Choosing the Best Single Blade Razors
There is more to choosing the best single blade razor than finding one that is popular or pretty. Just because some famous bald pawnbroker advertises, doesn’t mean it is the best razor for you.
You need a razor that is aggressive enough to tackle your facial hair, but not so aggressive that you are going to be cutting your face or irritating your skin.
Additionally, you want one that is comfortable in your hand: well balanced and natural feeling. Before reading up on the best single blade razors available today, why not have a look at a few things to keep in mind while shopping.
Best Single Blade Razors List
[amazon table=”2679″]
Let’s Talk About Razor Blades
Since you can not shave without a razor blade, they deserve some discussion. Razor blades are produced in varying degrees of sharpness, ranging from okay to samurai sword sharp.
This is why some razors are age restricted because underage kids can hurt themself with these sharp implements.
A great blade for beginners or people with sensitive skin is a [easyazon_link identifier=”B004SGKMA0″ locale=”US” tag=”shaving_club-20″]Derby Extra[/easyazon_link]. These blades are sharp, but not excessively so and are coated to reduce skin irritation. If you need to hack through a jungle each morning, Feather makes a blade that is so sharp you can cut lumber with it.
Feather blades should only be used by experienced shavers who have coarse facial hair.
Best Single Blade Razors Review
[easyazon_link identifier=”B004E5GV82″ locale=”US” tag=”shaving_club-20″]Feather All Stainless Steel Razor[/easyazon_link]
[easyazon_image align=”left” height=”160″ identifier=”B004E5GV82″ locale=”US” src=”https://menshavingclub.com/wp-content/uploads/2019/01/515eUHtvRcL.SL160.jpg” tag=”shaving_club-20″ width=”140″]
As mentioned earlier, Feather makes the sharpest blades on the market. The company also produces the Popular, a non-aggressive single blade that any novice can use comfortably, so long as they avoid [easyazon_link identifier=”B00AGG3MNU” locale=”US” tag=”shaving_club-20″]Feather razor blades[/easyazon_link].
The Feather Popular combines an inexpensive resin handle with metal butterfly doors for loading new blades. The short grip and balanced head provide a close shave without the fear of nicking.
Novice users should pair this razor with a [easyazon_link identifier=”B004SGKMA0″ locale=”US” tag=”shaving_club-20″]Derby Extra blade[/easyazon_link]. If your facial hair is of a medium coarseness, you might want to try using [easyazon_link identifier=”B003RXP1UQ” locale=”US” tag=”shaving_club-20″]Wilkinson Sword[/easyazon_link] blades with this unit.[Buy Here]
[easyazon_link identifier=”B002A8JO1Q” locale=”US” tag=”shaving_club-20″]Merkur 34C Heavy Duty Classic[/easyazon_link]
[easyazon_image align=”left” height=”160″ identifier=”B002A8JO1Q” locale=”US” src=”https://menshavingclub.com/wp-content/uploads/2019/01/31Suhd9xcRL.SL160-1.jpg” tag=”shaving_club-20″ width=”83″]The Merkur 34C Heavy Duty Classic is an entry-level razor from one of the top brands in the industry.
It features a short grip attached to a well-proportioned head, offering a balance that should feel natural in anyone’s hands.
The entire unit is made from a chrome-plated zinc alloy that will offer you a lifetime of close shaves.
This is a forgiving razor that is capable of attacking most facial hair types. A novice may want to try a variety pack of razor blades before deciding on a single blade.
While Merkur offers a high-quality product, you do need to be prepared for the atrocious customer service the company is infamous for. Luckily, very few buyers ever have to deal with it.[Buy Here]
[easyazon_link identifier=”B002RBF1PO” locale=”US” tag=”shaving_club-20″]Edwin Jagger DE89L[/easyazon_link]
[easyazon_image align=”left” height=”160″ identifier=”B002RBF1PO” locale=”US” src=”https://menshavingclub.com/wp-content/uploads/2019/01/31ELIZ4Gk6L.SL160.jpg” tag=”shaving_club-20″ width=”95″]Moving on to more aggressive razors, Edwin Jagger is a great place to start because the company enjoys worldwide fame for its quality shaving products.
The Edwin Jagger DE89L is a long grip razor that is also lightweight. The combination forces shavers to apply more pressure when shaving, allowing them to tackle coarser hair with ease.
The most experienced shavers or men with thicker beards may want to pair this razor with a Kai or Feather blade.
Unfortunately, that added pressure can lead inexperienced users to nick themselves until they develop a better technique. Since this can be a long learning curve, the nicking can last awhile.[Buy Here]
[easyazon_link identifier=”B00IDDW4Y6″ locale=”US” tag=”shaving_club-20″]Parker 24C[/easyazon_link]
[easyazon_image align=”left” height=”160″ identifier=”B00IDDW4Y6″ locale=”US” src=”https://menshavingclub.com/wp-content/uploads/2019/01/41QK7NAuinL.SL160.jpg” tag=”shaving_club-20″ width=”160″]The Parker 24C is an aggressive open comb, heavy-headed long grip razor.
This is a single blade razor meant for men who have trouble keeping their beards under control. The close shave provided by this razor will keep your five o’clock shadow at bay.
The Parker 24C can irritate your skin if you are not careful. Be sure to lather heavily and begin by pairing this model with a medium sharp blade like the Wilkinson Sword.
If that setup is not sharp enough, move to a Kai before jumping to a Feather.[Buy Here]
[easyazon_link identifier=”B003FISSEY” locale=”US” tag=”shaving_club-20″]Parker 45R Super Heavy Weight[/easyazon_link]
[easyazon_image align=”left” height=”160″ identifier=”B003FISSEY” locale=”US” src=”https://menshavingclub.com/wp-content/uploads/2019/01/41U6miIe2B0L.SL160.jpg” tag=”shaving_club-20″ width=”160″]The Parker 45R Super Heavy Weight is going to cut through any facial hair type like a scythe.
It features a super heavy head paired to a long grip. The all brass construction makes this a durable, attractive unit for a lifetime of aggressive shaving.
Even the most experienced users need to be careful with this razor. Pairing it with a super sharp blade may be a mistake at first, so start with a Kai or Wilkinson Sword.[Buy Here]
Which Razor Blade Should I Use?
Single blade razors are simple pieces of equipment. They have an interchangeable handle, sometimes called the grip, and they have a head.
There are only two types of handles across the wet shaving industry: short and long. A short handle is more forgiving, so new users do not have to worry about making simple mistakes and cutting their face.
Long grip razors are meant for more aggressive shaving, usually for men who have coarse or thick facial hair to tackle.
They can also be great for men who do not want to shave every day and need to get through some tough stubble.
They require more pressure to keep the head in consistent contact with your skin, so these razors are less forgiving.
Razor heads can have varying weights. You want to find one that is well balanced with the handle, yet is not so light that you must apply a lot of pressure to get a good shave. Another facet of the head is the type of cutting surface: is it smooth(straight) bar or open comb.
A straight or smooth bar reduces the friction between the blade and your skin, so it is best for a novice or someone with sensitive skin.
An open comb setup will guide your facial hair toward the blade. The blade is a few microns closer to your skin, so it cuts more closely, but is more apt to nick and irritate your skin. Open comb setups are best for heavy beards.
Are Single Blade Razors Really Better?
Yes, single blade razors are better because they are more efficient compared to other types of razors.
They cut facial hair closely without creating more blade friction than needed.
Therefore, this simply means single blade razors alleviate the chances of getting a skin rash after shaving.
Additionally, single blade razors are more sustainable, which makes them ideal to use.
Is a Single Blade Razor Better for Acne?
No, as far as razor blades go, it’s best to use a twin-blade razor for acne or sensitive skin.
This is because single blade razors normally pull on the skin, making them likely to cause irritation when dealing with acne-prone skin.
How Often Should I Change My Single Blade Razor?
Changing a single blade razor depends on how much you use it.
For instance, if you shave daily, it’s recommended to replace the blade every one or two weeks.
If you shave twice a week, replace the blade every four or six weeks.
How Long Do Single Blade Razors Last?
The average durability of single blade razors is between eight and ten shaves.
The best way to know when your blade needs replacement is if you stop experiencing smooth shaves.
This is when your blade may begin to tug skin or leave patches of hair behind.
Final Recommendations
The best single blade razor for a novice is the [easyazon_link identifier=”B003YJ70NY” locale=”US” tag=”shaving_club-20″]Feather Popular[/easyazon_link]. It offers the combination of durability, forgiveness, and low cost that a beginner needs.
More experienced wet shavers will be better served by purchasing the [easyazon_link identifier=”B00IDDW4Y6″ locale=”US” tag=”shaving_club-20″]Parker 24C[/easyazon_link]. The combination of open comb and long grip make it ideal for coarse hair or men who just want the closest shave possible.
Related Articles:
Vintage Gillette Razors Buying Guide
In Depth Review of the Gillette Super Speed