I have been asked several times what strop should I buy, which shaving soap or cream performs well and what's a good shaving brush. With so many artisans and companies on the market it's really hard to navigate sometimes. I really can't name them all but what I can tell you is what I personally use and find to be either a top tier product or good value for the money. My soap collection is mostly from Tallow & Steel, MacDuffs, Saponificio Varesino, Ethos, Sē'bŭm, Noble Otter a

STROPPING Stropping a razor is a fine art developed by repeated practice. The aim in stropping is to smooth and shape the razor’s edge into a keen cutting implement. After being honed, the razor seldom needs any stropping on the canvas. Instead, the honed razor is stropped directly over the surface of the leather strop. The time to use the canvas strop is when the razor develops a worn edge from continued use. The effect of the canvas strop is similar to mild honing. THE TECH

Many decades ago, straight shaving was one of the services most frequently performed in a barber-styling shop. Today, however, the use of a straight razor is in danger of becoming a lost art. This is due partially to the wide use of safety and electric razors, and also to the fast pace of today's society. There are still barber-styling shops where shaves are available for those who wish them. Usually these are either full-service, luxury salons or the more traditional, establ

Shaving should be performed once your beard area has been in contact with hot water. The warm humidity will open up your pores and soften your skin. Apply quality shaving cream or soap to your face. A shaving brush is the key to keeping your face hot and moist during this process. Not only that, it softly massages your skin and will help to lift the hairs of your beard for a much closer shave. The lather should not be scattered carelessly over the face. Hot towels should not