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Best safety razors Coast Shaving For Men Blades Double Edge 2023

best safety razor

Best safety razors Coast Shaving For Men Blades Double Edge 2023

Ask most men about what they use to shave, and they’ll likely all reply with some twist on the same basic tool: a cartridge razor with disposable blades, either from a drugstore brand like Gillette or Schick, or a newer, direct-to-consumer company like Harry’s and Dollar Shave Club.

There’s a good reason why cartridge razors remain the most common method of shaving: They’re easy to use, are always being replaced by new styles that promise an even better shave, and are typically what most people are familiar with.

But according to most of the professional barbers we spoke to, the best way to shave at home and avoid the irritation commonly caused by cartridge razors is actually with a safety razor, a tool that’s remained virtually unchanged since it debuted in 1903.“

If anyone uses a cartridge razor and has irritation, I steer them toward safety razors,” says Brian Porteous, the owner of Heritage Barbershop in Portland, Oregon. He explains that safety razors are generally much safer on the skin because they feature a single blade, as opposed to the typical three-blade style you find in a cartridge razor.

It’s really the first blade that’s doing all the cutting” with a cartridge razor, Porteous explains, “and once that first blade gets a little dull, it’ll start to pull the hair up,” which leads to the second and third blades actually cutting under the skin. “That’s what causes irritation and ingrown hair,” he adds.

Bestseller No. 1
VIKINGS BLADE Double Edge Safety Razor for Men + 5 Swedish Steel...
  • THE SMOOTHEST SHAVE for both men & women –...
  • LIFELONG DURABILITY – This classic double edge...
  • WISE, ECONOMICAL CHOICE – Replacement blades are...
  • REUSABLE & RECYCLABLE – Unlike costly disposable...
  • PACKAGE CONTENT – 1 safety razor (single blade...
Bestseller No. 2
MANSCAPED® The Plow® 2.0 Premium Single Blade Double-Edged Safety...
  • THE PLOW 2.0: The premium hygienic single blade...
  • ENGINEERED TO PERFORM: Precision engineered brass...
  • FEEL THE DIFFERENCE: Imitation and low-quality...
  • MISSION: MANSCAPED created its lineup of tools and...
  • WE LISTENED: The Plow 2.0 comes fully upgraded...
Bestseller No. 3
Rockwell Razors 6C White Chrome Double-Edge Safety Razor for Men and...
  • CLOSE, COMFORTABLE SHAVE EVERY TIME - Made from a...
  • INNOVATIVE ADJUSTABLE SYSTEM = NO MORE NICKS OR...
  • INCLUDES A BEGINNER SETTING - The Rockwell 6C is...
  • COMES WITH 1 MONTH OF BLADES - Packaged in an...
  • 100% SAFISFACTION GUARANTEE - All of our safety...
SaleBestseller No. 4
MÜHLE TRADITIONAL R89 Double Edge Safety Razor (Closed Comb) |...
  • THE HANDLE: We design all of our products to be...
  • CLOSED COMB RAZOR: Grooming has never felt more...
  • RECOMMENDED TECHNIQUE: For the cleanest shave, it...
  • MÜHLE DIFFERENCE: Our actions are driven by an...
  • SUSTAINABILITY: As a member of the Environmental...
SaleBestseller No. 5
King C. Gillette Safety Razor with Chrome Plated Handle and 5 Platinum...
  • Double edged safety razor. A single blade razor...
  • Closed comb head, perfected a century ago, for the...
  • Chrome-plated handle for long-lasting durability
  • Stainless steel blades. Includes 5 High-Quality...
  • Iconic heritage-inspired design. The pinnacle of...

What are Safety Razors?

If you’ve seen the average Gillette commercial, you know that cartridge razors are still quite popular and arguably more advanced than ever before. One might also deduce from the very same commercials that more blades equal better performance. However, they also increase the likelihood that you’ll irritate the skin or develop ingrown hairs.

What happens with multi-blade systems is that the first blade—which does most of the cutting—dulls down with use and starts pulling hairs up instead of chopping them off. In comes the second or third (or fourth or fifth) blade, which pushes down into the skin, leading to irritation, cuts, or ingrown hairs. On top of all that, multi-blade cartridges aren’t consistently dependable for creating tight facial lines.

By possessing a single double-edge blade, the best safety razors widdle your close shave down to its most efficient form. And while the razor itself may cost you more upfront, blade replacement is quite affordable, saving you money over time.

What to Consider When Buying a Safety Razor

Despite the straightforward veneer, safety razors come in a variety of different types. Here are some things to consider when buying your next safety razor:

Straight or Slant Bar – Traditional safety razor bars position the blade at a 90-degree angle (i.e. straight) to the handle. By contrast, slant bars inject a literal twist on the shape of the double-edge blade, adding stiffness to the handle and cranking up the effectiveness of each pass. One might think of straight razor blades as being generally ergonomic and predictable, and slant blades as being more powerful.

Type of Comb – The majority of safety razors have a protective bar along the edge of the head. This is called a comb and it typically takes one of two forms: closed or open. Closed combs look like subtle grooves while open combs appear as individual teeth. The differences between them are minor, though most experts recommend closed combs for daily use and open combs for thicker stubble.

Handle Length – As a general rule of thumb, people with longer hands should aim for longer handles while people with smaller hands should stick with shorter handles. The idea is that a comfortable grip enables more control and thereby decreases your risk for cuts.

Weight – Unlike disposable razors, the best safety razors deliver palpable heft and that’s a good thing. With the increase in weight, you get a stronger degree of natural pressure, Greaping more performance and effectiveness out of every pass.

Best Safety Razors

Looking for the best safety razors money can buy? Like stubble on your face, we have you covered. In no particular order, here are nine of the best safety razors for a close shave.

Vikings Blade The Crusader Adjustable Safety Razor

Vikings Blade is a bit newer to the safety razor retail game, but the company’s founders have been designing razors for decades. Once Vikings Blade started selling its own designs on Amazon, the brand quickly became one of the most popular and best-selling safety razors online. That’s why we recommend the Vikings Blade Crusader Adjustable Safety Razor for those seeking a butterfly safety razor. It’s our choice and Amazon’s Choice for good reason.

It weighs a hefty 3.8 ounces, so the razor does all the work when you’re shaving, and the handle is 4.6 ounces long, so you can grip the razor wherever you need to have the most control. The butterfly opening makes changing blades as easy as a twist of the handle, and the top of the razor features a scalloped bar on one side and a straight bar on the other side, which can be better for sensitive skin. It also features an aggression adjustment band, which adjusts the angle of the blade to achieve a more or less aggressive shave. It’s truly got all the bells and whistles, but at the end of the day, it’s not any more complicated than competing safety razors.

Vikings Blade also offers a heavier, more expensive version of this safety razor if you’re looking for more weight, and the razor also comes in a cool obsidian black and bronze special edition if you really want a razor that stands out. And if you don’t, the razor comes in a traditional frosted chrome finish too.

Mühle Traditional Chrome Open Comb Safety Razor

If you’re looking for a really aggressive shave or are trying to shave off thicker, longer facial hair, you might be interested in an open comb razor, such as the Mühle Traditional Chrome Open Comb Safety Razor. Open combs, in contrast to closed combs like the straight bar or scalloped bar, are basically teeth that guide the hair and skin right into the blade.

The increased exposure of the skin to the blade can result in a closer, smoother shave, but also more risk of cutting, so we only recommend an open comb safety razor for more experienced safety razor users. But truthfully, as long as you take your time and focus, use short strokes, and are not an absolute novice, this can be a great option for any man looking to upgrade their shave game. The open comb is the real value add here, but the other specs are solid too: This safety razor is chrome plated and has a nice weight to it, which we attribute to the thick, knurled handle.

Parker 99R Butterfly Safety Razor

Award: Best One-Piece (Butterfly) Safety Razor

With a simple twist of the handle, the Parker 99R butterfly razor allows you to quickly and safely change out the razor blade.  At 3.36oz (95g) and 4″ in length, shaving with the Parker 99R is pleasant.  Not only will you get a smooth shave, but the moderate blade exposure will help reduce irritation and ingrown hairs.  The swirled handle design on the Parker 99R will provide a steady grip when wet shaving.

The Parker 99R is weighted from a brass frame that has been chrome plated.  Should you prefer a smaller butterfly safety razor, consider the Parker 87R.

Pros: All-in-one design is simple and easy to use.

Cons: Moderate blade exposure may be too aggressive for some.

Muhle R41 Open Comb Safety Razor

Award: Best Open Comb Safety Razor

Experienced wet shavers and barbers should consider the Muhle R41 if a close shave is desired.  The open comb design provides both an aggressive shave while being less susceptible to clogging.  Men who have a naturally dense, thick beard or only shave once every few days will find the open comb design desirable.

The handle for the Muhle R41 is available in a variety of finishes including knurled chrome, black, tortoiseshell, and rose gold.  The safety razor is 3.25″ in length and weighs a modest 2.2oz (64g).  Lastly, Muhle makes the razor in Germany, a country known for its precision engineering.

Pros: Extremely aggressive shave. Well-made.

Cons: Only for experienced shavers.

Merkur Futur Adjustable Safety Razor

Award: Best Adjustable Safety Razor

With a twist of the handle on the Merkur Futur, you can adjust the blade gap.  This mechanical feature allows you to change the aggressiveness of the shave to suit your preference.  With a high quality brushed chrome finish, the Merkur Futur is a well-designed and minimalist razor that borders on being artistic.

One notable drawback for some might be the size of the head.  While we didn’t experience any major issues, some men may have trouble navigating around both their nose and mustache areas.  The Merkur Progress is a suitable alternative.

Lastly, the Merkur Futur is heavy.  At 4.4oz (126g), it is the heaviest safety razor we reviewed.

Pros: Beautiful, modern design. The heavy weight requires no extra pressure.

Cons: The lowest setting is still aggressive. Bulky design.

Feather AS-D2 Safety RazorAward: Best Luxury (High-End) Safety Razor

The Feather AS-D2 is one of the finest safety razors currently available.  Made in Japan, the Feather AS-D2 features a solid stainless steel design.  Stainless steel is rust-resistant and not susceptible to cracking or chipping like chrome should the razor be accidentally dropped on hard ceramic bathroom tiles.  With a diamond knurl etching along the length of the entire handle, the 3.2oz (90g) body provides a confident, familiar feeling when held.  

Included with the Feather AS-D2 are Japanese-made Feather Hi-Stainless razor blades, arguably one of the best razor blades to be used with a safety razor.

Pros: Expertly made of fine materials and craftsmanship.

Cons: Best for wet shaving enthusiasts.

Muhle 4-Piece Gift Set

Award: Best Safety Razor Gift Set

Whether for yourself or someone else, this safety razor gift set has all the essentials: a safety razor, shaving brush, shaving bowl, and stand.  Available in several finishes, you can find a trim to match the style of the intended gift recipient.  The razor contained within this gift set is beginner-friendly.  With chrome-plated finishes, it should also last for several years before showing signs of wear.  The included shave brush and shaving bowl will help to generate a thick lather.

Pros: Everything needed for a barbershop-like shave.

Cons: Expensive.

OneBlade Core Single Blade Razor

Award: Best Hybrid Safety Razor

The OneBlade Core is a hybrid alternative between cartridge razors and safety razors.  The pivoting head on the OneBlade Core allows the blade to remain at the optimal cutting angle for close, comfortable results.  However, unlike other safety razors we reviewed, the OneBlade Core relies on a single blade rather than a double-edged design.  Due to this design difference, the OneBlade Core can only be used with a limited number of blades, namely the Feather FHS-10.  

The OneBlade Core relies on a rust-resistant stainless steel core along with a plastic head and polymer body.  This razor should be considered if you are looking for a more modern design.

Pros: Pivoting head lessens the chance of nicks. Comfortable shave.

Cons: Limited number of compatible razor blades.

What is the best safety razor on the market?

The Best Safety Razors (and Blades), According to Barbers

  • Merkur 34C Heavy-Duty Short Handle Safety Razor. …
  • Edwin Jagger Double Edge Safety Razor, Short Handle. …
  • Merkur 38C Heavy-Duty Long Handle Safety Razor. …
  • Merkur 23C Classic Long Handle Safety Razor. …
  • Parker 96R Butterfly Safety Razor.

Is shaving with a safety razor dangerous?

Are Safety Razors Dangerous The short answer is no! In fact, a good double-edged safety razor with a quality blade can help reduce the irritation that you might receive with some of the multi-bladed cartridge razors out there.

Is shaving with a safety razor better?

Safety Razors Give You a Better Shave:

Shaving with a safety razor reduces skin irritation, shave bumps and ingrown hairs that are common with cartridges or electric razors. The main reason is that with a safety razor you only have one blade against your skin at any time.

What Safety Razor gets the closest shave?

The 10 Best Safety Razors for a Close, Smooth Shave

  • Rockwell Razors 2C Adjustable Double-Edge Safety Razor. …
  • Bevel Double-Edge Safety Razor. …
  • Parker Vintage Long Handle Butterfly Safety Razor. …
  • The Art of Shaving Chrome Heavyweight Safety Razor. …
  • Weishi Nostalgic Long Handle Double-Edge Safety Razor.

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Last update on 2024-10-11 / Affiliate links / Images from Amazon Product Advertising API

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