As every fashion-forward guy knows, there’s a science to shaving properly. Beginner and veteran shavers alike have to deal with patches, redness, cuts, blade dullness, and much more. For my money, one of the best ways to get around these is to invest in the best double-edge razor blades.
Also known as safety blades, these things exist to keep shaving mistakes to a minimum. For this reason, more and more men are making the pivot, and it’s changing their shaving game for the better. I don’t know about you, but every chance I get to improve my time with the razor, I take it.
The thing is, there are so many great razor blade brands out there that it’s hard to know where to look. We’ve done the heavy lifting by compiling the cream of the crop, so all you have to do is find your ideal pick.
Now, let’s have a look at the best double-edge razor blades.
Key Takeaways
After searching the internet from edge to edge (get it? sorry) and reading countless reviews, my verdict is in. Derby Premiums are by far the best double-edge razor blades for men. They’re simultaneously aggressive and smooth, they work well on all skin types, and you can use them to shave any part of your body.
For the big-bearded shavers out there, Feather Hi-Stainless Blades are as potent as they get. Each blade will last you a good while, and they’re gentle on the skin despite how sharp they are.
Our Top Picks
Why they’re great: What makes Derby Premiums the best double edge razor blades? For starters, they hit the sweet spot between reliably sharp and smooth on the skin. Plus, a lot of work went into the coating on these bad boys, all done with your skin’s safety in mind. In spite of all these qualities, Derby has kept their prices fair and affordable for shavers worldwide.
Who are these for? Pros and first-time shavers alike can benefit from these, and it’s not just good for the face. When it comes to armpits or other sensitive regions, this is the kind of double-edge razor blades that you’ll want to be making contact with. With the right cream, you can even count on them for shaving your head.
Flaws but not deal-breakers: If I had to nitpick, these blades do a little better with normal hair than with a coarse beard. All in all, though, I’d say they’re the most universally viable option on the market right now.
Sharpness: 7.5/10 | Best for: Full-body shaves | Hair type: Normal | Skin type: All
Why they’re great: Next up is one of the sharpest double-edge razor blades in any price range, as well as one of the best-constructed ones. Because of how they’re made, these are unlikely to cause redness on any skin type despite their sharpness. The fact that they’re so affordable doesn’t hurt, either.
Who are these for? If you have more experience with straight razors, then I’d say this product has a similar feel. You don’t have to press overly hard to get the desired effect, which is a huge plus in my book.
Flaws but not deal-breakers: It’s a very subtle thing, but I can notice the minute dips in sharpness after each shave with these. It might be a minor inconvenience for someone who shaves on the daily, but you also have ten dozen to work with.
Sharpness: 10/10 | Best for: Facial hair | Hair type: Normal, thick | Skin type: All
Why they’re great: When it comes to the sharpest double-edge razor blades, Feather is the heavyweight champion by far. Made of Japanese stainless steel, a single one of these blades averages ten uses, and you can get up to two hundred a pack. In fact, the shave you get is so close that you’ll find the time intervals between shaves getting larger each time.
Who are these for? If you can never seem to get the close shave that your coarse hair needs, look no further than Feather. This blade specializes in taming the densest of beards, so they’re a must-have for any hairy guy’s shaving kit.
Flaws but not deal-breakers: If your facial hair is more modest, then there’s not much point in getting a blade this sharp. Still, this is a feature, not a bug, so I don’t hold it against Feather in the slightest. Just ask the Viking-looking dude in your life for his opinion.
Sharpness: 10/10 | Best for: Facial hair | Hair type: Normal to coarse | Skin type: All
Why they’re great: Astra is a household name in shaving, and these double-edge razor blades are a big part of the reason why. Well-made and safe to use across your body, these blades have given me some of the cleanest shaves of my life. Also, they don’t seem to have that dreaded problem where they randomly slide out of certain-shaped razors.
Who are these for? People who prefer wet shaving tend to have a great experience with these. It’s to be expected with a blade this sharp, although it’s also shockingly effective at dealing with coarse beards.
Flaws but not deal-breakers: Although they start off sharp enough to handle most hair and skin types, these get dull a bit more quickly than I’d like. On the other hand, with a hundred blades to burn through at a very fair cost, it’s hardly something you’d even notice.
Sharpness: 9/10 | Best for: Full-body shaves | Hair type: Normal to coarse | Skin type: All
Why they’re great: And the best packaging award goes to King C. Gillette, although that’s just the tip of the iceberg. Depending on your hair type, you can get up to a dozen shaves per blade with these. If you combine it with the brand’s own razor, you get one of the most potent combos in all of male grooming.
Who are these for? Broadly speaking, the thicker the beard, the better this product works for you. A single blade can take a lot of abuse before you have to replace it, and you’ll have a whole lot to replace it with.
Flaws but not deal-breakers: The occasional rogue review will claim that these cause razor burn, but generally, their reputation is squeaky clean. If the near-zero return rate on Amazon is any indication, these blades are demonstrably among the best double-edge razor blades out there.
Sharpness: 9/10 | Best for: Facial hair & head | Hair type: Normal to coarse | Skin type: Normal
Why they’re great: What do you get when you cross some of the finest stainless steel in grooming with a double-edge blade design? You get Bambaw, a company known for its sharp blades and eco-friendly business model. These are some of the thinnest double-edge razor blades out there. That’s often a bad sign, but it genuinely doesn’t seem to affect their longevity in the slightest.
Who are these for? It’s no secret that blades can be pretty wasteful, and it’s a lot of people’s least favorite part about shaving. Bambaw makes up around that with non-plastic packaging and above-average lifespan per blade. If that sounds like a good deal, it’s because it is.
Flaws but not deal-breakers: A lot of people say that this thing is a little too sharp. It’s not a peach fuzz blade, that’s for sure, but those with denser facial hair can expect a clean shave every time.
Sharpness: 10/10 | Best for: Facial hair | Hair type: Normal to coarse | Skin type: Normal
Why they’re great: A lot of brands specialize in one single kind of razor, but Vikings Blade streamlines the process with two contrasting options. You have Mild blades for full-body shaving and sensitive skin and Semi-aggressive for a thick mane of facial hair. Not sure what you’re after? At a price this fair, why not get a 50-pack of each and see what works best for you?
Who are these for? Between the two types of double-edge razor blades, I think it’s fair to say that this brand is for everyone. Not to mention, if you like supporting small businesses with a great product, this is a prime example of that.
Flaws but not deal-breakers: A lot of blades will carry you through five or so shaves, but I don’t think the Mild ones last quite that long. Again, though, you’re getting great value for your money in every other aspect.
Sharpness: 7/10 (Mild), 9/10 (Semi-aggressive) | Best for: Full-body (Mild), facial hair (Semi-aggressive) | Hair type: Normal (Mild), normal to coarse (Semi-aggressive) | Skin type: All (Mild), sensitive (Semi-aggressive)
Buying Considerations for the Best Double-edge Razor Blades For Men
Sharpness
If you don’t know the first thing about double-edge razor blades, sharpness is the key factor to keep in mind: not sharp enough and it won’t shave well, too sharp and it won’t be as smooth. There’s a premium sweet spot here.
Hair Type
If you have a thick beard and would prefer the closest shave possible, then you’ll want to invest in an extra-sharp blade. On the other hand, guys with a stubble can go for a milder option. After all, with little hair to protect the skin underneath, you’re risking unnecessary cuts by going with an overly sharp blade.
Skin Type
This one’s harder to pin down since everybody’s skin reacts to different metals in a different way. Most blades are made of stainless or carbon steel, although the main difference is the coating. Ultimately, if you have dry or sensitive skin, then the simplest way to go is to get a lower-sharpness blade.
How We Chose
At FashionBeans, we don’t take our product recommendations lightly. That goes double for something like double-edge razor blades, where a piece of bad advice can leave you with an uneven trim or a cut-up chin. To put together this list, we consulted everything from blade reviews to reports of customer (dis)satisfaction. That’s why we feel confident that we’ve brought you the very best.
Quality: Does the blade work as advertised? It’s easy for brands to exaggerate how safe or aggressive a certain razor is, and we took it upon ourselves to fact-check them. By consulting sharpness reviews and testing certain blades ourselves, I was able to ensure that each blade does exactly what it says on the box.
Brand reputation: Is the brand known for putting out quality blades or shaving accessories? Everyone knows the biggest players in the male grooming niche, and I stuck to them for the most part.
Price: Is the pack of blades worth the cost? Blades aren’t exactly a premium commodity, but I made sure that our readers got the best deal out of a sea of available options.
Customer reviews: What do users have to say about the product? At the end of the day, once a blade makes contact with the skin, you really get an idea of what you’re in for. I went for products that were overwhelmingly well-received by shavers worldwide.
Why Trust Us?
The core pillar of FashionBeans is our commitment to bringing you accurate, reliable product reviews on a regular basis. To make sure of that, we rely on everything from videos to forums to gather our intel. Of course, we also have hands-on experience with many of the products we stand by.
Andrej Paskalov prefers to recommend products that he’s tried first-hand. Whenever he can’t, he scours the Internet far and wide to familiarize himself with a product. In his time as a fashion writer and regular shaver, he’s gone over trimmers, aftershaves, and much more. Long story short, you can trust him to bring you the very best in double-edge razor blades.
Final Verdict
And that concludes our list. For me, Derby Premiums are the best double-edge razor blades since they tick every box. They don’t irritate your skin, they last a long while, and they genuinely shave as opposed to tugging or plucking.
FAQ
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Yes, double-edge razor blades can vary wildly, and figuring it out can take some trial and error. Besides the obvious differences in sharpness, blades can vary in terms of coating, something guys with sensitive skin need to look out for. If you’re unsure what works best for you, you can buy a razor blade pack and test out various kinds for a low price.
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For the most part, you can count on Feather for the sharpest double-edge razor blades. Their Hi-Stainless blades discussed above are a contender for the number one spot in terms of sharpness. On the other side of the spectrum, you have brands like Derby, which are perfect for a smoother shave.
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