Which safety razor

The dial at the bottom has five settings to choose from, and the razor itself has some heft, weighing roughly three and a half ounces with a 3.

Bevel is one of a few companies taking the direct-to-consumer approach with safety razors. It has a whole line of products, including blades, pre-shave oils, shaving creams, and more. It has one of the longer handles of the bunch, at four inches, and weighs just over three ounces.

For something on the higher end of the price spectrum, Manto suggests this set from Feather, which has a stellar reputation in the barber community and is famous for its made-in-Japan blades, which almost every expert we spoke with says are the sharpest you can buy more on those below. In terms of design, this razor, with a textured grip and closed comb, is similar to the Merkur 34C and 38C. And with a handle of 3. One reason, according to Manto, is that this is made entirely of stainless steel, whereas all the other razors on this list are steel-coated, or made from some sort of alloy.

According to her, this kit has everything you need, including a pre-shave oil that allows a blade to glide easily across your skin and reduces irritation, a shaving cream to reduce drag and ultimately, cuts , and aftershave balm to heal the skin for your next shave.

All the experts told us that choosing a blade is very personal, and to a large degree it comes down to comfort and preference. As many experts caution, the sharpness of these blades can be irritating to sensitive skin, and sharper blades of course carry an increased risk of nicks and cuts.

Derby blades were the runner-up, recommended by six of our experts, all of whom say the brand is something of a barbershop staple. I never have any snags. Very sharp and reliable. While they cost a little more than the Derby blades, barber Miles Martinez of Tuft NYC says that the difference, in his opinion, is noticeable. The Strategist is designed to surface the most useful, expert recommendations for things to buy across the vast e-commerce landscape. This adjustable safety razor makes the transition for cartridge razors easier and less painful.

Start with the lowest setting to get used to the process and gradually work your way up once you get the hang of it. Bevel was developed to help men who suffer from chronic ingrown hairs and razor bumps, especially those with especially curly hair. The crown jewel of the brand is the perfectly-weighted razor that makes shaving smooth and simple.

Parker is one of the OG razor companies and is still one of our go-tos. Unlike cartridge razors, the weight of a safety razor actually does make a difference. Using a heftier razor like this one could mean less guiding by hand and can cut down on the drag of the razor over your skin.

The longer handle on this razor makes learning to use a safety razor easier, because it feels more like a cartridge razor in your hand. The butterfly opening allows you to drop in blades to change them instead of unscrewing parts. Merkur is one of the biggest names in the game of safety razors.

And the matte finish is nice enough to leave out on our sink. Fans of Jack Black know the brand because of its luxurious body and shave products and this razor is no exception.

Many also report that they reduce instances of razor burn and ingrowing hairs, too. Better still, their superior performance ends up costing less in the long run. Compare that to the smaller but more frequent outlay that disposables and multi-blades pin you to and there are serious savings to be had. The icing on the cake or should we say shaving cream on the chin? Paired with the right shaving products, you can re-create that relaxing and refreshing feel of a wet shave performed by a barber.

Generally, the first pass is done with the grain, the second pass across it, and more seasoned users will often go for a third against the grain for an even closer shave. As with all wet shaving, safety razors work best when used with quality shaving soaps and balms. The blade you load into a safety razor plays a major part in how it performs, but ultimately it's about personal preference.

Some people like to use sharper blades with mild safety razors, while others pair more forgiving blades with more aggressive designs. And some just want the sharpest razor on the most aggressive razor head. Start with a variety pack and find out which combination works best for you. The result is a stylish, balanced razor that gives you a taste of safety razors on the cheap.