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Which kind of razor is best will always be the hottest debate in the shaving world. As new technologies are developed, razors become increasingly high-tech, with more blades and more bells and whistles than ever before—all of which promise a closer, smoother, better shaving experience. There are single-blade razors, safety razors, multiblade cartridge razors, hell, even electric razors (and their hybrids). But as for which is the best? Well, that depends on who you ask.
In the past decade or so, traditional single-blade razors, aka safety razors, have enjoyed a bit of a renaissance. Proponents of single-blade shaving say that this style helps to prevent razor bumps, ingrown hairs, and razor burn and is particularly good for men with sensitive skin or thick, coarse hair. That is because multiblade razors tend to cut too close (yes, that’s a thing), which makes it hard for hair to grow out of your skin properly without getting caught (hello, ingrown hair). Safety razors, since they have only one blade, are able to shave close to the skin without going overboard.
Safety razors carry a risk, however, because they’re easier to cut yourself with since the blade is sharp and unprotected by some of the features—like moisturizing bars—that you find in cartridge razors. There’s also a pretty steep learning curve associated with them, particularly if you come from the cartridge-razor world. (You have to hold the razor at a 30 degree angle, for instance). Plus, you can’t shave quickly with a safety razor. This is a pretty high barrier of entry to some guys, but for those who put in the work and get the hang of it, many say a safety razor gives a far superior shave.
We’re not going to weigh in on this debate about which is inherently better (we are open to all shaving tools), but if you've been curious about making the switch to a safety razor or are already a convert, we’re here to help you pick the best razor for the job.
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