shaver might seem like the perfect way to rid yourself of stubble but it’s not exactly environmentally friendly, since the whole kit and caboodle will eventually end up in land fill. In contrast, if you switch to a cut-throat razor and take care of it, it should last you a lifetime and no more will you be at the mercy of manufacturers’ costly marketing gimmicks. As well as being greener, they’re great for tackling tricky bits under the nose and around the neck too. And they’re on trend: “Following the release of the Bond film Skyfall – which famously featured a cut-throat shaving scene – there was a huge rise in sales of cut-throat razors,” says Daniel Davies, General Manager of Pall Mall Barbers in London, explaining the resurgence in their popularity. “They certainly deliver a great shave but you do need to be very careful when using them!”