The history of shaving goes back a long, long time in human history. There’s evidence that man began shaving as long as 100,000 years ago, using sharpened rocks. However, the big leap forward happened around 3000 BC, when Alexander the Great realized that beards were a sort of a hassle in battle. He encouraged his soldiers to start shaving with razors made of brass, copper, and gold. This is the beginning of the straight razor, which still exists today.
Fast forward to the year 1762, when Frenchman Jean-Jacques Perret developed a wooden guard to protect a sharp straight razor. A decade later, he wrote an entire book called the “The Art of Shaving.” Yes, he was that serious.
The razor then leaped forward again when William Henson invented the first T-shaped safety razor, which itself was improved upon by King Gillette who standardized the double-edge safety razor, and William Nickerson began mass-producing inexpensive disposable razors.
The clear winner turned out to be Gillette, who received a contract with the US Army during WW1. After the war, the men continued using the razor, and the introduction of stainless steel saved money by it’s corrosion resistance and hardness. Shaving has come a long way from shaving with rocks.
Why Shave with a Safety Razor?
So now that the history of the safety razor is out of the way, let’s discuss the pros of shaving with a safety razor v. a disposable cartridge.I grew up shaving with a safety razor so I may be partial to the experience, but I have tried an electric shaver, which I gave up due to not giving a close shave. I’ve tried disposables, which wear out too quickly and are too expensive in my book. So I’ve always gone back to safety razors. And here’s why:
- Less skin irritation – One high-quality blade is best rather than multiple blades pulling the hair out.
- Close Shave – A good razor will result in your best shave ever.
- Savings – The handle can be expensive, but the blades are super cheap. Like 50 cents cheap.
- Reduces waste – You wo’t be sending anymore disposable plastic to the local landfill. Better for the environment.
- Durability – a good razor will last your whole life.
What Makes a Good Beginner Safety Razor?
First off, you have to consider the thing you’ll be scraping across your skin: the blade. Shaving experts agree that mildly sharp blades are best for beginners.
Second, you want to find a razor with a good grip. In my opinion, I like to feel a little weight in my hand, but not too heavy. The razor is going to do the heavy lifting. You aren’t going to have to press down as hard as you do with disposables. But honestly, in the beginning, you don’t want anything too heavy that will tear up your face. A nice medium weight is your best bet to start with.
And third is ease of use. Most beginners prefer a butterfly or one-piece design. It allows for easy blade changes.
The 6 Best Safety Razors for Beginners
Edwin Jagger DE89
Best for Standard Grip
Pros: Chrome looks great, Good weight, great price, good drainage
Cons: May slip out of your hand when wet.
Merkur 34C
Best for Beginners
Pros: Recommended by just about every shaving expert.
Cons: Short handle not everyone
King C. Gillette
Best Price Pick
Pros: Good weight, great price
Cons: Maybe a little too mild of a shave for a coarse beard
Henson AL-13 (Medium)
Best Precision
Pros: Good for everyday shaver, nice weight
Cons: Might be a little mild for really coarse beards
Rockwell 6C
Best for Adjusting
Pros: Adjustable aggressiveness
Cons: A learning curve to find the best shave for you.
Feather AS-D2
Best Upgrade
Pros: Premium razor, lasts forever
Cons: A little expensive for a beginner
How to Use a Safety Razor
Now that we’ve covered the best beginner razors, let’s talk razor use.
When using the razor, you should angle your blade at 30 degrees and let the weight of the razor do the work. You should never shave at a 90-degree angle. That works with disposable razors, but not safety razors. With experience, you’ll find out if you should shave with or against the grain of your beard. I prefer it, since it offers a smoother shave, but I don’t recommend it when starting out. Again, you’ll find shaving with a safety razor is much different than cartridges.
You’re probably going to get some nicks and cuts, but you should limit them as much as possible so you don’t get turned off by the experience. There were times in the beginning when I was about to give up and go back to my cheap sub-10-dollar razors. But with practice, you’ll never go back.
I like to use short strokes and rinse the blade often. As you gain experience with the blade, you may want longer strokes to save time, but in the beginning, short strokes are best. As with any new grooming habit, you’ll find out what works for you. And remember to rinse the blade as you go. It will result in a better shave.
I like to finish with a cold water rinse to close the pores and reduce irritation. Plus, it feels refreshing. There’s nothing like a cold splash of water to wake you up and feel refreshed. And something I didn’t mention is to always do a good job of prepping your face with a good lather using a quality shaving soap and brush.
It’s also important to end your shave with a good aftershave balm, aftershave or aftershave splash.
The Bottom Line
My best advice is to go with the Merkur 34C. It’s forgiving while you learn. On top of that, it’s a great razor that will last a lifetime if you take care of it. However, you can’t go wrong with the King Gillette if the Merkur is outside of your budget. It’s also a good razor and not as expensive. Once you have the hang of safety razors, you can always upgrade to something like the Feather AS-D2.
You are now on your way to the best shave of your life, and you’re going to save money in the process!
