Shaving with your favourite double-edge razor is a sensory experience; one that should be enjoyed as often as possible. Of course, mastering the art requires you to overcome a slight learning curve. But that’s what makes the accomplishment of your super clean shave all the more rousing.
Admittedly, choosing to shave with a safety razor is a recession in technology, rather than a progression. But it’s a recession that’s catching on. So what’s the attraction to the 100-year old art; what’s making them so appealing in an age of innovation? In a word: simplicity.
Today, major cartridge shaving brands like Gillette, Dollar Shave Club and Harry’s are competing harder than ever for your attention and cash. To grab just a second of your time, they’re throwing big money at bland adverts that mostly revolve around one gimmick: just add more blades! But all of their efforts could be in vain, as large numbers of men (and women!) are returning to a simpler, more earth-friendly, solution.
The waste and cost implications of cartridge razors have become quite detrimental in recent years, mainly because customers are now more environmentally aware, and more penny conscious than ever.
In comparison to multi-blade cartridge razors, double-edge safety razors are much greener. They’re also less of a burden on your wallet over time. Your initial purchase of a sleek and stylish safety razor – usually made from metal – might cost you a few pounds more than a plastic alternative, but the long term benefits warrant the spend. With a little care these durable razors can last a lifetime and be kept out of landfill, all for the same price (or less) than you’d normally pay for a year’s supply of cartridges!
As for the double-edged blades they fit, these cost literally pennies per blade and can be recycled safely in a planet-friendly way. This usually means a trip to your local pharmacy (or barbershop) to drop off the blade bank you’ve been filling at home for incineration/melt down – creating fresh sheets of metal for the future.
Many consumers are also turning to this traditional shaving experience for the enjoyment and relaxation benefits. A clean shave with a traditional safety razor is often described as “Zen-like” by shaving enthusiasts: they feel enlightened as they concentrate on the shave, making it a morning ritual to look forward to. The whole process promotes patience and tranquility, as a shave can take anywhere from 5-20 minutes, depending on the amount of steps taken; the equipment used; and the technical expertise of the individual. This time can be set aside for uninterrupted self-reflection and the rite to groom with style. In a society of information overload, this is a great benefit for both the mind and body.
How to shave with a double-edge safety razor
Preferably, your shave should take place straight after a shower or a hot towel treatment as this helps to soften your beard hairs. Once you’ve prepped your face, apply your favourite shaving cream with your best-loved brush. If you’re using “the canned stuff,” then we highly recommend switching to creams, soaps, and brushes!
Once you’ve applied your shaving cream and fitted a blade to your razor, hold the razor at roughly a 30-degree angle from your skin. This will vary slightly depending on your face shape and chosen razor, but 30-degreees is the general rule.
To begin, shave only “with the grain” (in the same direction your hair naturally grows) until your technique is solid. As you improve, you can shave across or against the grain in second or third passes. But be aware that shaving across or against the natural direction of growth can cause several problems for the beginner, including razor burn, ingrown hairs, irritation and dryness.
As you shave, lock your wrist in a straight line with your forearm to reduce the amount you twist the blade. To maneuver the razor in the right directions, create gentle strokes by creating movements from your elbow and shoulder. This will help to eliminate any blade angle variation further and keep the blade at an optimal angle for hair removal.
Finish your shave by rinsing any leftover shaving cream from your face with cool water, and then pat your face dry with a soft towel. Finally, apply a splash of premium aftershave or moisturise a soothing balm into your pores to refresh your skin and keep it healthy and toned.
The modern gent has an absolute plethora of double-edge safety razors to choose from. There are so many options: three-piece, one-piece, adjustable, varying finishes, and so much more.
With so much choice, how does one commit? To help you out, we’ve chosen our 10 best double-edge safety razors. So, in no particular order…
The 10 best safety razors of 2019
Edwin Jagger Double Edge Razor DE89L
Edwin Jagger was established in 1988 and hails from Sheffield, England. Their reputation for quality products is solid and this particular razor is no exception. Featuring a beautiful chrome finish and three-piece construction, this exquisite razor is a great choice for beginners. The three pieces are easy to disassemble, clean, and replace with a fresh blade.
Bluebeards Revenge Scimitar Double-Edge Safety Razor
The Bluebeards Revenge “Scimitar” Double Edge Razor
Now an established brand in the world of men’s grooming and skincare, The Bluebeards Revenge has become synonymous for its barber-grade shaving gear. And the Scimitar Razor is a great example of this commitment to quality.
It exhibits a highly-polished chrome finish, a laser-etched version of the brand’s iconic skull and crossbones logo, and a precision-engineered base plate. Your kids will be fighting over this razor when you’re gone.
Merkur 34C Heavy Duty Classic
German engineering at its finest, Merkur’s model 34c or HD (Heavy Duty) has long been used by traditional shaving enthusiasts. In fact, the Dovo/Merkur Company has been making superior razors like this for well over 100-years!
Weighing in at 80-grams, this razor is built to last and will remind you of its presence time and time again. The heft of the razor is a good aid in mastering your technique; it guides your hand and allows you to develop a very light-but-confident grip when gliding the razor through your stubble.
This grip is aided further thanks to a beautifully machined knurling on the handle. Completing the look is a finely machined base plate and face plate, creating a three-piece razor that will not disappoint.
Merkur 37C Slant Bar DE Safety Razor
The 37c is another fine razor from the Merkur Company. Unlike the 34c, its head sports a very different design: it has been bent (or torqued) so that the blade is curved, instead of sitting in a straight line like other razors. This slanted edge gives the blade a precise slicing action which aids in the cutting of hair.
Gentlemen with particularly coarse hair or a very thick growth pattern will benefit most from the 37c. We wouldn’t recommend this razor for beginnings either – while it provides an excellent shave, it takes a fine hand to bring out the beauty in this beast.
Parker Model 22
Our first one-piece razor to make the list, the Parker 22 is a great bit of kit. The Interceptor features a pair of doors on the head that open and close to hold a blade in place. These doors are effortlessly opened and closed by twisting a cleverly-designed mechanism on the bottom part of the handle. This classic design was developed in the early stages of the 20th-century and remains an iconic image of the safety razor. The Parker 22 is a fantastic entry level razor and will certainly not disappoint, you have our word!
Merkur 510 Chrome ‘Progress’ Safety Razor
Considered by many to be the gold standard of modern safety razors, the Progress is a tool that is sure to delight. Sporting a two-piece design, this razor is easy to load and use.
The grand feature of the Progress is its adjustment dial. Twisting the dial raises and lowers the face plate, creating a more gentle or aggressive shaving experience. The Progress is a beautiful piece of craftsmanship that’s well worth your time, money, and consideration.
Helpful hint: when you’re loading a blade, keep the two alignment marks on the head on the same side before you screw down the face plate!
FaTip Piccolo
The Piccolo is a beautifully designed razor of Italian origins. Its most notable feature is a toothed-comb pattern on the bottom plate. The open comb design is a very different feature from all of our previous razors, and acts as a funnel to channel the hairs closer to the blade.
This is another great choice for gentlemen with thicker, coarser hair, or for those that don’t shave on a regular basis.
Hill & Drew HDRB40
The good folks at Hill & Drew are very new to the men’s grooming market, but have already breathed life back into the wet shaving sector. Their razors are carefully chromed and built to last the test of time – doing their bit to reduce the amount of consumer waste that makes its way to landfill.
The micro-combed edge on their razor acts like a combination edge, which helps to maximize the amount of cream that stays on the face for a superior shave. This is the most budget-friendly razor on our list, but it certainly isn’t lacking in quality and style! Whatsmore, the HDRB40 has recently been named Best Buy/IndyBest by The Independent newspaper. Read the full article online here.
Merkur Bakelite
Transporting you back to a bygone era, the Merkur Bakelite is a throwback to a time when metal was scarce. Every scrap was needed for the war effort, so plastics became king. And the realm of men’s grooming was no exception.
The Merkur Bakelite razor is extremely light, making it a perfect travel companion for shaving on the road. The form is very similar to that of the Merkur 37c, and as with many other things from the era of swing, you can be guaranteed that you’ll be shaving in style.
Muhle R41
Last, but certainly not least, is the Muhle R41. First thing’s first, it needs to be understood that this razor is not for the inexperienced.
The gap that is open between the blade and the safety bar is wider and far more aggressive than other razors. This gap means a steadier and experienced hand is required. That being said, the razor’s aggressive nature can lend itself to a beautifully smooth shave when tamed by the right set of hands.
And there you have it – our top ten double-edge safety razors, listed in no particular order! The main aim of this list was to give you a great starting point for your love affair with safety razors. Of course, there are hundreds more that could’ve made our list. But we’ll save those for another day. Just remember: there is an infinite myriad of styles, shapes, and finishes for you to choose from.
To continue your journey, why not check out our Magazine, where you’ll find a rich hub of shaving expertise. Or take your newfound knowledge into our product pages, where you might just find the perfect razor for you.
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