The History of Shaving and the Blade Bar’s Place in It

The Sansnik Blade Bar marks a bold leap in this journey, replacing messy creams with a solid, irritation-free lubricant that delivers smooth shaves without redness. Designed for multi-blade razors, it offers clear visibility and eco-friendly benefits, redefining modern shaving. This exploration traces shaving’s past and shows how the Blade Bar, paired with the AfterBlade Bar, fits into its future.

Ancient Beginnings

Shaving dates back to prehistoric times, when early humans used sharpened flint or seashells to scrape away hair for hygiene or ritual. Painful but effective. By 3000 BCE, Egyptians began crafting copper razors, shaving heads and faces to signify status, often using oils or animal fats as lubricants. Ancient Greeks and Romans followed, with bronze and iron straight razors, applying water-soaked cloths to soften hair. These early methods, while effective, were time-consuming and risky, often causing nicks or infections due to crude tools and minimal lubrication. Medieval methods were yet worse, with most often people often using crude knives and animal fats for lubricant. 

The Rise of Shaving Creams

Beginning in the 14th century, the razor began gaining popularity with the single bladed straight razor. While similar to the cutting instruments used throughout the roman and medieval eras, straight razors marked an improvement in the safety and more importantly, precision, of the cutting blade. The 19th century ushered in the advancement of the razor with the introduction of the safer razors. At about this time, shaving creams also emerged, designed to compliment the single blade design by lubricating the skin at the point where the blade made contact. These foamy mixtures, applied by brush or hand, reduced nicks and irritation, becoming a staple for generations. By the mid-20th century, aerosol cans made creams convenient, but their environmental toll—landfill waste and propellant gases—grew evident, as did their limitations with evolving razor technology.

Modern Challenges

The late 20th century introduced multi-blade razors, promising closer shaves but exposing creams’ flaws. Our testing revealed that creams, designed for single blades, struggle with multi-blade systems. As modern razors glide along your skin, shaving cream is pushed away by the edge of the protective razor head, rather than the edge of your blade. This means, in most situations, your razor’s blades remain under lubrication and your skin less protected. This remains a particular issue for those of us with sensitive skin who require extra protection for greater comfort. Foams and gels also obscure visibility and force you to only use single passes with your razor, unless you’re willing to reapply cream for a second pass. In addition to this, shaving creams use bulky packaging, leave rust rings behind in your bathroom, and are less than stellar at travel. Why should your shaving lubricant shrink when you travel? 

The Blade Bar’s Innovation

To rectify these issues, we developed the Sansnik Blade Bar, a solid lubricant that reimagines shaving for the 21st century. Unlike creams, it’s applied directly to multi-blade razors via a process of stropping (see Going In-Depth: Stropping Techniques) which coats blades with a clear lubricant for consistent glide. This no-mess approach ensures visibility, eliminating missed spots, and allows for unparalleled freedom with how you shave, independent from comfort. Shave over the same spot without any razor burn or irritation. Its water-friendly design works with wet skin and razors, requiring only light wetting of the bar—never soaking—to avoid an over-soft bar (see How Does Water Affect Your Shave?).

The Blade Bar’s eco-friendly edge shines through its biodegradable ingredients and minimal packaging, leaving no trace unlike aerosol cans. It mounts securely in your shower for months, ready for daily use (see Going In-Depth: Sticking and Troubleshooting), and pairs with the AfterBlade Bar, a water-activated balm with natural ingredients (see FAQ) for unparalleled post-shave smoothness. Compact and travel-ready (dry and store flat), it simplifies routines while protecting the planet.

Image: Blade Bar mounted in shower, next to vintage razor display.

A New Era of Shaving

From flint to foams, shaving has always evolved to meet human needs. The Blade Bar writes the next chapter, blending precision, comfort, and sustainability. Ready to join the revolution? Discover the Blade Bar and AfterBlade Bar at Sansnik’s website and experience a cleaner, greener shave.

Keywords: Blade Bar, history of shaving, eco-friendly shaving, multi-blade razors, AfterBlade Bar