“People with sensitive skin, those with tight and curly facial hair, or those with complex growth patterns on their face should consider safety razors,” says Clark. “While a good safety razor razor can be used by everyone, these groups will notice the benefits and changes the most.”
By shaving with a single blade instead of several, you experience less razor drag, which can mean less irritation and fewer ingrown hairs. That’s not to say cartridge razors are bad. Modern shaving technology has made both cartridge and safety razors incredibly effective. But if you’re constantly dealing with razor burn, ingrowns, or coarse stubble that seems to fight back every morning, a safety razor is well worth considering.
Even if none of that applies to you, there are still plenty of reasons to make the switch. Safety razors are considerably cheaper to own over time. A quality razor can last decades, while replacement double-edge blades typically cost anywhere from 10 to 50 cents each, compared to $3 to $6 for most cartridge refills. They also create less waste than disposable cartridges, and plenty of guys come to appreciate the added control.
Double-Edge vs. Single-Edge: What’s the Difference?
Once you’ve decided to make the switch, there’s one more choice to make: double-edge (DE) or single-edge (SE). Both use a single blade instead of a cartridge, but they offer slightly different shaving experiences.
Double-Edge (DE): These razors use a thin blade sharpened on both sides. Most have a curved head that makes it easy to flip from one edge to the other as you maneuver through your shave. DE blades are ultra-affordable, easy to find, and compatible with the vast majority of safety razors.
Single-Edge (SE): As the name suggests, these razors shave are sharpened on just one side. Unlike double-edge razors, there’s no universal SE blade standard, so replacement blades aren’t as interchangeable from one razor to the next. In general, SE blades tend to be thicker and more rigid than DE blades, giving them a particularly stable feel against the skin. They also typically last longer before needing replacement, though they cost a bit more to buy (but still less expensive than most cartridge razors).
Tips for Using a Safety Razor
Like any good tool, a safety razor works best when you let it do what it was designed to do. If you’re wondering how to shave with a safety razor, we’re glad you asked, because doing it right is the difference between the closest, most comfortable shave you’ve ever gotten and Demon Barber of Fleet Street-level lacerations. These simple tips will help you get the most out of it.
Let the razor do the work: This is the biggest adjustment for cartridge converts. Resist the urge to press down. The weight of the razor is already doing the heavy lifting. Just guide it where it needs to go.
Trust the angle: Aim for roughly a 30- to 45-degree angle between the blade and your skin. If you’re using a traditional double-edge razor, place the head flat against your face, then slowly tilt it until the blade just starts to cut. That’s your angle.
Shave with the grain: Going against the grain might deliver a closer shave, but it also ups your chances of razor burn and ingrown hairs. Save that second pass for another day.