Matt's Beard vs. Cold Water One Pass with Straight Razor Beginner Wet Shave 

You're an absolute genius with the cold water shave. I have the most sensitive skin in the world.... this worked.

hey matt, i just ordered the starter kit for $69 bucks i am 59 years old i have always wanted a straight Razor so i finally bought one , ill give it a try

Great camera work, Matt (+Marisa). You have full coverage of the scene. The face-only view you see on other channels misses so much of the action. Even though you use specific techniques, you're never dogmatic. It's not about "doing it right", it's about demonstrating different options to help the viewer dial in their individual shave. I don't know your back story, but you come off as a workshop guy and not a sales guy. I got no goatee, no mustache, bur you're making me consider getting a straight razor just for my sideburns.

5 years later and still a great video, cheers matt!

Great job on that cold water shave, Matt. I have been shaving with straights for about three years now, but I only shave with them on Saturdays. Cold water is what I use for all my shaves, and shaving with both hands is a great tip. I enjoyed your video on stropping, too.

Great video ! Very very useful for straight razor demonstration

Hi Matt. I’m new to straight razor shaving. I have a half dozen shaves under my belt. I absolutely love it. I have a Böker 1056 with the same spine work as your Heknels. I also am a rinser. We have so much in common. I’m 6’7” and a professional saxophonist. I learned a lot from this video. Thanks for all the hard work in bringing us great quality videos. It doesn’t go unnoticed. I hope to meet you at the BSE if you plan to be there. The goatee looks great. Thanks again.

superb presentation!

This just upped my shave game at least 2x Thanks!

I started shaving with a straight razor about 2 weeks ago mostly out of boredom. I lined up my beard around the neckline and I was like hmmm... that's rather efficient. I decided to shave off my beard and see if could handle the task. I'd had it since October so it was probably 10x as long as yours and bushier due to my hair type. Small short strokes to start it off and it peeled right off. I was flabbergasted! Lol nice video. Also just a slight difference, I do not rinse the blade. I simply wipe off the cream and hair into a paper towel so I (or in your case, wifey) don't have to do a pre rinse on the towel before the wash. Simply toss the paper towel in the trash.

You look like Will Wheaton.

Alright, problem fixed lol. actually I am glad you replied with this video as I have a straight razor that should show up in the mail this week so this helps a bunch and the cold water concept I will be trying also

Nice video and many times I also just do one pass. It feels good enough and it's also a faster shave.

Thanks for the tips. The cold water really helps.

Matt: It felt almost criminal watching you lose a well kept beard but was also great seeing you slice through using a straight razor. The audio was good too, I hear my vintage American 11/16" full-hollow straight sing to me all the time. I'm new to the straight razor shaving, got my 3rd full-face shave in last night. Wife says she'll leave me if I ever shave off my ''stache again, must have looked pretty hideous or perhaps reminded her of her clean-shaven dad, maybe too young, I don't know but my 'stache remains. Used warm towels for years, only in recent weeks have I been finding cold water shaves to be a bit more comfortable at times. With spring springing and temps climbing I'm sure to get more in. Been warm bowl lathering for some time since coming back to DEs after decades absence. Finding face lathering works better especially when straight razor shaving. Thanks for yet another great video, tell Marissa thanks too for helping make these possible and Tif' for helping nudge me enough to finally taking the straight razor on. Great work, all of you!

Thanks Matt... This was fun to watch. I am only 3 Straight Razor Shaves in.. Watching tons a videos learning better techniques :)

I use my right hand exclusively. I have thought about trying left hand, as I only use a safety razor now. But the difficulty dissuades me every time after a few strokes.

I know what u mean, sometimes when I shave my left side, I use my right hand and hold it like a Japanese razor.

I enjoy a cold water shave as well. It's the only method I've found that doesn't irritate my neck.

I'm clean shaven & I prefer electric shavers over a straight razor; absolutely no chance of cutting yourself, even though I have contemplated using one.

note-hot h20 was a royal PIA 100 odd years ago! haha. hence cold shave

Good job. I had white knuckles while you talked, shaved and were being videoed . This makes you look more distinguished.

I use hot foam, cold water. i feel the cold water keeps the edge of the blade a little more rigid and skin a little more tight so it doesn't catch the blade as easily.

great video. Can you explain the concept of cold water shaving and also the way to hold the straight razor.

Excited to try a straight razor. Only thing they have here in Iraq while I'm deployed is cheap $3 straight handles and disposable razors. I've hurt my face a lot but I've gotten a lot better! Either you make it look super easy, or having a solid straight razor is just a better product overall. I'm sure it's a bit of both.

Love the new look Matt! I may have to drop Peyten off at the store one day when we are in PHX so you can teach him the in's and out's of shaving so he can find something he likes and will be comfortable; product and razor. He is looking beastly @ 17! Hope to see you soon Georgia.....

Great video! Random question: Matt, could you tell me what styling product you use on your hair?

I just did my second straight razor shave - definitely improved since the first, took more off with it and less finishing with the safety razor after. But... the chin area is still too much to handle! How do you get around the nobbles of a chin?!

Which shaving cream did you use?

Thanks not that I straight shave, but if things happen and safety razors cannot be supplied nice to know how. I watched a pro shop guy do it, but it not really gave me advice self shaving though lots advice whiskers and shaving shit. Though you reiterated that and gave personal self tips I appreciated. As I was always had shaving soap and brush since 16. Soft water good soap is good starting base, then good quality brush. My soap I stuff in a mug and stay there, so never get other hand messy and near boiling water for lather and shave in the another mug. When take cutting strokes then rinse off whiskers and soap in hot water mug for next round. I watched your blade angle closely and advice on difficult areas. Like your strop video I liked both and absorbed your advice thank you, very direct pleasant and no bull shit or stupid music. I liked both videos, I have in mug element to heat water to near boiling for shaving, hot water gives better shave and soften hair and longer shave blade life, if I not rush I get a BBS shave, even my dad commented on how smooth I get. Dipping in hot water washing soap keeps metal hot and helps in shaving process. Hot water mug has coaster to retain mug temp longer, as all these little things is what makes a good shave brilliant. Always need to shave daily and if going out a second shave to take off wire stubble for visual and ladies if an event.Though getting pricey so straight shave may take control, cheers and thank Matt

sorry but i am looking forward to the answer. I'm a big fan of vintage things, especially about this vintage razor. it fascinates me and makes me want to create something special but Vietnam is nothing but the stories told by my ancestors. I am missing information about steel process and material (steel type). I tried consulting some people like LEWIS RAZORS. but that's still not enough, I failed several times. PLEASE . WHAT IS THE BEST MATERIAL FOR 1 Razor.And IMPORTANT INFORMATION? I REALLY THANK YOU

is there alternative for stroping if you don't have leather?

As a right handed man my left side with the left hand is easier cuz I’m so scared to cut myself that the razor angle seems to be easier to make and pressure is very light cuz I’m timid lol

"Shavecam"? LOLOL

What is the brand of your Shaving Brush?

Hi Matt, when you touch your skin after shave is it smooth in all directions? When I shave with straight razor I have to go upwards to get desired result and my skin is all red and cut. So I switch to safety razor. Still need to go upwards but results are a little better. Thanks!

Does anyone know if a cold water shave dulls a straight quicker than hot water?

Hi Matt. Great video! I've been experimenting with a straight razor on & off for some time and cannot get the smooth results that the expensive & disposable shaves provide. Is the end result of your shaves with a straight razor 'as smooth as a newborn's bottom' or is living with micro stubble just a part of the experience? (Note: I did watch your video on Stropping, and for the most part; I have that part solid - though there are two techniques you've mentioned that I have started trying.) Looking forward to hearing from you!

my brush is a badger

I know this is a very old video, but I have a question. Isn't a bore brush better suited for long beards? I mean, being stiffer than badger, you would have had less of an issue to really bring the lather down inside the hair. Am I right?

You make it look easy, you have beautiful skin. Do you do everything the same if you have a super thick beard? Great video. Your a good looking man

What's the podcast he mentioned? I'm girl and just got a straight razor for my body! I want to hear the experiences of other women

Sir I actually think you look better with the beard but awesome video

I'm fourteen and I have been shaving for about a year and I have only ever used a straight razor never used a cartridge razor. But I'd like to expand my collection but I'm looking for a nice inexpensive safety razor any suggestions?

Cold water? I'd never tried it myself

what brand is the badger brush you use in the video?

Tony Stark

What would happened if you shave a beard at the begining in opposite direction - from down to up and not from up to down (against grow direction)?

You don't have much for straight edge products on your website

Beard clipping before shaving is never a bad idea. far less potential irritation.

You make straight razor shaving look easy, i've tried 3 times and i've been dissapointed, is the learning curve very big? i guess i'll stick to DE shaving.

The razor I purchased from Amazon cost me 50 bucks, it feel sharp but it doesn't cut my beard, I can't shave with it. How do I get it sharp enough to shave my beard? Where can I purchase a good quality shave ready straight edge razor? Do you have a link I can go to?

I can tell when I nick myself, BLOOD!

i dont use any water

Apparently he wears Thierry Mugler cologne.

thiery mugler angel men uuuaaaaahhhhhh

Thierry Mugler A Men

That's a good woman that uses a straight razor on her legs.

Why does he look like that guy in the “A Way Out” video game

Matt why did you contradict one of your other do and don't video. You said not to ever put your straight razor under the fossit.you did in this video

I was hoping he'd do a ketchup prank or something along his neck.. but I guess it is an educational video ha

6:43 you're welcome.

That’s not a beard, it’s a chin strap