9 Best Safety Razors for a Superior Shaving Experience

Safety razors were introduced back in the 18th century as a replacement to inconvenient steel razors and they were the kings of all grooming razors until the middle of the 19th century when cartridge razors took over because of the ease of changing blades.

However, safety razors made a comeback with a bang at the beginning of the 20th century. No other shaving razor could replace the close shave, economical cost, and sustainable manufacturing of safety razors.

So, if you also want to invest in a quality safety razor, we got you.

Table of Contents:

• Part 1: What is a Safety Razor?
• Part 2: Factors to Consider When Choosing a Safety Razor
• Part 3: Top Picks for Best Safety Razors
• Part 4: Maintenance and Care Tips

Part 1: What is a Safety Razor?

A safety razor just as the name implies is a razor with a safety apparatus to protect your skin while shaving. It is meant for the injury-free shaving experience at home with the requirement of minimal skills.

Components of a Safety Razor

A safety razor is shaped as a “T” and is mainly composed of two components which are further divided into sub-parts as explained below.

• Handle: The razor handle is the bottom portion of the safety razor. It is made of a variety of materials like stainless steel, zinc alloy, or chrome. Additionally, the length of the razor handle differs among the brands and models.
• Head: The razor head is made of blades and plates. The plates are either detachable or fixed to the head. The blades are attached in a fixed position on the plates or are adjustable according to the closeness of the shave you want. Moreover, the head contains an open or closed comb that determines the aggressiveness of the safety razor.

How it Differs from Other Types of Razors

Straight Razors:

A straight razor is a single metal blade with a metal or plastic handle. It was mainly used by barbers to groom beards. The risk of cuts and nicks is greatest with straight razors.

So, safety razors come with overhead protective plates to reduce the risk and they use replaceable blades. Furthermore, the difference between the two is elaborated in straight razor vs. safety razor.

Cartridge Razors:

Cartridge razors have replaceable or disposable razor heads. The heads have multiple blades which were developed to remove the hair quickly even though the shave is not the closest.

However, there is an increased risk of irritation and ingrown hair. So, safety razors offer a close irritation-free shave. You can check the comparison between these two at the safety razor vs. Cartridge.

Electric Razors:

Electric razors are the latest advancement in the shaving razor industry. They work on battery or main power and are beginner-friendly as well. However, safety razors are preferred for their optimal risk-free results.

Part 2: Factors to Consider When Choosing a Safety Razor

Below are the factors you should consider while buying a safety razor to ensure that you spend a large sum on something that works seamlessly for you.

Types of Razors

There are mainly 3 types of razors based on the design.

• A butterfly razor: It is a single-piece razor where the head is completely attached to the base and this head is opened like a book to replace the blades. It is great for clumsy people who cannot handle the separate parts well.
• A 2-piece razor: The 2-piece razor is made of 2 parts, the first is a handle attached to the base of the head and the second is the removable top of the head. The blade is placed between these parts. Although a little difficult to clean, it is aligned easily.
• A 3-piece razor: All parts of a 3-piece razor are detachable. This makes cleaning the razor a piece of cake. However, you will struggle will its alignment.

Blade Compatibility and Availability

A safety razor can work with single-edge and dual-edge blades. So, you should consider your convenience and availability of the blades while buying a razor. Moreover, look for the blade specification to see how sharp, aggressive, or gentle it is.

Razor Weight and Handle Length

Razor weight determines the stability of the safety razor. A beginner works better with a heavier razor. But if you have already been using safety razors for a while, you can also control a lightweight razor.

Handle length is based on your hand size. So, if you have big hands, go for a razor with a long handle while a short-handle razor works well for small hands.

Grip and Comfort

The textured surface and knurled end of the safety razor have a strong grip. A good grip offers better control and reduces the risk of cuts caused by the mishandling of the razor.

Moreover, you should consider the comfort of the razor according to your skin sensitivity.

Part 3: Top Picks for Best Safety Razors

Based on the factors discussed above, we choose the top 9 safety razors here.

Overview Table

The table given below shows a comparison of the best safety razors in terms of reviews and price.

1. Merkur Mk34c Double Edge Razor

Head Type:

Closed straight comb handle

Size:

83.3 mm long razor with 77.1 mm long handle

 Weight:

77 grams

Features:

• Textured surface with curler ridges at the bottom for a good grip
• Comes with 10 double-edge blades
• Compact and sturdy design
• A 2-piece safety razor

2.  Merkur 23C Double Edge Safety Razor

Head Type:

A straight closed comb head

Size:

105.6 mm razor with 98.4 mm handle

 Weight:

60 grams

Features:

• Extra long handle with small ridges over the handle and knurled grip
• 3-piece design with easily replaceable blades
• A graceful design with a chrome finish
• Provides gentle results and smooth skin

3.  Rockwell 6C – Double Edge Safety Razor

Head Type:

Multi-head razor

Size:

95 mm long razor with 85 mm long handle

 Weight:

100 grams

Features:

• Available in multiple colors
• Suitable for both men and women
• 6 adjustable plates allowing you to customize hair removal
• Manufactured with chrome zinc alloy giving it a long life

4. Rockwell 6S – Adjustable Stainless Steel Safety Razor

Head Type:

Multi-head razor

Size:

95 mm long razor with 85 mm long handle

Weight:

118 grams

Features:

• Adjustable blade gaps allow you to personalize shaving
• Made of stainless steel metal. This makes it durable
• Beginner-friendly safety razor that eliminates bumps, nicks, and cuts
• Suitable for facial and body hair for both men and women

5. MÜHLE TRADITIONAL R89 Double Edge Safety Razor

Head Type:

Closed comb head

Size:

95 mm long razor with 85 mm long handle

 Weight:

100 grams

Features:

• Made of a rust-resistant plastic-free material making it both durable and sustainable
• Available in chrome, black, and rose gold options
• 3-piece razor design with a textured head which improves the grip and efficiency
• Features a gap under the foam technology that makes cleaning easy

6.  MÜHLE TRADITIONAL R41 Double Edge Safety Razor

Head Type:

Open comb head

Size:

95 mm razor length with 85 mm handle length

Weight:

100 grams

Features:

• Open comb with optimally separated teeth to help in greeting a close shave effortlessly
• Works perfectly for thick hair and a dense beard
• A single pass is enough for a clean shave
• 3-piece easy-to-handle razor design

7. Edwin Jagger DE89 Short Handle Classic Double Edge Safety Razor

Head Type:

Closed comb head

Size:

94 mm long razor with 84 mm long handle

Weight:

50 grams

Features:

• 3-piece razor with a knurled design and textured surface to ensure a strong grip
• Made of brass handle and cast-iron chrome plated head
• A classic safety razor manufacturing that gives seamless results
• Resistant rust, scratch, and wear, and tears.

8. Feather Stainless Steel Double Edge Razor AS D2

Head Type:

Closed Comb head

Size:

Around 95 mm long razor with 85 mm long handle

Weight:

96 grams

Features:

• 3-piece razor with a flat handle design that does not overhang the blades
• Perfect for sensitive skin as it does not shave aggressively
• Luxurious Japanese-style razor
• Heavyweight stainless steel handle that offers good control

9. Parker Safety Razor, 99R Chrome Long Handle Open Double Edge Safety Razor

Head Type:

Closed comb head design

Size:

101 mm long razor with 96 mm long handle

Weight:

113 grams

Features:

• Heavy-duty razor that stays stable throughout the shave
• Handmade manufacturing with electroplated finishing for durability
• Works great for thick beards

Part 4: Maintenance and Care Tips

Changing the blades

You can find a step-by-step guide on changing the razor blade at how to remove a blade from the razor. Below are some tips to change the razor blades.

• Change the blades after 3 to 5 uses
• Always hold the blade from the shorter side of the rectangle
• Keep the handle straight and align the blade carefully on the head

Tips to ensure longevity

There is not much to do about the care of the razor. Therefore,

• Clean the razor regularly every time after use
• Sterilize it with rubbing alcohol before use
• Lubricate it with machinery oil once in a while
• Store it in a clean and dry place
• Try to keep the razor in its stand as you store it
• Check out the instructions to clean the razor at how to clean a safety razor.

Conclusion

Investing in a high-standard safety razor is essential because a reliable safety razor can be expensive and it is going to stay by your side for many more years to come.

Thus, keep your skin sensitivity, hand size, grooming routine, and budget in mind when you are considering any safety razor. We mentioned the top 9 safety razors available in the market here. So, look at their features and decide which one will suit you the most.