Unless you’re going to invest in one of these awesome $100,000 razors made from pieces of meteorite, the best way to get a super-close shave is, and always will be, a good old-fashioned cut-throat razor.

Also called a straight or open razor, perhaps to distance the tool from anyone who’s seen Sweeney Todd and has a particularly vivid imagination, the cut-throat has been the shaving tool of choice for generations.

But recently the ease of use of the disposable and electric razor has rendered the classic cut-throat almost obsolete, with only old-fashioned barbers and the most devout of home-shaving connoisseurs continuing to use it.

However, we know that it’s still the best way to get a close shave, so we asked Olivier Bonnefoy, founder and director of male grooming experts Gentleman’s Tonic, to shed some light on why the cut-throat is still the only way to go:

More effective
According to Oliver, “Safety razors, especially those with multiple blades, have become a marketing ploy to some extent in that it is the first blade that actually removes 93 per cent of the hair.”

So if you think that you’re getting a closer shave than you would with a cut-throat with the brand-new mach-6, fusion - or whatever they’re calling themselves nowadays - think again.

More flexible
“An open, or cut-throat, razor allows you to angle the blade to the contours of the face, enabling a closer shave with less skin irritation,” says Olivier.

Skilled use of an open razor will also reduce the likelihood of ingrown hairs, as you’re able to shape the razor to shave always with the grain rather than against it.

More work
These advantages do come with a drawback though: an open blade takes time to master, hence the need for skilled hands. “The thing is, most men aren’t taught how to shave properly,” says Olivier.

As well as taking more time for the actual shave, cut-throats also take much longer to maintain, as you need to sharpen them regularly.

But if you put the time and effort in, you’ll be rewarded with a super-close shave time after time and a finely honed utensil that’s sharper than a surgeon’s scalpel.

Details: visit gentlemenstonic.com