When many of us learned to shave, there was comfort in knowing that if one blade missed a hair, the next three (or six) would mow it down for the closest shave possible. So, why then, with the advent of multi-blade razors, do so many standout single-blade razors persist in the marketplace? Because the best single-blade razors for men prove that less can be more—especially for those with sensitive skin or those who are prone to ingrown hairs and razor burn.
“The more blades you have, the more irritation [shaving] can create,” says Emily Clark, Senior Barber at Fellow Barber in New York City. “It is also worth considering that stacking multiple blades can affect the cutting angle, which can encourage ingrown hairs. Multiple blades cut so close, in fact, that you cut beyond the skin line. This causes the hair that has been cut to retract—again, equaling in more ingrown hairs.”
Read on to check out our picks for the best razors for men with a single, solitary, and powerful blade for a smooth shave. I’ve had dozens of these things come across my desk (and graze my face) over the years, and these are the ones I trust most with the task. I’ve also included expertise from Clark, as well as Stephen Wu, Senior Barber at Fellow Barber Hudson Yards in NYC.
The Best Single-Blade Razors, According to GQ
The Best Single-Blade Razor for Men Overall: Bevel Safety Razor
Why we love it: Not only is Bevel’s razor the heftiest in the game, but I find it extremely easy for any first-time safety razor shavers. Simply place that logo on the head against your face, then angle the device down, and go. No matter how coarse, curly, or stubborn your stubble has proven for other razors, Bevel’s is going to glide through the thicket. My dad uses it on his bald dome, too, citing that extra heft in the handle that gives him more confidence when navigating things upside-down and backwards.
If you lined up every option on this list, I think each razor would win a separate race. And Bevel’s might be the silver medalist in a lot of those categories. But when all the scores are tallied up, it would probably win the overall best shave race by a long shot. If you’re safety-razor curious, and if you want the classic double-edge experience, then here is the best in show.
The Best Single-Edge Safety Razor: Supply Single-Edge SE Razor
Why we love it: I am probably reaching for Supply’s razor most frequently of all the options on this list, since it makes for an extremely efficient shave, much like a cartridge shave. In fact, it kind of feels like cheating, because it navigates exactly like a cartridge shave and takes the learning curve out of safety razor shaving. (As do most single-edge razors.). But this tool has all the best parts of all the best single-edge razors, from its beautiful and grip-friendly design to its side-loading razors (So easy! No nicks! Simple recycling!).
The Best Value Single-Blade Razor for Men: King C. Gillette Double-Edge Safety Razor
Why we love it: If you want to dip your toe in the safety razor waters, or you just want the most surefire device for the lowest cost, then obviously Gillette is the choice. This is ol’ reliable. This is the name that has influenced how we shave over the past 120+ years. It has great weight for such a low-cost tool available on Amazon, and is going to be perfectly satisfactory for the vast majority of its owners. If you’re a total traditionalist about the process, I’d say to invest in something with a bit more nuance (like the Tatara, Supply, or Bevel), but on the topic of tradition, who can doubt the very name that invented the double-edged safety razor? King C. Gillette stays, well, king.
The Best Luxury Single-Blade Razor for Men: Tatara Masamune Double-Edge Safety Razor
Why we love it: This gem of a razor is a top-tier gift to yourself or a loved one; yes, it’s an investment, but you also get a lifetime warranty from Tatara. If the finest details matter a lot to you—like hundredths of a millimeter on the blade gap or exposure, then Tatara is like the scientist who has perfected the formula. You can even choose between an open and closed comb at the head of the tool—closed for most shaving razors, open if you have tolerant skin and can endure the closest shave humanly possible. This is just one of the many nuances offered by the Portuguese maker, but the close-combed option is their most universal, too. This is a prized grooming possession of mine, up there with my favorite colognes and best electric razors.
The Barber-Favorite Men’s Single-Blade Razor: Henson AL13 Double-Edge Safety Razor
Why we love it: Here is one of Wu’s top picks for safety razors that he uses in the barbershop. “I like Henson’s razor for its slick design and angle positioning of the blade,” he says. “Despite its metal handle, it is lightweight and easy to use.” I co-sign all of what he just said, and have to call out the beautiful blue coating on mine—I think color customization is underrated and I appreciate the playfulness here.
Multi-Blade vs. Single-Blade Razor: Which Should You Use?
The argument for single-blade razors (life safety razors) is fairly clear: By using one blade instead of two to six blades, you experience less razor drag and thus lower your risk for irritation and ingrown hairs when wet shaving.
That’s not to say that multi-blade (aka cartridge) razors are bad. Technology has allowed both options to be quite efficient and proficient. However, anyone with coarse facial hair or ingrown-prone hairs should certainly consider safety razors for their confident cutting abilities.
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