Safety Razor Review

Top 5 Best Safety Razors for Beginners – Tested, Used & Reviewed

Excellent!

You’re thinking about it or have already decided to join the wet shaving revolution with a safety razor.

Great decision; there are many benefits to shaving with a traditional razor.

The first question for most people starting out is, ‘What’s the best safety razor for beginners?’ and rightly so. There are so many options, and it’s so easy in the shaving game to choose the wrong razor and make a really bad start on your new wet shaving adventure.

I’ve kept this as simple as possible and narrowed down four great options. I’ve added an additional adjustable razor to expand your thoughts on safety razors. Too many choices would just confuse the matter, and you don’t need that at this stage.

Fortunately, unlike most other websites on the internet that either sell these razors or rehash what others say, I test, use, review, and recommend safety razors for beginners and other users.

Video

The YouTube video I created for beginner razors might provide some additional information, and/or the visuals might help you out.

1. Merkur 34C – Best Mild Short-Handled Razor

You will find the Merkur 34C mentioned on numerous websites and forums as a good safety razor option for beginners, and for good reason. It’s a good, reliable, mild type of razor that helps a user define what might work best for them.

Brief Description & Features –

The Merkur 34C is a double-edged, closed-comb razor with a very mild nature. It comes apart into two pieces for changing blades, which is easy enough to complete and easier than the other three-part razors.

The handle is knurled, which is the best type of safety razor handle, providing a secure grip while shaving and preventing the hands from slipping. The only issue with the handle is that it is shorter than many others. It is great for maneuverability, but not ideal for those who prefer a longer handle or have previously used a long cartridge razor handle. I was pleasantly surprised that I really liked the handle, even though I was new to using safety razors.

Shaving Experience –

This was one of the first mild safety razors I used when I first got started, and it really suited me well. The mildness and minimal blade gap were perfect for a beginner like me.

The short handle does assist with maneuverability while shaving. However, some individuals, particularly those with larger hands, may prefer something a bit longer.

After using safety razors for some time, you may notice how a short-handle type, such as the 34C, can produce a great shave compared to a razor with a much longer handle.

It gives a great, mild shave with no threat of cuts or nicks.

Merkur 34c Final Thoughts

The perfect mild razor for beginners to get started with, although the short handle needs to be right for them as well. If it is overly mild, then a user can step up with a sharper blade.

A Merkur 34C costs around $40 (£35 – €42). It is not the cheapest, but it is definitely not the most expensive razor money can buy for a good-quality razor from a well-known German brand.

It’s definitely one to consider if the features and specs match the person’s needs.

2. Edwin Jagger DE89 – Best Standard Size And Various Handle Options

The Edwin Jagger DE89 is made in Sheffield, England, and sold worldwide. It is another mild razor similar to the Merkur 34C. While it has the same mildness as the Merkur 34C, it excels in the options it offers buyers in terms of choosing a handle that suits them best.

Brief Description & Features –

The Edwin Jagger DE89 is a solid brass razor coated in chrome, much like other razors I recommend in this review. It’s a three-part razor, which is a little more fiddly when changing blades than a two-part or other razors; however, changing blades is not difficult at all.

As you can see below, the three handle options offer buyer options (there are also other options, including Barley, Octagonal, and a short handle). The classic offers less grip, while the knurled offers the most, and the octagonal offers exceptional grip, different from the knurled, while looking attractive.

Compared with the first razor, the Merkur 34c, the DE89 is slightly longer but somewhat lighter. The longer handle is more standard in length, which is a feature commonly found in safety razors, and will suit many users.

This standard length and design is a good starting point for beginners, as they will have a good reference point from here on.

Shaving Experience–

The Edwin Jagger gives a very mild shave, and when paired with a sharper blade like a Feather, it ups its game a little. Beginners might want to start with a blade that is much milder, though, like a Derby or Astra blade.

The standard handle length is going to suit beginners very well. Although it’s not as grippy as a deeply knurled razor, there was no slipping, and most users should be able to handle it fine.

Edwin Jagger DE89 Final Thoughts

The DE89 joins the roundup without much thought. The mild nature, coupled with handle options that a new person using safety razors might find meet their needs, makes it stand out as a viable recommendation for beginners.

An Edwin Jagger DE89 costs around $45 (£30 – €40).

It is slightly light. However, it will still be weighty enough for those transitioning from light cartridge razors.

3. King C Gillette – Best Cheapest Beginner Razor

I tried a few razors that leaned more toward being cheap, including the WEISHI Nostalgic, and none met my expectations, apart from the King C Gillette Safety Razor.

When getting started with wet shaving using safety razors, it makes sense not to overspend and end up wasting money on a razor that’s not suitable, or one you prefer to return to, such as multiblade razors or electrics. However, you would be better off with something like the suggestions I have made, rather than an extremely cheap option.

Brief Description & Features –

The handle of this razor is longer than that of the DE89 and Merkur 34C. This long handle may suit some individuals, given their familiarity with using cartridge razors, which typically have longer handles.

The deeply lined design that winds on the handle offers enough grip, although I do have a preference for knurled mostly.

Based on its price, it’s a well-designed, great-looking razor.

Shaving Experience –

I was pleasantly surprised by the performance of this razor, and it exceeded my expectations. It is mild to medium in aggressiveness, which should be fine for most beginners.

I felt the handle was not what I get from the 34C and DE89 mentioned above in terms of feeling better in the hand and having a good grip.

The pack of King C Gillette blades that came with the razor was okay and kind of mild. I put a Feather blade in, and that blade provided a better shave, but the free blades included are ideal for beginners.

King C Gillette Final Thoughts

If you’re trying to spend as little as possible without compromising quality, then the King C Gillette could be the razor to get started with.

The razor costs $23 USD, £20 GBP and €22.00 EU*

*Prices might vary at different stores. Mine was a bargain and cost £13.33 in the UK from Amazon –cheaper than some cartridge razors.

One aspect a user may find challenging, although I like this feature with razors, is its heavy weight. You could really like the weightiness, though!

4. Merkur 23c – Best Light, Long and Mild Razor

I’m aware that I have given the company Merkur press as it is; however, the 23c deserves some attention for this beginner’s safety razor roundup. It’s a good option for those switching from a cartridge to a safety razor, thanks to its lightness and long, slim handle.

Brief Description & Features –

As you can see from the specs, the Merkur 23C, also known as the Merkur 180, features a fairly long handle and a relatively light weight. This compares well with the lightweight cartridge razor handles and their weight which could make transitioning a little easier.

The handle is knurled, offering plenty of grip, and is fairly slim compared to most other safety razors. The slimness of the handle may also be likened to many cartridge razors.

Shaving Experience –

The 23C most definitely gives me a very mild shave with no concern about getting any nicks or cuts. The long handle is great for long shaving strokes; however, other areas, such as the under the nose and chin area, are not ideal for longer handles like this one compared to shorter handle razors.

While this razor enjoys removing one or two days of beard or stubble growth, it’s not the best at tackling heavier growth. This is the nature of many mild razors, though.

Merkur 23C Final Thoughts

The Merkur 23c is one of the best safety razors for beginners transitioning from a cartridge razor to a safety type. It’s also an ideal razor for women, thanks to its long handle and mild nature.

The 23c may be too mild for some individuals, and if so, they can switch to a sharper blade. The right blade can make all the difference.

It is a very affordable razor, costing around $30 (£29 – €31).

5. Merkur Progress – Best Adjustable Razor for Beginners

An adjustable razor might not seem like the right option to throw in the mix of a roundup for the ‘best safety razors for beginners.‘ However, the Merkur Progress is an option that has a lot going for it for those new to wet shaving with safety razors, as well as those who have been using DE razors for many years.

Brief Description & Features –

The Merkur Progress offers five different settings or blade gap adjustments, ranging from very mild (setting 1) to more aggressive (setting 5). While I do try to keep razor recommendations geared toward mild razors, the Progress is very mild on its first setting, and the option to step up to a closer shave is available.

Two-handle length options cover those who like a shorter handle and those who prefer a longer one. You can compare the short-handle model (500 model) with the Merkur 34C and the long-handle (510 model) with the King C Gillette Razor.

This razor was first made and sold back in the 1950s. It has a proven positive track record and remains strong to this day.

Shaving Experience–

The Merkur Progress was the first adjustable safety razor I had ever used, and I was very impressed with it. The mild settings, now that I think about it, are ideal for those starting out with safety razors, and the higher settings give some flexibility to learn what kind of blade gap (aggressiveness) is best suited for an individual.

If a user has thicker beard growth, they can adjust the razor setting to a higher level and then adjust it back down if needed on the next pass.

The long-handle model is the most popular and the model I tested. The length was perfect.

Merkur Progress Final Thoughts

It is a very good option for beginners, with the additional benefit of trying various levels of blade gap, which affects aggressiveness.

The progress costs around $70 (£40 – €52) for the short-handle model and $85 (£65 – €70) for the long-handle version. It’s not overly expensive for an adjustable razor, although it may be a little too pricey for some gentlemen new to using safety razors as their first purchase.

If this is not your first razor to try as a beginner, it could be the first adjustable one you take on a shave in the near future.

The primary purpose of including this was to offer an alternative and provide something for you to consider.

That just about covers it for the Best Safety Razor for Beginners review and roundup. Adding too many razors would have overcomplicated the choosing process, so I have kept things relatively simple. And I hope the variations have provided some food for thought on your search for the most suitable razor to get you started.

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