How To Get the Best Shave from your SE
Safety razors used to come with a steep learning curve, until now.
Our new Single Edge SE flattens that curve to almost nothing. It’s as easy to use as your multi-blade while giving you the super close shave of a single edge. Our Nickstop™ Technology protects your skin while 16 precision fins lift and guide your hair to the blade.
It’s the first safety razor that’s actually safe.
Let's get you started with a few quick tips to help you get the most out of your new razor.
Tip#1: Map your Beard Grain
Every man's beard is unique, and every man's beard map is as well. That's why it's important to understand your specific beard pattern before shaving. For detailed instructions on how to map your beard grain, check out this blog.
Why is this important? There are three ways you can shave: with the grain, against the grain, or across the grain. Each has a benefit, depending on your specific beard and skin type.
It's best to start shaving with the grain to avoid irritation and nicks. If after a first pass you need a closer shave, re-lather and shave across the grain or at a 90-degree angle from the grain. Still need it closer? Re-lather and shave across the grain from the opposite direction.
Some people can shave against the grain, but we don’t recommend it if you have sensitive skin.
What if you're not shaving your beard? We still got you. It's still beneficial to map the grain of the area you're going to be shaving in order to get the smoothest shave out there.
Tip #2: Prep Your Skin
Here's a quick rundown of how to properly prep for your shave:
For best results, shave after a hot shower. If you can’t do this, soak your beard, legs, head, or neck with hot water using a towel for a minute or two. This softens your hair and preps your pores for a nice, close shave.
Use a lather with high-quality, natural ingredients (like ours). Canned shaving gel or foam contains alcohol, propellants, and synthetic chemicals that dry out skin and do the exact opposite of protecting it.
Tip #3: Use a sharp blade.
If you're loading a new blade, make sure you do it right. A damaged blade will do damage and tug skin.
Your SE comes pre-loaded with a red "dummy" blade. It's there to make sure you load your first real blade correctly.
To load a new blade, insert the key into the slot on the right side of the head of your razor. Pull back on the slide to pick up a blade. Push it forward and *ping*. A new blade is loaded, and your SE is ready to go.
If you've already shaved a few times and you notice your skin tugging with the blade, it's possible the cutting edge may be damaged. Load a brand new blade, and it should be fixed.
Tip #4: Find the right angle
We know it might sound weird to say that you need to find the best angle for your SE, especially if you’ve been shaving your whole life. But it makes all the difference.
Don’t worry. We’ve made it easy.
The optimum angle for the blade against your skin is 10-15 degrees.
And with the SE it's incredibly easy to know if you've found the perfect angle.
- There's a Supply Logo on the head of your SE.
- Place that logo flat against your cheek.
- Take a few short, light downward strokes.
- If you see "tread marks" from the fins in your shaving cream, your angle is wrong. Start slowly rotating the handle downward until you see that the razor begins to cut hair and sweep the shaving cream completely away.
Once you find the sweet spot, make sure to keep this angle of the razor around the curves and contours of your body. It may take a few shaves to train your muscle memory, but it will become second nature in no time.
Tip #5: No Pressure
Your SE is built like a tank, weighing in at 92 grams. That’s 4X the weight of a razor you’ll find at the drugstore.
So, let the weight do all the work for you. After you find the perfect angle, move your hand in short strokes, and feel it gently sweep away hair across your skin.
Tip #6: Slow, Gentle Passes
You wouldn’t take a tank to a drag race. So, don’t try to set some shaving time record with your SE, at least starting out.
Take slow, controlled, and short passes the first handful of shaves. The fins will act like a kind of “cushion” against your skin. They’ll protect your face while lifting and guiding the hair to the blade.
Tip #7: Keep Experimenting
It’s your razor. It’s your face. Find out what works for you. And most importantly, have fun!
If you're still not getting the hang of it or have any questions, don't hesitate to shoot us an e-mail at help@supply.co.
