"STAG tramples all over landfill-bound plastic disposables with its wood and chrome safety razor. It has a longevity that will save money over disposable razors (and looks so much better too)" - Clearly Magazine.Last year (2017) STAG received huge praise in the press for an ambitious vision of a plastic-free world of shaving. Grooming Mail recognised the difference STAG could make by replacing the all singing all dancing plastic shaving disposables plastered all over our TV...

"STAG tramples all over landfill-bound plastic disposables with its wood and chrome safety razor. It has a longevity that will save money over disposable razors (and looks so much better too)" - Clearly Magazine.

Last year (2017) STAG received huge praise in the press for an ambitious vision of a plastic-free world of shaving. Grooming Mail recognised the difference STAG could make by replacing the all singing all dancing plastic shaving disposables plastered all over our TV screens.

STAG continues to drive change. We're Leading The Herd in the shaving industry and we're proud to be making a difference.

Why is Plastic a Problem?

The world is facing a devastating problem, one that is both a huge threat to both our wildlife and sea life.

Plastic only really hit our high streets in the 1950's, but back then it was a new phenomenon, a convenient revolution of long lasting packaging with an inconvenient secret.

Amazingly, plastic is durable that every piece ever manufactured in any form STILL exists today. That includes every (billions) disposable shaving razor ever produced, disposable shaving canister, aerosol and other bathroom accessories. Scary, huh?

In fact, an estimated 8.3 billion tonnes of plastic has been produced to date (Science Advances by industrial ecologist Dr Roland Geyer, from the University of California). Of this, around 10 million tonnes hits sea fill.

Incredibly, shaving products are thought to be the seventh largest contributor to this disease that is consuming our Planet.

So WHEN will it disappear?

The truth is, we just don't know.

In fact, no piece of plastic has yet biodegraded. So, the truth is, we can only guess as to when it will.

Best estimates suggest that plastic could take up to 1,000 years to biodegrade. Even then, we're unsure as to what the longer term effects may be.

Marine life such as Turtles will continue to struggle to distinguish between plastic bags and jellyfish, for example. This in turn, once consumed, causes internal blocks and may result in death. Larger pieces of plastic such as disposable shaving razors and canisters can damage the digestive systems of sea birds and whales, and can be potentially fatal.

The effect on humans of eating fish containing plastic is still largely unknown.

Our vision

Whilst choosing plastic is just that - a choice, ultimately it is convenience that we choose.

We wanted to bring a viable alternative to the market.

Shaving is an art, passed down by generations for two hundred years. For decades now, plastic disposables and plastic cartridge razors have grown to overtake the traditional wet shave. However, in recent years, this trend has slowed and the double edge safety razor has made an overwhelming comeback.

STAG Safety Razors offer a durable solution to the plastic multi cartridge alternative. A razor built to last, Safety Razors use recyclable stainless steel double edge razor blades that are also up to ten times cheaper than cartridges, saving you a fortune in the long run.

Our vision is to be Britain's Best Shave. A fantastic morning shave that is both kind to the skin and leaves you feeling reinvigorated for the day ahead. We believe our beautifully handcrafted environmentally friendly shaving collection fits the bill. We're proud of our products, and we know that you'll be even prouder to own them whilst knowing you're helping to make a huge difference to the world.

Why our handmade shaving collection is the perfect gift for him.Buying a gift for him has become increasingly difficult, Plastic gizmos and gadgets are so 1990's. Nobody wants a DVD when you have Netflix. Buying a meaningful present for him has become Mission Impossible.Perhaps it's Valentines Day, Fathers Day, or maybe you're just feeling generous. But when it comes to it, you're stumped for ideas. It's not often you get that look on his face when the wrapping paper is torn away and he...

Why our handmade shaving collection is the perfect gift for him.

Buying a gift for himhas become increasingly difficult, Plastic gizmos and gadgets are so 1990's. Nobody wants a DVD when you have Netflix. Buying a meaningful present for him has become Mission Impossible.

Perhaps it's Valentines Day, Fathers Day, or maybe you're just feeling generous. But when it comes to it, you're stumped for ideas. It's not often you get that look on his face when the wrapping paper is torn away and he sees what he's got. And this time you want the gift to be extra special.

Sometimes buying off the supermarket shelf just doesn't do it anymore. Buying him something he's already got, you don't want this year's birthday present to be forgotten about only to gather dust in the spare room.

But what if you could buy him something that you can't buy on the shelf. Something that was made by hand in a small workshop in the North of England. Something that would make his mornings fantastic again. We think we might have EXACTLY what you're looking for, and more...

Here are some reasons why we think the Stag Safety Razor is perfect gift for him for any occasion:

1. The Ultimate Man Tool.

"What is it!" he asks, as he has only ever been accustomed to plastic flimsy shaving toys from the supermarket.

The Safety Razor is the Alpha of all Man belongings. It's a statement that says both yes, I have smoother, richer and softer skin than you; accompanied by, and I used the sharpest more dangerous of Man's tools to get there.

The Safety Razor has a rich history over the last two centuries.

During World War I, Gillette worked out a deal with the U.S. Armed Forces to provide Gillette safety razors and blades to every enlisted man or officer on his way to Europe as part of his standard-issue gear. By the end of the war, some 3.5 million razors and 32 million blades were put into military hands.

The Safety Razor immediately founded a reputation of lofty Alpha symbolism.

2. A better morning.

Every Man loves a new toy or gadget. In the modern era, it seems quality has made a long awaited comeback over quantity. Mass produced consumerism has begun to take a back seat as landfill plastic fads become less desirable.

So where do we turn? We turn the clocks back. Back to our grandfather's time. An era when British made quality was adored the world over. If it was Made in Britain, it was made to last.

We believed in minimal, but maximum durability. It's about having a new toy to be proud of that we know will stand the test of time. Something that takes pride in its home.

This is even more than a new gadget, it's a new ritual. A change to his morning shave that will make his mornings fantastic again.

No more dreading those nasty shaves with irritating amateur supermarket gimmicks. It's time that he looked forward to mornings again.

A better morning sets you up for a better day ahead. A better morning starts with feeling refreshed and revitalised, and that's achieved with a proper morning shave.

A present that can make every day that bit better is more than he bargained for.

3. Men LOVE new projects.

From putting up light bulbs to painting walls. Tuning up the car or taking up golf. Men LOVE new projects.

We like to keep busy, and we like to learn new things. Learning a new trade or hobby is what makes us feel proud; on top of the world. It gives us meaning and purpose and we stand proud amongst our inferiors.

Perhaps a battle of dominance and stature - we like to be good at things and prove our worth. The Man wants to show off his skills.

Why not introduce him to the Art of Shaving. A skill passed down from generation to generation by our forefathers. It is a pastime that takes much practice and expertise to fathom. Being able to shave properly is an accomplishment earned after weeks of practice. Wet shaving is a project he will relish and celebrate in jollification once mastered.

He will boast in glory at his new talent and new found baby smooth skin. Others will weep in envy at his glowing polished skin.

4. They Don't make 'em like they used to.

You've heard him say it before, haven't you? And he's right.

All of our products are handmade. Our wood safety razors, shaving bowls and shaving brushes are made in Britain by skilled British expert Artisans over the course of several days using age old techniques. Similar to the art of shaving, these techniques are passed down from generation to generation meaning the woodworking craft is both scarce and best in class.

We use British woods, sourced responsibly and often locally to us here in Cheshire, England. We then collect the woods and transport them to our Craftsman who work from a small boutique workshop in the same area. The wood is then worked over several long days to produce each unique section of the wood that can then be transformed into your unique piece with its own distinctive character and identity.

We can tell you the entire story of where your tree was born, grew up, the life it lived and how it fell from grace. We can trace your handmade British product to its very roots and every delicate stage taken to masterfully craft your unique item.

He'll fall in love with his new pride and joy.

5. British connection.

There's something about being British that the whole world is fond of.

Perhaps it's our great inventions - from Television to sports. Oh, and, indeed the Safety Razor. Perhaps its our British musicians, our beautiful British coastlines and countryside. Our wildlife, The Royal Family, our film industry or perhaps our affinity for a proper good cup of tea.

One thing that really makes a Man proud, is to own something that is Made in Britain. The outsource of every day items to overseas merchants was a double edge sword for consumers and across the globe people yearn for that quality of product sacrificed in the modern consumerism world of the poor quality import.

A British shave means a better shave with Stag's handmade collection.

From locally sourced woods to masterful British craftsmanship, every one of our handmade shaving products connect you to its roots. The true character and life in the grain of our British wood's connect you each morning to our British countryside and heritage that we are so proud of.

A cut above the rest.

Every one of our Stag Safety Razors tell a unique story.

Buy him something that he'll never expect, and never forget.

There really is no other gift for him in the world like the Stag handmade shaving collection. Visit our Shop today.

Shaving; Reborn.2017 was the birth of our brand and the beginning of a new adventure.We wanted to look back at 2017 through a lens to give you several snapshots of how we evolved an idea into reality. With your help, we put our first foot forward into shaking up the Male Grooming arena.It was in the late winter of 2017 when the light bulb flickered. Why is it we now invest more than ever into our appearance yet we neglect the our shaving routine? We undervalue the condition of our skin;...

Shaving; Reborn.

2017 was the birth of our brand and the beginning of a new adventure.

We wanted to look back at 2017 through a lens to give you several snapshots of how we evolved an idea into reality. With your help, we put our first foot forward into shaking up the Male Grooming arena.

It was in the late winter of 2017 when the light bulb flickered. Why is it we now invest more than ever into our appearance yet we neglect the our shaving routine? We undervalue the condition of our skin; chewing our face up with horribly cheap shaving equipment every morning. Shaving was NOT fun,

It made NO sense.

The Answer to the Future lies in the Past.

So what were WE going to do about it?

Well, we were young professionals living and working in the city at the time, with a heritage in the wonderful countrysides of Cheshire. We were guilty of using the all singing all dancing mass produced plastic shaving toys. In fact, our shaving routine was probably a symptom of our lifestyle at the time.

We wanted to change.

The market had stagnated and it appeared the shaving game wasn't moving forward. Yet, people's frustrations weren't being answered and they didn't appear to be any real solutions in the market. Had we gone off road and eventually hit a dead end? We thought so. That's why we put our thinking caps on, slammed the shaving ritual into reverse and went back one hundred years to the art of shaving.

Working late at the dinner table

Somewhere along the road in the last thirty years, proper shaving became a lost art. We had become accustomed to cheap disposable shaving toys that were leaving us with incomplete shaves, irritation, shaving rashes and sometimes even ingrowing hairs.

We spent months brainstorming new ideas when we realised the answer was always there. We needed to go back to basics. We needed to bring back the best shaving tool in the history of mankind. The shaving tool the corporate juggernauts hate; The Safety Razor - pure simplicity.

The redesign of a classic.

Our original handmade prototype collection (S1 Safety Razor - far right).

We spent the next few weeks redesigning the mechanism behind what was to be our first Safety Razor.

We worked with our Woodturner in Cheshire to develop our first draft designs of the wooden handle and turn them into reality. The first four prototypes are above, including the first ever mock-up of the S1 Safety Razor; a worthy winner if you ask us!

We designed the Razor apparatus to fit with you. A solid steel design with a simple safety bar and chrome finish. The mechanism functioned beautifully, and made it easy for even the more novice of morning shavers out there.

What Wood you choose?

A Variety of British Woods turned by our Artisan Woodworker

We worked with our Woodworker to choose what we thought would be the very best natural hardwoods for our product. The criteria was vast and lengthy. For example, the wood HAD to be British. There was no question that it was to be sourced both responsibly and locally, with its roots once firmly in Cheshire.

So after much deliberation and going back and forth, we decided on one wood. The Yew Wood. We found Yew from a tree who's entire life was spent locally in Cheshire.

A section of the Yew Tree we sourced locally in Cheshire

The winner was clear, the winner was worthy! The Yew contained the most beautiful of natural gran and texture. Its grain was unrivalled, with beautiful colour and patterns, darker points depicting where branches once sat.

The Yew really told a story, a British story of its life of hundreds of years in British soil. We knew our customers would want to relive this with every morning shave. Wow, we'd stumbled on something spectacular and we couldn't WAIT to show you all. What a beautiful Safety Razor handle we were going to craft.

Now, for that final touch to really produce Britain's BEST shaving razor...

Making our Mark.

Diamond-engraved Safety Razor head

Finally, we headed out in search of our next Artisan; the engraver. After many unsuccessful trials of potential suppliers, we found a chap in Cheshire who had been learning the craft of engraving of a series of decades, and had a small team of loyal apprentices to show for it.

Everything about his trade was simply outstanding. He had mastered his craft and every piece of work was completed over a lengthy period of time only to produce the very best of world class craftsmanship. We had found a winner, and what a winner we had found.

Say hello, world.

During the course of our shaving escapade, we launched a Kickstarter crowdfunding campaign to bring to the world what we were doing. We had a wonderful response and we raised around £1,000 in the first 24 hours.

Some months later, we delivered all of our Safety Razors on time and in budget to some incredibly happy customers. We were overwhelmed with the responses and messages we received.

Ciaran Hornby:Just got my Father's Day reward. I'll be honest, you guys are in for one hell of a good product.

Matt Van Roosmalen:Received and amazing as expected! Thanks for the amazing campaign!

Michael Skala:I just used mine for the first time and I love it. It's my first safety razor so I still have to used to it, but I love it :)

Mark Romero:Got mine! It is an excellent / high-quality shaver.

By the end of Kickstarter crowdfunding campaign everyone was over the moon. Our customers, our fantastic artisan tradesmen, and us. We knew we were doing something right and that the journey had to continue.

Shaving the best 'til last

We had done it.

We set out to create a CHANGE in the shaving world. We set out to create the best Safety Razor in the world that would make your morning fantastic again. We wanted to help you enjoy your shaving routine, look after your facial skin and own a shaving tool to be PROUD of.

Our STAG branding represents everything quintessentially British: the King of the rural British countryside, the Alpha Male of the herd standing as the largest native mammal to Britain, a true British great. We wanted our razor to reflect our values and we did so with a roaring success. British design, wood, British Artisans, British craft and British values.

We're STAG. We're Made in Britain. #IAMSTAG

Keep your eyes peeled for our next Crowdfunding campaign set to launch in March 2018.

At STAG, we're absolutely chestnuts about good quality Woods for our Razors. We search long and Fir for good quality, British Trees that would be the right fit for our Wood Razors. You see, the quality of the product can be traced right back to its roots. And, we believe the mark of quality starts at the very beginning.The story begins with the type of British Tree we choose and how it is sourced, before it's passed on to our Expert Woodworker in Cheshire, England. Our Woodworker spends day...

At STAG, we're absolutely chestnuts about good quality Woods for our Razors. We search long and Fir for good quality, British Trees that would be the right fit for our Wood Razors. You see, the quality of the product can be traced right back to its roots. And, we believe the mark of quality starts at the very beginning.

The story begins with the type of British Tree we choose and how it is sourced, before it's passed on to our Expert Woodworker in Cheshire, England. Our Woodworker spends day on each Wood Razor we sell. The process from finding the right wood, to then chopping, carving, turning, polishing and perfecting your handmade traditional safety razor takes weeks from the start to the end.

We really can trace your Razor back to its roots, quite literally. From where the tree was born to where and how it died. We transport the Wood to our Woodworker and we can tell you EXACTLY how it's made. Each Wood Safety Razor looks different, because we use REAL British woods and every section has a different cut and a different grain to it. Our Wood Razors are Best of Class, Grade A Standard of superior quality that cannot be found anywhere else in the world.

Let's take you through a journey of each of three of our Woods; where they are from and why we chose to use them:

Yew

It all began here. The Yew Safety Razor was the first STAG handcrafted Wood Safety Razor. The journey began in the Summer of 2017 when the founder of STAG wanted to bring to market a sustainable, luxury genuine alternative to the modern day plastic BIC razors.

Our Yew Wood is sourced responsibly from Cheshire, England. Brown-Orange in colour, Yew boasts a a very unique pattern and grain not found in any other woods, often with a number of pores in the grain in place of where branches once were. A truly remarkable British wood.

A beautiful, true grain. We know you won't be disappointed by the British Yew.

You can learn all about the journey on the STAG Kickstarter page here.

Laburnum

The second of the S1 Series. Along came the second in our British Wood chapter. We progressed to the Laburnum Wood that truly exceed our expectations in its wonder of a finish. We think we got a little lucky, the final product looked outstanding and far outweighed our high expectations.

Despite the Laburnum's high density and hardness, Laburnum wood is in fact an easier wood to work. It is known to be an excellent turning wood, and is also favoured for carving as well. Odourless, the Laburnum wood is a woodworking favourite. Because of the tree’s small size, this wood has only ever been worked on a small hobbyist scale, perfect for our bespoke boutique workshops. Laburnum is only available within its natural range in Europe; with ours sourced from Chesire, England.

Our Laburnum wood is sourced responsibly in the UK. Laburnum is dark brown in colour and boasts a luxurious grain and finish.

Cocobolo

A tropical hardwood, black-red-brown in colour with a wonderfully suttle texture that runs throughout the hardwood, oozing luxury and class, polished to a luxury glass finish to sit proudly in your bathroom.

The Cocobolo is a dense, solid hardwood that is extremely durable.

Because of its heritage of very damp climates, the Cocobolo wood is highly water resistant; a real advantage given its new habitat of the wet bathroom. (For best practice of making your DE Razor last, see our tips here on how to look after your Safety Razor.).

The Cocobolo was a winner. A limited edition beautiful piece of exotic to add to the STAG collection of Safety Razors.

Learn more about our quest for the Cocobolo wood here

So you're tired of shaving irritation, rashes and burns. You've discovered the world of wet shaving and the various different types of Safety Razors. You're asking yourself “How do I use a Safety Razor?” along with “Which is the best safety razor for me?”.There is a huge number of DE Safety Razors available and it's hard to know which Safety Razor to buy when you're a beginner. Three piece (The same design as our STAG collection), two piece, one piece; wood, chrome, metal; traditional,...

So you're tired of shaving irritation, rashes and burns. You've discovered the world of wet shaving and the various different types of Safety Razors. You're asking yourself “How do I use a Safety Razor?” along with “Which is the best safety razor for me?”.

There is a huge number of DE Safety Razors available and it's hard to know which Safety Razor to buy when you're a beginner. Three piece (The same design as our STAG collection), two piece, one piece; wood, chrome, metal; traditional, old school, new school; close cut and adjustable cut, there are in fact a huge number out there, but what does it all mean?

One piece; Two Piece, Three Piece, Fou... Ok, just three piece pieces. But what are the different kind of Safety Razors?

This is the number of detachable moving parts to the razor. The more parts to the razor, the more control you have. Traditional Safety Razors contain three parts to them, and some things are best left unchanged. With full autonomy over the entirety of your pride and joy, you have the freedom to switch blades, parts and give your Safety Razor a real MOT when it needs cleaning. This is why we adopted the three piece Safety Razor model for our collection:

Three Piece Safety Razor

Two Piece Safety Razor

One Piece Safety Razor

Open Comb, Closed Comb. I'm not looking for a brush?

No, no, not a hair comb. We're not talking about shaving brushes here, either. The comb is the safety bar that sits on the Safety Razor headpiece. So, what are the different types of headpieces and combs on a Safety Razor?

Closed Comb Safety Razor

So, "is a Safety Razor dangerous?", "can I cut myself with Safety Razor?".

You will notice from the above STAG Razor, that the safety bar (the grooved tongue that runs along both long edges of the headpiece), that this safety gap between a skin ravishing blade and your cheeks, has no gaps. This means that the closed comb offers a reduced risk of cuts to your skin. We believe this to be a more suitable approach to the vast majority of people using a traditional razor regularly.

Open Comb Safety Razor

"Will I cut myself with a Safety Razor?", Well, if you're not squeamish, and you've plenty of experience, then perhaps not, and the above Safety Razor may be for you. It's one for the pros, one for the daring, one for the brave. This razor can offer a closer cut, so as long as you know what you're doing, this can be a suitable alternative for you.

Final thoughts

Wet shaving offers a number of Safety Razors to choose from, what's best for you may not be the best Safety Razor for others. Three-piece designs are expected to last the longest, with the greatest autonomy. Other DE Safety Razor styles perhaps offer more simplicity.

The headpiece you select should reflect whether you're a beginner, novice or expert wet shaver; as well as how thick your stubble is.

Our closed comb design produces a milder shave than perhaps an open comb razor that leaves nothing for the faint hearted with a more aggressive approach. This means our Safety Razors are suitable for all levels and offer that additional measure of safety.