Razors should give a good clean shave, and that they frequently do not is due to either (a) blunt-ness, (b) incorrect handling, or (r) defective lathering. With regard to (a) and ordinary razors (not safety) it is well known that many men have not the knack of correctly using a razor and strop; a long strop appears to be better than a short one, and light rapid long strokes rather than heavy slow strokes. The strop should not be allowed to hang in a curve while being used. Many razors are not made of steel that can be stropped into the necessary fine edge, or again may not have been ground correctly, and never can shave perfectly. The only remedy in such suspected cases is to let a professional barber set and strop it ; if still bad it is better to discard it. Some find that to make the razor blade hot in the shaving water, and then strop it, does improve the shaving properties. Many have also found that a rest of several weeks does greatly improve the razor. With reference to (b), i.e., incorrect handling, it is a fact that the shaxing angle, that is, the angle between the razor blade and the face, varies greatly between different users, and alters, somewhat depending apparently on the flexibility of the blade edge. Also many do not make the correct shaving action, which appears to be short firm strokes rather than very long sweeps. As to defective lathering, this is often due to lack of time, or done indifferently. To get a perfect shave, it is at least necessary to lather well, rub the lather with the hand well into the beard, and use a soap that does make a large quantity of strong bubbles, and yet not dry on the face before the shave is finished. The above points regarding the lathering apply equally strongly when using either an ordinary razor or any type of safety razor. As regards safety razors, the name is slightly misleading; many can cut themselves, slightly it is true, but quite easily, with them, but, of course, in inexperienced hands the safety is much less likely to cause any severe cut. As to bluntness with a safety razor blade, these blades are in the majority of cases used once or twice, and then discarded. This has been recognised as an extremely wasteful process, and safety razor blade sharpeners are now, numerous, of many types.

The safety razor does require a different shaving action to that of an ordinary razor, the best results appear to be obtained by a series of short strokes. The angle at which the razor is to be held to the face is best found by experiment by each user; it appears to be rather more obtuse than that used with an ordinary razor. The handle of a safety razor should be held so that it can turn in the fingers easily, and so allow the blade edge length to lie properly on the face and not touch with a corner only.

Those who have been used to shaving with an ordinary type of razor have frequently objected to the time taken, also the trouble involved in taking to pieces and cleaning safety razors before putting away. Also objections are raised against the cost of renewing blades. A British-made safety razor that overcomes these objections is the Auto-Strop. This allows the blade to be stropped while actually in the razor frame, and due to its construction it is not necessary to take it to pieces to clean it.

Razor Sharpening Paper

Procure smooth unglazed paper, damp one side, and rub with very finely powdered mixture of calcined iron peroxide and emery. The act of wiping the razor on this treated side will keep the razor in good condition.

Razor Strop

An ordinary razor can be kept in excellent condition by stropping on a strip of aluminium fastened down to a strip of wood of a convenient shape to handle. The aluminium should be used dry ; from its peculiar nature it will be found to give a better edge to the steel than by any other method, but for some reason has never been taken up in a popular manner.

Old Safety Razor Blades

There are not many uses that these can be put to, beyond being put into a handle so that a knife is obtained. A piece of stout tinned plate of zinc is taken, doubled on itself, to take a blade between the two sides, and drilled to take two small bolts and nuts so that the blade is held firmly. At the far end another piece of doubled metal is pivotted on a small bolt and nut so that it forms a safety cover to shield the sharp edge of the blade when not in use. Such a knife can be used for cutting threads in garments, cutting flowers, or cutting out paper, etc., but owing to the blade flexibility it is difficult to use them for, say, pencil sharpening, with real satisfaction.