In ancient depictions, Stone Age people are often shown with hair reaching to the eyes. Neanderthals were a diverse group, yet many cave paintings portray beardless men. It is believed sharpened shells or pointed stones were used to remove hair. The oldest razor like object found by archaeologists dates back about 20 thousand years, well before the rise of metalworking. Hair removal at that time was probably less about shaving and more about plucking with a sharp edge.
Shaving practices enter a clearer record in the Bronze Age. For instance, ancient Egypt practiced shaving as far back as BCE. Grave goods from the 4th millennium BC include razors, some simple hand tools and others with handles made from solid iron or wood. The design often featured thin round bronze plates used by many communities across the Bronze Age world.
Across the Bronze Age one finds similar razor forms across different regions. A notable example near Novosibirsk in Russia shows a 4 thousand year old razor that was sharpened on all sides and served as both a hair cutting device and a general tool. Although not exceptionally sharp by modern standards, such tools posed real danger and made smooth skin and easy shaving a challenge.
Age of the Razor
Roman shaving habits crystallized during the Punic Wars and the practice grew into a civic marker. The novacila, a Roman razor type, resembled brass knuckles with the blade extending forward while the handle sat behind. Blades came in iron, bronze and copper, with varying shapes.
Yet the sharpness of ancient blades cannot compare with modern steel. The tools were heavy, cumbersome, and many did not shave themselves. Citizens often relied on toners or barbers, and historical writers describe visits to a toner shop as slow and sometimes painful affairs with blades re-sharpened during breaks and warm towels used to soften hair. Romans joked that a toner visit was a “feast without wine” and modern reconstructions show the process could take at least a quarter of an hour, including conversations about the day’s news.
Romans rubbed skin with pumice stones to remove stubble. They also frequently cut themselves and treated skin with oil and vinegar patches. A skilled master with high quality tools could achieve a clean shave without leaving a scar, and neat appearance was particularly important for the elite. Even today, stories of incompetent toners are remembered as cautionary tales.
During the Middle Ages and into early modern times shaving followed a slow evolution until a crucible steel razor arrived in England during the first half of the 18th century. The blade offered strength and flexibility, keeping an edge longer. This marked the shift toward the modern razor that endured into the early 20th century.
Machine tools and machines
The first major disruption came with Gillette style razors featuring replaceable stamped blades made from thin steel. The blade hid inside a device, making precise shaving more challenging when used wrong. The peak moment for Gillette was during World War I, when unshaved faces were a problem for gas masks and hygiene in trenches. A large supply of razors for soldiers helped drive adoption.
It was not purely a government decision but a strategic business move and aggressive marketing that established the razor as the dominant tool. Advertisements painted open blade shaving as dangerous and promoted shaving as a daily routine. The marketing also helped shape fashion norms such as shaving armpits and legs and reduced the role of traditional barbers, who resurfaced later for beard trimming.
The classic electric shaver almost ended Jacob Schick’s dominance in the 1930s. The new design used an oscillating mechanism with perforated plates to cut hair, avoiding the need for water or foam. While Schick claimed a cleaner shave, the promise did not always match reality. The market split in the 20th century between razors and electric shavers, leaving consumers to choose based on taste.
Both sides persisted as preferences evolved, shaping a diverse landscape of shaving tools.
Revival of the classics
The resurgence of classic razors surprised many. In the early 2000s demand surged, with manufacturers expanding production and markets rediscovering these timeless tools. Classic razors are found in shops and markets in Europe and Russia, with instructional videos online attracting millions of views without advertising.
The revival has two main drivers. First, a growing emphasis on sustainability and conscious consumption pushes reusable tools and minimal waste. Second, the aesthetic appeal plays a major role. Wooden handles and high quality steel convey a sense of craft and durability, and popular culture messages like the James Bond film Skyfall helped normalize the image of the open blade. When used by someone with skill, a traditional razor can deliver a notably smooth shave.
Thus an ancient instrument has returned to the modern world, tracing a long journey from a sharpened shell to a fashionable accessory for urban life.