You finally made the choice to switch to shaving with a safety razor, very good! Or you already shave with a safety razor but are not satisfied with your current scraper. This is very possible. The safety razor you shave with can have a great influence on the result. Fortunately, there is a lid for every pot and you can always find one that suits you.
Every man is different. Some have little beard growth and large hands and others have very dense beard growth, small hands and very sensitive skin. These are important factors when looking for a safety razor. It also matters a lot whether you are a beginner or an advanced safety razor shaver. If you have ever wondered why on earth there are so many types of safety razors on the market, you have now found the answer.
To find a safety razor that is right for you, we will show you what factors are important to consider. A safety razor consists of different parts that can vary greatly from one model to another.
The difference between an open and closed comb
Closed comb
The comb of a safety razor comes in open and closed varieties. The closed version is the most common and is recommended for beginners. At the end of the base plate is a continuous guide that guides the blade across the skin. This reduces the skin's exposure to the blade. This reduces the chance of cutting yourself. This makes it suitable for beginners. It requires a less precise technique. Also, men with light beard growth often do well with a closed comb.
Open Comb
A safety razor with an open comb does not have this continuous guide. In this case, the base plate extends into a kind of teeth. Many people experience a safety razor with an open comb as a lot more aggressive. But it also has some advantages. Especially for men with heavier beard growth.
An open-toothed safety razor takes less shaving foam with it during shaving movements. As a result, there is less resistance across the skin. Also, fewer hairs remain in the razor, allowing the blades to do their job better.
An open comb exposes a much larger portion of the blade to the skin. As a result, the result will be even smoother.
Adjustable comb
There are also safety razors that are adjustable. This allows you to determine the space between the shaving head and blade and how aggressively the safety razor shaves. For men who do not shave on a regular basis, this is often a godsend. For light and short hair, a less aggressive razor is needed. When the hairs are a bit longer, an open comb is more suitable. This also allows hairs to be carried back better which reduces the risk of ingrown hairs.
The combination is very important
An open comb is not necessarily very aggressive. The combination with the doube edge blade is important here. Does it use a razor that is razor-sharp or a more gentle blade? Also, not every open comb is equally wide open. If the closed comb is too 'mild', you could use a more aggressive double edge blade.
The weight of a safety razor
An important rule when shaving with a safety razor is to let the blade do the work. This is important for a good result without irritation after shaving. This is where the weight of the safety razor plays a big role. The heavier the safety razor is, the less you have to do yourself. With a safety razor that is too light, you will have to apply more force and there is a greater chance that you will press too much. Also, the shaving motion will be less fluent. Ultimately, you can control this by the position of the blade in your hand. This determines the weight distribution in the blade. So you can practice with this.
The length of the handle
With safety razors there is often a difference in the length of the handle. If you have large hands, a longer or thicker handle might be easier for you. On the other hand, a shorter handle makes the razor more maneuverable. This is especially easy when counter-shaving.
Screw or butterfly closure
There are actually two different closures in safety razors. One is the butterfly closure, with which you turn the handle and the razor head opens as two doors and the blade can be inserted. This is slightly faster than changing with screw closure. The downside is that it has moving parts and is slightly more fragile. But with careful use, it can last just as long.
The screw fastener can consist of two or three parts. You literally unscrew these parts. This can be the handle and top plate or it can be the handle, head and top plate. The advantage of this is that it is very easy to clean and it almost never breaks down.
Brands and price ranges
The prices of safety razors vary quite a bit. The difference in those prices is mainly in the choice of materials and workmanship. The more expensive safety razors are finished in detail with a lot of precision. We do not recommend starting with the most expensive safety razors but certainly not the very cheap models either. There is often a good middle ground. Especially with the well-regarded brands such as Merkur, Muhle and Rockwell.
The best Safety Razors for you
With the above factors to consider, we have selected the best and most popular safety razors by criteria so you can make the best choice for yourself.
Selection of safety razors with closed comb
Muhle R89
Good quality safety razor that fits well in the hand and is mild enough for beginners. Also suitable for advanced users with light beard growth. Also available with an even longer handle.
Merkur 34C
This safety razor is about as mild as the R89 but has a shorter handle which makes it extra maneuverable and perfect for men with smaller hands. Has a very fine weight balance.
Selection of safety razors with open comb
Muhle R41
One of the most aggressive safety razors. A good technique is required for shaving with this model. Perfect for very heavy beard growth and as smooth a result as possible.
Merkur 25C
Milder than the R41 but a very fine safety razor with slightly longer teeth. This is ideal for taking longer beard hairs. This prevents ingrown hairs and irritation after shaving.
Selection of adjustable safety razors
If you shave very irregularly, it might be nice to be able to adjust how aggressive the razor should be.
Rockwell Razors Model T
Rockwell Razors is not yet as well known as Muhle or Merkur for example, but they make very good safety razors. Their Model T is the flagship and can be adjusted entirely to your liking. The finish is sublime and this safety razor is very popular in the shaving community.
Merkur Futur
This safety razor has proven itself for a long time and is often the chosen safety razor when people want an adjustable razor.
Good price/quality ratio
RazoRock Sloc Knurled Handle
RazoRock's mission is to be able to make shaving fun for everyone. That means making it affordable. With this safety razor, RazoRock has managed to deliver great quality at an affordable price. Perfect for beginners and advanced shavers alike.