razors
Best in test
The exciting and wonderful world of shaving may seem like a mysterious and complicated place if you've mostly found your shaving equipment next to the checkout in the supermarket. But really, there are no alternatives to the safety razor if it's the feel and the result that determines the choice. Not even if it's the economy that decides. We've tested the 5 best safety razors, and we hereby declare our favourite!
1:
SAILOR'S safety razor BUTTERFLY – chrome finish 99R
Why we like it: The winner is undoubtedly Sailor's new modified - and vastly improved - butterfly 99R, because it's simply a near-perfect plane that fits everyone, at a low price that everyone can afford. Unlike the older version, the razor has now been stabilised in the mechanism, making it more durable, with less tendency to break or ‘fray’. In addition, it has a better blade exposure, which allows it to get closer to the skin. It glides extremely easily over the skin, creating minimal friction and irritation. You can clearly see that the old Gillette classics have been used as a template. The modern design with wings, which you open by turning the handle, brings to mind action films. If you're working on a budget, it's also the cheapest planer on the list. This is a razor that just about anyone can use, from beginners to discerning geeks and those with beard growth in the style of inaccessible barbed wire. Top marks!
2:
FEATHER AS-D2
ALL STAINLESS STEEL LUXURY SAFETY RAZOR
Why we like it: The Feather AS-D2 always tops the lists of the best razors. A little more expensive than the other options on this list, it's also built to last and made from materials that make the others pale in comparison. The Feather AS-D2 is simply worth every penny if you can handle the initial cost and are prepared to embrace the more precise shaving style that such a precision instrument requires. What makes it a questionable choice is that it is best suited to those with normal beards, as it may not be sufficient for those with coarse beards. The high price is, as I said, another objection. But for those with the right quality of beard and looking for a gentle razor of the absolute best rocket science quality, there is none better. Read our article on the Feather AS-D2 here.
3:
MERKUR 34C
Why we like it: It goes without saying that the German Merkur must be on the list, after all, the Germans' knowledge of steel construction is hard to beat, and the fact that they also have an old historical tradition to fall back on is carved in stone. The 34 is a short planer, but despite its lack of weight, it has a solid skin and good blade exposure that makes up for it. The construction is also clever - only whole parts with threads but without you having to take the whole head apart. When su screws on the handle, the top slides up while the bottom plate stays in place. Practical and typical German engineering. For those who prefer more weight and a longer handle, there is the 38C twin razor.
4:
BENJAMIN BARBER classic safety razor
Why we like it: Benjamin Barber's new razors may seem a little more expensive but you get an excellent razor that works close to the skin, has good effective blade exposure for all beard types, a good weight and the right length of handles. What makes them stand out compared to, for example, Merkur is that they have invested a lot in a stylish design in three different designs, and handles that fit incredibly well in the hands. In other words, ergonomics have been given a little extra focus here. All razors are also available in complete sets with a stand and accompanying brush in the same material.
5:
merkur futur 700 (ADJUSTABLE)
Why we like it: For those with extra coarse beard growth or different areas of the face and neck with varying beard quality, an adjustable razor is the solution and few can beat Mercury's 700 Futur series. Easy to change blades and they have a good weight that allows you to automatically apply less pressure. The blade exposure can be set in six steps, with the lowest setting corresponding to a ‘normal’ safety razor. For those who need to mould around a beard, it can be a little clumsy to do details with, so it is mainly recommended for those who need to shave cleanly on larger surfaces. The adjustable razors also cost a penny, like most specialised razors, so this is a product for those with special requirements and needs.
