The last safety razor I purchased was very aggressive, always covering my face in nicks. I wanted a close shave, but my gut was telling me it was time for a milder safety razor.
When I saw the infomercial on T.V. for the Micro Touch One safety razor, it addressed all the problems I had been facing and seemed like too good of a deal to pass up. I ordered the Micro Touch One and ever since, it has been much more suitable for me.
Although it takes a few extra passes, I can still get a close shave and never have to worry about irritation or cutting my skin. If you seek a smooth shave, but are not quite experienced enough in wet shaving to use an aggressive safety razor, you might want to check out this one.
Things to Consider Before Buying a Safety Razor
Safety razors date back to the late 1800’s and are still popular shaving tools today. What makes a razor a safety razor? Basically, there is a piece placed between the edge of the blade and the skin which provides extra protection and causes less irritation than disposable razors.
There is a wide variety of safety razors out there to choose from. Here are some helpful tips for finding the best one for you:
- Aggressive or Mild
Aggressive safety razors expose more blade to the skin for a closer shave while mild safety razors expose less blade to the skin. If you’re a beginner, you should start out with a mild safety razor and work your way up to an aggressive one to prevent slicing your skin.
- Weight
A good razor will feel balanced in your hand, not too heavy or too light. This will make it easy to maneuver and reach difficult angles.
- Open Comb or Safety Bar
An open comb safety razor uses teeth to guide the facial hair into the blade. A safety bar covers the blade for extra protection while an open comb has an exposed blade.
- Handle Length
Some prefer longer handles while others prefer shorter. This depends on your hand size, preference, and what feels most comfortable to you while shaving.
- Price and Value
Compare your budget to the features the safety razor has to offer to find the best value. Some features you might want to consider is the material and any extra accessories.
Micro Touch Safety Razor Chrome
Features
- 12 precision blades
- Chrome Stand
Features
- THE HANDLE: SIMPLE, SAFE and INTUITIVE Twist-To-Open mechanism, making it easy to load & unload blades and transition from cartridge razor shaving.
- CLASSIC DOUBLE EDGE RAZOR: Grooming has never felt more nostalgic. This classic safety razor head has an open tooth comb design developed to give the closest shave. The teeth, whilst not sharp, effectively channel beard and hair to the blade, whilst allowing more lather to remain on the face.
- RECOMMENDED TECHNIQUE: symmetric blade alignment, balanced blade gaps and perfect blade exposure and reveal, giving you a closer, smoother shave every single time, without the possibility of nicks or cuts.
- ROCKWELL T2 DIFFERENCE: Our actions are driven by an affinity with nature and a desire for the very highest quality. Expert know-how and pioneering spirit flow into every product, whether it be a handcrafted unique item or serially produced goods. 100% PLASTIC-FREE razor with a full metal construction ensuring you do your part in saving the environment all while enjoying a great shave.
- SUSTAINABILITY: As a member of the Environmental Alliance of Saxony we are committed to sustainability and cooperate with suppliers who uphold the same high standards. Our products come completely without plastic.
Parker 82R Super HeavyWeight Butterfly Open Double Edge Safety Razor & 5 Shark Double Edge Blades
Features
| Part Number | PSR82RCHHW |
| Model | Parker 82R |
The Parker 82R Heavyweight Butterfly safety razor is a solid, trustworthy product. Similar to the Micro Touch One safety razor, it has a butterfly head that opens up for blade removal and loading. However, the handles are different, as well as the weight and aggressiveness.
The Parker 82R Heavyweight Butterfly is 4-inches long, and the handle is engraved with lines for a secure grip. Weighing 3.2 oz, not much pressure is needed for this safety razor to get the job done. If you enjoy the ease of the butterfly head on the MicroTouch One but are looking for a slightly more aggressiveness in your shave, you should give the Parker 82R Heavyweight safety razor a try!
Pros
- Affordable price
- Easy to load, remove, and clean out blade
- Extra accessories included
- Great for traveling
- Ideal for beginners
Cons
- The razor is so gentle that it might increase the time you spend shaving. The handle is also pretty short, which could be a problem if you have big hands.
Conclusion
If you want to begin wet shaving with a safety razor, but don’t want to fork out a ton of money, this is a great one to start with. It is made from solid brass and has a chrome plated finish for extra durability and shine.
The knurled handle will also ensure you a no-slip grip when wet shaving. This safety razor is gentle on the skin but still capable of performing a smooth shave.
Alternatives
For a close shave with minimal irritation, I can always count on my Merkur 34C HD safety razor. It’s a 3.3-inch long safety razor with a thick, knurled handle for a strong grip. This razor is not mild, but not as aggressive as a slant safety razor.
For my average to small sized hands, this razor is easy to maneuver. By twisting the knob on the bottom of the handle, it removes the head for a fairly easy blade replacement. Sure there are less expensive safety razors out there, but if you want a high-quality razor, this one is worth the investment.
It’s been about a year since I purchased this safety razor and it still works as good as when I first used it.
Features
- THE HANDLE: We design all of our products to be long-lasting, and this handle is no exception. The modern handle options include classic chrome, rose-gold metal, faux tortoiseshell, and black chrome.
- CLASSIC OPEN RAZOR: Grooming has never felt more nostalgic. This classic safety razor head has an open tooth comb design developed to give the closest shave. The teeth, whilst not sharp, effectively channel beard and hair to the blade, whilst allowing more lather to remain on the face.
- RECOMMENDED TECHNIQUE: For the cleanest shave, it is always recommended to keep the skin pulled taut and the blade should be drawn across the skin without applying any pressure at all. Shaving with the grain will have the best results.
- MÜHLE DIFFERENCE: Our actions are driven by an affinity with nature and a desire for the very highest quality. Expert know-how and pioneering spirit flow into every product, whether it be a handcrafted unique item or serially produced goods.
- SUSTAINABILITY: As a member of the Environmental Alliance of Saxony we are committed to sustainability and cooperate with suppliers who uphold the same high standards. Our products come completely without plastic.
For me, the Muhle R41 double edge safety razor is a great device. I have a pretty thick beard, and this razor glides right through it for a smooth, close shave. The open comb design makes it a pretty aggressive razor. This razor is made from chrome, which provides a very sleek design and added durability.
Whether you have coarse facial hair like me or thick stubble you want to smooth out, this safety razor will help get it under control in no time. If you are an experienced wet shaver, and willing to spend the extra money for a great safety razor, you should definitely check out the Muhle R41.
Conclusion
From personal experience, I’ve realized that making a jump from disposable razors to an aggressive safety razor can result in irritation or even a bloody mess. The best way to practice the art of shaving with a safety razor is by using a good, mild safety razor such as the MicroTouch One.
This safety razor is great if you have sensitive skin and want a smooth shave, but also if you simply want to become more experienced without facing the consequences from lost technique. If you fit into one of these categories, I highly recommend that you check out the MicroTouch One safety razor if it’s back in stock, if not, the other alternative razors I have used and reviewed here are also a great buy.
