Wet shaving is always a bit risky. And this is why people prefer to use a safety razor. While talking about wet shaving, there are many more factors that play a huge role in the quality of your shave.

Along with a safety razor, you will need a great blade that works with it. Choosing a wrong blade can be a bit risky as it might lead to cuts and nicks. However, using the right safety razor blade can help you prevent cuts, nicks, and ingrown hair.

Here are a few basic factors that you must look for while selecting the blade.

Hair & Blade Type

If you have fine hair pattern or if you have sensitive and acne-prone skin, you can select a less aggressive blade.

For long or coarse facial hair, you should select a sharp blade.

Skill Level

If you are new to wet shaving or if you are in the process of learning it, it is suggested to select a blade that is not too sharp or aggressive.

There are some other factors as well that you should look for before buying safety razor blades. We have explained them in the Buying Guide along with a tutorial on how to use the blades properly.

We are also going to check for some of the best replaceable DE safety razor blades. We have shortlisted 10 best products to make your purchase even easier. Let’s have a look!

Top 10 Safety Razor Blades of 2023

Best Double Edge Safety Razor Blades

1. Feather Razor Blades NEW Hi-stainless Double Edge

If you are looking for the best double edge razor blades, then the feather blades can be a good suggestion. The company is possibly one of the most dependable ones with more than 80 years in the industry.

The razors come with Stainless steel platinum coating, which greatly increases the feel on the skin. It happens to enhance the feel and thus gives a perfect and smooth shave each time and every time that you would be in need.

These blades are some of the sharpest in the market, and that has been the primary reason why many have been skeptical about how safe it would be. Many users have also complained about a random nick that they might have if they are not really attentive with the blade while shaving. But then almost all agree that the sharpness helps them have a quick clean shave.

The blades come with a lot less friction. Owing to the sharpness and thus less surface area, this is the blade if you have dense facial hair. With almost little or no effort, you can have a clean shave.

Pros:

• Lightweight
• Real Sharp Blades
• Smoother Feel On Skin

Cons:

• Be careful not to nick yourself.

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2. Astra Platinum Double Edge Safety Razor Blades

Astra is one of the most popular brands that one can think of in the blades industry. It is known for the various features that make it a top choice for any guy.

These blades last long, sometimes a bit too long. You might just forget when you got the razor blades changed the last time if you are using these. For the regular shavers who do not want to reach out every weekend for a new blade, this can be a perfect choice.

Astra blades are the perfect combination of sharpness and safety. Well, on one hand, they are quite sharp, but then, they are not the sharpest in the market. This helps them substantially, as then one would have considerably lower chances of a nick.

The blades are really smooth on the skin. Although they don’t happen to be the sharpest in the market, they can well be safely regarded as the smoothest that a man can have. These blades glide through even when there are thick and dense beard, thus improving the experience.

Pros:

• Perfect Smoothness
• Good Option For Wide Range Of Men
• Platinum Coated

Cons:

• Less Sharper

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3. Personna Double Edge Razor Blades

If you are one of those who love to have a perfect balance between smoothness and sharpness, then you would love to try the Personal Double Razor Blades as a part of your daily routine.

The blades come up with perfect rust-free, stainless steel. The material of the blades makes it good for long use, as one would not worry about the blades getting rusted due to the exposure to water and air.

They are not the sharpest, neither the smoothest. Thus, if you are one of those who are really not very vigilant while perfecting your beard, then you should surely choose these blades for yourself. They might take up a bit more of your time, but then, they would make sure that you don’t knick yourself every now and then.

These blades are so well designed that they fit in perfectly in almost all the razors that you would possibly come across. Thus, buying the blades would not make you rush to get in new razors. Put it in your razors, and you are all but good to go.

Pros:

• Reasonably Priced
• Perfect Balance of Smooth and Sharpness
• Fits in various razors

Cons:

• On The Blunt side

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4. MERKUR Double Edge Razor Blades

Unlike most other blades, these blades are Teflon coated. The material helps put the blade directly into the range of a premium product, as the Teflon helps the blades last longer than most other of its counterparts having metal coatings.

Due to the coating of Teflon on its surfaces, the blades easily glide through the skin surface. If you love to get a clean shave after having put on a beard for quite a long time, then this blade would do that for you perfectly well.

They are super light. Most other blades have metal coating, which makes them heavier than the blades with the Teflon coating. Thus, being lighter gives them the ability to give a smoother feel and look.

The blades, made by the German manufacturers, fit in all the standard safety razors, and thus, you can keep using your lovely razor while using the new blades for yourself.

Pros:

• Nice mix of sharpness and smoothness
• Fits in all razors
• Great for Milder Shave

Cons:

• Bit On the Costlier Side

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5. VIKINGS BLADE Swedish Steel Replacement Razor Blades

The blade company comes with the best blades for people across the world. They have long been producing the blades and have been appreciated by the customers from all across the world for the perfection that they have been able to create in their product.

The blades are made of high-quality materials. They help make the blades in better shape and in quality, as a result of which they are regarded as one of the bests in the market.

They have very high longevity. If you are one of those who shave regularly, then you should simply opt for the blades, as they would allow you to keep your facial hair away for quite a long time. Much more than you would have got from any other blade of the type.

The new users with non-coarse hair can definitely vouch on this product as the blades provide great safety to the user. It does not have the sharpest edges, and thus, you would prevent yourself from a cut here and there in the initial days with the blade.

Pros:

• Perfect for new users
• Good materials used
• Safer

Cons:

• Not suitable for coarse facial hairs

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6. Derby Extra Double Edge Razor Blades

If you are one of those who are very particular about your blades or one who likes to use quite a many of them before settling on with your blade, then you are sure to have heard about this company atleast once.

The blades are perfect for men who are not really looking for an aggressive blade. All that they actually are looking forward to is a clean and smooth shave. This blade provides a real smooth shave. Some even state that this is the smoothest blade around, though not the sharpest.

The company has done a commendable job when it comes to quality control. If you are sure about the quality of a blade, then it has to be this. The company makes sure that they provide the perfect blades to the users, each time and every time.

This blade sets the standards for the mild blades. If you are looking for one, then this surely the one that you would want to try out atleast once.

Pros:

• Dependable Quality Checks
• Mild Blades
• Good fit to all razors.

Cons:

• Not Durable

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7. Wilkinson Sword Classic Double Edge Razor Blades

Above-average sharpness but surely not one that would cut you bad. That would explain the sharpness that the blades have. They are just perfect when it comes to sharpness—a perfect fit for each and every type of user.

The blades boast of being one of the most durable ones in the market. If you are looking to have a blade for your next vacation, well, then you would not have to search for many other options, you have the perfect one for you right here!

The blades are so well designed that they slide across the face and the neck without making one feel about it. It is really hard that you would be left with a scar from the blade that you are offered with.

The quality control and dependability on the products are really high. You can be very sure about the product as it would meet your expectations every time. The tight quality checks by the German manufacturers make sure that they never fail in producing the best blades.

Pros:

• The perfect combination of smoothness and sharpness
• Stands out on durability
• Dependable, when it comes to quality

Cons:

• No outer coating

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8. Shaving Revolution Double Edge Razor Blades

The product is sharp and precise. So, if you want to have the latest trends on your face, then this blade is just for you. The precision with which you can have a trendy look would make you fall for these blades

These blades, when used with the shaving cream from the company, leave a very lubricating feel on the surface of the skin. It also nourishes and protects the skin from infections.

These blades are a perfect solution to the trendy people out there who are looking to put on the perfect look on themselves. These blades are so perfectly made that they provide the perfect solution to all your fashion needs and demands.

The products are precise, and quality checked to make sure that nothing but just the best reaches out to the buyers in general. You would love to have a blade that would meet your expectations so consistently time and again.

Pros:

• Sharp and Precise products
• Additional nourishing effects
• Quality checked and assured

Cons:

• Quite Costly

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9. Parker’s Double Edge Safety Razor Blades

The blades take care of you completely. They come up with a special coating of Tungsten and platinum, which provides them with extra smoothness.

These products do not only aggressively push for sharpness, but also makes sure that they are smooth as well. All that the blades care for is the smoothness with which the blades glide over the skin and also not cause an accident.

The blade company takes care of the customers, even when they are done with the blades. The customer is provided with a back slot in the product cover. Once done with the blades, one would not have to discard them in the vicinity of children and their careless self. They can simply put it in the slot and dispose it off.

The plating process that the company uses for its product goes on to increase the longevity of the product. This helps users to use the blades for multiple shaves and thus saves them from the hassle of changing the blades on a daily basis.

These blades are ideal for sensitive skins and can be a blessing for the new users.

Pros:

• Good choice for first users
• Thoughtful back slot to prevent the blades from causing an accident
• Highly durable

Cons:

• Might not work well for coarse and thick beards

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10. 7 O’clock Super Stainless Double Edge Safety Razor Blades

The product is a top-notch competitor for the highly-priced blades across the market. The product is quite reasonably priced, given the legacy and the trust that it carries along with itself.

If you are having medium to thinner beard, then this product would be your perfect choice. All that you would need to do is to make sure that you have the blade in your razor and enjoy as it smoothes passed your cheek.

The blade manufacturer has put on extra emphasis on the safety of the users. The same can be stated from the fact that the blades have smoothened edges, which helps prevent an accident that the user might face in his day to day shaving activity. The blades are safer than most of its competitors.

The Russian made blades, fit in perfectly in all the razors, thus making sure that you would not have to worry about the razor when you get the new blades in your shaving drawers.

Pros:

• Beginners Favourite
• Extra Protective edges to prevent accidents
• Fits in all razors

Cons:

• Does not work well on coarse beards

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Factors to Consider Before Buying Safety Razor Blades

We have mentioned all the factors here that will help you determine the best safety razor blade for a wet shave.

Hair Type

Determining the type of your facial hair is the first step that will help you understand the type of blade that you should use. Since the facial hair pattern varies from person to person, there are different types of blades for different hair types.

For some men, the facial hair is generally soft and fine whereas other men have coarse hair patterns. Thus, the blade that works for you might not work for others.

Thankfully, the safety razor blades are available in different versions. If you have coarse facial hair, you might have to go for a sharp blade. If your blade is not aggressive enough, you might find it difficult to shave the coarse hair pattern. It also results in lots of pulling and tugging.

The length of the hair is also a factor that you should look into. If you have longer hair, you might as well need a more aggressive blade.

But, if you have sensitive or  acne prone skin then you should go for a smooth and less aggressive blade.

Sharpness vs. Smoothness

Buying a dull blade is more or less a waste of money. Given that, buying the sharpest blade also doesn’t promise to give you the best shaving experience. Even though using a sharp blade reduces the number of times you need to pass the blade over the skin, the number of risks involved (like cuts or nicks) is high too.

On the contrary, smoother blades use a smaller angle that decreases the chance of cuts. Since the blades are smooth, you tend to apply more pressure and this eventually causes more irritation to the skin.

Thus, the best blade for shaving is the one that features a combination of both sharpness and smoothness. It should be sharp enough to let you get a close and clean shave and should be smooth enough to prevent you from accidental cuts.

Skill Level

The amount of experience you have in shaving also helps you decide which blade is the best for you. Straight razors generally use sloping angles to achieve the perfect shave. However, unlike these straight razors, the safety razors are not as steep.

If you have just started using the razor, you might accidentally cut your skin initially. It is always suggested to start using a blade that is smooth and less aggressive. Even though this does not eliminate the risk of cuts completely, the chances of deep cuts are definitely low.

You will have to spend some time to learn the correct amount of pressure you should apply to get the best results using your razor and blade.

Quality over Quantity

Initially, you might find it a decent deal to buy a pack of razor blades that contain more number of blades. But what would you do if the quality of those blades is not satisfactory?

Even though it can be a bit challenging to tell right away that how long a razor blade will last, there are some things that you can check for. You can try looking for things such as coatings.

Some manufacturers add special coatings to the blades that make them last longer. For example, blades containing synthetic polymer coating help in reducing the chances of nicks and also help the blade to last for more number of shaves.

Getting Rid Of Used Blades

You should buy a special razor disposal container where you can throw the blades rather than throwing them into the common dustbin. This will prevent accidental cuts, especially if you have small babies at home.

There are some disposal containers that have a capacity of storing blades that you used in the last six months. Some brands even offer convenient slots in the packaging itself where you can directly dispose of the blade.

How to Use Safety Razor Blades for Shaving

Even though there is no hard and fast rule to shave a particular way, following a few basic steps that can help achieve the perfect shave and avoid cuts. They are as follows:

1. Do some prep work

Wash your face with lukewarm water and a face wash to get rid of the dirt. Now apply a pre-shave oil to soften and lubricate your skin.

If you have dry skin and dandruff, it is better if you use a good dandruff shampoo. This will help in improving your shaving experience and will also save you from irritation or discomfort.

Prepping your skin before shaving is very important for your skin. Shave only when you can prep your skin. If you are in a hurry and don’t have time for prepping, it is better to avoid shaving that day.

2. Start lathering

Take a sufficient amount of shaving cream and start lathering up the area where you are planning to shave. The shaving cream helps in retaining heat and moisture to the skin.

It also makes sure that your skin and hair is soft and supple and ready to shave. Applying shaving cream also helps in opening the pores on the skin.

You can use a shaving brush to apply the cream in swirling motion.

Here are some reasons why you should buy a good shaving brush for shaving:

• They help in creating thicker lather when compared to the application with hand.
• The brush lifts the hair from the skin and prepares it for shaving.
• Once you see the amount of lather built using a shaving brush, you will never want to use your hands again.

3. Don’t rush

To get the best and long-lasting results, you should shave your beard perfectly the first time itself. Thus, make sure that you are not rushing while shaving.

Just relax and shave closely and you will definitely get better results.

4. Don’t pass the razor multiple times over an area

Once you have lathered up the area that you are going to shave, make sure that you pass the razor over the skin only once. Don’t pass multiple strokes in the same area until you lather up the same area again.

Once you are satisfied with the shave rinse your face and pat dry with a clean towel. Finish it off with a post-shave moisturizer.

For a clean and smooth shave, always use a fresh blade. It will also reduce the chances of irritation.

Following the above-mentioned steps can help you achieve a clean and neat shave.

Tips for Safety Razor Blades

Here are some tips that can be helpful to you:

• Always hold the razor at a correct angle – approx 30 degrees.
• Stretching the skin using your hand while shaving will help you provide a flat surface so that the razor will glide smoothly.
• Shave only towards the direction of the hair growth and not against it.
• Be careful while shaving near the neck and the area near the Adam’s apple as the hair in those regions don’t grow in a particular pattern.
• While passing the blade across your face, don’t apply too much pressure. Instead, do it lightly and let the weight of the blade perform.
• After shaving, wash your face with cold water. This will help in closing the pores.
• Applying an aftershave moisturizer can help you in dealing with the irritation.
• Try using shaving products that contain natural ingredients rather than choosing products that mostly use chemical ingredients.

How To Change A Safety Razor Blade

Changing the safety razor blade is not as easy as it sounds. Here’s how you can do it without hurting yourself.

1. Check the type of the razor

The first step of changing the safety razor blade is determining the type of safety razor that you have. Check whether it is a single piece, 2-piece, 3-piece, or twist-to-open type.

Another thing that you must consider is how the blades are packed. While some blades come unwrapped, others have a paper wrapping.

2. Unwrap the blades

Most of the razor blades come in a single or double wrapping. Some wrappers even have a tiny amount of adhesive to keep the wrapping in place. Unwrap the blade out by the end and not towards the edge.

3. Open the razor

Open the razor apart by unscrewing the handle. Some razors also allow twist-to-open option where you can simply twist the handle to open the head of the razor.

4. Position the blade

Now, it’s time to place the blade at its mounting position. If you have a 3-piece razor, you might need an extra mounting plate.

Check if you have placed the mounting plate in the correct position. Keeping it upside down might not offer good results. Put the razor top back at its position.

5. Put the handle back in place

By holding the razor head and blades in place, start screwing the handle back at its position. And you are done!

Benefits of Double-Edged Blades

Some of the benefits of Double-Edged Blades are as follows:

1. Budget-friendly

Since the cost of razor cartridges add up over time, you can save a lot of money in the long run by buying a double-edged blade.

2. Eco-friendly

Unlike other options where you have to throw away plastic cartridges, these blades offer an eco-friendly option as you will have to dispose only one razor.

3. No more razor burns and ingrown hair

Since the double-edged blades are sharp and heavy, you will apply less pressure. This results in a close shave and reduces irritation.

4. Hygienic

Most of the time, the cartridge of the razors get filled with bacteria and hair from the last shave. These lead to issues like irritation, burns, etc. You won’t face this while using DE blades.

5. Long-lasting

The double-edged blades are very durable and last for a very long time.

Double Edge Blades Vs. Single Edge Blades

While buying a safety razor or blade, 2 terms that you will often listen to are “single edge” and “double edge”. The double edge blades are more common with safety razors.

One of the biggest differences between both the types of blades is the double edge blade allows you to shave from two different sides whereas a single edge blade has only one side.

These single edge blades are a bit stiff and use steep angles that end up causing irritation or bumps to the skin.

On the other hand, the double edge razors allow shaving at a gentle angle. Because of this, you will not have to pass the razor over your skin again and again.

Both types of blades have their own unique features. You can select one on the basis of your personal preference.

How to Re-sharp Razor Blades

You can re-sharpen a razor blade by running it across the leather. This process is often called as stropping.

If you don’t have a leather strop, you can run the blade over a pair of jeans as well. However, stropping over the leather is a better option.

How to Sharpen & Strop an Old Razor Blade

• Keep a strip of jeans or denim over a flat surface.
• Take the blade that you want to sharpen and put it back in the razor.
• Hold the razor against the strop or jeans. You can hold it a normal shaving angle.
• Start running the razor in the opposite direction of shaving over the jeans.
• Repeat it for 10-15 times.
• Now open the blade and turn the blade in the opposite direction.
• Start stropping again for 10-15 times.

Isn’t it an easy process? Sharpening your blade in this way can easily allow you to achieve 2-3 clean shaves. You can even do this with a cartridge razor. The only thing that you should remember is never to run down the blade in the direction of shaving. This will ruin the sharpness of the blade and will also damage the leather strop or jeans.

Frequently Asked Questions

Conclusion

All the products that we did discuss above are the market leaders in their field. They all have their own pros and cons, but together, they do make a good array of blades in the market. These blades are most widely used by the customers and have some of the most positive reviews. They are all good products; you would have to choose the one that suits your needs, expertise, and budget perfectly. However, if you still want us to choose one for you, then we would give you our personal recommendation:

The Feather Razor Blades NEW Hi-stainless Double Edge is the sharpest one among the ones listed. The product perfectly meets almost all requirements and expectations. The blades are aptly sharp and are quite durable, which makes them a better choice yet again.

We hope that we have been able to guide and help you with the best products that you might have been looking for in this segment.