A classic wet shave using a metal razor and shaving cream.

I bought the metal razor shown in the picture above 10 years ago. ?

And you won’t believe it— I still use it! Lately, a little less often, since I only shave once a week, but there were years when I shaved with it every day (back when I was pretending to be a young businessman, haha! ?).

Apparently, long before Manca and I decided to open Rifuzl, I’d already started using things that last a long time and are more eco-friendly. Before switching to a classic razor, I used triple-blade razors. With those, you replace the entire plastic head when the blades get dull. It really annoyed me that (back when I was still a student) I threw away quite a few of those heads. And they were pretty expensive, too! ?

Then my roommate Andrej bought a classic metal razor for double-edged blades (thanks, Andrej!). Honestly, I was scared “to death” of those razors back then. I didn’t have any real reason for that fear. Maybe it stemmed from my childhood, when I’d watch my grandfather shave with straight razors and I was always afraid he’d cut himself. I figured I’d never be able to shave with them myself.

But my roommate Andrej picked up the technique very quickly and miraculously survived. Not only that, but he also raved about this method of shaving, saying it’s much gentler on the skin, nothing gets stuck, and it’s SIGNIFICANTLY cheaper! Each blade lasts for 4 to 6 shaves. If you shave 3 times a week, that means you’ll only need 40 blades in a year. If you buy a pack of 100 blades that costs 18.90 euros, that means these razors cost you less than 8 euros a year (less than 1 euro a month)! ?

Since I’m quick to get hooked on things like classic wet shaving, I finally overcame my fear and ordered my first metal razor. While researching which one to choose, I was surprised; many users on foreign forums and on YouTube couldn’t say enough good things about classic wet shaving compared to modern plastic razors or electric shavers. They argued that classic shaving is gentler on the skin because it prevents ingrown hairs. They said it’s cheaper, more environmentally friendly, and, last but not least, that you get used to it quickly and it becomes a sort of mini-hobby. ✌️

To start with, I didn’t want to “experiment” too much, so after watching a few videos and reading some reviews, I decided on one of the most popular razor models—the Mühle R89—thinking: “I’ll buy another razor later, once I figure out what works best for me.” Well, to this day, I still own and use only the R89, which serves me perfectly.

When Manca and I were deciding which razor to add to Rifuzl’s lineup, there was no dilemma. The mere fact that Mühle hasn’t changed the design of the R89 razor since 2006 speaks for itself. Good, high-quality products don’t need to be changed every year, since they’re timeless and do their job perfectly. If something works, why change it? And after nearly ten years of experience, I can wholeheartedly stand behind the razor we carry in our selection.

What about razors, or rather, metal razor blades?

For a classic wet shave, you’ll need a few other accessories in addition to the razor:

• double-edged razor blades that fit into the razor—without them, the razor is useless,
• shaving foam, paste, or soap, and
• a shaving brush, which you use to lather up the shaving cream, paste, or soap and apply it to your face.

If you browse a forum or do a little research, you’ll find that users—both men and women—are generally very satisfied with Astra razors. They’re made in Russia, in the same factory where they also produce the (much more expensive, but not much better) Gillette “razor blades.”

Explanation of terms (since it took me quite a while to find the correct Slovenian terms myself):

• razor = a metal handle into which we insert a blade.
• razor blade = a blade, an insert for the razor. Standard sizes are metal double-edge (DE) razor blades. Colloquially also known as razor blades, blades, etc.
• razor = a specially shaped and very sharp blade for shaving.

• Use a brush to work up a lather in a bowl. In the video, I’m using Amon & Anis shaving soap, which is different from the usual, more “commercial” shaving foams. It lathers less, the lather dries faster, and for that reason, I might not recommend it for complete beginners. On the other hand, it’s locally made, available in Rifuzl without plastic packaging, and made from all-natural ingredients, which makes up for its slightly inferior performance.
• Apply the lather to your wet face and work it in well. The lather shouldn’t be too dry!
• Insert the razor blade into the razor and start shaving. Don’t press too hard (at least not at first) and always pull only in the direction of the handle, as if you were raking grass with a rake. Never pull across the grain, because that’s how you’ll cut yourself. To get a feel for it, you can practice with the razor handle empty before your first shave.
• Rinse with water and, if desired, repeat the process of applying lather and shaving one or two more times (for a super-smooth finish).

I won’t go into finer details in this article. But if you’re interested in learning more, good Slovenian resources include the blog “Obrij se!” or the forum britev.si. You can also ask in the comments below if I haven’t explained something clearly.

"Okay, Primož, you’ve explained the men’s side of things. But what about us women?"

Although this post might make it seem like classic razors are only for men’s shaving, that’s not true. I don’t have any experience shaving my legs, but a razor is just a razor. If it works well on the coarse, thick hair of a man’s beard, it’ll also work well on the fine hair on a woman’s body.

You can also order the complete set from our online store

If you’ve already decided to try a classic metal razor yourself, stop by Rifuzl or just order everything online. You’ll definitely need:

• a Mühle R89 razor (or in rose gold),
• Astra razor blades.

Optionally, you can also order:

• Amon & Anis shaving soap,
• a stainless steel stand for the R89,
• anAmon & Anis shaving brush for applying lather,

If you have any other questions, just “fire away” in the comments below—I’ll be happy to read them and answer to the best of my ability! ?