Straight razors or cutthroat razors were first sold back in the 17th century. Back then, they were the go-to tool for every man who wanted to shave their beard, head, and other parts. Sadly, their popularity subsided significantly in the early 1900s as more options entered the market.
Today, straight razors are not as mainstream or popular as cartridges and other types of razors. That’s a real shame because today straight razors are miles ahead of what they used to be. They are now more elegant and sharper making it easier for men to get a really close shave.
We also cannot avoid mentioning that straight razors are not for the newbies. Nicks and cuts are all very possible if you are not experienced with these razors. Also, the wrong kind of straight razor can make things even more complicated because they increase the risk of cuts and other issues. To get rid of dark spots from shaving, invest in high-quality razors.
In today’s review, we will be looking at the best straight razors on the market. These are razors that can compete very well with your typical cartridge razors in delivering excellent results.
What’s the best Straight razor for men?
The best straight razor is the Parker SR1 Straight Razor . This elegantly designed razor is quite sharp which makes getting a close shave really easy. It’s also one of the few straight razors that can retain their sharpness for an extended period. The razor is made of high-quality stainless steel so it’s very long-lasting even when used in wet surroundings and when you use a lot of shaving cream.
Here is a more detailed review of this and other top straight razors of 2020:
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Parker SR1 Stainless Steel Straight Edge Professional Razor
$19.99
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The Parker SR1 is a professional straight razor that can be used in a barber shop or at home. The razor’s arm is made of genuine stainless steel not any of that flimsy aluminum material you’d find in other cheap razors. The stainless steel gives the blade a very sharp and elegant look. Other than the impressive aesthetics, the stainless steel is rust-resistant making the razor very durable.
The Parker SR1 Straight Razor comes with five shark super stainless half blades out of the box. Inserting the blades is a straightforward task. The razor is also designed with a Snap or Lock blade holder. This ensures that your blade is firmly secured in place thus reducing the risk of accidental cuts.
The blade compartment has a rounded exposure design towards the ends. This well-thought-out design is also very helpful for preventing cuts.
Pros
- Made of durable stainless steel arm
- Compatible with many blades
- Excellent design for improved safety
Cons
- The plastic handle feels very cheap
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Black Widow Barber Straight Razor
$35.98
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The Black Widow Barber Straight Razor is a detailed tool that’s designed to make your grooming experience a breeze. The razor features a matte black finish on the handle and arm with shiny gold accents in selected parts. It looks gorgeous.
The handle offers a firm and comfortable grip which gives you all the control you need for a safe and precise shave. This is enhanced further by reduced vibrations during shaving as well as perfect weight distribution.
The razor is made of rust-resistant stainless steel. Therefore, using and cleaning the razor should never be an issue.
The Black Widow Straight Razor has the build quality and performance of a professional razor. It’s also designed to work with different blades including double-edge blades (you have to cut them in half), straight razor blades, and other barber razor blades.
Pros
- Impressive design
- Compatible with many blades
- Rust resistant
Cons
- Blades are not included
- Several users complained that it fell apart after some time
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Equinox Professional Matte Black Straight Edge Razor
$11.98
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The Equinox Professional Matter Black Straight Razor is another beautiful razor finished in premium matte black. Unlike other cheap matte black razors that fade and scratch in no time, this one is made using special matte black oxidation technology. Therefore, the razor looks incredible, it feels really good, and it’s very durable. It survives scratches so you don’t have to worry about the finishing scratching off.
The razor is constructed using quality stainless steel that’s rust-resistant and very durable. The blade guard is very easy to operate. It’s also safely designed to prevent cuts when you are exchanging the blades.
The Equinox Professional Matte Black Straight Edge Razor offers a firm, comfortable and natural grip. It comes packed with 100 Single Premium Edge Blades. Each blade is good for around 2 to 3 shaves so the 100 blades basically give you at least 200 shaves. That’s great value for your money considering the razor costs around $17.00.
Pros
- Durable
- Beautiful design
- Great value for money
Cons
- A few users reported the blade lock started to malfunction after some time
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Feather Black SS Japanese Straight Razor
$98.50
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Feather Black SS Japanese Straight Razor is made of quality stainless steel. This durable and rust-resistant material is fitted with a silicone resin handle that serves several purposes. The handle makes sure that you have a firm and comfortable grip. This allows you to make even the closest of shaves without cutting yourself. The resin material is also heat resistant with the ability to accommodate up to 275 F or 135°C.
Coming to the blade itself, the Feather SS Japanese Straight Razor has one of the easiest blade-replacing techniques around. All you have to do is pinch the razor head and the blade will come out thanks to the spring-mounted technique!
The Japanese blade is as good as it can get. It is manufactured by a Japanese company, Jatai, that has built a reputable reputation in the industry. This blade is extremely sharp and retains the sharpness for a long period without the need of honing or stropping it. They are, therefore, very easy to maintain.
Pros
- Comfortable and lightweight design
- Replacing and cleaning the blades is easy
Cons
- Expensive to buy and replace the blades
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Feather Black SS Folding Handle Razor
You want to consider this particular razor if you find the Feather SS straight razor discussed above too small for your hands. The Feather Black SS Folding Razor is designed with a foldable handle. This increases the size of the razor when it’s being used which is very helpful, especially to guys with bigger palms. When not in use, the huge size of the razor does not have to bother you because you can fold it down safely and store it in a small space.
The handle is covered with a resin material for improved grip and control. It’s also heat resistant to up to 135°C or 275 F. Why is that important? Well, the heat-resistant nature of the handle makes it easier for you to disinfect the handle through boiling. Alternatively, you can use ethanol for disinfection. Note that the build quality of the razor is not affected by the disinfectants.
Pros
- A long, firm, and comfortable grip
- Great build quality
- Expensive to buy and replace the blades
Best Straight Razors Buying Guide
With so many straight razors to choose from, it’s very easy to end up making the wrong choice. So, to help you shop like a pro and understand why the above straight razors are the absolute best, we prepared this brief buyer’s guide. Here are key factors you should consider when buying a straight razor:
Traditional vs Shavette Straight Razors
Traditional straight razors are designed with a solid sharp blade on one side attached to a handle with a hinge while a shavette straight razor uses disposable razor blades like the standard double-edge blades used in safety razors.
Traditional straight razors like Parker SR1 Straight Razor are an excellent choice for the experienced. They provide a badass feeling but they are also quite expensive.
Shavette straight razors like Equinox Professional Matte Black Straight Edge Razor are a cheaper alternative. The initial cost of buying one is low and the blades are also cheap to replace. They help beginners get used to the straight razors without breaking the bank. They are also typically safer than traditional straight razors.
Blade Width
Most straight razors have a blade width ranging from 4/8” to 7/8” with 5/8” being the favorite for most men. The width of a blade directly affects how much control you have. This is especially true for newbies. A short width gives you more control. It helps you access hard-to-reach areas with more ease and perfect close shaves. On the other hand, longer blades are a good option if you are experienced and prefer an aggressive shave.
Durability
You want a razor made of high-quality materials. Luckily, most straight razors are constructed using stainless steel like Feather SS Japanese Straight Razor or carbon both of which are great materials. Quality stainless steel is rust-resistant, durable, and affordable. The alternative is slightly more expensive but it offers superior quality.
Budget
Traditional straight razors are very expensive. The initial buying cost is usually high and most of them cost a lot to replace the blades. If you don’t have the necessary budget to buy and own one, it’s better to go for a shavette straight razor. These are more affordable and they are compatible with many blades.
Final Thoughts
The above tools are the top of the cream as far as straight razors go. You can choose any of them, depending on your needs and preferences, and we’re confident that you will have a pleasant experience.
