You might think that shaving with a safety razor is a mystery best left to the past. But that would be crazy talk. More and more men are discovering the art of a great shave by going back to the basics of blade, brush, and razor. In fact, a traditional, wet shave was a way to get a fabulous shave decades ago that still holds true today. If you are wondering if a safety razor is as versatile as your cartridge, we think you will be pleasantly surprised.  What is Against the Grain? Shaving like any new hobby or skill comes with a fun new vocabulary. From shorthand acronyms to phrases to tech ..read more

Whether you are eighteen or eighty, male or female, daily shaver or infrequent wielder, if you shave, you can benefit from the wonders of wet shaving. Yep, there really is a great reason to start wet shaving, namely, your skin will thank you.  That’s right. Wet shaving has so many advantages but we think the most important and life-enhancing benefit is that it is just better for your skin.  While Wet Shaving is good for. . . Your budget. It’s simple. Using a durable razor that lasts and simply replacing the inexpensive double blades is much less costly (pennies per shave, really) t ..read more

Wet Shaving Methods   Men’s grooming, wet shaving, traditional shaving. Whatever you call it, the practices of shaving, personal hygiene, and self-care have been around for a while. The resurgence of interest in older methods in recent decades has created some rabid fans and followers. But what about contemporary shaving practices? Is there a place for the cartridge razor?    (Note: For our purposes, we will define the methods as follows: traditional wet shaving method is creating a lather with a shaving brush on a specifically designed shaving soap and shaving with a safety raz ..read more

For those who are beginning this wet shaving journey, there are so many new techniques, tools, and tricks to learn that you may feel overwhelmed. Never fear! With just a little bit of practice, you can be getting the best shaves of  your life.  Learning to create a good lather for your shaving brush will provide so many benefits to your wet shaving journey. Investing some time in learning to obtain a properly lubricating and protective whip will be time well-spent. Lathering Your Shaving Brush and Pre-Shave Tips   Let’s get ready Shaving Brush - choose a brush in synthetic o ..read more

Learning to strop a straight razor might feel intimidating, but West Coast Shaving breaks it down. Stropping is something that is done every time before you go to you use a straight razor. It doesn’t have to be intimidating and it isn’t hard to do. It can be accomplished with just one try/lesson.  Why do we strop a straight razor? Let’s start with the “why” of stropping before we tackle the “how”. The theory is that stropping aligns the blade. (In the same way you use steel on a knife, it doesn’t remove metal or sharpen but it straightens it.) When you shave, you create microscopic nicks ..read more

Shaving brushes come in so many colors, textures, sizes, and hair grades. It can be overwhelming. Let's break it down. Here is a look at the variety of hair types and their benefits.   Types of Hair and Knot on Shaving Brushes Boar Hair In general, boar has a lot of potential for those who can stick with it. Boar hair changes over time as it gets “broken in”. With repeated use, the strands split. And, in this case, split ends are good. They help to soften the shaving brush and add to its character. A boar hair shaving brush does tend to be more scritchy/scratchy with a nice exfolia ..read more

Once upon a time in 2007, a new convert to wet shaving had an idea. Why not package together a variety of different double edge razor blades in small packs and sell them to new shavers so they could practice finding their perfect match? Out of a two bedroom condo in Southern California,  West Coast Shaving was born. Since that first package went out, West Coast Shaving has been about more than just products. They are committed to educating as well. So, how do you choose the razor blade that is right for you?  Check out this quick video on our DE Blade Sample Pack, Choice.  *cont ..read more

Whether you chose the beard life or the beard life chose you, we will always recommend maintaining that beard properly. With the right products and maintenance, that beard can rock some pretty sweet benefits. Research shows that men with beards are more reliable, more attractive, and healthier. I mean, who can argue with science? (Erm, maybe don’t answer that.) Beards can also make you look more mature and hide facial flaws like acne scars or pigment unevenness.  So creating sharp beard lines and keeping your face forest clean and trimmed is important. And one of the best tools to achieve ..read more

Opinions on the “best” way to shave can be argued for days by knowledgeable shavers on all sides, but sometimes, you want to know some reasons for the different shaving techniques. If you’ve ever looked at a straight razor and wondered “why”? Let us tell you a bit about why many aficionados choose that hunk of sharpened steel.   We won’t claim this is an exhaustive or definitive list, or even that others might argue persuasively against some of these points; however, here are a few reasons why many shavers choose the “cut-throat” way. Straight Razor for the Cleanest shave Straight ra ..read more

Now that you’ve fallen in love with wet shaving, you can’t go back. So, how do you take your shaving den on-the-go? A little bit of planning and a pinch of ingenuity will make your trip a breeze.   Traveling with Razor & Blade How to travel with your safety razor and blades is probably the biggest question you will face. Can you take your tools through security checkpoints? Metal detectors? Checked or carry-on baggage? By air If you are checking your baggage, then this is a simple answer. Yes, you can pack both your razor and blades in a suitcase that is checked under the plane ..read more