How to Choose a Safety Razor: A Beginner's Buying Guide

For a long time, the safety razor was something you'd find in your grandparents' bathroom. It's making a comeback for a simple reason: a metal handle that lasts for years, and steel blades instead of plastic cartridges. Still, choosing the right one makes all the difference to those first few shaves. Here's what really matters.

How does a safety razor work?

The idea is simple: a very thin double-edge blade is held between a head and a base plate. Only a small part of the edge is exposed, which reduces the risk of cuts, hence the name “safety” razor. When the blade gets dull, you swap it and keep everything else. Each blade has two cutting edges, which you use in turn.

What to look for

Weight

This is the most underrated factor. You don't press a safety razor against your skin: its own weight guides the blade. A model that's too light tempts you to push, which leads to more nicks. A metal razor of around 70 to 90 g gives you a good balance when you're starting out.

Handle length

A short handle, 8 to 9 cm, works well for the face. For legs and underarms, a long handle of around 11 cm gives you more reach and control. Check that it's ridged or textured too: in the shower, with soap on your hands, a good grip makes all the difference.

Opening system

There are three main types:

• Two-piece: the head unscrews from the handle. Simple, sturdy and quick to reload.
• Three-piece: the head, base plate and handle come fully apart, which makes cleaning easier.
• Butterfly: you twist the bottom of the handle and the head opens like a pair of wings. Handy, but the mechanism has more moving parts.

For a first razor, a two-piece model is usually the easiest to get the hang of.

Materials

Go for an all-metal body, in chrome-plated zinc or stainless steel, with no plastic parts. It will stand up to bathroom humidity and last for years. That's exactly what our chrome-plated zinc safety razor offers, along with a long, ridged handle.

Blades

Good news: double-edge blades come in a standard size. Once you've picked your razor, you can use most blades on the market. Allow one blade for roughly 5 to 7 shaves, so a pack of 20 double-edge blades will keep you going for months.

Getting started: the technique in 5 steps

1. Prep your skin: shave in the shower or just after, when your skin and hair are nicely damp.
2. Work up a lather: a soap bar, shaving soap or shaving gel helps the blade glide.
3. Find the right angle: rest the head almost flat against your skin, then tilt the handle to about 30 degrees.
4. Don't press: let the weight of the razor do the work, using short, light strokes.
5. Rinse often: run the head under the tap every two or three strokes to clear the blade.

Your first few shaves need a bit more attention. Take your time, especially around knees, ankles and underarms.

Care and common mistakes

• Don't leave your razor in the shower: dry it and store it somewhere airy, next to your bamboo soap dish for example.
• Change the blade as soon as it starts to tug, without waiting.
• Don't throw used blades loose into the bin: collect them in a small closed metal tin, then take it to your local recycling centre.
• When travelling, blades aren't allowed in hand luggage, so pack them in your checked bag.

The bottom line

To get started, look for a metal razor of around 80 g, with a long handle if you mainly shave your body, and a simple opening system. Add a supply of standard blades and a little patience for the first few shaves: chances are you'll never go back to disposable razors.