Editing Razor (section)

== Straight razors ==
{{further|Straight razor}}
[[File:Wacker Rasiermesser auf Streichriemen.jpg|right|300px|thumb|A straight razor on a leather strop]]
Straight razors with open steel blades, also commonly known as cut-throats, were the most commonly used razors before the 20th century.{{cn|date=May 2025}}

Straight razors consist of a blade sharpened on one edge. The blade can be made of either stainless steel, which is slower to [[honing (metalworking)|hone]] and [[strop]], but it is easier to maintain since it does not stain easily, or high carbon steel, which hones and strops quickly and keeps its edge well, but rusts and stains easily if not cleaned and dried promptly.<ref name="Magazines1992">{{cite journal|author=Hearst Magazines|title=Popular Mechanics|journal=Popular Mechanics Magazine|url=https://books.google.com/books?id=K_iJmn3SHLwC&pg=PA68|date=July 1992|publisher=Hearst Magazines|page=68|issn=0032-4558}}</ref> At present, stainless-steel razors are harder to find than carbon steel, but both remain in production.{{Citation needed|date=March 2022}}

The blade rotates on a pin through its tang between two protective pieces called scales: when folded into the scales, the blade is protected from damage, and the user is protected. Handle scales are made of various materials, including mother-of-pearl, celluloid, bone, plastic, and wood. Once made of [[ivory]], this has been discontinued, although fossil ivory is used occasionally.

===Disposable blade straight razors (known as shavettes) ===

These razors are similar in use and appearance to straight razors, but use disposable blades, either standard double-edged cut in half or specially made single edge. These shavettes are used in the same way as straight razors but do not require stropping and honing.