BEST & WORST Blades for Safety Razor & DE Shaving (Review)

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We’ll Help You Find the Best Double-Edged Razor Blades!

A fine shave is one of the best ways to mentally prepare yourself for anything the day might throw at you. And in our opinion, wet shaving with a double-edged razor offers the best possible shaving experience in most cases. You just can’t beat the classics!

To get the most out of your shave, you need to have access to the best tools, and one of the most important tools is your double-edged, or DE, razor blade. In this guide, we will share with you how to determine what DE razor will work best for you and share our assessments of prominent DE razor brands.

Need to master using a DE razor?

DE Shaving is a Personal Experience

The Blade That Works For Us, or Someone Else, May Not Work for You

Shaving, especially DE shaving, is a deeply personal experience. While this guide discusses what makes a great blade generally so that you can find the best blades for you, you need to recall that what makes the “best blade” will vary based on many factors, including your shaving routine, hair type, and skin sensitivity.

Learn why we think that DE shaving is better than cartridge!

Factors That Make a Great DE Razor Blade

Find the Characteristics and Features That You Need

Disposable razor blades weren’t in the market until the early 1900s
Find the right DE razor blade for you by considering these factors.

Before sharing our experiences reviewing DE razor blades, we will explain the general features and qualities that make a superior DE razor blade. These realities will often impact how much benefit you will derive from using a particular DE razor blade.

We have divided these factors into two sections: objective characteristics of the blades themselves and subjective components relating to the shaving experience as predicated, mostly, upon facial hair factors.

Blade Characteristics

Preston spent a hefty amount of money on a pair of cordovan shoes.

Double-edged shaving has exceptional

Value

Individual DE razor blades often cost pennies, meaning that you can buy and test out many varieties without expending a huge amount of money. For instance, a $10 pack with 100 blades costs $0.10 per blade. Use each blade twice, and that price drops to $0.05 and tells you what the “price per shave” is. This represents considerable savings over cartridge shaving.

Durability

Photo of Preston flexing a DE razor blade
Even the sharpest blades will grow dull with regular use.

The ability to reuse blades is usually referred to as their durability. Blades with good durability will see a minimal drop in functionality with additional uses.

Of course, even quality, durable blades will naturally dull with use, and how often you need to change blades is also dependent on your shaving routine, skin, and hair type.

If you have fine and thin hair, you may only need to shave every couple of days, while others might even be shaving twice a day.

Most quality DE blades should still work well after two to three uses, and some shavers can use the same blade 7 or 8 times. But for the best shave every time, a brand-new blade can’t be beat!

Find the right tool for the job with our favorite grooming products!

Materials and Coating

DE razor blades are usually made from carbon steel or stainless steel and then coated with additional substances or metals to improve their functionality, usually by improving overall durability. In addition to nitride, which is used as a fixative, platinum, tungsten, and chromium are the most common coatings, although Teflon and ceramics are also used.

Photo of Razor blade coated with platinum

Platinum

Helps to maintain a sharp edge on the blade.

Photo of Razor blade coated with tungsten

Tungsten

Reduces corrosion, which keeps the blade sharper.

Photo of Razor blade coated with chromium

Chromium

Improves the overall sharpness of the blade.

The coating that is right for you will usually depend on what you value most in a shaving experience.

Country of Origin

Considerable emphasis is sometimes placed on where a razor blade is manufactured, the assumption being that some countries are just better at this trade than others and more likely to produce consistent, quality blades.

In our experience, brand reputation is more important than where a razor blade is made, or, put a different way, quality razor blades can come from anywhere.

That being said, country of origin can indicate standardized labor practices, quality assurance, and environmental safeguards, so it doesn’t hurt to at least be aware of this information.

Does “Made In” really matter in menswear?

Production Consistency

Photo of Razor blades being made on an assembly line
Razor blades being made on an assembly line. [Image Credit: How It’s Made]

When it comes to all aspects of blade quality, reputable companies ought to have good consistency. When a box contains dozens or hundreds of mass-produced items, statistically, you’re sure to get a couple of duds.

But overall, a good razor blade company will offer products of consistent overall quality so that you can expect a comparable shaving experience every time that you load in a new blade.

The Shaving Experience

Sven Raphael Schneider preps for a shave at home
We want to keep you smiling through your shaving experience!

When it comes to having a pleasant shaving experience, you will need to select a razor blade that satisfies four aspects of the shaving experience, three of which are related to your anatomy and one to your experience with shaving.

What makes a quality shaving brush?

English dictionaries and thesaurus books

Important Double-Edged Shaving

Terms

Forgiving: A razor blade that is not likely to irritate or cut the skin.

Aggressive: A razor blade that is very sharp and not very forgiving.

Mild: A razor blade that is not very sharp.

Kyle is the Gentleman's Gazette resident facial hair expert.

Hair Type

Hair Types refers to whether your facial hair is coarse and tough or fine and thin. In general, coarser hair is more difficult to cut and generally requires a sharper blade: otherwise the blade might catch and pull on thick hair. If you have fine, thin hair, however, you might not need an extremely sharp blade, and the extra sharpness could cause irritation.

A man with a full but short beard

Hair Length

Hair Length refers to relatively how long or short your facial hair. Because longer hair is usually thicker and more difficult to access the roots, it is more difficult to cut than shorter hair and usually requires a sharper blade. Dull blades are especially prone to snagging on and tugging or pulling, rather than cutting through, long hairs.

Acne on the face

Skin Type

When you shave, your skin is put under stress from the friction of the blade that can lead to irritaiton. A certain amount of irritation can occur on all skin types, but skin type is primarily an issue if you have rough or sensitive skin, or skin that is prone to blemishes or acne. This can mean that your skin is either more prone to irritation or that the irritation from shaving could greatly exacerbate issues that you are already having.

19th century depiction of a man being shaved by a barber

Skill Level

Skill Level simply refers to how familiar you are with DE shaving in general. If you’re new to DE shaving, an aggressive blade could more easily leave nicks and cuts than a mild, forgiving one. So, even if you have coarse hair and average skin, it may behoove you when first starting out to avoid the sharpest blades until you build up some experience. Conversely, someone with sensitive skin, even if he is a very accomplished shaver, may prefer to stick with a milder blade For the sake of his skin.

Is a sharper blade always better? No!Can people with sensitive skin use sharper blades? Yes!
It is something of a truism in the DE shaving community that the sharper the blade, the better the shave. While it is true that a sharp blade is essential for a closer shave, it is possible for a blade to be excessively sharp for you. If you do not need the sharpest blade due to hair type or shaving routine, do not feel like you need to use one just because “it is the sharpest:” that does not necessarily make it the best for you. You may sometimes hear it said that people with sensitive skin should not use extremely sharp razor blades. While very sharp blades can irritate sensitive skin because they are more likely to cut or nick you, especially if wielded improperly, sensitive skin can also be aggravated by excess pressure from a duller blade rubbing against the skin and causing razor burn or skin irritation. In those cases, a sharper blade could help to resolve the problem.

Protect your skin with a suitable shaving soap!

Preston’s Personal Experience

Preston shaving his neck with a DE razor
Preston was not always a master shaver!

“I have sensitive skin and relatively coarse facial hair: the coverage isn’t dense, but each individual hair is thick. When I was new to DE shaving, I was apprehensive about using the sharpest blades since I thought they would cut or irritate my skin, so I stuck with a medium-sharp blade.

However, I still suffered irritation on my neck. As I got more comfortable DE shaving and switched to a razor head with a thin blade gap, I decided to try a sharper blade, and this has definitely resulted in less irritation.

Why? A sharper blade, when wielded well, means fewer passes and less pressure, which means less skin irritation. It all just goes to show that what matters most is the shaving experience that works for you.”

The Shaving Guide_logo horizontal1000

Become a pro shaver like Preston!

The Gentleman's Gazette Shaving Guide

FAQ

Is it difficult to learn how to use a double-edged razor?

Doubled-edged razor blades can be intimidating, but by moving slowly, fully following a complete shaving routine, and relying on trusted advice like what you will find at The Gentleman’s Gazette, it is a skill that you can definitely master safely and promptly. 

Are double-edged razors the best way to shave?

The best way to shave is a matter of personal preference. In our experience, however, the low costs, close shave, and convenience of double-edged razor shaving make it one of our favorite ways to shave, and we strongly recommend that you at least try it once to see if it could be a good fit for your shaving routine and lifestyle. 

What are the advantages of double-edged razor blades?

Double-edged razor shaving is inexpensive, once you have acquired the essential tools, and very sustainable, with minimal waste, unlike cartridge shaving. Double-edged shaving also offers a close shave that is very difficult to achieve with other methods. 

What are the disadvantages of double-edged razor blades?

Compared to cartridge shaving, double-edged razor shaving does involve a relatively high initial financial outlay for essential tools and products. It also requires mastering the art of shaving with a double-edged razor, which takes time and patience and is not as intuitive or as easy as shaving with a cartridge or electric razor. 

 
What tools do you need to shave with a double-edged razor?

You will require access to water, a shaving cream or shaving soap, a razor that takes double-edged razor blades, like a butterfly double-edge razor, and double edge safety razor blades.

Are the sharpest blades always the best?

No, they are not. Depending on your hair type, you may not require the sharpest blade to cleanly cut your facial hair, and that added sharpness could irritate your skin or cause unnecessary cuts and knicks. 

How long will a double-edged razor blade last?

How long a double-edged razor blade will last depends largely on its innate durability and your shaving experience, including how often you shave and the texture of your hair. Most blades can be used three or four times, although for the closest possible shave some gentlemen change their blades after every shave, while other men are content to use their blades seven or eight times.

Which double-edged razor blade is best for sensitive skin?

Astra, Shark, and Wilkinson Sword Classic are all brands that we recommend for wet shavers with sensitive skin. 

Which is the best double-edged razor blade for a beginner?

We recommend Derby and Shark if you are first learning how to use a double-edged razor blade. 

Which is the best double-edged razor blade for people with coarse or thick hair?

We recommend Feather and BlueBird for shavers with coarse hair, although if you are new to double-edged razor shaving, you may want to start out with BiC. 

What do the numbers on double-edged razor blades represent?

Some blades are marked with numbers, usually a “1” and “2” on one side and “3” and “4” on the other to designate the quadrants of the blade. This allows the manufacturer to quickly identify which portion of the blade might be affected in the event of defects. They have no other function and do not indicate any difference between the sections of the blades. You can use these numbers to help remember where you are in the rotation of using the different edges on your blade. 

Our Assessment of DE Razor Blade Brands

As Always, This Section is Not Sponsored

The following information has been gleaned from our personal experience with the following products, for which we have received no compensation from their affiliated brands. We also reached out to our viewers through social media for suggestions on brands to review and to hear from our viewers about their experiences with various brands.

Astra

Photo of 5 pack of Astra razor blades
5 pack of Astra razor blades

Fast Facts

  • Made In: Russia (Predominantly)
  • Cost: $8.60 on Amazon
  • Cost-Per-Blade: $0.09

Our Experiences

Astra offers several blades with various coatings, but the company is generally known for providing good “all around” blades that are relatively sharp but not overly aggressive.

They are, therefore, suitable for men with sensitive skin: perhaps that’s why so many of you preferred Astra in our poll!

Preston, smiling, gives a thumbs up gesture

“They provide a close, consistent shave, and can comfortably be used 2 or even 3 times on my coarse hair. However, since they’re not as sharp as some other blades, they required more passes per shave from me, resulting in some irritation. They’re not my first choice at this point, but I’d say they occupy my second-place or backup spot.”

Preston Schlueter

Preston learned how to shave using Astra and they are still used by Jack, a member of the Gentleman’s Gazette team.

PROSCONS
Good for average skin typesNot ideal for sensitive skin
Can be reused a few timesNot ideal for coarse hair
Good value per shave
Approachably sharp

BiC

Photo of BiC razor blades
BiC makes both cartridge and DE razor blades.

Fast Facts

  • Made In: Greece
  • Cost: $10.25 on Amazon
  • Cost-Per-Blade: $0.21

Our Experiences

BiC may be best known for pens and disposable razor cartridges, but they make a surprisingly great DE razor blade, too! In particular, their Chrome Platinum series has blades that are sharp but also forgiving. If you have coarse or long hair and are new to DE shaving, they could be a great starter model.

PROSCONS
Sharp enough for coarse and long hairNot available in every market
Relatively forgivingNot as sharp as other brands

BlueBird

Photo of BlueBird Blue Bird razor blades
BlueBird razors feature multiple coatings for an extremely sharp edge.

Fast Facts

  • Made In: Turkey
  • Cost: $9.25 on Amazon
  • Cost-Per-Blade: $0.09

Our Experiences

BlueBird can prove to be a “bluebird of happiness” for skilled shavers who need a very sharp blade, but these scalpel-sharp Turkish blades are very unforgiving, so we don’t recommend them to beginners.

Depending on your hair texture and shaving regimen, that sharpness could translate to higher durability and lower cost-per-shave, plus a more pleasant shaving experience.

PROSCONS
Great for long or coarse hairExtremely sharp
Good durability Not forgiving
Impressive value

Derby

The famous Derby blades
Derby blades are great for the daily shaver with fine to normal hair thickness and density of beard hair.

Fast Facts

  • Made In: Turkey and Sweden
  • Cost: $9.99 on Amazon
  • Cost-Per-Blade: $0.05

Our Experiences

Derby is a Turkish company, and their main line of razor blades is branded as “Derby Extra.” We’ve found that they are a great option for anyone with sensitive skin, potentially some men with “average” hair texture and density, and beginners with most hair types. While many men may eventually graduate from this brand, those with sensitive skin could benefit from sticking with it.

Photo of Preston giving a thumbs down

“I tried Derby blades, but my hair was too coarse for them, so the tugging that resulted meant that I ended up with some irritation.”

Preston Schlueter

If you have thick, coarse, or dense hair, however, this blade is likely not for you. In our testing, Derby was far too mild for facial hair of that texture and gave a frankly unpleasant shaving experience.

PROSCONS
ForgivingNot suitable for coarse or thick hair
Good for sensitive skinNot suitable for dense hair
Good for beginners
Potentially good value

Feather

My first choice in blades is Feather
Feather is known as one of the most aggressive razor blades on the market.

Fast Facts

  • Made In: Japan
  • Cost: $79.99 on Amazon
  • Cost-Per-Blade $0.40

Our Experiences

Feather is a name known in the wet shaving community as being almost synonymous with sharpness. These blades are renowned for their cutting edge and aggressiveness, making them ideal for men with coarse or dense facial hair and offering fantastic durability.

This comes at a price, however, as Feather razor blades are also relatively expensive and cost considerably more than many other brands that we are discussing today.

Preston, smiling, gives a thumbs up gesture

“As I became more comfortable with DE shaving in general … I eventually switched to Feather and the fewer passes resulting from the extra sharpness has meant less irritation for me. Just like Raphael, Feather blades are now my go-to choice!”

Preston Schlueter

Conventional wisdom is that they are too aggressive for men with sensitive or irregular skin and bumps and overkill for men with fine hair. But if you have a more difficult-to-cut hair texture and feel experienced with DE shaving, Feather could still be a good option for men with sensitive skin.

PROSCONS
Extremely sharpNot for beginners
Great for coarse, thick hairUnforgiving
Good durability Relatively expensive

Gilette

Photo of Gillette DE Razor Blade
In addition to its more popular cartridges, Gillette still makes DE razor blades.

Fast Facts

  • Made In: Russia and India (Primarily)
  • Cost: $17.44 on Amazon
  • Cost-Per-Blade: $0.17

Our Experiences

Gillette is a juggernaut in the shaving world and the flagship of the Procter and Gamble company. It offers a variety of models under slightly different brand names or lines with different coatings: we tested the Platinum line.

Preston, smiling, gives a thumbs up gesture

“Overall, ‘decent’ is the operative word!”

Preston Schlueter

We found these blades to be good all-around options, especially suitable for average skin and hair types: no doubt Gillettee is eager to appeal to a middle-of-the-road sales demographic.

They are easy to find and relatively cheap, and while they aren’t as durable as other brands, especially relative to price, you can still get both a decent shave and a decent cost-per-shave from them.

PROSCONS
Decent functionalityNo standout performance
Easy to findSlightly elevated cost
Balance of sharp and mild

LORD

Photo of Lord blades with Egyptian flag
Lord razor blades are made in Egypt.

Fast Facts

  • Made In: Egypt
  • Cost: $34.99 on Amazon
  • Cost-Per-Blade: $0.03

Our Experiences

LORD is known to be extremely consistent, offering a regularized shaving experience that is a good option for men with average hair texture and skin of typical sensitivity, especially the price-conscious as these blades are very inexpensive, even by DE razor standards!

Comfortable and forgiving, they may not work well for those with coarse hair but should be a good option for everyone else unless you have very sensitive skin: the potential need for multiple passes can cause irritation.

PROSCONS
Good for average skin and hair typesNot ideal for corase or thick hair
Relatively ForgivingPotentially irritating
Inexpensive

Merkur

Photo of Merkur Razor Blades
Merkur razor blades were a favorite of many of our viewers.

Fast Facts

  • Made In: Germany, the Czech Republic
  • Cost: $20.00 on Amazon
  • Cost-Per-Blade: $0.60

Our Experiences

Known primarily for their razor bodies, commenters on our social media channels have found Merkur blades to be sharp, thick, and durable.

But in our testing, we found them to be totally unsuitable for coarse hair, and we suspect that they would offer only a middling shaving experience for most other hair and skin types.

Photo of Preston giving a thumbs down

“I experienced quite a bit of tugging and pulling, with the blade catching my hairs and pulling my skin before doing much cutting …. I learned how to DE shave with a Merkur razor, but I don’t feel nearly as positive about their blades!”

Preston Schlueter

Merkur seems to be undergoing a manufacturing transition, shifting its production from Germany to the Czech Republic. The blades we purchased had an odd brown discoloration to them, so it is possible that they suffered from some kind of manufacturing flaw.

Again, we received on social media many positive assessments of this brand, but we are afraid that our experience did not match.

PROSCONS
Acceptable for average hair and skin typesUnsuitable for coarse or dense hair
Insensitive
Relatively expensive

Mühle

Photo of Muhle Razor Blades
Mühle is another favorite of our social media followers.

Fast Facts

  • Made In: Germany
  • Cost: $60.00 on Amazon
  • Cost-Per-Shave: $0.30

Our Experiences

This brand is another favorite of our social media commenters, who highlighted its versatility, ease of use, and forgiving but sharp blades.

Photo of Preston giving a thumbs down

“I didn’t have great personal experience: these weren’t quite as bad as as the Merkur blades, but also did a fair bit of pulling and tugging. They might be a better option for those with finer hair. I have a Mühle razor in my collection, and use its handle in combination with a head from Henson Shaving, but Mühle blades aren’t for me: your mileage may vary!”

Preston Schlueter

We suspect that this blade could offer an excellent shave for those with fine hair or average hair tending towards fine, but we found it largely unsuitable for coarse hair or sensitive skin.

Especially relative to its cost, we consider these blades acceptable under certain circumstances but not exceptional.

PROSCONS
Good for finer hairUnsuitable for coarse hair
ForgivingPotentially iritating
Relatively expensive

Parker

Photo of Parker razor blades
As we learned, Parker razor blades come in full and half blades!

Fast Facts

  • Made In: Sweden
  • Cost: $13.77 on Amazon
  • Cost-Per-Blade: $0.14

Our Experiences

Hailing from Sweden, Parker blades variously feature each of the three standard blade coatings: platinum-plated, tungsten-plated, and chromium-plated, to encourage very smooth, close, and comfortable shaving experience that won’t irritate most skin types while still being able to handle most hair types.

Preston shrugs wearing a casual baseball cap

we made a slight error…

When ordering these blades, we accidentally ordered the half blades that are usually employed in some razor and shavette models.

They are, however, the same types of blades, and made to the same standards, as Parker DE razor blades: on their website, Parker refers to these blades as “pre-cut,” as many men simply snap their DE blades in half to use in certain razors.

We feel, therefore, that this minor error did not significantly compromise our assessment.

Despite the somewhat compromised set-up in which we had to review this blade not conventionally inserted into a DE razor handle, we felt that the Parker blade performed admirably. It handled coarse hair well and we anticipate no trouble in cutting average or finer texture without producing irritation.

Preston, smiling, gives a thumbs up gesture

“I experienced no tugging or pulling, and no irritation. I did find that the shave was less close or precise than with some other blades, but this may have been a consequence of the setup.”

Preston Schlueter
PROSCONS
No irritationRequired multiple passes
Good for most hair types
Forgiving
Available in half-blades

Personna

Photo of Personna Platinum razor blades
Personna razor blades are one of the few still made in America.

Fast Facts

  • Made In: America
  • Cost: $32.88 on Amazon
  • Cost-Per-Blade: $0.16

Our Experiences

Personna blades boast Feather-level of sharpness at a reduced cost, but they also have lower overall durability, and we found that they were not sufficiently sharp to tackle coarse or dense hair. If you have fine hair, you can get a lot of bang for your buck with these blades, even if your skin is not sensitive.

Photo of Preston giving a thumbs down

I found these blades to leave more hair behind… and while they didn’t tug or pull, less precision meant more passes, which resulted in a bit of irritation. For a coarse-haired shaver like me, they were unfortunately ‘personna non grata.'”

Preston Schlueter

For coarse or dense hair, however, these blades are not quite sharp enough. They left behind hair, and those additional passes eventually built up irritation.

PROSCONS
Sharp enough for fine hairReduced durability
Not for coarse or dense hair
Potentially insensitive

Shark

Photo of Shark Razor blades
Shark Razor blades

Fast Facts

  • Made In: Egypt
  • Cost: $4.00 on Amazon
  • Cost-Per-Blade: $0.05

Our Experiences

Shark blades are known for being extremely forgiving, so while they may not be suitable for men with thick, coarse, or long hair, they can be good options for novices and those with very sensitive skin.

They’re also extremely economical, benefiting from lower labor costs in their manufacturing area, Egypt.

In our initial testing, we had some issues with the blades we received functioning inconsistently, with variable sharpness and overall quality issues, but it wasn’t sufficient to ruin our shave: essentially, a few more duds than expected, but that is somewhat to be expected at this very low price point.

PROSCONS
Extremely forgivingNot suitable for coarse or thick hair
Very inexpensiveNot suitable for long or dense hair
Suitable for fine hairMinor quality control issues
Safe for sensitive skin

Voskhod

Photo of Voskhod razor blades
While many razor blades are made in Russia, Voskhod is one of the few international brands headquartered there.

Fast Facts

  • Made In: Russia
  • Cost: $18.95 on Amazon
  • Cost-Per-Blade: $0.19

Our Experiences

Voskhod is a Russian company that is trying to position itself to appeal to the majority of razor blade consumers. It offers a good all-around blade, with good durability and sharpness, and neither an especially aggressive nor overly mild blade.

Preston, smiling, gives a thumbs up gesture

“I was pleasantly surprised by Voskhod blades in our latest testing: they were sharp and precise, with just a hint of irritation.”

Preston Schlueter

Some reviewers have found that the stainless steel blades can be a little irritating on the skin, but we found that a light touch and reduced pressure can ameliorate this issue. Also, try cycling out blades more regularly to reduce irritation to sensitive skin.

PROSCONS
Good all-around bladeMinor irritation
Good value

Wilkinson Sword

Photo of Wilkinson Sword razor blades
Wilkinson Sword razor blades

Fast Facts

  • Made In: Germany (Classic Line)
  • Cost: $8.99 on Amazon
  • Cost-Per-Blade: $0.09

Our Experiences

Wilkinson Sword razor blades offer extremely impressive durability relative to sharpness, allowing for a very close shave with the same blade multiple times. This can result in superlative cost-per-shave returns.

Wilkinson Sword’s durability can partly be attributed to the proprietary triple-coating on every blade, which also makes the blades suitable for most skin types unless your skin is very sensitive or your hair is very coarse.

Wilkinson Swords may not stand out in any category other than durability, but overall, they are a very impressive and economical razor blade in our experience.

PROSCONS
Good all-aroundNo specialization
Great durabilityNot suitable for very coarse hair
Good valueNot suitable for very sensitive skin
Accessible
Photo of Razor blade sampler packs

The benefits of

Samplers

If you are feeling overwhelmed by your options, samplers allow you to try small selections of multiple brands all at once so you can fully compare them to each other and hone in on what really works for you. Many shaving emporia assemble their own sample packs based on desired shaving experience, like a “Beginners Pack” for ease of use or an “Aggressive Pack” for the sharpest razors.

Honorable Mentions

These are brands that we did not have the opportunity to test but that you mentioned as being some of your favorites on social media. If you are experimenting with new razor blade brands, you should consider giving some of these a try.

BrandGet It Here
Bolzano SuperinoxAmazon
Crystal SuperAmazon
DorcoAmazon
Gem Blue StarAmazon
HensonHenson Shaving
Isana MenBadger & Blade
JaggerEdwin Jagger, Limited
KAIAmazon
LUXAmazon
PolsilverThe Men’s Room
Super-MaxAmazon
VikingsAmazon

Our Rankings

Photo of Variety of razor blades
How did these razor blades stack up after our testing?

Informed by our personal assessments, we present the following suggestions for which razor blades are best suited to various hair types, skin types, and experience levels. While we have attempted to be as objective as possible, these rankings are informed primarily by our personal experiences. Therefore, you may have a very different experience when trying these blades out yourself.

For Coarse Hair

When it comes to slicing through thick and coarse hair, it’s hard to go wrong with Feather, a personal favorite of mine, Raphael’s, and many of yours, based on your social media feedback. Parker and Voskhod are also likely contenders. BlueBird is another great option if you don’t want something as sharp, and BiC can be ideal if you are new and need a forgiving blade.

For Sensitive Skin

If you’ve got sensitive skin, Astra is hard to beat when it comes to sharpness for a close shave that won’t irritate your skin. But if you want to be extra careful, Shark is great if you don’t have coarse hair, and with some experience under your belt, Wilkinson Sword is another good option.

Best Value

When it comes to Best Value, we will say definitively that any DE razor that gives you a shave that you like is a good value! You can’t put a price on a quality shave with minimal nicks, especially not at the low prices typical of all DE blades. That being said, BlueBird and Astra offer great shaves at very reasonable prices, per our testing.

Closest Shave

When it comes to the Closest Shave, for us here at The Gentleman’s Gazette, Feather is hard to beat, and Astra is also a strong contender. But ultimately, closeness is such a product of personal preference and interactions of skin and hair types that your results could vary greatly.

For Beginners

If you are just starting out your DE shaving journey, Derby and Shark are very forgiving blades that should reduce the growing pains of nicks and cuts while you are learning. If you feel comfortable with the idea of shaving and prefer something sharper, consider Astra.

For Experts

Once you feel like you’ve mastered the art of DE shaving, you might feel naturally inclined to graduate to Feather. While that has certainly been my and Raphael’s experience, Wilkinson Sword might be preferred by gentlemen with more sensitive skin.

Tips for Shaving with a DE Razor

Now that you’re more familiar with DE razor brands, here are some tips to help you get the most out of your DE shaving experience.

Photo of Preston handling an individual razor blade in its packaging

1. Don't Be Stingy with Dull Blades

While most people will reuse their blades three to five times, you may want to change the blade out after every shave if you have coarse hair or sensitive skin. Blades can cost as little as 10 cents, so you don’t have to pay much to avoid irritation.

Photo of Razor blade sampler packs

2. Take Advantage of Samplers

If you are just starting out or the needs of your skin and beard change with each shave, consider buying a sampler pack. They will give you enough variety to compare blades directly so that you can find exactly what works for you.

Example of what comes in a sampler pack of razor blades

3. Use a Razor Blade Disposal Case

If you have small children or pets, it’s a wise investment to use a razor disposal container for your blades rather than throwing them into the garbage where they could potentially hurt someone. This Shaving Factory Blade Dispenser can hold about six months worth of spent razor blades.

A one piece vs a two piece DE razor

4. The Best Tools Give the Best Shave

Every aspect of your DE shaving routine is affected by every other aspect, so be sure to invest in a quality razor blade handle as well as quality shaving creams, soaps, oils, and other products.

Preston shaving his cheeks with a DE razor

5. Practice the Best Possible DE Shaving Routine

DE shaving is a conscientious process that involves a series of particular steps and a particular mindset. You should not rush into DE shaving, nor should you cut corners to save time. Instead, take your time, relish the experience, and put in the time and effort to achieve a fantastic shave.

Check out our shaving guide

Conclusion

Now that we’ve explained what makes a great DE razor blade, we hope that you feel empowered to get shaving to see what works for you. To everyone who contributed your insight and opinions, we thank you for making this video a cut above!

If you didn’t get the chance to state your piece, or if there are other brands you feel we missed and want to see us test in the future, let us know in the comments below!

The Outfit Rundown

Today, Preston is wearing the perfect casual, simple ensemble for testing out razor blades.

Photo of Best DE Razors Outfit Rundown
The Outfit of the Day

It consists of a plain black polo with horizontal shadow stripes, worn with medium gray trousers that have a texture reminiscent of the knurling on a razor handle. To continue that color feel, Preston is wearing his silver wedding band, and the buckle of his black leather belt is also silver. His shoes are plain black loafers from Allen Edmonds.

Preston is wearing two-tone black and white socks from Fort Belvedere. His fragrance is Derby by Roberto Ugolini, a decadent fragrance that shares a name with one of the razor blade brands we tested today.

Black and White Two-Tone Solid Formal Evening Socks by Fort Belvedere

Fort Belvedere

Black & White Two-Tone Solid Formal Evening Socks

Photo of Roberto Ugolini Derby Bottle and Box

Fort Belvedere

Derby by Roberto Ugolini

Reader Comments

  1. Use the Derby ones you show in your post. I have a sensitive skin and I’m happy with it.

  2. I’ve had 2 packs of Bic blades come in sample packs. The first seemed fine, not the sharpest but forgiving and still a good shave. For some reason the second pack was totally unusable. It was the most painful shave I’ve had to date. Feather and Gillette have become the go to blades.

  3. Nice article. However I would like to note that there is a wonderful alternative to the ineffective, expensive, highly advertized muliti-blade toy razor systems that most men cluelessly use. The single edge injector system is vastly superior to any and all double edge razors. There are a number of options out there. The single edge injector razors must be obtained as vintage on sites like ebay for the most part. This is an old system, I believe that pre-dates the double edge razor. Gillette however was the company that produced the majority of both the double edge razors and blades. Gillette then as now (today as a division of a vast corporate structure in the past they were a privately held company) dominated the market and used advertizing saturation and ruthless business practices to push the single edge system, the main product of distant number two Schick out of most men’s bathrooms. The single edge system especially in it’s 1970’s manifestation is a much more intuitive system and is capable of far superior shaves with less danger and irritation. The blades are currently still made by Schick and are quite good. However there are fabulous vintage blades for the having on ebay that provide exceptional performance. Some favorites are Schick Krona Stainless, Schick Platinum Plus (with Teflon) and Gillette’s fine competing Plus Platinum (also a Teflon blade) and Gillette’s Stainless. I have a vast collection of double edge razors most vintage and also purchased new. I have a equally vast collection of double edge blades and have used all of those mentioned in the article. No combination of any double razor and blade can even come close to the performance of my Schick M26 Single Edge razor with any of the aforementioned blades. There is even another superior vintage system to the double edge. Gillette’s Techmatic has few fans. However I’m one of the biggest of this great system, which again must be purchased from sellers like you would find on ebay. It takes a bit of practice to get the knack of using it but once you got it down it’s a wonderful shaving system that again easily surpasses the over-rated double edge system. As for shaving creams my favorites are Geo. F. Trumper Rose, Crabtree and Evelyn Moroccan Myrrh, TOOBS Avocado, The Bluebeard’s Revenge, Truefitt and Hill No.10 and St.James of London Cedarwood and Clary Sage. Try some Geo.F. Trumper Skin Food afterwards (I also favor a dab of rosewater as a first step), it’s quite marvelous.

  4. I would rather run a rusty rasp over my face than subject it to Shark blades again. They are the worst experience I’ve ever had wet shaving. I found that Feather brand blades also cut my fact a bit, as a new wet shaver, but at least those were almost painless slices. For the time being I use the Astra Platinum blades, which give me a decent shave and almost never cut me.

  5. I will preface this by saying that I do have sensitive skin and not a particularly heavy beard.

    I’ve used Feather, Derby, Merkur, Wilkinson, Lord, and Gillette.

    I’d say that Derby is probably the most well-rounded blade, What I mean by that is it gives you a fine shave every time without you ever having to worry about cutting yourself. It’s sharp enough but not overly so. It’s always a very consistent blade. What I mean by that is every blade seems to perform like the last one did, which I value highly.

    I’ve used Feather and can vouch for the fact that while it is the closest shave you do have to be a little more careful with your strokes or else you really do run the risk of nicks and cuts. Again, this is coming from someone with sensitive skin.

    Merkur is another fine blade, in my estimation. It was the first blade I used when I started using my DE safety razor. It’s not quite as sharp as Feather but I found it a little more precise than the Derby. But because of my sensitive skin I opt for the Derby blades. Less irritation and less need for products which stop the bleeding.

    I’d throw Wilkinson, Lord, and Gillette in the same category. They do the job. Forgiving blades much like Derby but not as consistent. You sometimes get a blade that isn’t as good as the last. I like knowing what I get which is why I always defer to Derby, but these blades are all decent.

    I haven’t run into any blades which were unusable for me. I think the prop work, which is mentioned in the article, is a HUGE part of the shave you’ll get. I can’t stress enough about prepping your skin beforehand, treating it right during the shave, and being kind to it afterwards. If you put in the work your skin will react well and look great. If you take shortcuts, you’ll get short cuts and your skin will look like it needs some TLC.

    Anyway, great article. Very informative and helpful.

  6. One great blade is the Personna Blue, made in the USA. I got a pack of 100 for $11 from Amazon – very happy with it. I have a pretty heavy beard, and I also like Feather, but these are cheaper and just as good, IMHO.

  7. Feathers are my go to blade too, in a Gillette superspeed. Perfect combo for me after trying most of the blades you list, Derbys werre the worst experience I ever had. My favourites prior to the feathers were gillette swedes but they’re no longer produced. I use Proraso green as my staple soap, Taylors irritates my skin as a soap but works fine for aftershave gel.
    No option but to try them and see what suits through experimentation.

  8. First, if you are going to call this a guide to the best blades on the market, how about actually testing more than a handful of the most well known blades. Would also be helpful, as the point was to help newcomers to DE shaving, to point out that certain brands, such as Gillette, have a number of different blades, all of which perform differently. Also, pointing out that you just HAD to pick an aggressive razor and blade because you usually shave with a straight makes you sound both uneducated to shaving and pompous. I also usually shave with a straight, and use a DE when in a pinch for time. I won’t touch Feathers, and don’t use an aggressive razor. Different blades perform differently in different razors, for different people. Sharp and aggressive does not equate to a better shave. I can get BBS with 2 passes and a touch up with a Voskhod in a Gold Tech. Neither of which would be considered aggressive. I won’t even go into how pretentious your prep and post guidance sound. Wait, yes I will. Misting with rose water? Really? Prep and post doesn’t have to be that elaborate. Scrub, hot water, brush, any decent cream/soap, rinse, AS. Anything else is to taste. I prefer a splash of witch hazel before AS. I am actually looking forward to your DE guide, should be hysterical.

    1. Thank you for a very entertaining comment. I look forward to your other comments, hopefully they will provide even more value.

  9. I look forward to what he has to say about van der Hagen safety razors as that’s the one I use with either a derby or feather blade.

  10. Great article as usual.

    If I can share my experience, I also agree that Feather are my all-time favorite, with the yellow Gillette a close second (nearly as sharp but a tad more forgiving). Feather are not my go-to blade though, I use them on my beloved Sunday shave: when I have time to enjoy my shave and get a “BBS” on a beard that is longer than during the week.

    My daily shave is with Astra blades: great value for money, very forgiving on a quick shave and sharp enough for a short beard (with my facial hair that is pretty coarse).

    I know that blade are very subjective matter, but if I may, I would not recommend the following blades (except if you have a very easy beard to shave and/or a very sensitive skin): Derby, Shark, Lord, Treet, Trig and Merkur.

  11. J.A. Great article, and I agree with your evaluation of the various competitive DE blades. I too am a huge fan of Feather. However, having been a DE shaver for many years, my own view is that the quality of a DE shave is a function of not only the quality of the blade, but the type/style of razor being used. Certainly, I have not made an exhaustive study of this, but I have tried enough combinations to know that the marriage of the blade and the razor can make a huge difference. Here are a few examples from my personal experience; a Feather blade in a Merkur “slant” DE razor absolutely tore my face up; the same Feather blade in a Lord DE razor (by the way, a tremendous DE razor for the price, in my view) works beautifully for me. A Feather blade in the Above the Tie Colossus Open Comb (which I am using now) is a bit aggressive, and the Astra blade is a better choice for me with this razor. Needless to say, the possible combinations are endless; however the gap and blade angle of the DE razor makes a huge difference in the shave; thus, to achieve a great shave, the choice of blade is not necessarily a function of picking the sharpest, longest-lasting blade and dropping it into the razor, but rather finding the combo of razor and blade that works best for the user.

  12. I have been using a double edge razor for about a year now with my two go to razors a Edward Jagger de89 and a Gillette adjustable slim that I picked up on eBay. My beard is medium to course and I shave everyday and prefer a smooth shave. After trying the sample packs I settled on the Dorco 201, the Astra, and the Wilkonsons until I came on my favorite. My absolute favorite is the Crystal Blue which is the Israeli Personna SS platinum coated blade. I think it is a perfect balance of sharpness, forgiveness, price, quality, and durability. It is cheap enough that I can change it every day if I want a really close shave or I can go 3-5 days and still get an acceptable shave. 120 blades on Amazon for 18.88 with shipping is a bargain. At 16 cents a blade I think they are the best blade for the money.
    Larry

  13. First,let me clarify that Astra, Polsilver, Minora, Sputnik, Blue Gillette Platinum, Red Gillette Super Stainless, Gillette 7 O’clock yellow, Gillette 7 O’clock green, Nacet, Rotbart and several other brands are all made in Russian factory called Petersburg Products International 65% owned by Gillette.
    I strongly doubt that these are all different blades. Probably there are 3 or 4 blades branded under 15 brands. Who knows? However I would strongly recommend Polsilver and the yellow Gillette which are a bit better than Astra to me.
    Second clarification – Lord blades are made in Egypt. The manufacturer offers wide range of DE, disposable and cartridge blades. Overall quality is good the company is ISO 9001 and ISO 14001 certified. DE brands include Shark, Lord Platinum, Super Chrome and Super Stainless, Crown, Big Ben, Asco, Rainbow and some other. Again there are many brands but probably not so many blades. I don’t think it is worthy to try any different from their best brand Lord Platinum.
    Third, Derby are made in Turkey. In my personal opinion they are far bellow the quality of Gillette and similar brands made in Russia. But this is highly subjective.
    You may also search in ebay a Russian brand Rapira. I recently bought a pack of 120 blades for less than 20$ that includes six different brands. I test one of them and the results are surprisingly good.
    another interesting one is the Indian brand Treet.
    Feather was total disappointment for me. It didn’t give me a good shave despite I used it in three different razors including Feather popular. So don’t be to excited before trying it.
    In summary, if I should give a short list of proven blades worthy to be tried that would include Astra, Polsilver, Gillette 7 O’clock yellow and Wilkinson Sword.

    I would like also to comment on described shaving procedure. It sounds too time consuming and unnecessary expensive to me. My shaving includes good splash with hot water on the face, making rich foam, two paces and affluent rinse with cold water. I rarely use Nivea aftershave balm, usually when I have some cuts. The whole procedure takes no more than 20 minutes. I am doing so for 20+ years and the results are that my 3 years old boy says my cheeks are soft as his mother’s. I cant’t imagine a shave that could be better.
    I’m not saying there is something wrong with all pre and post shaving stuff. I’m just giving another point of view.

    Thank you for your time reading my post

  14. Do you know where I can get a bulk pack of BlueBird Hi-Stainless double-edge blades? They are my absolute favorite, but I can’t seem to find them anywhere, and the link in your chart is for single-edge blades. I heard they were not making double-edge blades anymore. Please, say it ain’t so…

  15. I am fairly new to DE shaving, having ditched the stupid and expensive cartridges. I bought a sampler pack and am going through many of the brands reviewed.
    I have a course, thick and fast growing beard. Often, no matter how good a shave I give myself, I can usually start to feel stubble by the late afternoon. When I get a straight-edge shave, however, I don’t have to shave the next day, so that shows me I can indeed get a very close if it’s done correctly.
    Some blades have lasted almost a week, while some last only a few days. I’ve noticed that sometimes I can get a very close shave that lasts until the late evening. However, these variances may be due to the fact I am still learning.
    What I can say with confidence is that every shave is far superior to the cartridges. Additionally, by doing passes against the grain, I sometimes can get all the hairs cut and there is still a very light stubble left. But applying aftershave, though, within half an hour, the shave somehow improves. I think the hydration of the face makes the skin swell and ‘swallows’ up the hairs, or the hairs somehow fall back below the surface of the skin.
    I also found that it is a good idea to use witch hazel to clean the skin in the evening before bed and then apply a moisturizer. The next morning, the skin tends to still be hydrated and that seems to make the shaving experience better overall.

  16. I always enjoy the reviews on this web site – in fact, they’re addictive – even though the elegant clothing and accessories don’t comport with my lifestyle.

    With regard to this installment, I’m curious about the omission of Rockwell double-edge razors (and blades). I mention this only because the brand has had apparently explosive commercial success and has had uniformly rave reviews across the internet. In fact, I ordered one for myself after enduring decades of cartridge razor unpleasantries (mercifully, I only need to shave every few days). I made the leap based on this web site. I am waiting for delivery (along with one of your recommended shaving soaps and brushes).

    Perhaps you might comment on this brand and their blades. The S-model handles are made in the USA and the blades are from Sweden. The company also offers a 60-day return policy (nice, since the razor costs ~$150) and some sort of “lifetime warranty.”

    As a postscript, I looked up the “Israeli” blades mentioned in a comment here. It turns out they’re all made in Solingen, Germany

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