The Best Safety Razor For Anyone Who Wants an Old-School Shave

Sure, there are plenty of razors for men: fancy electric buzzers that landscape your face, trimmers that tame and sculpt your beard, disposables that, well, get a job done. But for those who prefer a clean old-school shave, there’s the humble safety razor. The best safety razors will get you the closest and smoothest shave of your life while reducing skin irritation and razor burns and bumps.

In these days of escalating razor blade counts and subscription shaving companies, the allure of the old-fashioned safety razor has never looked better. Cheaper, simpler, and with the feeling of an American classic, you can get still get a remarkably close cut with technology that’s been around for decades. The safety razor’s strength lies in its in its simplicity: The reusable handle and head feature few moving parts, while the disposable blades slide in and out easily while costing pennies each, ensuring that you always have the best shave.

See more: Best Beard Trimmers

Now, a bit on beard basics. How you style your facial hair is a personal choice, says Genevieve Bochanty the director of brand experience at the Art of Shaving. “There’s a freedom that didn’t exist of every different kind of style. Every style is accepted. It’s all over the place.”

But if you’ve tried cartridge systems, you’ll be amazed with how despite small variations, all use the same blades and therefore give comparable, quality shaves. Still, there are differences, and our list can act as a guide for which safety razor is right for you.

Every product on Fatherly is independently selected by our editors, writers, and experts. If you click a link on our site and buy something, we may earn an affiliate commission.