How to Use Your Complete Shaving Kit

How to Use Your Complete Shaving Kit

A step-by-step guide to your first proper wet shave.

What's in the Kit

Badger Hair Shaving Brush Handmade, natural badger bristles
Wooden Shaving Bowl Handmade in the Southern Highlands
Artisan Shaving Soap Handmade with coconut oil
Double Edge Safety Razor With blade sampler pack
Wave XL Stand Keeps everything organised and dry

About Your Badger Brush

Each brush has roughly 20,000 individual hairs hand-tied into the knot. You'll notice some bristle shedding in the first few uses — that's normal. Shorter hairs working their way out.

Breaking it in: Give the brush a thorough rinse with warm water before your first use. It'll soften and perform better the more you use it.

Your First Shave

1. Preparation

Start with the hottest water your skin can comfortably handle. A warm shower is ideal — the heat softens your facial hair and opens pores. This is the single biggest thing you can do for a comfortable shave.

2. Get your tools ready

Rinse your badger brush under warm water and squeeze out the excess. You want it damp, not dripping. Have your shaving soap and bowl ready.

3. Build your lather

Work your damp brush on the soap using a back-and-forth motion (not circular). The friction transforms the soap into a thick, meringue-like lather. Take your time here — good lather is the foundation.

Polymer bowl: Drop the soap tin directly in.
Wooden bowl: Remove the puck and place it in.

Once you've got rich lather on the brush, apply it to your face in circular motions. The brush lifts the hairs and works the lather in. If you want thicker lather, keep working the soap longer and add small amounts of water as you go.

For the full breakdown on technique and troubleshooting, see our complete lathering guide.

4. Shave

The key rule: let the weight do the work. The harder you press, the more the razor cuts into your skin. Guide it — don't force it. Use the same angle as a disposable, but much lighter touch.
  • Start by shaving with the grain (direction of hair growth)
  • Short, confident strokes
  • Both sides of the blade work equally
  • Rinse the razor frequently to keep the blade clear

5. Second and third passes (optional)

For a closer shave, re-lather and do additional passes:

  1. Second pass: Across the grain
  2. Third pass: Gently against the grain — takes practice, no rush

Each pass needs fresh lather. Your soap will have plenty.

6. Finish

Rinse your face with cool water, pat dry. Consider an aftershave balm or moisturiser if your skin needs it.

Care & Storage

After every shave

  1. Rinse the brush thoroughly — get all the lather out
  2. Rinse the razor, shake off excess water
  3. Drain any standing water from around the soap

Using your Wave XL Stand

  • Hang the brush bristles-down for airflow
  • Bowl sits at the base
  • Razor goes in the holder at the back

Everything dries properly between uses. That's the point of the stand.

Finding Your Blade

Your kit includes a sampler pack of different blade brands. Each one feels slightly different — some sharper, some smoother. Try each type for a few shaves before judging it. The blade that suits your skin and hair type makes a real difference.