If you want to buy a safety razor, but aren’t sure of what to get, this guide will help.
Shaving is an essential part of most men’s daily grooming routine. However, there are so many different types of razors on the market. In fact, there are so many that it can be difficult to know which one is the best for you.
If you’ve been wondering whether a safety razor might be better than a disposable or straight razor, you’ve come to the right place. In this article, we’ll take a look at the best safety razors for men.
With this article, you can determine whether the style is right for your purposes. Are you looking for a close shave or a more comfortable one? If so, you’ll be sure to find the perfect razor for you.
What Is a Double Edge Safety Razor?
Before we discuss our top picks though, let’s clear up what we mean by “safety razor.”
A safety razor is a type of razor that has a guard built into the blade. The guard reduces the risk of cuts and nicks while shaving. It typically consists of a long handle and a head that holds a double-edged blade.
The blade is only exposed at the end of the head. With this configuration, the user can get a close shave with minimal irritation.
This is in contrast to a straight razor which exposes more of the blade. A safety razor is a great compromise between disposable multi-blade razors and more dangerous straight razors. If you want to learn even more about safety razors, check our our What Is a Safety Razor article.
Quick Take
Here are our recommendations from the list:
Facón Vintage is a simple but useful razor that will give you up to 200 shaves for a reasonable price.
The FUTUR is known for its adjustable blade along with its sleek and modern design, which allows you to customize the razor's angle to suit your beard and skin type.
Read on for more info and the complete list…
Our Top Picks for Double Edge Safety Razors
And without further ado, here are our favorite safety razors:
Facón Vintage Long Handle (Best Budget Safety Razor Handle)
Made from Japanese steel in a classic style, Facón’s safety razor comes with a ton of blades — 50, to be exact. That means that for under 20 bucks, you’ll get something like 150 to 200 shaves out of it.
Then, just order new blades on Amazon, and you’re golden. So, if you’re on a tight budget, this is definitely one to consider.
One reviewer on Amazon says that this razor “has a comfortable weight and the blades give a very clean shave.” However, other buyers report that the blades aren’t the best. To be safe, you could buy this handle but get quality blades from another manufacturer.
Merkur FUTUR Adjustable Safety Razor
The FUTUR Adjustable Safety Razor is our favorite safety razor from the German brand Merkur. Merkur has been making high-quality razors and other grooming products since 1906.
The FUTUR is known for its sleek, modern design and its adjustable blade. You can customize the razor’s angle to suit your beard and skin type. With an overall weight of four and a half ounces, the FUTUR feels sturdy. It gives you plenty to hold while you’re shaving, too.
It’s made with a smooth handle, which we like. However, if you do most of your shaving in the shower, you may want to pass on this one.
Instead, we’d recommend going for a razor with a knurled handle instead. This handle type makes the razor easier to hold onto when your hands are wet.
The FUTUR provides an exceptionally nice shave. That said, though, it has a fairly aggressive angle even at its lowest setting. If you’re already experienced with using safety razors, you’ll probably love it. But, beginners might want to start with a different razor. See our full Merkur review here.
Edwin Jagger Double Edge Safety Razor
The Edwin Jagger Double Edge Safety Razor is a fine alternative to our top pick. It sports a similar style as the Merkur FUTUR listed above, but you can find it at a significantly lower price,
It does differ from the Merkur FUTUR in a few ways. The main differences are its lighter-weight construction and its less aggressive blade set.
Less aggressive means that the blade doesn’t give as close a cut but is safer to use. Therefore, we think that the Edwin Jagger is an excellent choice for newcomers to the wet shaving world.
Parker 99R Heavyweight Double Edge Safety Razor
Founded in 1973, Parker Shaving is a family-owned and operated wet shaving company. They’ve been in business for nearly five decades. Parker offers a wide selection of razor styles. Their safety razors are definitely some of their best products.
Their 99R Heavyweight Double Edge Safety Razor, in particular, has a lot going for it. A solid brass frame gives it significant heft in the hand (four ounces in total weight). That weight makes for smooth and easy shaves with minimal drag.
Are you a guy who shaves while you’re in the shower? No worries — its textured handle provides an excellent grip even with wet hands.
The flip side of that heavyweight construction is that the 99R is quite an aggressive razor. If you have sensitive skin or are just now learning to wet shave, it may be too much razor for you. On the other hand, the 99R offers great value for the price.
If you have thick beard growth or are already comfortable with the wet shaving process, this one’s a steal.
Other Great Safety Razor Options
Our top three safety razors, listed above, are our go-to choices. But there are many options out there. We’d like to introduce a few more for your consideration in case any of those aren’t in stock.
Vikings Blade Double Edged Safety Razor
Short and heavy-handled, the Vikings Blade safety razor provides a good grip. It comes with a pack of blades too, so you will have time to test it out before having to get any refills.
When you do have to get new blades, one reviewer reports that Astra blades work well with the Viking handle.Sure, it’s not the fanciest safety razor out there, but it’ll get the job done.
This is a good option to consider when you’re trying to figure out graduation gifts for your son or nephew. No one wants to buy that college freshman with razor burn. (I’m speaking from experience here.)
Manscaped The Plow 2.0 Double Edged Safety Razor
From the popular men’s grooming brand Manscaped comes The Plow 2.0. It’s a simple and no-nonsense safety razor. It has a knurled handle for a better grip. The Plow also features a gunmetal coating for aesthetically pleasing good looks.
In the product description Manscaped writes how the 2.0 differs from the original Plow model. They report that, “the Plow 2.0 comes fully upgraded with a wider, weightier handle for a more comfortable shave. We have also optimized the cutting angle to reduce razor burn.”
We’ve reviewed other Manscaped products here on The Modest Man. Check out our Manscaped Lawn Mower review if you’re looking for an easy way to groom body hair.
Van Der Hagen Men’s Traditional Safety Razor
This razor is made in Germany but offered at an exceptionally low price (under $15). The low price alone makes it a low-risk buy. If you’re apprehensive about switching up your grooming routine, consider this brand.
Van Der Hagen’s Traditional Safety Razor Kit is a simple but useful razor that comes with five safety razor blades to get started with. Just be warned the blades aren’t great. Do yourself a favor and go get some Feathers instead. Don’t forget to get a quality shaving cream or soap too.
Leaf Shave The Twig Razor
The Twig sports a retro-futuristic look and feel. It uses a magnetic blade loading mechanism to make for quick and easy blade changes.
It’s a bit confusing, but there are two models of this razor. Leaf claims that they’re nearly identical. However, “ the Thorn Razor has additional space under the blade allowing for more skin contact and even closer shave.
The Twig Razor is a mild razor best suited for lighter hair growth.” Keep in mind that they also say that the Thorn is best for men with coarse stubble.
Gillette King C. Safety Razor
Major shaving brand Gillette throws their hat into the ring with the King C. This chrome-plated razor, named for Gillete’s founder, comes with five platinum-coated blades.
This razor is, in some ways, a homage to the early days of wet shaving. Gillette’s revolutionary design helped keep soldiers clean-shaven during the First World War. During WWI, shaving wasn’t just an aesthetic choice, it was vital for creating a proper seal on a gas mask.
Hopefully won’t be trudging through trenches anytime soon. However, this razor is a close relative to those early razors of a century ago.
Men’s Safety Razor vs. Multi-Blade Razor
This razor’s double-edge design allows for a more precise shave than cartridge razors. and other types of safety razors and easily replaceable blades that are often more economical and sustainable than disposable razors.
That said, the double-edge blades might be more expensive to replace than cartridge blades, depending on where you buy them.
Straight Razor vs. Safety Razor
The safety razor has been around for over a century. However, the straight razor has been around since antiquity.
A straight razor has a long handle and a long blade (which typically folds into the handle for storage). This blade is sometimes called a cutthroat razor.
Why? Because the huge exposed blade can, well, cut throats. Believe it or not, keeping your face baby-but smooth used to be a death-defying chore. In fact, there are entire lists of men who died shaving.
The safety razor essentially eliminates the risk of shaving. A safety razor uses disposable blades that sit within a metal head atop a convenient handle. The head only exposes a tiny portion of the blade, meaning it’s almost impossible to slip and kill yourself.
Men’s Safety Razor vs Mult-Blade Razor
As I already described, safety razors use one double edged blade. Most modern razors, however, have multiple blades. Ever since multi-blade razors appeared on the market, ads market them as being more efficient. “Certainly, two blades are better than one!”
Then, as time marched on three-, four-, and even five-bladed razors popped up. “If you thought two blades were good, wait until you try a razor with three!”, they said.
Indeed, one problem with a safety razor is that most men have to do more than one pass to get a close shave. However, muti-bladed monstrosities, more often than not, just get clogged up. Not only that, many men, ourselves included, find that they cause unnecessary irritation.
One other consideration is that most multi-blade cartridges are quite expensive. They cause more waste, too, as the cartridges have plastic and metal in them.
Not all multi-blade razors use cartridges, either. Many of them also have disposable handles. In other words, after just a few uses you have to throw away the entire razor! How wasteful!
For these reasons, we think that safety razors are superior to razors with multiple blades.
How To Use a Safety Razor
While a safety razor is easy to use once you get the hang of it, it does take some practice.
Start by choosing a quality razor, blade, brush, and shaving soap. Next, put some water on your brush and use it to create a lather in your soap tin. Use circular motions, adding more water, if necessary. Then, use the brush to spread the thick lather on your face and neck.
Now, after drying your hands, carefully insert a blade into your razor. Some razors open by turning the bottom of the handle. With others, you have to unscrew the head.
Hold the handle and tilt the razor until it’s about 30 degrees to your face. Then, barely using any pressure at all, move the razor across your face in the direction your whiskers grow. It’s absolutely critical that you avoid using too much pressure — you don’t want to nick yourself.
Shave your entire face. For an even closer shave, lather your face again for a second pass.
Honestly, it’s quite difficult to explain the process with words. It’s really something best shown. I recommend you watch the video below.
Let’s let, Brian Mulreany, a suave Bond-esq gentleman, walk you through the process.
Frequently Asked Questions
Before we go, here are the answers to the questions we’ve heard guys asking about safety razors.
Is a Safety Razor Actually Better Than a Regular Razor?
We think safety razors are generally better than regular razors. They provide a closer shave with less irritation and fewer nicks and cuts. But perhaps more importantly, they are also more economical. The blades are cheaper and generally last longer than disposable razors.
What Type of Safety Razor Is Best?
Our personal experience is that Merkur’s safety razors offer the best combination of performance and value.
How Many Shaves Is a Safety Razor Good For?
Most safety razor blades are good for about a half-dozen shaves before they start to dull. If you’re shaving every day, that means that each blade will last for about a week.
However, this number can vary widely. It all depends on your hair type, what brand of blades you use, and your personal standard for sharpness.
What Angle Do You Use a Safety Razor At?
Most people find that using a safety razor at a 30-degree angle works best for them.
Can You Bring Safety Razors on a Plane?
You cannot bring a safety razor with blades on a plane in your carry-on. However, you can bring a safety razor in a checked bag.
Is Shaving With a Safety Razor Better?
Many men agree that shaving with a safety razor is better than shaving with a disposable razor. Using one sharp double-edged razor causes less irritation and allows for a closer shave than multi-blade cartridges.
Conclusion
Safety razors require practice and skill to master. However, their combination of value, sustainability, and close shaving benefits are second to none. Consider getting one, whether you’re looking to create a more enjoyable morning ritual or just pinching pennies.
And don’t forget to grab some quality blades, too. Getting the best blades is, arguably, just as important as choosing one of the best safety razors out there.
We stand by all the razors listed here. We encourage you to choose one based on your relative experience and your budget.
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