Both types of razors have blades that cut the hair, but the main difference is that most safety razors have a fixed head while most cartridge razors have a pivoting head. Additionally, cartridge razors typically have built-in features such as lubricating strips and combs, while safety razors do not. Safety razor blades are made out of stainless steel, which means they can be more easily recycled through community recycling programs. Many safety razor blades even come in easily recycled paper-based packaging instead of plastic packaging like cartridge razors. A flurry of competing models soon followed with everything from one to six blades, with many cartridge blade razors also having disposable handles.
Now, let’s take a closer look at some of the greatest razors for beginners. I hope you’ve got a good idea on how to select a good safety razor for your needs, no matter if you’re a wet shaving beginner or a heavily experienced one. The weight of the handle is a very important factor that defines a safety razor. Usually the best razors are the ones that are a bit heavy with equal weight distribution across the handle that allows for a perfect balance. Two piece razors are usually the Merkur razors no matter if they are adjustable or fixed gap safety razors. They consist of the razor and base plate as one piece, and the other piece is the head cap.

But keep in mind that hair grows in different directions on every man, so know your specific direction and follow it. It’s a great razor that should not only last you a long, long time but also comes with a lifetime warranty against manufacturer defects. We also like the R41’s chrome-plated finish that nicely represents that design and craftsmanship that’s indicative of how Germany-based Muhle rolls.
Slant razors are often rated as aggressive razors so I wasn’t too surprised not to see any slant razors on your list of mild razors. I’ve used a number of conventional double-edge razors, but all the razors that I use on a regular basis are slant razors. Whichever option you choose, you will get an easy to handle, not aggressive, beginner-friendly safety razor. MERCUR razors are made in Germany and are perfectly balanced for a close and comfortable shave.
Folks shave their heads for many reasons, including personal style, ease of maintenance, at the sign of male pattern baldness, or even medical reasons. Whatever your motivation, using a safety razorcorrectlyfor the task can yield a smooth, irritation-free, close shave when done correctly. Additionally, safety razors allow users to adjust the pressure applied during shaving which allows them more control over how close they get to their skin’s surface layers.

Some shavers counterintuitively find that a higher “angle of attack” on the blade angle seems to work better, particularly later in the shave. I have been tempted to try a single edge but never did because of the limited blade options. It took me a while to find the de blades that work best for me.
With a two-piece, the mounting plate is attached to the handle; twisting the handle will remove the top cap. A double-edged blade has openings along the middle, which are positioned over posts on a mounting plate. The blade is then sandwiched between the mounting plate and the top cap. When it comes to storage, choose a dry place that is free from moisture. Consider using a dedicated razor stand, a dry drawer/cabinet, or even a magnetic mount to keep your razor safe and accessible. Utilizing a razor case or blade bank offers an additional layer of protection, especially when traveling.

Now, if you’re willing to spend more than $45, there are plenty of options to choose from. You’ll be able to select among some very high performing razors, among which with or without adjustable heads. You’ll also get the chance to find a few with unique handle designs while you can order some others with your name engraved. Weishi is another company that produces very cheap butterfly open safety razors.
Safety razor’s shave plane is the surface that lies both on the razor’s top cap and the safety bar. If viewed from the razor in the below picture, the plane is the line called “Shave Plane”. Once you're done, rinse your razor thoroughly with water and carefully dry each piece with a towel or a dry cloth. Only reassemble your razor after all of the parts are completely dry.

The base plate angle adds just enough clearance to give me a little more aggressive shave than a Merkur 33c. I adapted the Maggard MR1 handle to it and it’s a razor that has just the right weight, cut and feel for consistently perfect shaves. The sure thing is that if this is going to be your first double edge safety razor, it certainly won’t be the last.
Most open combs are still relatively aggressive but there are some that are quite gentle. IMHO two other SE razors are far superior to any mentioned in your article. Both are expensive, but not as expensive as the OneBlade. The 2nd of my favorite SE razors is the Paradigm which is a wonderfully engineered razor which tames the fearsome Feather Pro blade. I much prefer shaving with the Artist Club width blades and have never gone back to using DE blades after my first SE shave. Visually it looks like there is a lot of blade exposure but in actual use the razor/blade combo is actually fairly mild .
Boil a pot of water, then place your razor in a colander in the boiling water. Leave it boiling for about 10 minutes, then remove the water from the heat and let the water cool. Although the blades are cheap and easy to replace, you also want to protect them from moisture . If you're keeping your razor in a drawer or medicine cabinet, pick a sturdy container made of thick plastic, metal, or wood. This not only protects your razor from humidity but also keeps you from getting cut when you reach for it.

Made with the highest quality materials, this double edge razor provides a smooth and close shave, leaving the skin smooth and irritation-free. Open comb safety razors can be used by beginners, but they require more careful technique as they provide a closer shave compared to other types of razors. The use of safety razors by most men and women has turned to routine, as they use it in shaving hairs on some part of their bodies. Using a safety razor requires that you handle it with care, and shave correctly, in order to prevent injuries and some infections on your skin. Terrance Keaney, a dermatologist in Washington D.C., said he frequently recommends that patients ‘reverse time,’ forgoing cartridge styles for safety razors.
The safety razor is better suited for those who want to take their time to get a smooth shave, while the cartridge razor offers quick results with less skill required. A precision edging blade is sometimes included on cartridge razors with four or more blades. An edging blade is mounted on the top or back of the cartridge for “detail” work like cutting sideburns or getting into tight places like under the nose. Most safety razors just come in a standard chrome, but some like the Merkur 34g and Merkur Futur are available in gold. A lot of brands like Edwin Jagger allow more variety in handles too. Generally these are favoured by cheaper imported razor models like the Van der Hagen and Microtouch One safety razors.