Safety Razor Review

Best Safety Razors for Beginners – Tried, Tested & Reviewed

Last Updated on March 2, 2024

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 from 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.

Fortunately, unlike most other websites on the net that are either selling these razors or rehashing what others say, I test, use, review, and recommend safety razors for beginners and other users that we use ourselves.

I am going to offer a number of recommendations for those starting out and various options suitable for each person’s needs.

1. Merkur 34C – Best mild short handle razor for Beginners

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

Brief Description & Features –

The Merkur 34C is a double edge closed comb razor that has a very mild nature. It comes apart in two pieces for changing blades which is easy enough to complete.

The handle is knurled which is the best type of safety razor handle for offering enough grip while shaving and preventing the hands from slipping. The only issue with the handle is it is short compared to many others which is great for maneuverability, but not so great for those that prefer a longer handle or have been previously using a long cartridge razor handle.

Performance & Shaving –

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 guys and maybe those with large hands may prefer something a bit longer.

After shaving with safety razors for a period of time you might see how a short handle type like the 34C can make a great shave compared to a razor with a much longer handle.

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 and 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 beginner mild razor with various handle options to Choose

The Edwin Jagger DE89 is made in Sheffield, England, and sold worldwide that’s 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 regards to choosing a handle that suits a person best.

Brief Description & Features –

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

The three handle options as you can see below offer buyer options (there are also other options including Barley and Octaganol, and a short handle). The classic offers less grip while the knurled offers the most, and the octagonal offers exceptional grip in a different way compared with 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 of a standard length you’ll find that safety razors have which will suit many users. A bit more weight is usually an advantage though as it assists with making the shave strokes a little easier.

Performance & Shaving –

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 much milder through 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 fine.

Edwin Jagger DE89 Final Thoughts

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

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. Feather AS-D2 – Best mild & efficient razor on the Market (pricey though)

The Feather AS-D2 wouldn’t be my first razor recommendation for a beginner mainly because it cost quite a lot more than any others in this roundup. However, it’s a mild but very efficient razor that is ideal for men with sensitive skin, and it is a razor that can last a lifetime.

Brief Description & Features –

Unlike others in this beginners roundup the Feather AS-D2 is made from stainless steel (316L “marine grade”) which is a strong metal that can last a lifetime without deterioration or damage.

It has a lengthy long handle razor which is deeply engraved for maximum grip. Some razor users have a preference for slightly longer handles than your standard razor which the AS-D2 has.

This is a Japanese made razor that is made with the engineering and craftsmanship you would expect from the Japanese. Every aspect of it is accurate and precise.

Performance & Shaving –

As mentioned in the title this razor shaves efficiently. Although its blade gap and nature are mild its efficiency from the design makes it more of a medium aggressive razor without a large blade gap.

I did find it took time to get used to the longer handle after using several razors in a row that had shorter handles. Most previous buyers in reviews do not mention any issue with the handle.

If you have a preference for mild razors and quite like a slightly longer handle then this leaves the previous razors we have mentioned so far, well behind.

Feather AS-D2 Final Thoughts

The Feather AS-D2 does not seem like a good beginner’s safety razor recommendation, based on price. However, it makes sense to open up what is available and after a beginner has tried out another cheaper beginner’s razor it might just become a much-wanted razor.

A Feather AS-D2 will cost around $175 (£160).

Gentleman that like to use only premium grooming products might be interested in AS-D2 even if it’s their first safety razor.

4. Merkur Progress – Best adjustable safety 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 that have been using DE razors for many years.

Brief Description & Features –

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

Two handle length options cover those that like a shorter handle and those that prefer them longer. You can compare the short handle model (500 model) with the Merkur 34C, and the long handle (510 model) with the Feather AS-D2 (a bit longer than the AS-D2 though).

This razor was first made and sold back in the 1950’s. It has a proven positive track record and still going strong today.

Performance & Shaving –

The Merkur Progress was the first adjustable safety razor I had ever used and I was very impressed with it. The mild settings, now 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 dial up the razor 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

A very good option for the beginner with the additional benefit of trying various levels of blade gap which affects the aggressiveness.

The progress costs around $70 (£40 – 52€) for the short handle model and $85 (£65 – 40€) for the long handle version. Not overly expensive for an adjustable razor, although that could be a little too pricey for some gentlemen new to using safety razors as a first buy.

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

5. Merkur 23c – Best light, long and mild Razor

I’m aware that I have given the company Merkur enough press as it is, however, the 23c deserves some light shone on it for this ‘best beginners safety razor‘ roundup. It’s a good option for those switching from a cartridge to a safety razor with its lightness and long slim handle.

Brief Description & Features –

As you can see by the specs the Merkur 23C also known as the Merkur 180 has a fairly long handle and its weight is quite light. This compares well with the lightweight cartridge razor handles and the weight of them which could make transitioning a little easier.

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

Performance & Shaving –

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 the long shaving strokes, however, other areas like 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 safety types. It’s an ideal razor for women also with its long handle and mildness for shaving their legs.

The 23c could be too mild for some guys and if it is they can change over the blade to something that is sharper. The right blade can make all the difference.

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

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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