Today, there are lots of options available for all your shaving needs, but a classic safety razor is still a great option for anyone looking for a good old-fashioned shave. Choose a mild or medium level of aggressiveness – a scale used to indicate how efficient the razor is. A razor with high aggressiveness increases the chances of cuts, so a mildly aggressive one is the best type of safety razor for beginners. But, if you follow these simple steps, you’ll soon feel like a pro with your safety razor in hand. Step 1: Prepare your skin Perfectly reflecting the current trend for timeless, old-school style, they make for a clean, comfortable finish by keeping redness and irritation to a minimum. They also do good for the planet by reducing your consumption of single-use plastics and cost less in the long run. Do you ever get an urge to live life on the edge? Do you fancy running off to become a pirate on the high seas? Oooh…how about lion-taming? Or maybe you could start a new life as an international art thief?

Shaving subscription services have been gaining traction for a good few years now. The idea is that busy men can simply sign up, have a razor delivered and then receive replacement blades and shaving creams in the post as and when required, without having to lift a finger. Simple, twist to open system, the mechanism is operated by turning the bottom of the handle and both doors on the head open up to allow the blade to be seated. The locating bar centralises the blade however there is some lateral movement. What I mean by this is the blade can be seated off to one side. The result of this is that the blade lugs can protrude quite far outside the head if you are not careful. Of course, the blade can be seated centrally very easily but I think it’s worth mentioning. Once the doors are closed there is no movement. Here you can see the lugs protruding because the blade is not seated centrally. The Shave Fans of that Scandi minimalist aesthetic will love the clean, uncluttered styling of Grüum’s shaving gear. The brand’s Oska razor features a nice shapely, ergonomic handle and comes in bold, eye-catching colours. There are a number of different subscription plans to choose from so you can choose exactly what you’ll get each month. It’s not just blades either. You can even have grooming goods like moisturiser and face wash delivered by subscriptions too. When you’re going to be taking a bladed instrument anywhere near your face, it’s worth ensuring the tool is up to task. A bad razor invariably means a bad shave, which means a bad start to the day and perhaps even some unnecessary pre-work bloodshed. This is my review for the new Wilkinson Sword TTO razor released in 2019. I found it to be a very good razor for a few reasons. Mainly, performance, price and availability. It works well, it’s cheap and is readily available to buy on the high street in the UK.Shave with the grain: Use your fingers to pull your skin taut, then run your razor over it, going with the grain. This means you follow the direction of growth. With a safety razor, you’ll want to maintain an angle of about 45 degrees, and you won’t need to apply much pressure.

No problems to report in the first pass. It feels smooth enough and efficiency is perfectly acceptable. The razor handle is long with a type of barber pole knurling. It feels smooth and well machined but maybe not as grippy as I would like. The head is a twist to open with laser-etched branding. Fitting the blade Your safety razor glides most easily over your skin when you use a lighter product, meaning gels aren’t always the best option. A product with a light, slippery consistency allows the blade to slide across your face effortlessly. However, for some people, especially those with sensitive or dry skin, a shaving cream with good moisturising properties is best. Bulldog’s Bamboo razor has been a big hit thanks to its eco-friendly design and excellent shaving performance. It features a recycled bamboo handle and uses recycled steel blades. There are five blades in total combined with a lubricating strip with aloe vera for a smooth, comfortable shave.

Safety, Subscription or Disposable?

One of the positives of using a classic double-edge razor is it doesn’t create any plastic waste. But Bambaw has taken things a step further and made this one out of bamboo. The brand’s approach to shaving creates zero waste as both the blades and the handle are recyclable. A great shaving option for the eco-minded consumer. Got all that pesky hair off? Great, now it’s time to give your face a good wash, using cold water to close those pores up. Then you’ll want to apply a soothing, alcohol-free shaving balm. And there you have it: baby smooth skin.

It is definitely a step up in terms of quality to the original plastic classic (which in its self is also a great starter razor) and I for one am pleased that options like this are becoming readily available. If you have sensitive skin and are concerned about using a safety razor for the first time, there’s a few things to keep in mind when choosing the best safety razor for you: For us, shaving is about feeling free and having your own unique style – whether you choose to sport designer stubble, a well-tended beard or smooth, clean skin – so whichever of our wide range of men’s razor blades you choose, we’re confident that it’ll help you find your look. The right razor blade is the key to looking truly sharp, and we’ve got something here to meet every need. If you’re looking for something that’s going to match the carefully considered modern aesthetic you’ve been cultivating for your bathroom, this could well be it. Bolin Webb’s R1 razor would look equally at home on your bathroom shelf or on display at the Tate Modern. It’s a truly stunning piece of design that uses tried-and-true Gillette Mach3 blades for a reliable shave.The Wilkinson Sword Classic is a twist to open double edge razor. The handle is brass and the head Zamak, both plated in chrome. My first, and probably many people’s, foray into DE shaving was with the plastic three-piece Wilkinson classic so I was interested to test this one out. This convenience gives subscription services the edge over traditional DIY blade buying for those who often find themselves pushed for time. Plus, it often ends up cheaper than purchasing directly from the shop. Prep your skin: Rinsing your face with plenty of nice warm water, or shaving after a hot shower is great for opening up your pores and softening hairs. As odd as it sounds, it’s really important to pull your skin a little tighter in areas with contours or folds (such as along your jawline and around your mouth). With your skin taut, the razor won’t have to negotiate bumps and dips, so you’re less likely to cut yourself. Step 4: Shave with the grain At Wilkinson Sword we’ve been world leaders in blade-making since we first started crafting swords in 1772. If it’s sharp, we’ve probably pioneered it at some point – and it’s razor blades that have made us famous for over a century. From the Pall Mall safety razor to the incredible Hydro 5 Sense Energize, we’ve transformed men’s shaving more times than we can count, but it’s our attitude to shaving that’s underpinned everything we do.

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The verdict: Safety razors

Of course, it’s not all as simple as that. Our blades are designed in a number of different ways. Classic Double Edge blades represent shaving at its most traditional – these are simple blades that can fit into any butterfly or even cut throat razor. Many of our more modern razor blades boast an innovative lubrication strip or hydrating gel pool that helps to provide an unbelievably smooth glide along with unbeatable comfort whilst shaving. The soap or cream is best applied with a brush – not just because it feels great and makes you look like a Hollywood tough guy, but also because it lifts hairs up and makes sure they’re completely covered.