“What is the best safety razor?” I get the question all the time. The question of the best safety razor is complex, with many factors to consider. This guide offers a simple, comprehensive look at different razor types for various needs, helping you make an informed choice. This is an update to a continuing series on Sharpologist!
What is the Best Safety Razor (Double Edge)?
What’s the best safety razor? It depends on what you are looking for. Here is the summary and a ton of background information follow–feel free to browse Sharpologist for safety razor reviews of both popular and niche’ products.
Some links go to a geni.us “choice page” with a number of purchase alternatives. Amazon, Henson, Smallflower, Tatara, and West Coast Shaving links are affiliate.
Here are picks broken down by intended use:
Low-Cost Razor (Under $15)
Top Pick: Lord L6
- Lightweight (50 grams) with a long handle (4 inches).
- Shaves smoothly with moderate comfort.
- Honorable Mentions: Baili BD176, Weishi Nostalgic, Italian Barber RazoRock “Quick Change“
Click/tap here to read Sharpologist’s article about low cost razors
For Beginners
Top Pick: Merkur 23C
- Long, lighter handle. Balanced shave; easy to find the correct angle.
- Honorable Mention: Henson AL13.
Click/tap here to read Sharpologist’s extensive article about safety razors for the beginner.
Most Popular
Top Pick: Merkur Heavy Classic 34C
- Well-known in wet shaving. Durable design since the 1940s.
Click/tap here to read Sharpologist’s article about the most popular safety razors by sales.
Mild Razor
Top Pick: Henson AL13
- Exceptionally mild with standard and less mild options.
Click/tap here to read Sharpologist’s extensive article on mild razors.
Open Comb Razor
Top Pick: Parker 24C/26C
- Effective shave with minimal aggressiveness.
- Honorable mention: Merkur 1904, Italian Barber RazoRock “Self Lubricating Open Comb.”
Click/tap here to read Sharpologist’s article on open comb razors
Aggressive Razor
Top Pick: Muhle R41
- Known for a highly aggressive shave. Available with various handle options.
Adjustable Razor
Top Pick: Parker Variant
- Adjustable for a customized shave.
- Open comb version also available.
- Honorable mentions: Rockwell T2 (in Stainless Steel), Rex Ambassador.
Click/tap here for Sharpologist’s detailed article about adjustable razors.
Multi Base Plate Razor
Top Pick: Rockwell 6S
- Offers interchangeable plates for varied aggressiveness.
- Honorable mention: Karve Christopher Bradley
Slant Razor
Top Pick: Parker Semi-Slant
- Designed for a more efficient cutting angle.
- Honorable mentions: Merkur 37C, RazoRock Superslant.
Travel Razor
Top Pick: Parker Travel Razor A1R
- Compact and easy to carry.
- Honorable mention: Merkur Travel Razor.
Premium Artisan Razor (High-Price)
Top Pick: Wolfman Razors
- Top-tier craftsmanship.
Best Value in Premium Category
Top Pick: RazoRock Game Changer
Reliable Vintage Option
Top Pick: Gillette SuperSpeed (Circa 1955)
- Dependable, classic option.
- Honorable Mention: Schick Krona (Circa 1965).
Criteria For The Best Safety Razor
These are what I consider the best safety razor in several different categories (with honorable mentions). This is based on:
- The experience of Sharpologist editors, contributors, and readers who have actually purchased and used the razor as well as research of various specialty internet forums and blogs.
- Reputation of the manufacturer and the general quality control of the razor’s production;
- Length of time on the market;
- Razor’s general availability, stability of design, and popularity;
- Razor’s over-all value (quality vs. price).
Remember the old adage, “Your Mileage May Vary!” I was not paid by any manufacturer for these recommendations.
Background
Multi-blade, pivoted cartridge razors that come from a few large multi-national companies are manufactured to a narrow set of specifications. Double-edge (DE) razors (and blades!) have a number of options to choose from. Lets look at some of the variables and see what stands out.
Note that the terms double edge razor, DE razor, and safety razor are essentially interchangeable in the context of this article.
This article is especially aimed at the newcomer to “old school” wet shaving, though even experienced wet shavers will probably find some good nuggets of information. These are not the only products of course. If you know of a good DE razor not listed here be sure to mention it in a comment! All the prices in this article are in U.S. dollars and approximate.
Key Considerations for Safety Razors
- Price Range
Budget options are typically under $20, mid-range from $30-$60, and premium razors over $200. - New, Used, or Vintage
- New: Widely available but can be pricier.
- Used: A more affordable option.
- Vintage: Quality varies; often found online or in antique stores.
- Construction Types
- Open Comb vs. Safety Bar: Open comb is ideal for heavy stubble; safety bars offer more protection.
- Piece Construction (1, 2, or 3 Pieces): 3-piece razors allow customization with other razor parts.
- Adjustable vs. Set Gap: Adjustable razors offer versatility in aggressiveness.
- Slant Razors
Slant razors offer an angled blade for efficient cutting. Best for those seeking a closer shave with fewer strokes.
What About The Best Safety Razor Blades – A Further Caution To The Beginner
No discussion about the best DE razor would be complete without mentioning blades. Many beginners think “a blade is a blade” and while DE blades may all look similar there can actually be fairly significant differences in the way a blade is made. Metallurgy (the metal or combination of metals used to make the blade), coatings, and grinding specifications (the blade’s “sharpness”) can all play a part in the razor blade production process.
So take the time to try a number of different blade brands to find the one(s) that work best for the razor you’re using (your skin, the mineral content of the water you’re using, and the shave lather you’re using play parts too). Even if you are already using a DE razor you may need to do some additional blade experimentation if you buy another DE. It will made a difference in your shaving experience.
Some shaving vendors sell “sample packs” or “blade samplers” to make the process easier: you get a few blades of many different types. After you decide which one(s) work best you can then buy your favorites in bulk, saving a ton of money!
A Final Note
Shaving with a DE razor — even the best safety razor — is not quite like shaving with a modern pivoted cartridge razor: you can’t just take mindless swipes at your face and expect a smooth shave, especially if you have sensitive skin. You have to learn a new skill set (and possibly unlearn some bad habits) to use a DE razor properly. It’s not a terribly difficult skill to pick up but there is a learning curve. And like learning to ride a bike or play a musical instrument some will pick it up more quickly than others. Luckily, I have a few videos to help you out!
Over to you! What do you think? (Find this article useful? Be sure to share it!)
Gotta wonder why Rockwell is not included. They are so wonderful, especially the 6S. I have yet to find a blade that does not work well in it. Very hard to cut oneself. And the craftsmanship and build quality are top notch.
The Rockwell 6S is listed under “Best Multi Base Plate Razor”
thanks for the great article! i need an article with the top 5 or top 10 aggressive razors like the yaqi helmet and etc. do you have these recommendations? thanks
I’m in the process of taking notes after each shave, noting the razor, blade, comfort, and closeness so I can better contemplate the shaves. It’s too soon for me to make any meaningful comparis0ns, but the Razorock Superslant and the Muhler R41 are up there, along with the Razorock German 37 slat.
Calling something like razors for “The Best”, is pretty stupid, as it is up to the individual on how their technique is… You can take the cheapest razor and make good use of it, or take the most expensive one and make the worst with it, so there definitely isn’t such a thing as “The Best”, it’s like calling a “Perfume” for the best, or an instrument, nonsense
I still recon you can’t beat the Rockwell S6, for what it offers & delivers shaving wise from mild to wild it unbeatable. It would be great if Rockwell made an S6 type single blade Razor later on sometime.
After getting back to shaving with a DE safety razor these are my choices. After trying and using several DE safety razors my favorite is the Yates 921-M. My preferred blades are Parker….Derby Premium…..Gillette Wilkinson Sword. The Parker blade is my all around favorite.
Yates is definitely on the radar for inclusion in a future update.
Of course, I believe, philosophically, that the best razor is the one you enjoy using at the moment. Still, with 50 years shaving experience here, I’m now convinced the Gillette Old Type is the absolute perfect razor as far as shaving performance. The manufacturing (the handle) was less than good in the long run, but nowadays a replica handle fixes that for a user.
Can’t say I agree with the selection of the 34C over the DE89. I could not, for the life of me, get a good shave from my 34C and usually left me with razor burn; I sold it. My DE89, while milder than I like, delivers consistently decent shaves.
As for the Henson… the medium was my first DE and still gets regular use even with my now 60+ collection. They also make a so-called “aggressive” +++ in aluminum, but they don’t sell the aluminum +++ on their site – you have to buy it through specialty stores like Razor Emporium or The Razor Company. I have the V1 version and really like it!
Thanks for your comments. I wasn’t aware of the Henson +++ availability, I need to add that to Sharpologist’s Henson review.
My vote goes to the Henson razor. I have used several high end razors, Cobra classic, Weber, One Blade, Leaf, Merkur Slant,etc.. The Henson mild gives me the smoothest 3 pass shave I have experienced.
I’m a recent cartridge convert and am extremely happy with Hensen’s AL13 in both Mild and Medium (+ and ++). These are very easy to learn to use, and at least for me there has been no penalty for poor technique except uncut whiskers.
Great article. I purchased a Timeless .95 about 2 ½-3 years ago. I had a rotation with about 4 razors. For the past year, I’ve only used the Timeless. It’a a remarkable razor in every way. Construction, quality of shave, soooo smooth, aesthetics. I’ve often thought of other razors as “this is the one” only to change my mind. Not with the Timeless. It’s name is fitting!
I was interested to see that the Merkur 34C is the most popular razor. In my experience, the Mühle/Edwin Jagger head design is noticeably better (and certainly that head design is widely copied). Perhaps the use of the Mühle/EJ head on many different models results in no single model having the market presence of the older 34C.
Full disclosure: I did initially use the 34C — in part because it was the standard recommendation. However, when EJ made the switch to from the Merkur head design to the new design jointly developed with Mühle, I found that new design to be more comfortable and efficient than the 34C. That’s not surprising, of course since obviously EJ would want to design a razor head better than the one they had been using. Otherwise, what’s the point?
As I note in the article ‘popular’ does not necessarily equal ‘better.’ I did take the different EJ/Muchle handles into account while I was gathering the data.
Having picked up Timeless in stainless, titanium, and bronze, they have easily become my favorite modern DE razor
I would like to know, is it ok to shine or polish your DE razor with toothpaste?
No such thing as “The Best”, it’s all a matter of technique and preperation…
Prep and technique are important but you can’t ignore razor design and construction.
Why is Wolfman not on this list?
Wolfman was an excellent razor but new inventory has been…sporadic. I don’t want to list a razor you can never buy.
It was a great article. Although you nentioned the Mühle R41, as the best aggressive razor, you neglected to mention the variants of the R41, namely the R101 and R102. The R101 and R102 have different handles, but the same R41 head.
Mark As always nice work. Gillette made Super Speed razors, I am thinking from 1940s until 1980s. You say the best Super Speed is 1955. I was wondering why that year?
Thanks Fred
Respectfully differ. My 56 red tip and 53 President are better IMO