Shave your legs straight.
Shaving your legs with a straight razor is hardcore and feminine. It is also surprisingly easy, affordable and promotes a self-care ritual that encourages you to know and love your body.
I initially tried shaving my legs with a straight razor because of my boyfriend. He became a zealot for straigth razor shaving around the same time that I was increasingly annoyed at the price (and packaging) of ‘dispoable’ razors. Even the Venus and Mach 3 which I’ve used don’t seem to last. (Yes, I’m guilty of leaving them in the shower, but whatever.) I kept getting knicks, cuts and irritated skin on my legs and ankles – partly because I would shave in haste and use razors past their prime, but also because with a safety razor I wasn’t paying attention to what I was doing. So one day, I just decided to give it a try.
The next day I was poking around the web and came across a post where a woman joked that her husband loves his straight razor and “if only it works on my legs!” Why not? Because I’ll tell you, it does. It works wonderfully on ladies’ legs (or at least on mine, and I presume by extension, yours).
The feminine side of straight razors.
It sounds all manly, kind of wild even, for someone to shave with a straight razor. Initially I thought of Crocodile Dundee, or The Man With No Name, or some old-timey barber reading the paper in his chair waiting for a clientel that no longer exists. But it turns out, having done it myself, that shaving with a straight razor is actually very feminine and sensual.
The razor itself is a thing of beauty and can be an expression of your personality. An accessory more intimate than shoes and as classy as fountain pens, your straight razor can be quite delicate and elegant. Several antique razors are stunning, and reminiscent of fans and opera glasses.
They can also be really playful and kitschy. For example, the Americana razors are like novelty glasses, while the nudes invoke the classic pin-up girl. Rather than demeaning to women, I think these have a lot of character. In fact, you kind of feel like that pin up girl when you shave – pert, flirty, like maybe you’ve been airbrushed or painted in pastels. Smooth and saucy all at once.
And there’s always corn.
My own razor (below) was custom made using exotic hardwood – pink ivory – and a vintage blade. It is petite, especially compared to some of the ‘meat cleaver’ style razors, and is simply elegant.
The shaving accessories are also delightfully girly. ClassicShaving.com offers mug shaving soap in 15 fragrances, including Vanilla, Violet, Lilac, Rose, Lavender, and Jasmine. I guess a colonial Victorian gentleman was about as feminine as a modern day woman – moreso even. There are also a range of fragrant oils, toners, creams, and balms which can be used after you shave to calm the skin, clean nicks, and moisturize.
The accessories, beyond products, include a soap dish (mug or bowl) and brush. Even if you decide not to use a straight razor, I strongly recommend using a brush and shaving soap to lather on your legs. With the brush, the soap becomes slick and frothy. It is surprisingly light yet stays in place on your skin. You’ll also want a hand towel (terry cloth, cotton, linen, etc) nearby to wipe your razor, and to wrap your legs in (when the towel is wet with hot water).
Also, for the how- to side of things, the best advice is go slow and trust yourself. The angle of the blade should be roughly 30 degrees; too sharp and you’ll feel it scrape the leg, too shallow and you’ll not get a close shave. Another good suggestion is to hold the skin taut with your free hand. There are plenty of forums and videos online which describe and demonstrate technique for holding and caring for your razor. Enjoy!!
December 1, 2008 at 3:57 pm
Where did you get your custom-made razor? I’m looking for a more petite style.
December 4, 2008 at 12:00 am
I’m the one who made Amy’s razor. I have a hobby business refurbishing old razors and welcome inquiries by women interested in straight shaving. I have a variety of woman sized ” girlie” razors for sale. Anyone interested can email me. Thanks
March 27, 2010 at 5:22 am
I am very interested in your razors, Paul. What is your email address? Do you have a website for your business? I’d love to see some pictures.
March 27, 2014 at 1:21 am
If you are still interested, you can reach me at mac2wnation@gmail.com
October 21, 2010 at 1:47 am
Paul,
I would love to buy a woman sized straight razor for my legs. Do you have any for sale?
Kat
March 27, 2014 at 1:22 am
You can reach me at mac2wnation@gmail.com if you are still interested.
December 11, 2012 at 1:54 pm
Paul-
I just found Amy’s post on ladies straight razors and your reply. I too am interested, and like others cannot find you online. Please get in touch with info on purchasing. Great blog, Amy!
March 27, 2014 at 1:20 am
You can reach Paul Macdonald at mac2wnation@gmail.com
April 22, 2009 at 6:40 am
After reading this article, I feel that I really need more information on the topic. Can you share some more resources please?
July 28, 2009 at 9:14 pm
Oh my gosh! I want to try this.
What are some websites I can go to to get more information??
Where did you get your shaving mus, cream, brush, strop or honing device from?
October 28, 2010 at 6:24 pm
Not sure if you’re still looking for shaving gear, but in my more recent post (on shaving alter egos) I’ve included some links to online resources. They’re geared to men, but as I say, the products are quite lovely.
October 31, 2009 at 9:40 am
i would like to buy one ..i’ve always thought it would be a great environmental thing to do…paul how do i email u? do you have pics of your girlie razors?
March 27, 2014 at 1:23 am
If you are still interested, you can reach me at mac2wnation@gmail.com
February 8, 2010 at 7:35 pm
I am so amazed at how interesting the stuff is on this web page. I have written down this web page and I really plan on visiting the site in the upcoming days. Great job keep up the excellent work!
February 19, 2010 at 4:12 pm
Thank you. I’ve neglected the blog a bit lately, but thanks to comments like this, will be taking it back up with posts every 2 weeks, at least, so please check back for new content. As always – feedback is appreciated. cheers &etc.
February 19, 2010 at 2:32 pm
Is anyone using this safely for under arms?
February 19, 2010 at 4:11 pm
I’m not sure if anyone uses straight razors for the underarm. It seems a tricky area, and you would have to be ambidextrous to be able to do each arm. Plus there is the risk of cuts… Personally, I cheat and use cheap razors with disposable heads for that area.
If you do try it, let us know how it works out.
March 24, 2013 at 9:32 am
I do, works perfectly fine although I am fairly flexible and can typically flatten my underarm for a decent shave.
July 30, 2014 at 7:59 pm
Thanks for the input Merlee. So it can be done. ~A
February 20, 2010 at 11:24 pm
Wow! what an idea ! What a concept ! Stunning .. Remarkable
February 21, 2010 at 2:19 am
I really like when people are expressing their opinion and thought. So I like the way you are writing
February 22, 2010 at 12:18 am
[…] Posted by acerve under I like it, Style, shaving [2] Comments Given how popular my previous entry on using straight razors for shaving was, I have decided to put together a little ditty on shave straight alter egos based on […]
March 8, 2010 at 10:27 am
Which Word Press theme are you using?
March 16, 2010 at 3:35 pm
“connections” by Patricia Muller w/ customized header (art by Adam Stennett)
March 15, 2010 at 12:48 pm
I normally don’t post in Blogs but your web log forced me to, amazing work.. gorgeous …
November 1, 2010 at 9:12 pm
Ohh, it looks dangerous. I think our grandparents had problems with shaving.
November 15, 2010 at 1:48 am
[…] want to try it out. Think I’m totally nuts? I’m not the only woman considering shaving my legs with a straight razor. Pictures of our awesome old fashioned shaving kits and reviews coming […]
July 30, 2014 at 6:48 pm
Thanks.
December 21, 2010 at 12:58 am
I certainly agree that shaving our legs is an easy and has some ideal result. But this procedure give me hell of itchiness.
November 11, 2011 at 5:04 pm
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July 30, 2014 at 6:52 pm
Thanks!
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February 26, 2012 at 5:11 pm
Love your blade, where did you get it?
July 30, 2014 at 6:54 pm
My blade was a custom made gift from craftsman Paul Macdonald. If you’re interested, I’m sure he’d be happy to hear from you: mac2wnation@gmail.com
May 23, 2012 at 8:29 pm
If you could email me with a few hints about how you made this website look this good, I would appreciate it.
May 14, 2013 at 10:09 pm
I’ve always been curious about women who shave their legs with straight razors. I’ve always heard the advice to wear shoes while shaving with a straight razor in case we drop the razor.
When you shave your legs do you not have to worry about dropping the straight razor?
July 30, 2014 at 6:46 pm
This is an interesting point. Personally, I do not wear shoes when shaving my legs.
Instead, I find one of the key things to do when shaving legs is to go slow. Take your time, build your confidence, and avoid tricky areas that might make you fear dropping the razor or slipping your grip, at least when you are starting out.
If you’re concerned about dropping the razor, there are other options to shoes. If shoes work for you – go ahead. However, if I were to wear something on my feet, likely they would be water shoes. An even better alternative – since shoes may feel clumsy or gross when wet – would be to wrap your foot (or other area you wish to protect) tightly in a warm damp towel.
Thanks for your interest!
~A
May 14, 2013 at 10:12 pm
Reblogged this on buystraightrazors and commented:
In case you thought straight razors are only for men…think again!!! If you didn’t know it there are women who shave with straight razors. From what I’ve read they tend to switch to straight razors for the same reasons as men. Tired of the high cost of disposable razors, shaving irritation, etc. I really enjoyed reading this blog post. I hope you enjoy too!
August 8, 2013 at 4:33 pm
Improved visibility means improved search engine giant — at least 5 X.
July 30, 2014 at 6:15 am
I know this blog is 6 years old, but wondering if the same holds true shaving legs as it does with shaving a mans face. Should we shave in the same direction as the hair grows? I was always taught to go against and I’m too fearful of being mistaken for Sasquatch to switch it up and leave hair!
July 30, 2014 at 7:51 pm
Hello – Thanks for your interest & question. As a woman, I don’t focus much on facial hair.
When shaving legs, yes – I go against the grain. So if the hair grows down, I shave up. There are some trickier areas (for me, the knees) where I don’t fret about which direction the hair grows, and simply do whatever angle works. It is important to remember that your razor is sharp, and important for a close shave are 1) how you hold your razor, and 2) getting a good lather. So while you shave against the hairs (similar to waxing), you’ll want to do so at an angle where the razor is not too shallow nor too perpendicular to the shaving surface (I find about 30-45 degrees works). Also, the lather that you’ve worked up on your leg will ideally be a frothy, airy lather which will help lift hairs from skin to facilitate a smooth shave.
This is true whether you use a brush to work up lather from shaving soap and creams, or instead use a canned foam, or just quickly later up soap or shower gel that’s on hand. I recommend using a brush and shaving soap. Entry prices for these items are pretty low if you’re not sure you want to invest in a fancy badger brush right away. As for shaving soaps and creams, prices can vary a lot; however, in my opinion you get better product for your money from a men’s shaving retailer compared to drugstore brands. I like the lilac, rose and lavendar soaps and find that the lathers don’t ever feel tacky or sticky during or after use.
A few things to note:
As with all things, feel free to do a small test area first.
If you have particularly coarse or thick hair, you may need to rinse off the razor more often as you shave and work in smaller patches until you feel steady and comfortable with your hand and contours.
Take your time and don’t do anything that doesn’t feel comfortable. Work your way up to tricky areas (e.g. ankles, knees) and touch up those areas with a safety razor.
Product matters. Work up a good lather and reapply if it has deflated before you got to that area.
Product with high levels of alcohol will dehydrate the skin. I prefer a gentle shaving soap. There are a lot of shaving products, like skin balms, pre-shave lathers, and after shave toners which may be worth considering if your skin is irritable. Some product from men’s shaving retailers are available in sample sizes, and others are inexpensive to begin with. While Roger&Gallet, Geo.F.Trumper and Crabtree & Evelynn make excellent luxury shaving product, I use and like shaving staples such as Thayers alcohol free toner (rose petal witch hazel: <$10) and Classic Shaving mug soap (comes in many scents: <$5).
If you’re looking for advice on men’s shaving, I suggest visiting some great sites and forums for just that: Badger & Blade; TheShaveDen or Straight Razor Place. There are certainly others, and tutorial videos on youtube as well.
have a great shave!
~A
September 2, 2014 at 12:11 am
Did you go straight from disposables to your straight razor, or did a safety razor w/refillable blades work as an “in-between” or part of the learning curve for you?
September 2, 2014 at 6:10 pm
I went directly to straight razors. The big transition forced me to be careful and attentive. That said, using a safety razor is a great transition, especially because there is less upkeep involved in maintaining your equipment (e.g. no stropping).
August 21, 2015 at 8:10 pm
Zipp Mist isn’t just for men anymore. The innovative shaving mist that all but eliminates uncomfortable and unsightly razor burn now has a close cousin – Zipp Mist for women.
Developed after five years of intensive research, Zipp Mist is a combination of special oils and skin conditioners that gives men a close, comfortable shave in less than half the time it takes to shave with traditional shaving cream.
The women’s version has the same oils and moisturizers and comes in an almost identical, easy-to-use spray bottle – with two notable exceptions. The label for the women’s version is slightly different, featuring a pink “Z” rather than a blue one, and Zipp Mist for women has a higher percentage of olive oil than the original.
Just as Zipp Mist serves a dual purpose for men – setting up whiskers for a smooth shave in the morning and moisturizing the skin all day – it has more than one application for women. They can use it to shave their legs or as a deep, hydrating moisturizer for dry skin – or both.
Mark Goodson spent five years of his life finding the combination of oils and skin moisturizers that would give him and millions of other men a smooth, comfortable shave. Now women can enjoy the fruits of his labor as well.
December 7, 2015 at 5:56 pm
If you have a great shaving solution the razor isn’t that important. I developed Zipp Mist out of necessity. I have sensitive skin, and I couldn’t shave my face without suffering with uncomfortable and unsightly razor burn. I spent five years coming up with the perfect combination of soothing oils and skin conditioners, and it was well worth the effort, for me and for the millions of men who now benefit from my game-changing shaving product.
And, as it turns out, for the women who have discovered my innovative product’s close cousin.
Zipp Mist for women is similar to Zipp Mist for men, with a few notable exceptions. It contains a higher percentage of olive oil, and its label is slightly different, featuring a pink “Z” rather than the blue “Z” that adorns the spray bottle of the original product.
Otherwise, both products serve a dual purpose: providing a close, clean and comfortable shave and moisturizing your skin during and long after you are finished shaving. Many women have discovered that they can use Zipp Mist for women to shave their legs or as a deep, hydrating moisturizer for dry skin – or both.
Zipp Mist for women is easy to use.
It is most effective if you apply it after you shower.
Simply spray on a quick mist and rub in into your skin.
The bottle is small enough to carry in a purse and use during the day.
It’s obvious that Zipp Mist isn’t just for men anymore. Now women can take advantage of all the benefits offered by a product destined to change the way men shave.