Why I Decided to Switch to a Cut Throat Razor (Sponsored content from Rhys Hughes)

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Sponsored content from Rhys Hughes

Wednesday July 19 2023, 9:12am

These unique types of razors get their gory name because centuries ago, they were often used as easily-concealed folding knives to quickly dispatch enemies. Mercenaries, murderers and even pirates would use them as a sidearm and to great effect. Fortunately, this isn’t their primary use anymore, in fact I’d be surprised to hear that they are capable of being used as weapons today because they are designed as a tool by modern manufacturers.

These newer versions do still retain much of their traditional appearance, however, and that’s what makes them so appealing as gifts and luxury items. Okay, they cost more than disposable razors, but I’ll be covering more about that below to explain why I switched to a cut throat razor and won’t even come close to going back to disposables.

Traditional razors, and when I say traditional, I mean the types that you find with replaceable heads that have become tradition for modern men (and women), are cheap, easy to use and can be thrown away without much fuss. But they are made from plastic, which isn’t exactly environmentally friendly, and the blades are usually constructed from a high-yield aluminium which remain sharp for just a few uses. When these razors are disposed of, they won’t decompose which can be dreadful for the environment, but nonetheless, they are cheap and do the job and so I can see why they are so popular.

On the other side of the coin, cut throat razors are designed and constructed to last. My one is literally flawless in its manufacture, with a clean, pristine appearance and an edge that can slice paper right down the middle. These types of razors are made using high-density stainless steel, most commonly 440A, which is one of the highest qualities that you can find.

As stainless steel contains carbon, they are made to be strong and durable. Furthermore and unlike with aluminium, stainless steel can be sharpened with minimal fuss. As long as the heat treatment of the cut throat razor was done properly, the edge could be retained for dozens of uses before even coming close to needing to be sharpened again.

So far, we’ve covered the material used in most cut throats (440A stainless steel), but it’s also worth mentioning how easy these tools are to sharpen. Most will feature a bevelled edge to provide for a smoother cut, but also, this can provide a small amount of protection, just in case you slip. This is very hard to do however, because the handle of these blades is designed in a ‘recurve’ manner, especially with the wooden products.

This means that the blade will easily retract when not in use, and then can be flicked out gently using the pivot point at the base of the handle. Some lock into place, but mine doesn’t and this gives me a little extra dexterity when I’m using it, because I can actually fold the blade slightly whilst gliding across my facial hair.

This took some getting used to because the blade is much larger than with a disposable, but the rest of the shaving process is fairly similar to a disposable. First, you’ll want to wet your face thoroughly and then pat it off with a dry, clean towel. Next, apply your shaving foam, or liquid formula. I’ve tried both and they work effortlessly with a cut throat, although I’d give the edge to the liquid gel because it allows you to see where you are cutting more clearly than with white foam.

Start from your sideburns and cut with the grain of your hair growth. This is especially important with a cut throat razor, because they are designed to adhere closely to the skin as they glide along your face shape. The very tip can be used to reach crevices, while the main body of the edge is perfect for cheeks and the chin area.

Small, precision gliding is much more effective than going from top to bottom, as the blade will begin to collect hair and stubble on the underside. This is easy to wipe off however, and although I was using running water to clean the surface in between glides, I actually found that using a small hand towel was more convenient – and when you’re done, the towel can be placed in the washing machine to clear it of any excess follicles.

By modern standards yes, especially when compared to the older designs in existence centuries ago. With that being said, it’s worth noting that this is still a live blade. The steel contains carbon, with is hard and brittle, and so the blade itself won’t easily bend without snapping – and this can add a little extra risk.

In my personal opinion though, there’s nothing quite as manly as using a cut throat razor for a shave. Not only can you get into the deepest recesses with ease and glide across hair efficiently, but the handle is so much more comfortable and convenient than a disposable razor. There are even options to have a handle customised, engraved, or anything in between and this can make a gift even more special.

Ever since getting the chance to put my cut throat to the test, I haven’t used another razor. I have a belt sharpener to remove any burrs from the edges of the blade, and as it folds away neatly, the risk of chipping the very edge is minimal. Throw in the fact that I’ll have the option to use my cut throat for years and years to come, and I have a thoughtful gift that has saved me money buying disposable razors, looks good, feels great and can be easily stored when travelling – although be sure to check if this is allowed, as bladed tools are often considered weapons in some parts of the world.

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