There are lots of articles about the “best” double edge razors (even on Sharpologist). But what are the most popular double edge razors by sales in today’s market? There are more choices than ever, from small artisans to big, multi-national businesses. This is another major update to my original article of 2019!
TL;DR – The Most Popular DE Safety Razors ( By Sales) Now
- Henson AL13
- Merkur 34C
- Rockwell 6S/6C
- Parker Razors
- Edwin Jagger DE89
- Van Der Hagen Short Handle TTO
- Merkur Futur
- King C. Gillette
- Muhle R89
- Pearl Razors
How This List Was Determined
Determining the most popular double edge safety razors is not as simple as looking at one store’s sales numbers. Different retailers serve different types of customers, and many razors are sold in multiple variations that can make direct comparisons misleading. For this update, I compared current best-selling rankings from several major shaving vendors and online marketplaces, including specialty wet shaving retailers as well as large general retailers.
Because many razors are offered in different finishes, handle styles, or color options, similar models were grouped together rather than counted separately. This prevents a razor with many cosmetic variations from appearing more popular than it really is. I also avoided relying on a single vendor, since buying patterns can vary depending on the audience each store attracts.
The result is not an exact sales chart, but a reasonable picture of which safety razors consistently rank among the top sellers across today’s wet shaving market. Over time the list changes as new designs appear and older classics rise or fall in popularity, but the models shown here are the ones that currently show up most often near the top of best-seller rankings.For the purpose of this article I researched the major wet shaving retailers in the North America and Great Britain, and I also factored in product availability at major “brick and mortar” stores (CVS, Boots, Target, Tesco, Walgreen’s, Walmart, etc.), since that’s where most Sharpologist readers reside. While not including all world-wide sales may skew my results somewhat I am reasonably confident that I have the bulk of the most interested demographics. The data was collected in early 2026.
I have not included “house brand” razors for this article. Don’t get me wrong, there are a number of excellent, popular razors from smaller sources, but I’m looking from the wider perspective of over-all sales across the wet shaving niche’.
The Amazon Factor
There is no doubt established wet shaving businesses like Maggard Razors, Shave Nation, West Coast Shaving, Connaught Shaving, etc. sell a lot of razors. Brick and mortar franchises may sell even more! But Amazon–in all its versions around the world–is a retail juggernaut that just cannot be ignored.
In the grand scheme of things, no double edge razor makes the top 20 of their “Best Sellers in Men’s Shaving Razors & Blades” list (US list for example; each Amazon country storefront has their own list. Some Amazon storefronts do have a separate “safety razor” list: here is Amazon US’s list). But based on those lists and reports I can get as an Amazon Associate I can make some additional sales estimates to help validate Amazon’s influence.
It all boils down to this: vendor X’s top-selling razor may have sold 100 units of Razor A, while Vendor Z’s top selling razor may have sold 1000 units of Razor B. I have to consider a range of possibilities to determine the “top.”
So What Is The Most Popular Double Edge Razor?
(Specifications below are approximate. Amazon links listed for convenience: Amazon and geni.us links are affiliate but unaffiliated links for most of these products can be found with a simple search engine query.)
Remember, I’m listing my estimate of the most popular double edge razors, by sales volume, not necessarily the “best” double edge razors on the market. Since it’s not possible for me to obtain a definitive answer I am going to list what I believe are the top ten based on the methodology and research I described earlier.
10. Pearl Razors
Pearl has become more visible in recent years, especially at vendors that carry a wide range of imported razors. Models like the K2 and Flexi show up often enough in current best-seller rankings to place the brand among today’s popular safety razors.
9. Muhle R89 Double Edge Safety Razor
Muhle’s classic head design, shared with several Edwin Jagger models, remains one of the most widely used in the hobby. The R89 continues to sell steadily (while the more aggressive R41 keeps the brand popular with experienced shavers looking for a closer shave).
8. King C. Gillette Double Edge Safety Razor
- Length: 3.75″
- Weight: 3.6 oz.
- Head Style: 3 Piece
- Shave: Moderate
Launched in 2020, the King C. Gillette double edge razor had been aggressively placed along with the rest of the King C. Gillette product line into many brick and mortar businesses–particularly drugstore franchises in the US and the UK (Walgreens, CVS, Tesco, etc.)–plus online sources. However, while it is still available (and popular) on-line, this razor has disappeared from most brick and mortar sources. See Sharpologist’s coverage here.
7. Van Der Hagen Short Handle TTO Double Edge Safety Razor
The Van Der Hagen (VDH) short handle twist-to-open (TTO) razor is replacing the King C. Gillette razor (#9 above) in “brick and mortar” stores in the US (such as Target and Walmart) and on Amazon.
Quality-wise, this razor does not compete well with any of the other razors on this list, but it is also the least-expensive razor on this list. Visually it looks like a throw-back to Gillette “butterfly” TTO razors of the 1960’s but do not expect the same kind of ruggedness.
6. Merkur Futur Adjustable Double Edge Safety Razor
The Merkur Futur adjustable razor is available in several finishes, including matte chrome, polished chrome, and gold tone. As someone who likes adjustable razors in general I am always surprised at the Futur’s popularity: the smooth finish can make it difficult to hold and the adjustment range is not as wide as many other adjustable razors. But I admit it “looks cool” and I imagine that can be a major influence on purchasers.
- Handle Length: 4″
- Weight: 3.8 oz
- Head style: two piece adjustable with safety bar
- Shave: adjustable
Here is a closer look at the Futur: A Popular Razor – Merkur Futur.
5. Edwin Jagger DE89 Double Edge Safety Razor
For years the Edwin Jagger DE89 defined what a modern double edge razor should feel like, and it is still one of the most commonly purchased razors today. Its moderate aggressiveness, smooth shave, and wide availability keep it near the top of sales rankings even as newer designs compete for attention. The DE89 has a number of different handle styles but share the same head design.
- Handle Length: about 3.5″ but varies slightly depending on version.
- Weight: around 2 oz but varies slightly depending on version
- Head style: three piece with safety bar
- Shave: mild side of middle-of-the-road.
Check out Sharpologist’s in-depth review of the Edwin Jagger DE89 razor series here.
4. Parker Double Edge Safety Razors
Parker produces a wide range of safety razors, and while no single model dominates, the brand as a whole sells in large numbers. Most Parker models share the same head design within the head type (3 piece, TTO/butterfly, adjustable), and appear frequently in best-seller lists, which makes Parker one of the highest-volume names in modern wet shaving.
Click/tap here to check out my our of the Parker 99R as an example.
3. Rockwell 6C/6S
Rockwell’s adjustable plate system has made the 6C and 6S some of the best-selling modern safety razors. The ability to change blade gap without buying another razor appeals to both beginners and experienced users, and these models show up consistently in the top rankings at multiple vendors.
2. Merkur 34C Double Edge Safety Razor
The Merkur 34C has been one of the most popular safety razors in the world for decades, and it remains one of the safest recommendations for almost anyone. It is durable, easy to use, and widely available, which helps explain why it still ranks near the top even as newer designs have entered the market. The 34C (also known as the “HD,” “Heavy Duty,” or “Heavy Classic”) is practically a legend in the old school wet shaving community.
- Handle Length: 3″
- Weight: 2.8 oz
- Head style: two piece with safety bar
- Shave: middle-of-the-road
Click/tap here for a more detailed review of the Merkur 34C.
1. Henson AL13 Double Edge Safety Razor
Rising in popularity in an astonishingly short time, the Henson AL13 aluminum double edge razor now appears near the top of best-seller rankings at nearly every major shaving retailer. Its CNC-machined aluminum construction, very precise blade alignment, and beginner-friendly shaving angle have made it especially popular with newer wet shavers, while still appealing to experienced users who want a very consistent shave. Check out Sharpologist’s review of the AL13 here.
- Handle Length: 3.75″
- Weight: 1.3 0z.
- Head Style: 3 Piece
- Shave: Mild
Conclusion
There are so many really good double edge safety razors on the market now that it is amazing for me to remember a time when the choices were much more limited. But my research has shown me that, while the established product brands are still very much in demand, large corporations have taken notice.
I am surprised that Oliworks and Rex ambassador didnt make it to the list!!!
Because this list is based on sales volume, not a “best” list. Oli and Rex are good razors but other razors far outsell them.
Hey guys, best razor I’ve ever used keep pumping out good Products
Since they are all the same head with different handles, I think you should aggregate sales of the Muhle R89, the King C. Gillette, and the Edwin Jagger DE89 into a single category. I’ll bet that would move the design up to at #3 on the list. I’ve owned upwards of 150 razors (many have been sold) but my favorites are still the DE89 and the Merkur 34C.
Yes, I struggled with that decision. According to EJ and Muhle they are “officially” slightly different designs so in the end I decided to treat them separately.
I am surprised the Oliworks does not make your list. I have a Henson and while it is good I think Oliworks is even better.
Remember, this list is popularity by overall sales.
Great article Mark. It terrifies me to think that I own six of the 10 on the list. I definitely have razor acquisition syndrome.
The Henson razor was the best experience I’ve had.