[Updated August, 2021]. You’ve decided to give a single blade safety razor a try. Congratulations! But which razor? There many different types of “old school” double edge safety razors. Some are based on designs that have been around for many years. Others offer a new take on the old stand-by’s. Which ones are the best bets for beginners? Let’s take a look at my recommendations for safety razors under different circumstances.
Your Individual Circumstances?
There are a lot of excellent safety razors on the market (that article also has a ton of information about the different types and designs of double edge safety razor). But some are best wielded by experienced hands. For the “newbie” I think there should be some specific parameters:
- Reasonably widely available.
- The razor head engineered to be more “forgiving” to someone learning their technique.
- The shave experience should not overly aggressive but still reasonably efficient.
- A handle with a sure grip and a good balance.
First, a “tl;dr” list, alphabetically. Then let’s dive into the details. Amazon, West Coast Shaving, OneBlade, and Rockwell links are affiliate.
What Is The Best Safety Razor For Beginners?
Now for the details.
Beginners Looking For A Low-Cost Entry
The Dorco PL-602 is an inexpensive, all plastic (well, except for the blade 🙂 ) double edge safety razor. If you want to try shaving with a single blade at minimal cost, this is the razor you should get. HERE is Sharpologist’s full review of the Dorco PL-602. Some find loosening the handle very slightly will result in a different shave characteristic, improving the shave even more for some people.
The Merkur 23C is an often-suggested double edge razor for beginner, though it’s a bit more expensive.
The shave is entirely “middle of the road,” and finding the “sweet spot” angle is easy, which will be fine for most people…unless you like really mild or really aggressive razor. For me the Merkur 23C is a good, solid, all-around razor. Click/tap here for Sharpologist’s full review of the Merkur 23C.
Beginners Following The Leaders
Would you rather make a single purchase you can probably use for the rest of your shaving life? Want to look for the closest thing to a middle-of-the-road, “safe bet” in a safety razor? Then either the Merkur Heavy Duty (also known as the Heavy Classic, the HD, or the 34C) or the Edwin Jagger DE8x series are what you should be looking for. They are both enormously popular in the “old school” shaving community.
While the Merkur razor has a single variant (the 38C), the Edwin Jagger series has many handle options (over 40 at last count)–though they all use the same head. By far the most popular Edwin Jagger razor version available on Amazon is the DE89LBL. There are many, many reviews available for those razors: a simple query of your favorite internet search engine will find the most relevant for you. Check out Sharpologist’s review of the Merkur 34C and the review of the Edwin Jagger DE89 series.
Beginners Looking For The Easiest Transition
Here a great solution is the OneBlade razor. The Oneblade is not a classic double edge razor but if you want to make the transition between cartridge razors and shaving with a single blade as easy as possible, A OneBlade razor may be the way to go. It combines the best of both worlds: a pivoting head like a cartridge razor but uses a single blade. There are a number of models at different price points but they all use the same technology. It can make shaving practically effortless. HERE is Sharpologist’s extensive review of the OneBlade.
Beginners Open Comb
The “open comb” (OC) is one of the original safety razor designs, made for back in the day when men didn’t shave their faces very often so there was a lot of beard hair to cut. The comb channels hair and lather to provide a more consistent cut to thick stubble. So if you have a heavy beard, or you don’t shave very often, an OC razor might be worth looking at.
Historically, OC razors are not as gentle or forgiving in technique as other razor designs (some notoriously so). But I think a few are suitable for beginners.
The Parker 24C (and it’s sibling, the 26C, differing only in handle design) is a well-thought-of OC razor and often recommended to beginners. While it is not nearly as aggressive as other OC razors it still works efficiently and comfortably.
Beginners Adjustable
One design element of a double edge, single blade safety razor is the size of the gap between the blade’s edge and the razor’s safety bar. The vast majority of razors have a set gap size: the amount of the gap distance is determined by the manufacturer for a particular model of razor. Adjustable razors can change the gap to make them more gentle or more aggressive. There are only a few adjustable razors currently made, though more have appeared recently, and fewer still suitable for the beginner.
The Parker Variant is a relatively new razor that takes its inspiration from an established product, the Merkur Progress. The Variant addresses most of the short-comings of the Progress, including a handle that can be slippery in inexperienced hands. HERE is Sharpologist’s full review of the Variant.
Also relatively new to the market is the Rockwell 6S. It is not an “adjustable” in the normal, continuously-adjustable sense, but rather it offers different base plates. Each plate has a different amount of blade exposure set.
A Caution To Beginners: Double Edge Blades Are Not All Alike!
No discussion about double edge safety razors would be complete without mentioning blades. Many beginners think “a blade is a blade” and while blades may all look the same 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 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). 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!
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Leaf Razor, superb and extremely comfortable shave.
What happened to the great Sharpologist discount code/deal on the One Blade? I almost pulled the trigger on one of their razors, but the code since has been deactivated, I guess.
I’m checking on this now….
I’m surprised there’s no mention of the Weishi line of DE razors here; they affordable and well made safety razors that are fairly gentle to beginners. In fact, my first DE was a Weishi and it allowed me to develop good technique and shaving angles before going to more aggressive razors.
Gitti–Yes, I struggled with whether to include Weishi in this article. They’re available, affordable, and reasonably gentle. But well-made? I have found that their quality control is all over the road, depending on the model. But I will revisit the brand when I do an update on this post. 🙂
In that case, I’m glad I lucked out then; however, looking forward to that update!
With all respect, Mantic, the Weishi 9306F line, is all copper, just like vintage Gillette Superspeeds, which is far better than zamak that breaks after a 20cm fall, like the vaunted DE89. I started with Weishi and keep using it despite having EJ DE89 Kelvin and i get equally good shaves. Main difference, the Weishi costed me half the money.
My favourite razors are ones that have a bit of character, like Murdock or Stag
One Blade to high $$
Think it came down in price, maybe.
The Core, I did not see it says where it is made.
Think you can only use thier blades. Has to be mail ordered.
Who else sells blades.
Reminds me of regular injector razors from years ago.
Usually mail order double edge blades with other stuff.
If I run out of double edge blades I can go to local grocery store has Wilkinson Sword. Open 24X7. 1/2 mile up road store that sells to hairdressers carries another brand.
Bond
I love my Parker 24c. I’ve been wet shaving since 2013, but it is my daily driver. It is very smooth and efficient- while making it difficult to cut yourself.
One blade ridiculously priced.
I prefer razor like this https://www.gillette.co.in/en-in They are more gentle for me and not so expensive
I think the Muhle R89 is also a good starter razor that can last a lifetime. It’s still my go to razor for how well it gets the job done, quick and easy.
For me, I am really enjoy using double edge razor. I travel frequently and I lost my razor so many times. So, the cheapest is the best to me.
Thanks for your information.
The Godfather Razor by Vikings Blade. The Gillette Tech head is very forgiving.:) This razor really helped me to hone my wet shaving technique.
You should consider adding the closed comb stainless steel Fendrihan MK II. The second version seems to be everything you suggested the first version oc/cc should have been.
Wilkinson Classic, best for beginners.
I would like to second the 34c. It is a great razor, I believe it is similar to the 23c but with more metal involved. I would also add the Feather Popular is a friendly introduction to de shaving.
Sorry for offtop. Dear sir, would you please tell me abot review of Wunderbar slant? Looking forward to read it.
A review is coming soon!
Honestly the best way to find the ideal razor, is to buy something, I chose a safe bet the de89, but I’ll probably end up switching to a 34c or 37c
Mark, aren’t there several Merkur razors using the same head as the 34C? I was under the impression the 42C (and several others) differed only in the handle. I might be mistaken about this, though.
I’d also throw a good vintage razor into the mix of possibilities. I have a nice pre-WWII Tech which I acquired about the same time as the aforementioned Merkur 42C. They are plentiful and inexpensive—or at least they were a few years ago. While I now have many more, and more aggressive, razors, I still use both of my “beginner” razors fairly often.
Brian, my understanding is the 42 has a slightly different head specification. I’ll verify that.
I’ve intentionally avoided recommending a vintage razor to the beginner because there are too many condition variables. However I will say that a Schick Krona, if found as “new old stock” would be good for a beginner.
A very timely article, as I am getting ready to make my first razor purchase. What do you think about the soon-to-be-released Rockwell Model T as an option?
Also, should one strop blades between shaves?
Thanks.
I would avoid getting the Rockwell T until the production model is launched and some initial reviews come in.
Blades are cheap my friend. Why hassle with stropping? If you must just throw in a new blade and shave on!
I would not include the Merkur 34C: there are better razors (more comfortable, more efficient) at lower prices.
I would certainly include the RazoRock Old Type: its feel and performance are excellent and it’s just $15. That one really should not be omitted. In fact, I’m surprised not to see it in the list.
The Fatip Testina Gentile is excellent: I would definitely include that instead of the Merkur 34C. The two are about the same price, but the Testina Gentile is a big step up in both comfort and performance.
I would list the Maggard V2 open-comb with one of their stainless handles as an alternative to the Parker 24C: same price, same head, but the Maggard handle is superior in materials and in the threading.