StylePoints

Today, we embark on our too-late non-denominational holiday (Christmas) gift guide.  I will present you with a few gift options at multiple price-points.  Some may chose view this as a cheap way for me to generate multiple posts in a short time-frame or a transparent attempt to tell loved ones what to buy me.  You know what I call those people?  My wife.  Anyway…

Merkur Stainless Steel Safety Razor $51

I’ve said it before, but wet-shaving with a safety razor is the way to go.  I used to do it every now and then as a luxury, and use one of those futuristic 12-blade razors on most other days.  Now the safety razor is the only one I use.  Wet shaving takes longer but provides an incomparable close shave.

A big part of wet shaving’s effectiveness is due to the use of the badger brush to lift the hairs, and copious amounts of hot water to soften the whiskers, but the blade itself plays a big part.  Most blades in disposable razors aren’t actually sharp enough to cut hairs, so there’s a lot of pulling and tearing.  The razors used for wet shaving actually cut the hair, causing less skin irritation.

Safety razors are also great for guys who suffer from razor bumps.  Ever see those commercials, where they show one blade lifting the hair, and another cutting it?  That’s a big cause of razor bumps.  The hair is cut below the skin line.  For guys with curlier hair, those shorn whiskers sometimes curl under the skin, causing unsightly, painful razor bumps.

Plus, you and I both know they look cool on the sink.