What Is the Best Safety Razor for a Beginner? (For Any Budget!)
Safety razors are more economical and much more environmentally friending than using either disposable or cartridge razors. They are also great for sensitive skin. If you’ve never tried out a safety razor before, where do you start?
The best safety razor for a beginner is one that is not so aggressive, but easily follows the contours of your face for a perfect wet shave. Depending on your budget, you can spend around $25 to well over $100 on your first safety razor. The price point will determine the overall construction, the quality of the materials, and other luxury details.
Keep reading for recommendations for the best beginner safety razors at budget, mid-range, and premium price points.
What kind of razor should a beginner use?
If you have previously used cartridge razors or have never even shaved your face before, then a safety razor may be a great option for you!
There are many different razors on the market to choose from, but safety razors are generally the easiest razor to use and are great for people who have issues with sensitive skin, razor bumps, and razor burn.
A beginner should use a safety razor that is delicate on the skin and not too aggressive. It should not easily produce razor burn or razor bumps so they may be introduced to shaving in a gentle and forgiving manner.
Safety razors may be a little intimidating for new shavers but in the long run, they are most likely the best type of razor to start with. This is because they are delicate against the skin and are less likely to cause nicks and cuts due to a razor guard that helps to protect the shaver.
What type of safety razor is good for beginners?
To understand what type of safety razor is best for beginners, it is important to understand what makes a good razor accessible and easy to use. There are many different types of safety razors to choose from which have a bunch of different modifications or special aspects to them.
A good beginner safety razor is a mild, closed-comb safety razor of standard size. A shorter handle length of about 3 inches (80mm) will provide better control and follow contours easily. Avoid safety razors with butterfly closures, or slants, and save the travel-size option for when you’re a little more experienced.
It is important that a beginner feels in control of the blade, especially when they are first starting out and want to do the shave correctly.
A standard safety razor with a shorter handle will provide more control while also producing a close and delicate shave. For a beginner, you do not need anything special, and a standard safety razor will be just fine.
Which razor blades are good for beginners?
After you purchase a safety razor you are going to need a replacement blade after about every 5 shaves. Fortunately, safety razor blades are quite cheap when bought in bulk, so here are a couple of affordable options for replacement blades.
Be sure to check what kind of blade your safety razor requires before buying replacement blades. Generally, the blades are the same for most razors, but the build quality of the blade can vary with the price.
Both of these options are affordable and will do the shaving job perfectly:
Which shaving soap or cream is good for beginners?
There are many different shaving creams and soaps on the market, and you may have to end up trying out different ones until you find one that’s perfect for you.
A great shaving soap or cream for beginners should be easy to use and lather with an emphasis on a smooth, easy, and effortless shave:
- Cremo Barber Grade Original Shave Cream – This is a solid shaving cream that will work well for most users. It also has great ingredients in it such as aloe vera and olive leaf extract which will help to sooth skin and get it ready for a great shave.
- Pacific Shaving Company Natural Shave Cream – If you have acne-prone or highly sensitive skin, you may be better off with a natural shaving cream that does not have any alcohol in it. This cream is made with a variety of natural, plant-based ingredients which is not as harsh as alcohol-based creams.
The best safety razors for beginners
You may be wondering what are some of the best razors that fit your price range? Razors vary widely in price from $10 to well over $100.
More expensive razors will generally be made of stronger materials that are more durable and rigid while also providing a better feel, more comfort, and will perform better in removing facial hair. Less expensive razors may be less durable and made with cheaper materials.
Both premium and budget razors are capable of giving a great shave.
On a budget (Under $25)
If you’re looking to test out a safety razor (or several) but are not sure you’re ready to make a commitment, a lower-cost option is a great way to go.
Budget razors will typically be a basic, functional razor and little else. While it may look like metal, it is likely to be lightweight and made primarily of plastic and brass. This razor will not last you a lifetime, but it will probably give you a solid year of regular use.
Even if you never drop the cash on a more expensive version, you’ll still get a great shave and save money compared to disposable razors.
VIKINGS BLADE The Chieftain JR Double Edge Safety Razor (Slim & Mild)
At $19, the Vikings Blade is a basic safety razor with a chromium silver finish although there are other finishes available. The razor only comes with one blade, so you will need to get replacement blades. It does not come with any accessories.
It is also made from plastic and brass which will be strong enough to get a great shave but may not have as much durability as more expensive razors.
This is a fantastic mild razor that will give a delicate shaving experience and provide everything that a safety razor provides such as less irritation to skin and less likely to cause harmful nicks or cuts. This type of razor is friendly for beginners and at this price point, it is the best quality razor against its competitors.
VIKINGS BLADE The Chieftain Double Edge Safety Razor
This Vikings Blade standard double edge safety razor is $25 and comes with a chromium silver finish, but has other finishes available. It is much like the previous razor although it has medium aggression instead of mild.
It is also made from alloy steel which will be stronger than the plastic and brass in the previous recommendation. The description states that it comes with blades, but does not specify how many.
This razor also has a slightly smaller handle than the Chieftain JR which will help to provide better control (great for beginners!). This razor also comes with a small case for your safety razor which has a mirror on it in case you need to shave on the go and don’t have a mirror yourself.
The Chieftain is a great all-around safety razor for a beginner because it comes with everything you need to get started and has a great build quality that will give you the most amount of durability and time for this price point.
Mid-range (Between $25-75)
The right mid-range razor will give you the perfect balance between affordability and experience.
A mid-range razor will run you between $25 and $75 and is likely to last you a lifetime with regular cleaning and maintenance. At this price range, you’ll be able to find the right combination of construction, head, and handle.
Merkur Mk34c Double Edge Razor
Coming in at around $45, this Merkur Mk34c is a standard closed-comb double-edge safety razor. It is made from stainless steel and has a silver finish.
It also has a textured handle which is smaller at 3-inches in length, making it easy for beginners to keep control of. Note that shorter handles may be difficult to maneuver for people with bigger hands.
This razor is a perfect all-around razor with mild aggression and a nice heavyweight design which makes it great for beginners. The durable stainless-steel material will keep the blade from rusting, and you can be sure it will last you a long time.
It does not come with any accessories and only comes with one blade so be sure to grab some replacement blades.
MÜHLE TRADITIONAL R89 Double Edge Safety Razor
This $45 Mühle is made of metal and is a standard closed-comb double-edge safety razor. It has a chrome finish and a textured handle which is a bit longer than the previous recommendation at 4-inches in length. The longer handle heavyweight design is great for someone with bigger hands who wants to keep better control of the razor.
This razor also has mild aggression which will be great for a beginner.
This razor is also interesting because it has a special foam edge on the closed comb that helps to prevent build-up and makes for an easier cleaning process. At this price point, you cannot beat the build quality and durability that this razor provides.
It does not come with any accessories or blades so be sure to grab some replacement blades.
Premium (Over $75)
Even if you’re a beginner, you can enjoy a luxury shaving experience with a premium razor.
While you’ll get a great shave with any safety razor, a premium razor will elevate the experience. It is also likely to come with high-quality accessories such as a nice brush and a shared stand. You’re also likely to use a better quality blade in your razor, which can contribute to a more comfortable shave overall.
Merkur Adjustable Futur Safety Razor
All the other razors on this list have a fixed blade, but if you’re up to taking it a step further (and dropping more than $100 on a razor) then this adjustable Merkur safety razor may be for you. It still is a standard, closed-comb, double-edged blade razor. The adjustable features allow you to reach hard-to-shave areas with more ease, although it may take some time to get used to if you are just starting out.
This razor has a gold-plated finish which looks great and is a more durable choice as it is made of metal and will last you a long time. This razor is sure to provide a luxurious shaving experience that will result in a great shave!
At this price point, you cannot beat the style and the adjustability feature. Both aspects come together to make an incredible blade for a beginner. It does not come with any replacement blades or accessories.
If you decide to pick up a more expensive razor like this one, then be sure to grab some high-quality blades to go with it to ensure you get the most out of the great shaving experience this razor can provide.
MÜHLE RYTMO 4-piece Pure Badger Double Edge Safety Razor Shaving Set
This $125 Mühle shaving set includes a classic metal safety razor that has a closed-comb design and a smaller 3-inch handle. This razor has a black finish on the handle and a silver finish for the razor head. This straight razor set is a fantastic starting place for beginners as it comes with a brush, stand, and bowl for your shaving cream.
All the items in the set come together to provide a high-quality and luxurious shaving experience. The brush, stand, and bowl are fantastic tools for shaving as the bristles will help get the shaving cream deeper into the hair which helps to create a closer shave.
The razor is also durable and will last you a long time. At this price point, you cannot beat this set. It comes with everything you will need to start shaving other than the cream and replacement blades, so you can be sure you will start off giving yourself a fantastic shave. This razor does not come with any replacement blades, so be sure to grab some.
