Most razor irritation comes from rushing: dry skin, cold blades and too many passes. A traditional shave fixes all three.

Heat first

Two hot towels soften the hair and open the skin, so the blade glides rather than drags.

Lather properly

A badger brush lifts each hair away from the skin and works the soap into a dense, slick lather. It is the brush, not the soap, that does most of the work.

One sharp blade

A freshly honed straight razor needs fewer passes than a five-blade cartridge, which is exactly why it is kinder to sensitive skin.