Wet Shaving Talk For 14 July 2026

You’re listening to Wet Shaving Talk powered by Sharpologist.com where we’re dedicated to preserving the art and skill of classic shaving. I’m your host Joe Borrelli and today is July 14th, 2026.

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Today On The Show:

 

Straight Razor Month 

Types of Straight Razors

The Prep:  How to Prep for a Straight Razor Shave

Starting A Wet Shaving Blog, Youtube Channel or Podcast?  Here is what you need to know

Straight Razor Month: Picking a Quality Vintage Straight Razor

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Types of Straight Razors 

 

Straight razors are primarily categorized by their blade widths, grind types, and point styles.

1. Blade Width

Measured in eighths of an inch, the width affects how the razor maneuvers and holds lather.

• 5/8" and 6/8": The standard sizes. They offer excellent balance and are ideal for beginners.

• 4/8" and Smaller: Narrow blades. Perfect for precision work, tight spots under the nose, and clean edging.

• 7/8" to 9/8": Wide, heavy blades. They slice through coarse hair effortlessly and hold a large amount of lather.

2. Blade Grinds

The grind is the cross-sectional shape of the blade, determining its flex, weight, and sharpness.

• Full Hollow: The thinnest, most common grind. The blade flexes slightly, providing high feedback and a very sharp edge.

• Half/Quarter Hollow: A middle-ground option. It provides a stiffer feel than a full hollow but retains a keen edge.

• Wedge: Thick, heavy, and completely stiff. It does not flex, making it excellent for mowing down thick stubble quietly.

3. Point (Tip) Styles

The shape of the nose changes both the safety profile and the precision of the shave.

• Round Point: A curved tip with no sharp corners. Highly recommended for beginners to prevent accidental nicks.

• Square/Spike Point: A sharp, 90-degree corner. Offers surgical precision for lining up sideburns and beards, but bites easily.

• French Point: A rounded slope that ends in a subtle point. Combines a safer profile with good precision.

• Spanish Point: A concave curve with a distinct upper notch. Great for navigating facial contours and detail work.

4. Traditional vs. Shavettes

• Traditional Straight Razor: A single piece of forged steel that requires a leather strop to align the edge and a whetstone to sharpen.

• Shavette (Disposable Blade Razor): Looks like a straight razor but uses replaceable half-double edge or single edge blades. It requires zero maintenance

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The Prep: How to Prep a Straight Razor Shave 

 

How to prep for a straight Razor Shave? I’ll tell you.

 

1. Heat: 

• A hot shower for at least 5-10 minutes or wrapping your face with a hot towel for 5-10 minutes will do the trick.  You need to really soften the beard in order to make the whiskers “stand up” so they’re easier to cut.

2. Lather Lather and More Lather: 

• All wet shavers know the importance of a good lather.  Although there are times you can “skimp” on your lather with safety razor shaving (not recommended) you cannot get away with it in straight razor shaving.  Because there is no guard on the blade, it's extremely important to make sure you have as much lubrication as possible. 

• A good note when lathering, once you think you’re lathered up, lather for an additional 30 seconds. This ensures you have lubricated the whiskers enough to shave. 

3. A “Shave Ready”Blade:

• A “shave ready” blade is the most important part of the straight razor experience. Make sure your blade is sharp enough to shave or all the other prep will not matter.  We will get more into shave ready blades on a future episode. 

 

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Starting a Wet Shaving Blog, Youtube Channel or Podcast?  Here is what you need to know. 

Recently, I was asked by a listener how to start a blog.  Here is what I told him:

 

1. Know your Stuff! 

2. Practice makes perfect 

3. Don’t be sensitive 

4. Listen to feedback

5. Don’t Do it for a million bucks! 

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Straight Razor Month Is Coming! How to Choose a Vintage Razor

Follow these simple steps:

1. Check the Maker:  Is it a well known brand? Is it made in a country that is known for making good razors? (France, Germany, England, Spain, USA)

2. Check the spine & Blade Wear: Is the spine shiny?  Is the bevel on the blade shiny?  Are their chips in the blade? Is there rust? 

3. Is it being sold by a reputable dealer? Is it honed? 

These are all things you need to consider when purchasing a straight razor.  I’ll go into more detail. Trust me I learned the hard way

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Our show is powered by Sharpologist.com, “What Your Father Didn’t Teach You about Shaving” 

Special Thanks to:

 

Mark aka Mantic 59

Most of All……….YOU!!!!

 

Don’t forget to check out my blog site www.shavestraightandsafe.com  for the tips and interesting wet shaving stories!

 

Please feel free to contact me at [e-mail]  

 

Subscribe to my You Tube Chanel for videos regarding some interesting wet shaving content.

 

Don’t forget to check out my book “The Modern Guide to Straight Razor Shaving” available on Amazon, Barnes and Noble and at Pasteur's Pharmacy in NYC. 

 

If you’re a vendor and would like to be featured on the show please contact me!!