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Men, consider this a public service announcement. If you want a real shave, there’s really only a handful of ways to get it. Chances are you aren’t going to an Italian barber, so you’re probably using the three or four blade disposables or – worse yet – the electric shaver.
Stop. Immediately.
There is a better way, and I’m here today to enlighten you.
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Disposable Razors
Okay, let’s backtrack for a second. According to Consumer Reports, if you do go the disposable razor route, the Gillette Mach 3 or Mach 3 Turbo is a great option. An even better option (according to Amazon user reviews) is the Gillette Fusion or the Fusion Proglide.
However, if you’ve ever bought razors you already know that replacement blades are more expensive each month than HBO and you can’t watch Game of Thrones or True Detective on your Mach 3 or Fusion Proglide.
Best Way to Shave
So, I want to show you a better way. The better way isn’t exactly new, and chances are your father – or your grandfather – knew of no other way to shave. The solution is the trusty single blade razor. Before you write it off, hear me out. The blades are sharp, cheap, and the shave is incredibly smooth and close (when compared to disposables). Contrary to current marketing, you don’t actually need 36 blades gently stroking your face like the fingers of a Greek Goddess. Turns out, one incredibly sharp one will do just fine.
If you’re ready to give it a shot, you’ll need a few things that you probably aren’t currently using, such as a foaming brush (badger hair), some shave soap, and – of course – a new razor and blades.
Best Razors for Men
For sharp blades, I recommend Feather. They come in packs of 10 for $1.19 on Amazon. Beat that, disposable razor.
On to the razor itself.
If you are ready to kick the habit of using disposable razors and are looking for the best razors for men, we recommend the Merkur 34C/38C, although any Merkur razor is a great option. Another fine choice that ranks among the best razors for men is the Edwin Jagger DE89. Both of these are available on Amazon, but be prepared to fork over a little coin. Buying the razor initially should set you back $40-$60 depending on what you choose, but after that the blades are practically free, and the razor itself should last you a decade or more with proper care. In fact, some of the older safety razors are still in use from the 30s and 40s.
These are made well, so there’s no reason why it shouldn’t last. You’ll feel the difference in weight when using it, and these stainless steel models offer unparalleled control with a bit of class and style.
You’ll have to alter your shaving style a bit as unlike disposable razors you can’t really push down with the same force without cutting yourself. That said, once you master the proper feel and angle required for a proper shave with an old-school safety razor, you’ll cut yourself less often, and you’ll quickly find that you don’t need to exert the same force for a baby-smooth shave. In fact, you’ll probably never want to go back to a disposable again unless you’re feeling nostalgic for your college days, in which case we’d suggest a six pack of Natty Lite and a Blink 182 album instead.
Give it a shot and try some of the best razors for men. Or, you can keep spending a small fortune on disposable razor blades each month, what do we care?
