Safety razors are the cornerstone to sophisticated men’s shaving techniques – the perfect step toward connecting with our historical roots as men and getting that gloriously close and perfect shave.
In case you don’t know what they are, safety razors are the sibling to modern day razor cartridges and the cousin to the OG straight edge razor. Safety razors made way for disposable razors to be a possibility, but the former just gets that better shave that is much closer to the smooth and natural shave a straight edge shave offers.
The shave from a safety razor is much better than your every day disposable multiblade razor because of how the two differentiate in cutting/trimming the hair on your face.
Modern day disposable razors have many blades, anywhere from 2 to even 6! Whenever you use one of these, the blades will actually tug your facial hair out of it’s follicle a tad, chop it with the remaining blades, and once you make your pass the facial hair will suck back down into it’s follicle, under the skin.
While this may seem like a good shave since your face is smooth, these modern day multi-blade disposable razors are actually causing in-grown hairs (from the hair being sucked back under the hair follicle) and sores under the beard for many men.
On the flip-side, with a safety razor, there is a single blade – sometimes double sided – that is very, very sharp. This single blade cuts your facial hair even with the opening of your hair follicles, reducing ingrown hairs, bumps, and even razor burn.
Ever since switching to a safety razor, my shaves have become something I now look forward to. I shave once to twice a week – each time I make sure it is a time where I can relax and enjoy the act of shaving, rather than making it a chore.
If you want to get in touch with your history as a man and start shaving in a more traditional and meditative way, then we’ve got a list of the best safety razors that will help you get that perfect shave!
How to Shave with a Safety Razor
Shaving with a safety razor is a pleasant experience. By deciding to use a safety razor, you are making a conscious decision to elevate your shaving experience into one that is enjoyable and meditative, rather than necessary and bland.
We recommend blocking off an hour per week on an off day to really enjoy and have the best experience possible when taking part in this traditional shaving method. There are some intricacies in using a safety razor that aren’t present when using your run-of-the-mill disposable razors.
Please check out our article on how to shave with a safety razor so that you can have the best experience possible when using your new shaving equipment. There are also some unique products you will need to have a complete and correct shaving experience when using a safety razor. We will suggest a few of those extra products at the end of this article but soon we will have more in-depth articles on the best products in those categories.
The Best Safety Razors of 2019
The Edwin Jagger Double Edge Safety Razor holds a special place in my heart. This was the first safety razor I was ever exposed to, gifted to me by my mother in high school. Equipped with a set of blades and a rugged manly man’s YouTube channel, I got to learn how to properly use a safety razor and become one with the legacy of manhood.
Of all the safety razors I’ve used, this one gets the closest shave and is the easiest for beginners to use. Edwin Jagger is a company out of England that has a track record for high quality shaving products. The handle unscrews, allowing you to disassemble the razor’s head and swap out your blade with a fresh one.
This is our number one recommendation when it comes to safety razors! Edwin Jagger makes some of the best double edge safety razors on the market. If you decide to get this razor and start your old school shaving journey, make sure to pick up a pack of double edge blades, they’re super cheap at around $12 for a set of 50. You may also need a blade disposal case for the safety of yourself and family.
Muhle started crafting razors in 1945, keeping their product line close to the traditions of shaving. The Muhle R106 Double Edge Safety Razor is the exemplification of their classy and refined shaving line.
This specific razor is a great weight with almost perfect balance between the handle and the head of the razor, allowing for a smooth and effortless shaving experience that just makes sense.
The shave is similar to the Edwin Jagger Double Edge Safety Razor, but there is a different aesthetically pleasing approach to the design of this safety razor. The black resin handle gives it a timeless look that is bound to work with any bathroom design or theme you may have.
Our opinion is that this is the best safety razor for beginners. The ease of use and angle of the razor head makes it perfect for men new to shaving with one of these razors.
The online reviews for this double edge safety razor are phenomenal – just check it out online using the button above.
The MERKUR Traditional Double Edge Safety Razor is the perfect safety razor for the man who wants to take a jab at traditional shaving, but isn’t sure if they will necessarily enjoy it.
We decided to put this in our most affordable slot. The price is great for the man who is price conscious when it comes to spending on hobbies they aren’t too sure they will enjoy yet.
Also, MERKUR’s stainless steel platinum double edge razor blades are highly affordable, which could save you money in the long run when it comes to buying blades and shaving. If you’ve been using disposable shaving cartridges, switching over to the MERKUR line will guarantee a better, healthier shave, and a fatter wallet.
Once you’ve settled on a safety razor, you’ll have to make sure you get some replacement blades for it and a way to safely dispose of them. For disposal, we recommend using this blade disposal case.
There are a few options when it comes to the actual blades you use with your new safety razor. We’ve picked a few of the most reliable brands when it comes to double edged blades.
Feather Double Edge Blades have been my personal go-to and the blades of choice for many of the staff here at The Gentleman’s Playbook. The blade package comes with 50 blades for under $15. This will last you a long time – you could effectively use a new blade every week for a year before you run out.
Pair this with one of the safety razors above and you’ve taken care of your shaving hardware for around $60 for the entire year…after that you’ll only need blades and shaving soap. These are hands down some of the best razor blades for safety razor use.
Why are you waiting? Save your face and wallet now!
Using a safety razor means that you can no longer just slap on some shaving cream and cut away at your facial hair like a barbarian. Once you start down this path, there are some other utensils you will need.
One of these is a shaving brush! You use this brush to lather a shaving soap (mentioned below) and then use the brush to apply the cream to your neck and face for a smooth and pleasant shave.
Often time, you will run across two different brush types for shaving: badger hair and boar hair. Go with the badger hair shaving brush.
Badger shaving brushes are more durable and produce a better, creamy lather with your shaving soap. This is due to the softness and water repellant nature of badger. Avoid boar hair shaving brushes, as they are very stiff, not as durable, and don’t produce a high quality lather. Badger brushes are cheaper, however.
Edwin Jagger has the perfect shaving brush solution. Their badger shaving brush comes with a drip stand. Drip stands are necessary for your shaving brush. They allow the brush to air out and drip free of any water or soap debris that may be left over after a thorough rinse.
The stand will also increase the longevity of your brush, as it will not get knocked over as much or sit in a pool of it’s own water after use.
Edwin Jagger’s Badger Shaving Brush with Drip Stand comes in two colors – black and ivory – perfect for any bathroom or home décor.
Shaving soap is used in conjunction with your shaving brush to produce a thick, rich soapy shaving cream that cleanses, hydrates, and protects your skin during shaving. You typically will wet your shaving brush and swirl it on the shaving soap (often a round bar of soap made specifically for shaves), and then create the lather in a separate wooden bowl with a few drops of water.
Made in England, this sandalwood shaving soap by Taylor of Old Bond Street comes with a complimentary bowl to help with your traditional shaving efforts.
We find the sandalwood to be a subtle and pleasant universally “manly” fragrance that any man (and woman) can enjoy.
There’s not much to say about this soap, as it is fairly straightforward and reliable. Just trust us when we say you’ll enjoy it.
Now get to Shaving!
While there’s a lot of information in this post, we hope you took away what we intended from it: the best safety razors for that perfect shave.
We will be continuing to expand on the shaving category in an effort to bring traditional shaving back to the eyes of modern men. There’s something sophisticated and classy about shaving in the way our ancestors did – a homage to those before us and a tradition we can one day pass on to our sons or fellow brothers.
If you enjoyed this article feel free to share it or leave a comment if we forgot anything!