Your idea of the best straight razor may be different from mine. Now, some have claimed,a straight razor is ancient and belongs in the museum. The invention of the safety razor did change things for a while but, with menfolk increasingly seeking a clean close shave, the straight razor was bound to make a return.
For you to acquire that superior shave, you will need to make friends with the best straight razor! In fact, a lot of wet shavers prefer to use straight razors, because they give them the closest shave they can possibly get, which is also why most barbers shave their clients with straight razors.
Other men use straight razors because it was what they used when they were growing up, and have gotten used to using them and don’t feel like using any other type of razor.
The one thing about straight razors is that they are very sharp, and should only be used by experienced wet shavers, because they can cut your face when shaving if you aren’t experienced with using them. However, once you do get used to shaving with a straight razor you will find it quite difficult to go back.
Why?
Because straight razor shaving gives you the most clean and precise shave you will ever get. It’s almost an art form that gives men a great deal of satisfaction once they master the technique.
I have written a very in-depth guide on this website about how to shave with a straight razor, however in this post I will share with you what to look for when choosing a straight razor and also recommend which are the best straight razors I have found available online.
So, before we move on here’s my table of the top straight razors. More details on each of these razors can be found further down within this post.
Types of Straight Razors
Did you know that there are three different types of straight razors? That’s right.
The straight razor with a round point blades
These types of straight razors do not have sharp edges and are therefore easy to use. They are the best for rookies who are just starting out.
The square pointed blade
For small areas that are concentrated with hair, this is the best choice for you. It is sharper and will give you a more detailed shave.Could this be the best straight razor? Well, you tell us.
The oblique point blade
The blade is as sharp as the square point one. It is very useful for reaching into areas that small and difficult to handle like the under the nose and chin.It is believed to be one of the best straight razor designs.
What to Look for when Choosing Your Straight Razor
Now that you know the types of straight razors available, here are some aspects that you should be looking at when choosing the best straight razor for your needs.
Scales
The scales are the point where you hold the razor with. Some of them are made of plastic, and some are wooden.
There are some manufacturers that produce their scales with plastic amidst fantastic workmanship and quality. On the other hand, some manufacturers also use wood for their handles with the end product being of excellent quality.
Blade Width
Beard straight razors are ordinarily available in different blade widths.
If the blade width is smaller, it is easier to use, on the other hand the wider blade is more convenient.
For rookies, it is best to begin with the smallest width blade before moving on to other blades that are wider. This will minimize chances of getting cuts and nicking yourself while shaving, at least until you get used to using a straight razor with confidence.
Hollow
The hollow makes the razor light and easy to use, it also makes it sharper. For this reason, newbies that are just beginning to use the beard straight razor, should not use a razor with more than a half hollow.
The experts will benefit from the added hollow because of the increased sharpness which improves efficacy.
Our Choice of the Best Straight Razors
Let’s take a more detailed look at our preferred straight razors that are available in the market and which you can easily buy online from Amazon and similar shopping sites.
Dovo Classic Straight Razor
- Features aluminium Shavette holder and plastic handle
- Comes in plastic storage pouch
- Comes with Black insert and 1 disposable blade
This razor has blades that are double edged, to give you a close clean shave, and comes with four insert blades and another four disposable blades.
It is a professional barber quality blade that should be handled with care due to its sharpness.
Most straight razors are generally expensive, so this is a steal for its price.
This Dovo product that is German made, which as you might know as synonymous with very high precision quality.
It is made with Swedish steel, and has an ebony handle, which gives it an old fashion feel.
The blade comes sharpened, so you don’t have to spend your time and money sharpening it before use. As previously mentioned, it is a sharp blade, and should be handled with care when shaving.
Classic Samurai Professional Barber Straight Edge Razor
- [GENUINE & RUST FREE] Surgical Grade Stainless Steel. Smooth Cream Handle that helps prevent the razor from rusting and offer a comfortable grip....
- [GREAT QUALITY] for Barbershop and Personal Usage, A great option for beginners.
- [100% SAFE] Flippable blade lock like other shavettes that allows for quick and easy blade changes. Exchangeable Blade Technology allows to...
This is a very solid razor that is the same quality as the ones barbers use, the blade arm is made from stainless steel, and gives you good balance when shaving.
The lock holder has a snap feature that keeps it secure when you are not using it, whenever you want to use it, all you have to do is pull on the handle, which will bring the blade out.
Also included with the blade are 100 long stainless steel blades, which let you shave your face quickly, which is handy if you are in a hurry.
Dovo Straight Razor Set
- Features aluminium Shavette holder and plastic handle
- Comes in plastic storage pouch
- Comes with Black insert and 1 disposable blade
This is another quality Dovo product that allows you to shave very closely, it has a holder that adapts to any brand of double edge straight razor blades, so you can use the blades you prefer with this razor, the razor has an aluminum blade carrier the holder can fit in.
Unfortunately, it only comes with extra blades, and the material feels a bit flimsy.
Feather Black SS Folding Handle Razor
- Japanese Stainless Steel Body; Enables A Smooth Shave; Resists Heat And Other Impurities; Artist Club Razors Body Is The Cleanest And Most...
- Super Resin Handle; Provides Excellent Grip And Control; Enamel Handle Is Made From A Super Engineered Resin; Resists Heat Up To One Hundred...
- EZ Blade Replacements; Changing The Blade Is Fast And Easy; Pinch The Razor Head And The Blade Will Drop Out; Use Feather Artist Club Blades For...
This is a top of the line razor for those that take their wet shaving seriously, it has a resin handle which provides you with excellent grip, and prevents the razor from slipping in your hands while shaving.
The razor is made with heat resistant stainless steel, with a round shaving head that allows you to have a smooth shave, replacing the blade is also simple, all you have to do is pinch the blade head, and it will come off.
If you are looking for a clean, close, professional quality shave, look no further than this Feather razor.
How Are Straight Razors Made?
I thought it wise to mention briefly how straight razors as made, as the process of manufacturing them reflects on their final cost. Beard straight razors are made through a procedure of forming, reinforcing, grating and then finishing.
Owing to the process that is used to make them, it is not possible to make them en mass. The bigger companies do still manage to make numerous of them every year. This is an artisan craft with multiple works involved.
How to Keep Your Straight Razor in the Best Condition
After shaving, run some cold water on it, rinse it thoroughly to remove any soap residue. Blow the scales [handles] to remove any excess water hiding in the handles.
Dry the beard straight razor with a towel. Make sure all the water is removed.
Make sure to pay precise attention to the crevices in the handles and in the pins where the handles meet. This is where rust usually begins if the razor is poorly maintained.
Place a towel underneath and leave the beard straight razor in the open for up to 30 minutes.
Before storing the beard straight razor, rub some oil on it and remove the excess with a cloth.
Do not forget to keep your straight sharpened at least once every six months. That will ensure that it serves you efficiently.
Conclusion
As you can see we have given you quite a range of prices and quality of straight razors to choose from and the best choice for you will depend on your level of expertise and budget.
Here’s a short clip that can explain what you should be looking for when buying the best straight razor for your needs.
Last update on 2023-09-28 / Affiliate links / Images from Amazon Product Advertising API
