You have finally made the choice to switch to Shaving with a Safety Razor, very good! Or you are already shaving with a Safety Razor but are not satisfied with your current razor. That is quite possible. The Safety Razor you shave with can have a major impact on the result. Fortunately, there is always a lid for every pot, and there is always one to be found that suits you.
Every man is different. One has little Beard Growth and large Hands, while another has a very dense Beard Growth, small Hands, and very sensitive skin. These are important factors when searching for a Safety Razor. Additionally, it makes a big difference whether you are a beginner or advanced in the field of Shaving with a Safety Razor. If you have ever wondered why there are so many types of Safety Razors on the market, you have now found the answer.
To find a Safety Razor that suits you, we will show you which factors are important to consider. A Safety Razor consists of different parts that can vary greatly per model.
The difference between an open and Closed Comb
Closed Comb
The comb of a Safety Razor comes in open and closed variants. The closed variant is the most common and is recommended for beginners. At the end of the Base Plate, there is a continuous guide that guides the blade over the skin. This exposes the skin less to the blade. The chance of cutting yourself is reduced as a result. This makes it suitable for beginners. It requires a less precise technique. Men with light Beard Growth can often manage well with the Feet with a Closed Comb.
Open Comb
With a Safety Razor with an Open Comb, that continuous guide is not present. Here, the Base Plate ends in a kind of teeth. Many people find a Safety Razor with a Open Comb to be much more aggressive. But it also has several advantages. Especially for men with heavier Beard Growth.
A Open Comb takes less Shaving Foam with it during shaving movements due to the open teeth. This results in less resistance over the skin. Also, fewer hairs remain in the razor, allowing the blades to perform better.
A Open Comb exposes a much larger part of the blade to the skin. The result will therefore be even smoother.
Adjustable comb
There are also Safety Razors that are adjustable. This way you can determine the space between the Razor Head and the blade yourself and how aggressive the Safety Razor shaves. For men who do not Shaving on a regular basis, this is often a solution. For light and short hairs, a less aggressive razor is needed. When the hairs are a bit longer, a Open Comb is more suitable. This also helps to better pull hairs backward, reducing the chance of ingrown hairs.
The combination is very important
A Open Comb does not necessarily have to be very aggressive. The combination with the double edge blade is important here. Is a razor-sharp blade used, or rather a milder one? Not every Open Comb is equally open. With a too 'mild' Closed Comb, you could also use a more aggressive double edge blade.
The weight of a Safety Razor
An important rule when Shaving with a Safety Razor is that you should let the blade do the work. This is important for a good result without irritation after Shaving. The weight of the Safety Razor plays a major role in this. The heavier the Safety Razor, the less you have to do yourself. With a too light Safety Razor, you will have to apply more force yourself and the chance that you press too hard is greater. The shaving movement will also be less smooth. Ultimately, you still have control over this by the position of the blade in your hand. This determines the weight distribution in the blade. You can practice with this.
The length of the handle
With Safety Razors, there is often a difference in the length of the handle. For example, 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 helpful when shaving against the grain.
Screw or butterfly closure
There are actually two different closures for Safety Razors. There is the butterfly closure, where you turn the Razor Handle and the Razor Head opens like two doors and the blade can be placed. This is slightly faster than changing with a screw closure. The disadvantage is that it contains moving parts and is slightly more vulnerable. But with careful use, it can last just as long.
The screw closure can consist of two or three parts. You literally unscrew these parts from each other. This can be the handle and top plate, but also the handle, head, and top plate. The advantage of this is that it is very easy to clean and almost never breaks.
Brands and price ranges
The prices of Safety Razors vary widely. The difference in these prices is mainly in the choice of material and finish. The more expensive Safety Razors are finished in detail with great precision. We recommend not starting with the most expensive Safety Razors but also not the very cheap models. There is often a good middle ground to be found. Especially with the well-reviewed Brands such as Merkur, Muhle and Rockwell.
The best Safety Razors for you
With the aforementioned factors to consider, we have selected the best and most beloved Safety Razors per criteria so you can make the best choice for yourself.
Selection Safety Razors with Closed Comb
Muhle R89
High-quality Safety Razor that fits well in the hand and is mild enough for beginners. Also suitable for advanced users with a 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. It has a very fine weight balance.
Selection Safety Razors with Open Comb
Muhle R41
One of the most aggressive Safety Razors. Good technique is required for Shaving with this model. Perfect for very heavy Beard Growth and the smoothest possible result.
Merkur 25C
Milder than the R41 but a very fine Safety Razor with slightly longer teeth. This is ideal for taking along longer beard hairs. This prevents ingrown hairs and irritation after Shaving.
Selection 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, for example, Muhle or Merkur but makes incredibly good Safety Razors. Their Model T is the flagship and can be completely customized to your liking. The finish is sublime and this Safety Razor is therefore very popular in the shaving community.
Merkur Futur
This Safety Razor has long proven itself and is often the chosen Safety Razor when people want an adjustable razor.
Good Price/quality ratio
RazoRock Sloc Knurled Handle
The mission of RazoRock is to make Shaving fun for everyone. That means it has to be affordable. With this Safety Razor, RazoRock has succeeded in delivering great quality at an affordable Price. Perfect for both beginners and advanced users.