Issue 13 Preview – Straight Razors John Schwartze Join the Conversation At RECOIL, we review every product fairly and without bias. Making a purchase through one of our links may earn us a small commission, and helps support independent gun reviews. Read our affiliate policy. Find out more about how we test products. Photography by Patrick Vuong Not Just for Mr. Blonde Anymore Many of us may regard straight razors as something from a bygone era, reserved only for old-school barbers near retirement age or as weapons in gangster films … that is, until you actually use one. I have extremely coarse, fast-growing facial hair and practically need to shave twice a day with an electric shaver, or else Bigfoot will start taking pictures of me. The first time I got a straight razor shave I incorrectly assumed, as many people might, that a single blade wouldn’t yield a closer shave than a multi-blade disposable razor. I was way wrong. My face hadn’t felt that smooth since before puberty, and my second-day stubble was on par with what my face felt like after using an electric shaver. We ventured over to Long Beach, California, to have our friend Pedro Zermeno, owner of Razorbacks Barber Shop, show you how to give yourself a damn close shave with a straight razor. He’s been in the business for 27 years, so he knows his way around a sharp instrument. It can be time consuming to go through all the steps, so for most it will just be something you do on weekends to simply enjoy the process. Shaving is usually about as fun as flossing teeth, but here’s a way to turn a daily ritual into something cool with the kind of results that are well worth the effort. Your wife will think so too. Pre-Shaving Prep First off, you’re going to want to work some good pre-shave oil onto your face and follow it up with a good coating of shaving cream. Brand preference is subjective, but something with aloe or vitamin E to soothe, lubricate, and prevent irritation are the types of properties these items should contain. Then, with the cream and oil still applied, lay a moist, hot towel over (or up to) your face. Since we suspect most of you don’t have towel warmers, run a decent-sized washcloth or small towel under very warm water and hold that up to your face and neck for a couple minutes. This helps soften up the face and hair as well as opening up the pores. After you’ve done that, reapply the shave oil and lather. For the rest of this article, subscribe here: RECOIL Issue 13 Why you can trust RECOIL Since our founding in 2012, RECOIL remains the premier firearms lifestyle publication for the modern shooting enthusiast. We deliver cutting-edge coverage of guns, gear, accessories and technology. We go beyond basic reviews, providing no B.S. buyer’s guides, hands-on testing and expert analysis on everything from firearms and survival equipment to watches and vehicles. Our reviewers are the backbone of our operation and come from diverse shooting backgrounds: Former law enforcement, military veterans, competitive shooters, seasoned hunters and plain old firearms enthusiasts. Furthermore, we’re not just gun experts, but dedicated journalists who adhere to the strictest standards of our profession. At RECOIL, editorial independence is the foundation of everything we publish and the cornerstone of reader trust. Our editors, writers and content creators make all editorial decisions independently, free from outside influence. That boils down to: advertisers don’t dictate our coverage, the outcomes of our reviews or what we recommend in our buyer’s guides. First and always, our commitment is to our audience—ensuring every review and article is accurate, unbiased, and driven by real-world experience. Whether you’re selecting your next firearm, upgrading your gear, or exploring the latest innovations in the shooting world, RECOIL provides the trusted insights you need to make informed decisions. Learn more about our Editorial Standards and how we review products. NEXT STEP: Download Your Free Target Pack from RECOILFor years, RECOIL magazine has treated its readers to a full-size (sometimes full color!) shooting target tucked into each big issue. Now we've compiled over 50 of our most popular targets into this one digital PDF download. From handgun drills to AR-15 practice, these 50+ targets have you covered. Print off as many as you like (ammo not included). Get your pack of 50 Print-at-Home targets when you subscribe to the RECOIL email newsletter. We'll send you weekly updates on guns, gear, industry news, and special offers from leading manufacturers - your guide to the firearms lifestyle.You want this. Trust Us.
