There are two types of cyclist; those who shave their legs, and those who are curious and/or are too terrified of social stigma. Already I can hear the vitriol from the hairy-legged coming this way! Shaving is definitely not for everyone in the cycling world, and no matter what reasons the denuded leg crew offer up for their fetish (and it does take on those proportions), the only acceptable one is that it is an identifier, an almost tribal right of passage if you will. And once the cold steel blade has worked its magic, there is little chance of breaking its spell. I’ve tried and failed on many occasions, believe me, it’s worse than heroin.

This here is a fine piece of mid-century modern engineering and undeniable style. The Gillette Slim Twist top-opening double-edge razor has forged its place in the annals of shaving fiefdom, whether it’s loved or loathed. This particular example was given to me by a friend who has a more broad knowledge of old-school shaving, taking it back to its very core by using a cutthroat on occasion. That’s a commitment I’m not willing to make, but the romanticism of a single blade ‘safety’ razor drew me in, and has become a guilty pleasure in a way.

The white plastic handle is unusual in single blade razors, and lends that 60s style to the unit, and gives it a top-heavy but still well-balanced feel once you’re familiar with it. The shave is described by aficionados as ‘mild’, meaning it’s not too aggressive on the blade angle and not super-close on the cut.

The main attraction and the piece de resistance of the Slim Twist’s design is the butterfly opening head. With a twist of the knurled collar, the brass shaving surface opens outward to make swapping the blade faster and easier than unscrewing the handle off the head, which usually results in three pieces to reassemble. This all stays together and dropping the new blade in takes seconds.

That’s a solid bit of brass right there.

Ready to take the blade, the Slim opens its butterfly wings, offering itself to you in an almost erotic way. Or is it just me? Probably.

Good quality blades are cheap and easy enough to find, and these Russian-made Rapira blades are some of the sharpest, if not the hardest wearing. Usually I’ll get my head and both legs done with very good results, but after another use they tend to get a bit dull and it’s not worth the time or money to not just pop in a new one. The whole process is a huge part of the appeal anyway.

Loaded and ready to lock, rock and glide.

A quality soap and bristle brush make the whole experience that much more satisfying, and transports you back to the old barbers shops when you could sit in a luxurious chair and be briskly foamed up and masterfully shaved by an artisan of male grooming. Proraso has a great aroma, foams up nicely and gives the Italian touch to your shave. Bella.

Of course, some of you will find this a little bit too weird to comprehend, and I had the same reservations about a grown man cultivating smooth legs on a regular basis. That was twenty years ago, and I’ve almost had what could be considered a thatch on the pins maybe a half dozen times since then. There’s a strange draw to the whole experience and the ritual that goes along with it that is hard to resist, once you’ve made the commitment. And like the act of cycling itself, there is nothing like carefully choosing the right tool for the job, and shaving with a double edge safety razor is like riding a beautiful lugged steel Merckx or Colnago. You won’t reach for it every time, but you will gain a new appreciation on every occasion you do.