We are all beginners at something when we start with it, something that applies not least to safety razors. As a beginner in wet shaving with a safety razor, there are often many questions.
What is the best safety razor for a beginner? Which safety razor is most popular? Which razor blade should I choose? Do I need a shaving brush? Which shaving brush is right for me?
The questions if you are a beginner are often many, but it is fortunate that the answers are just as many. Because the answers to all the questions that a beginner with a safety razor has, we have them. Therefore, with this post, we want to answer some of the most common questions we get from beginners in classic wet shaving.
Are you a beginner yourself or do you know someone who is? Maybe you have thought about starting yourself or know someone who has done so. Please share this post with them. You can always contact us either here directly, by email or phone. We are happy to help you with tips and advice for what you need.
But now let’s get to grips with the questions!
Which safety razor should I choose?
One of the most common questions we get from beginners.
It should be said that in the basic function, almost all safety razors are equal. But as a beginner with a safety razor, it can still be a bit tricky with all the concepts and terms. Especially if you are looking for information on social media or forums, for example. Therefore, let’s start by clarifying some concepts.
Closed comb and open comb are almost the most common terms. This is largely due to the fact that they are central and important to the function and one of the biggest differences between what may seem like two identical safety razors.
A closed comb means that the safety razor’s shaving head, i.e. the part where the razor blade is located, has a small comb with recesses along the long side. The purpose of the comb is to try to protect the skin, to come into direct contact with the sharp razor blade and to lift up the beard hairs. Then they can be cut more easily by the razor blade.
An open comb instead has small spikes along the long side of the blade and therefore much less protection between the sharp razor blade and the skin underneath. The purpose is still also to lift up the beard hairs to shave them off.
For a beginner, a closed comb is most often recommended. This is because it is considered to be slightly easier and safer to shave with than an open comb. An open comb is mainly recommended for those who have very coarse beard growth with thick beard hairs. A closed comb may have a harder time accessing and lifting them up as effectively as an open comb. Of course, as a beginner you can choose an open comb right away if you feel like it, but we recommend a closed comb.
In addition to that, there are some additional features. Then it’s mostly a matter of taste and taste in terms of design and form. All the safety razors we sell can be used with all the double razor blades we sell.
For those of you who have even more questions about safety razors, we have a nice guide to safety razors
Guide to safety razor | Safety Razor
For those of you who are curious about wet shaving with a safety razor in general, we have a guide for that too
Which safety razor is most popular?
The German company Merkur is known for its safety razors of very high quality.
The Merkur 34 C is usually counted and mentioned as one of the most popular safety razors for beginners. Something it has done for a very long time as well. With Merkur 34C you get a safety planer with good precision. It has a closed comb and made entirely of metal.
For those with larger hands who prefer a longer shaft, the Merkur 34C may feel a little short. Then the Merkur 47C is an excellent alternative. It has a longer shaft but otherwise the same function. Merkur 34G is the same razor as the 34C but in gold-coated brass.
Mühle is another large and well-known brand of safety razors and shaving brushes that are ideal for beginners. Also very popular among those who have been doing it for a long time.
The Mühle Traditional safety planer is a similar planer that is also an excellent choice for a beginner. In addition to being made entirely of metal, there is also the safety razor with black, tortoiseshell and rose gold handles, all three are also available with matching shaving brushes for those who wish. In addition, it is available in an open-comb version. This is also a very good and popular razor that we are happy to recommend for a beginner.
For those who want a larger version, there is the Mühle Traditional safety planer grande with the same function. However, it is only available in the chrome version.
A third and fourth option that is also popular among beginners is either the Rockwell R1 or the Rockwell 2C. The latter Rockwell 2C is available in a three different colors. Rockwell safety razors have become very popular in a short period of time.
A unique feature especially with the other safety razors is that the Rockwell 2C has a shaver head where the angle of the razor blade can be set at two different angles. This is easily done by turning the side of the shaver head. This is a feature that some people appreciate for getting a closer and more precise shave than a regular shaving head can provide.
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Utgående
Which razor blade is suitable for beginners?
First, what distinguishes different razor blades is above all the sharpness of the edge itself. Some are very sharp while others are softer in comparison.
But then to answer the question of which razor blade is right for a beginner. That is perhaps the most difficult question to answer. Mostly because it depends on several different things.
For example, one thing can be if the person has a coarser or thicker beard growth with coarser or finer beard hairs. Generally speaking, a thicker beard with coarser beard hairs requires a coarse blade. A more sparse beard with finer, thinner beard hairs can be shaved with a softer razor blade.
However, as a beginner, we usually recommend neither a razor blade that is too sharp nor one that is too soft. This is because the risk of cutting yourself when shaving is far too great. In short, a blade in between is usually what suits most beginners.
The advantage of double razor blades unlike other parts of wet shaving is that it is a fairly low cost if you want to change razor blades because what you have does not fit you.
Another question that often comes up is how often you need to change razor blades. It also depends, but about once a week is usually recommended for most people. The most important thing is to never shave with a razor blade that is not sharp. An unsharp razor blade can easily lead to unnecessary injuries and other skin problems.
All double razor blades we sell can be used with all the safety razors we sell.
Something we are happy to recommend is to buy our razor blade pack with five different types of razor blades. Then you get a total of 50 razor blades with 5 different levels of sharpness. Everything from very sharp blades to slightly more soft and forgiving blades. Based on that, you can then find a level that you think suits your needs.
Want to know even more about razor blades? In our razor guide we tell you more about the different types of sharpness, for example.
Do I need a shaving brush as a beginner?
As a beginner with a safety razor, there is often another question. Do I need a shaving brush right away or can I wait with it? There are several good reasons to buy a shaving brush as a beginner. But it’s absolutely not a must if you don’t feel like it and are a beginner.
There are two major advantages to buying a shaving brush. Firstly, the shaving brush provides a nice massage for the skin before shaving, it helps to lift up the hairs and unclog the pores. With a shaving brush, it is also significantly less sticky and sticky to apply your shaving cream and create a good shaving foam. Finally, there is also an incredibly large selection of shaving soap where a shaving brush is more or less a must to be able to use the product.
At the same time, if you feel that you don’t want to use a shaving brush, it’s not a must. There are plenty of shaving creams in tubes that can easily be applied with your fingers before shaving. It will be a little more messy but you don’t have to use a shaving brush. Nor do you get the nice massage that a shaving brush gives and it becomes more difficult to unclog the pores. But it is possible.
A shaving brush is an investment but one that lasts for a long time and once you have acquired it and used it for the first time, few if any stop. When you buy a shaving brush, there are basically two things you pay for, what type of brush it is and what type of handle it is.
In short, there are three main types of bristles.
The most popular, if slightly more expensive, is bristles or badger hair. It is considered to be the finest, the softest of the three and has the best absorption capacity of water, i.e. the ability to absorb and retain the water in the brush. These, in turn, are available in a few different variants.
A slightly cheaper variant is wild boar bristles. These bristles are lighter in general, not as good at absorbing water, not as soft but as I said a slightly easier and cheaper choice. But not because it is a worse choice really. For a beginner, this can be a good choice if you want to try out a brush.
For those who do not want or cannot use animal products, there are excellent synthetic alternatives in different price ranges and qualities. These are created to mimic badger hair above all and are considered by most to be just as soft and have the same good qualities. Some also consider these to be somewhat more sustainable.
For those who are beginners, we recommend a shaving brush.
If you want to know more about shaving brushes, there is our guide to these.
Want more personal help?
Are you new to wet shaving with a safety razor and shaving brush? Or are you curious about beard care? Maybe you want to upgrade your shaving tools or expand your collection of shaving soap and or shaving cream? Whatever it is, you are welcome to stop by us at Shavingroom. We are located at Kommendörsgatan 38 in Stockholm. Here are all the products that we have in stock to look at, feel in most cases and smell. Of course, we can help you find the products that suit you.