Everyone wants to have healthy skin, and the right razor gives you a soft kissable face or silky smooth legs. Cartridge razors can leave your skin feeling stubbly and irritated, and cause unsightly in-grown hairs whereas safety razors are designed to prevent razor burns and in-grown hairs. So consider ditching your old razor and upgrading to a high-quality safety razor. We reviewed popular safety razors on the market, and we’re sharing our top choices for the best safety razor out there – take a look and update your grooming routine.
Table Of Contents
- 1 Best Safety Razor Comparison Table
- 2 1. Best Overall Safety Shaver: Feather AS-D2 Stainless Safety Razor
- 3 2. Best Form & Function Safety Shaver: Blackbird Machined Brass Safety Razor
- 4 3. Best Adjustable Safety Razor: Merkur Progress Adjustable Safety Razor
- 5 4. Best Safety Shaver For Travelers: Merkur Travel Safety Razor with Bar
- 6 5. Best Safety Shaver For Sensitive Skin: Parker Semi Slant Safety Razor
- 7 6. Best Safety Shaver For People With Large Hands: Merkur 23C Long Handle Safety Razor
- 8 7. Best Safety Shaver For Beginners: Merkur 33C Classic Safety Razor
- 9 8. Best Solidly-Built Safety Shaver: Vikings Blade The Chieftain
- 10 9. Best Butterfly Safety Shaver: WEISHI Nostalgic Long Handle
- 11 10. Best Affordable Safety Shaver: Edwin Jagger Double Edge Safety Razor
- 12 Buyer’s Guide
- 13 Frequently Asked Questions
- 14 Conclusion
Best Safety Razor Comparison Table
#1 Editor’s Choice
Feather AS-D2 Stainless Safety Razor
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- All stainless steel
- Accurate blade placement
- Firm grip
#2 Editor’s Choice
Blackbird Machined Brass Safety Razor
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- Solid brass
- 2 handle lengths
- Open comb
Merkur Progress Adjustable Safety Razor
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- Chrome
- Adjustable blade gap
- Double edge blades
Merkur Travel Safety Razor with Bar
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- Full-size
- Breaks down for storage
- 2.8-inches long
Parker Semi Slant Safety Razor
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- Semi slant head
- Solid brass frame
- Torqued blade angle
Merkur 23C Long Handle Safety Razor
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- Long handle design
- Designed for large hands
- Double edge blade
Merkur 33C Classic Safety Razor
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- 3-inch handle
- Chrome-plated
- Easy to change blades
Vikings Blade The Chieftain Safety Razor
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- Durable brass
- Eco friendly
- Super heavy
Weishi Nostalgic Long Handle Safety Razor
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- Butterfly safety razor
- Twist To Open
- Long handle
Edwin Jagger Double Edge Safety Razor
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- Affordable
- Polished handle
- 5 free blades
1. Best Overall Safety Shaver: Feather AS-D2 Stainless Safety Razor
Editor’s Choice #1: Feather’s AS-D2 is a beautiful double edge razor that takes your shaving routine to a whole new level. These sleek razors have an impressive head design that glides easily without any nicks, cuts or irritation left behind proving that it’s the best safety razor on our list, and the ideal item to update your bathroom cabinet with.
Balanced Luxury
When using the Feather AS-D2, you’ll think of luxury. This shaver is made of three 100% stainless steel pieces in a premium satin finish. Every component is high-quality, and you can switch out each razor blade easily and effortlessly. The AS-D2 was also engineered with balance in mind. The blade is perfectly centered on the razor, the handle has a knurled pattern and the razor is long enough to fit comfortably in your hand. We just love this one! Click here to learn what a safety razor is.
Pros
- 100% stainless steel
- Knurled pattern
- Accurate blade placement
- Includes a pack of sharp blades
- Burgundy gift box
Cons
- May be tricky to find the right angle
2. Best Form & Function Safety Shaver: Blackbird Machined Brass Safety Razor
Editor’s Choice #2: The Blackbird Machined Brass Safety Razor was designed to marry form and function with this artistically crafted razor. Inspired by the designs of other high-end products, this sleek and modern double edge safety razor was created with quality, durability and artistic expression in mind – update your routine with this unique looking brass razor.
Functional Design
The Blackbird double edge razor comes with a sleek and modern design that shows the markings created during the machining process. The brass also is left untreated and raw so that a beautiful patina will develop. When it comes to functionality in the best safety razors, the Blackbird leaves many other brands in the dust. This razor has long, vertical lines that create troughs around the handle, capturing water so that you can keep a tight grip on it.
Pros
- 100% brass
- Open comb
- Patina develops
- Troughs
- Two handle lengths available
Cons
- It may not be the look you’re going for
3. Best Adjustable Safety Razor: Merkur Progress Adjustable Safety Razor
Simple User-Friendly Design
The Merkur Progress was designed with an adjustable blade – simply by turning the base of the handle, you can adjust the blade gap, giving you full control and precision. So whether you’re looking for a mild shave or a more aggressive one, your purchase of the Merkur Progress has you covered – you can even change the settings for certain areas of your face. The Merkur Progress also has a simple design making it easy for anyone to use, meaning there isn’t a huge learning curve when it comes to using this razor. A 2-piece razor with easy-to-change blades, it provides a simple, comfortable shave – we’ve crowned it the winner of the best adjustable safety razor award for its star versatility.
Pros
- Chrome plating
- 2-piece razor
- Adjustable blade
- Replacement blades available
- Simple design
Cons
- Blade may not line up evenly on both sides
4. Best Safety Shaver For Travelers: Merkur Travel Safety Razor with Bar
Easy to Use
If you travel regularly, The Merkur Travel razor may be one of the best options for you. It comes with a full-size handle and blades, but can easily break down into 4 pieces. The Merkur Travel is very easy to use – whether you’re assembling or disassembling it, shaving, storing or packing it, this shaver is simple to use right after purchase. Keep in mind, it’s not one of the more heavy-duty comb razors on the market meaning shaving stubble will be much easier than trying to remove a thick beard. However, we really like the features that make it so easy to store and travel with; one of the best safety razors if you’re always on the go.
Pros
- Compact
- Breaks down
- Perfect for traveling
- Comes with leather storage case
- Accepts all standard de razor blades
Cons
- Not a good place to store the blade in use
5. Best Safety Shaver For Sensitive Skin: Parker Semi Slant Safety Razor
Quality Materials
Slant head razors put less pressure on hair follicles as you shave, so they work very well for anyone with sensitive skin – this Parker Semi Slant shaver has a torqued blade that cuts hair at an angle, making it milder than a standard cartridge razor. The Parker is impressively built with quality materials; the sturdy frame is made of solid brass and has an electroplated graphite and satin chrome finish. Due to its heavy-duty construction, it can work just as well on stubble or a thick beard. So if quality materials and a razor that is gentle enough for sensitive skin are what you’re after, we recommend the Parker slant bar safety razor.
Pros
- Semi-slant
- 3-piece
- Torqued blade
- Sensitive skin
- Solid brass frame
Cons
- Large head so may be hard to shave under your nose
6. Best Safety Shaver For People With Large Hands: Merkur 23C Long Handle Safety Razor
Close Shave
Merkur definitely had longer handles in mind while designing the Merkur 23C Long Handle Safety Razor, which is why we think it’s one of the best safety razors available for customers with large hands. With its flawless safety razor design including a closed comb head, you’ll get a seriously close shave, and you won’t have to deal with any more nicks, razor bumps, ingrown hairs or other skin irritations while you shave. A bonus for those who appreciate having a range of blades, Merkur also sells a blade variety pack. What’s not to love about that? So pick up a Merkur 23C razor and enjoy all of the benefits of having an extra long handle.
Pros
- Extra-long
- Knurled
- 3-piece
- Closed comb head
- Standard de razor blades
Cons
- Screw may separate between head and blade
7. Best Safety Shaver For Beginners: Merkur 33C Classic Safety Razor
Compact & Lightweight
With the Merkur 33C Classic Safety Razor, you’ll go from being a beginner to a pro at using edge razors in no time. It has a classic, 3-piece double edge razor design that makes it easy to get a close shave and to change out the blades as needed. The Merkur 33C is one of the more compact safety razors with its 3-inch long, slim handle. This double edge safety razor also fits well in small hands, and its lightweight features help it glide easily over your skin and through shaving cream. When you’re looking for a compact razor that even beginners can use with ease, the Merkur 33C is the best way to go in our opinion.
Pros
- Compact
- Lightweight
- Chrome-plated
- 3-piece design
- Closed comb
Cons
- Razor may feel a bit uneven
- Handle may be too short for some users
8. Best Solidly-Built Safety Shaver: Vikings Blade The Chieftain
Vintage Sturdiness
The Chieftain by Vikings blade wins our prize for having the most solid build of all the products on our list. Made of durable brass with a bronze-plated zinc baseplate, this double edge razor is seriously heavy-duty and sturdy. Many comb razors have some heft to them, and this one is anything but lightweight. The Chieftain also has a cool, classic vibe. With a vintage bronze, knurled handle with a matte finish, and a shiny brass head, this is one of the most stylish safety razors out there. And if you love sturdiness and style as much as we do, you’re going to love the look and feel of this one.
Pros
- Double-edged
- Made of brass and bronze-plated zinc
- Heavy and sturdy
- Luxury carry case
- Short handle
- Cool vintage look
Cons
- Does not come with any safety razor blades
9. Best Butterfly Safety Shaver: WEISHI Nostalgic Long Handle
Non-Slip Design
Butterfly safety razors are characterized by a knob that twists at the bottom of the handle for quick and easy blade removal. The best safety razor in that category for us is definitely the Weishi Nostalgic. It has a long handle, a knob and silo doors that are so easy to use, it has become our favorite butterfly razor on the market. The Weishi Nostalgic also has a great design when it comes to its non-slip handle. The grooves help you keep a much better grip on it than others on our list while still being incredibly comfortable – and even when your hands are wet and covered in shaving products, it’s easy to keep a firm hold on it.
Pros
- Long handle
- Closed comb
- Butterfly open mechanism
- Non-slip grip
- 50 blades included
Cons
- May not always close properly after changing out blades
10. Best Affordable Safety Shaver: Edwin Jagger Double Edge Safety Razor
Polished
When comparing the price range for all of these safety razors, the clear winner is the Edwin Safety Shaver. Not only is the shaver a seriously frugal buy, it also comes with 5 free blades which is an exciting bonus. The handle on the Edwin Jagger is a smooth, polished black acrylic handle making it a unique choice among the others. Keep in mind that the handle will tend to get more slippery when wet, so you’ll want to use extra caution while shaving. But when it comes down to providing a good shave and having an affordable price, the Edwin Jagger wins that contest hands down.
Pros
- Polished acrylic handle
- Closed comb head
- Well-balanced
- Double-edge blades
- Shaves as close as straight razors
- Low cost blade replacement
- 5 free blades included
Cons
- Handle can be quite slippery
Buyer’s Guide
What To Consider When Buying A Safety Razor
Head Type
When you’re looking to purchase a new safety shaver, there are several things to keep in mind. The first is to determine which head type works best for you. The terms you should be familiar with are:
- Safety bar – the baseplate on the head of the razor that provides a barrier between your skin and the blade. All closed comb razors have some type of safety bar on them.
- Closed comb – a closed comb safety razor is typically better for a gentler, daily shave because it has a bar or guard to cover the blade.
- Open comb – typically better for thicker growth because the teeth on the blade separate each of the hairs as you shave.
- Slant head – these razors shave on a slant which works really well to cut coarser hair.
- Single edge – refers to a razor that has only one cutting edge.
Need a shaver while traveling? Read our review of the Best Travel Shavers & Electric Razors to pick the best one for yourself.
Handle Length
Whether it is for you, or a gift for someone else, you also want to consider handle design before making a purchase. A shorter handle is better suited for smaller hands, whereas a longer handle, such as that seen on the Merkur 23C, is better suited for larger hands.
Safety razors are made from stainless steel so if it does ever break, it’s fully recyclable
Frequently Asked Questions
Is A Safety Razor Better Than A Cartridge?
A safety razor is better than a cartridge razor because you get a much closer shave, you have the ability to adjust the blade gap, and safety blades prevent the cuts, nicks, ingrown hairs and razor bumps often seen when using cartridge razors regularly. Safety razors are also great for sensitive skin.
How Often Should You Change Your Safety Razor Blade?
You should change your safety razor blades roughly 1 to 2 times per week. It can depend slightly on how frequently you shave – each blade will last approximately 5 to 6 shaves when using a safety razor. Many safety razors are compatible with standard de razor blades making it easy and affordable to change them regularly.
Are Safety Razors Cheaper?
Safety razors are cheaper than other methods of shaving because the handles are long-lasting and durable and the replacement blades are very inexpensive. Even when changing blades 1 to 2 times per week, it’s still cheaper to use a safety razor throughout the year than cartridge razors.
Conclusion
After reviewing 10 tried and tested safety razors for the best safety razor out there, the top two winners were an obvious choice for the best safety razors on our list. The Feather AS-D2 is the most impressive shaver overall, with the Blackbird is an attractive option boasting high-quality features. You simply can’t put a foot – or a blade – wrong when you purchase either of these two best safety razors.
