Whether you’re new to wet shaving or have done so for years, choosing the perfect razor can be hard. Trust me, I’ve purchased and tested at least a dozen different safety razors before finding my absolute favorite (so far). The perfect razor isn’t a blanket statement, as each person has their own unique skin and hair type. Follow me in this post as I reveal to you my 7 favorite safety razors along with what makes them unique.
If you’d rather cut right to the point, my top pick for the best safety razor would have to be the Muhle R89. The Muhle R89 is beautifully crafted and provides the best shave I have ever gotten. The razor has a closed comb for added protection and comfort, and a short handle for versatility. A 3-piece design makes cleaning and blade changes very easy. The plate is also slotted for easy rinsing of your blade between passes. Another great feature is the R89’s weight is seemingly perfect. Overall, the R89 is perfection in the world of wet shaving as it provides every feature for an amazing irritation-free shave.
Still reading? Follow along as we take a closer look at the Muhle R89 and 6 other of the best safety razors!
Note: I have listed them from worst to best for reference.
The Godfather
The Godfather by Vikings Blade was my first favorite in the world of wet shaving. It has been stated that the razor is a more expensive rebrand of one made by BAILI. While I see the obvious similarities, it’s not something that makes me lose sleep at night. A great post for the future would be to put the two side-by-side and make an honest comparison.
Anyways, the major thing that made me enjoy The Godfather was its longer heavier handle. This razor literally does the work for you while shaving. It has a 3-piece design and the overall build quality is great for the price (even if it is a rebrand).
The razor provides a comfortable shave while being aggressive enough to go right through my coarse facial hair. The only serious downside of this one is that the plate isn’t slotted.
Bevel Safety Razor
The safety razor made by Bevel was something a little different than what I was used to. Bevel claims on its website that its safety razor provides “The Bevel Difference”. The Bevel is mainly targeted at men that have thick or coarse hair. Also, Bevel claims that their safety razor prevents ingrown hair and irritation.
My experience with the Bevel was that it wasn’t my favorite or my least favorite of the dozen-or-so safety razors I have tried (let’s be honest it’s more like two dozen by now). It offers some nice characteristics like a 3-piece design, a slotted head plate, and even a weighted handle that feels great in the hand.
The only gripe I have with the Bevel is that it still gave me some irritation on my neck. An easy fix for the irritation was to switch the blade I was using with it (the blades that are included are not very good). My Astra Platinum blades performed great as usual with the Bevel. I’m in love with those replacement blades.
Merkur 34c
The Merkur 34c safety razor was a surprisingly good shave. I found out about this little guy when chatting with other enthusiasts in a relevant subreddit one day.
The Merkur 34c is a two-piece razor whereas the plate is attached to the handle. The razor provides a super close shave and has a closed comb for comfort. The handle is short; I mean really short. The handle is meant to allow for more precision when shaving around areas such as just below the nose, below the lower lip, and around the ears.
While some might enjoy a shorter handle, it almost felt too short for my liking. As a whole though, the Merkur 34c performed exceptionally and isn’t outrageously priced making it a solid choice for anyone interested in wet shaving.
MANSCAPED The Plow 2.0
MANSCAPED is one of those brands that seems like a trend-setter and for good reason. The Plow 2.0 by MANSCAPED quickly became my favorite safety razor for a while until it was finally dethroned. This razor does everything right. The Plow 2.0 comes in a 3-piece setup.
The handle is perfectly weighted and balanced for an easier shave. The design of the head allows for perfect characteristics like a slotted plate for easy rinsing, a scalloped closed comb design for comfort, and a perfect blade angle. With all of this, The Plow 2.0 is extremely sleek looking with its flat black color and textured handle.
Van Der Hagen
Although it is one of the cheaper safety razors on this list, don’t let the price tag deceive you. The Van Der Hagen safety razor has all the features of an expensive safety razor at a small price tag.
The Van Der Hagen comes in a butterfly-style open for convenient and fast blade changes. The head of the razor features a slotted design for easy rinsing and has a no-gimmicks design. The handle is also the perfect length and doesn’t slip in the hand while shaving. Overall this razor is exceptional for the price and is a great starting point for anyone new to the world of wet shaving.
Edwin Jagger
The Edwin Jagger safety razor is made by a family-run company out of England that prides itself on quality. Specifically, I decided to purchase and try the Edwin Jagger DE89 and give it a try. I grabbed myself a black handle version, but they also come in chrome.
The DE89 was an amazing experience and gave me an incredible shave. The razor is of a 3-piece design and features a straight guard and closed comb. Everything about shaving with the DE89 felt right. The handle felt and looked great in the hand. The razor came with a single replacement blade made by Feather, not my favorite but I gave it a go anyways.
The shave with the DE89 was great as it easily sliced through my thick black facial hair. The only real downside to the razor is that the slick black handle got somewhat slippery when my hand got some of my shaving soap on it. With this aside, the DE89 by Edwin Jagger is hands down one of the best shaves you can expect to get from a DE safety razor.
Muhle R89
Last but not least, we arrive at the Muhle R89 safety razor. The R89 is an absolute beauty that has dethroned all of my favorites in the past.
Muhle’s R89 provides hands down the closest and most comfortable shave that you will ever have from these types of razors. The design of the head is made for ZERO irritation while also giving an extremely close shave.
The R89 is a 3-piece safety razor and is simple yet elegant. The handle is engraved with the company name and provides the perfect grip while shaving. There are also numerous different colors and designs to choose from.
Another key feature of the R89 is actually the company that stands behind it. Muhle is committed to being environmentally friendly and has a focus on sustainability. The company prides itself on the craftsmanship that goes into every one of its products. If you haven’t tried a Muhle yet I highly suggest you do so, you will absolutely not regret your decision!
Takeaway
embarking on the journey of wet shaving opens up a world of precision, comfort, and personal preference. From the robust and heavy The Godfather by Vikings Blade to the sleek and efficient Muhle R89, each safety razor offers a unique shaving experience tailored to different needs and preferences. Whether you value the long, weighty handle of The Godfather, the innovative design of MANSCAPED’s The Plow 2.0, or the unparalleled shave quality of the Muhle R89, there’s a razor out there that’s perfect for you.
The key takeaway from this exploration is the importance of understanding your own skin and hair type, as well as what features matter most to you in a razor. The Muhle R89, with its perfect balance, easy maintenance, and commitment to sustainability, stands out as a top recommendation. However, the journey doesn’t end here. As wet shaving enthusiasts know, the quest for the perfect shave is ongoing, with each razor offering a new opportunity to refine your technique and enhance your shaving experience. So, take these insights, consider what suits you best, and embrace the ritual of wet shaving as not just a task, but an art form.
