Finding the best safety razor blades for sensitive skin is a hard task. A safety razor is a tool we have talked about a couple of times here. However, our focus for this article is the thing that does the cutting – the blades. A safety razor is only as good as the blade. Once you master the art of shaving with a safety razor, there’s no going back to less sexy ways of shaving.
Too aggressive and it would leave you with cuts, too mild and you won’t get a decent, close shave. We’ll do a deep dive into the world of safety razor blades.
Of course, we would also do the hard work of reviewing some of the best safety razor blades out there to make your choices easier.
Table of Contents
What are Safety Razor Blades?
A safety razor blade is a blend of a disposable razor and a straight razor. The rise in popularity of the safety razor in recent years has necessitated purchasing high-quality blades that could provide a smooth shave.
However, not all safety razors are worth purchasing as it is only as good as the blade. There are several types of blades. What you choose depends on the result you want. Your skin and beard type also play a role before you make a choice.
Safety blades differ in sharpness, durability, and most importantly, price. The best option depends on your preferences. Your experience level also determines the blade you would go for. If you’re new to the art of shaving, you might go for less aggressive blades to avoid cuts.
Guide for Buying Safety Razor Blades
- Beard type: One of the essential things to consider before purchasing a safety razor blade is your beard/hair type. Everyone does have different hair texture and length. If you have thick or coarse hair, you definitely should be picking a more aggressive (sharper) blade. The same goes for those with longer hair. A softer edge is more appropriate for men that don’t have thick facial hair.
- Price: There are a variety of blades to choose from, and they are relatively cheap, depending on how often you buy your blades. If you’re new to the art of shaving with safety razors, you might want to go for smaller packs, to begin with, due to the price ranges. Once you’re comfortable with one that you want to stick with, then we recommend you buy in bulk as it’s a sure way to save money.
- Skill level: It takes a while to get used to shaving with a safety razor. It is best for beginners to start with less aggressive blades while getting used to safety razors. It would take time to learn how much pressure to apply on the razor head without getting cuts or irritating your skin.
- Duration: The life span of your blade would depend on usage, hair thickness, and shaving style. The average blade lasts for about 3-5 shaves.
- Sharpness: For those with sensitive skin, it might not be advisable to use a sharp razor blade. Softer blades may be considered.
- Variety: They say ‘variety is the spice of life.’ It is valid to an extent too when it comes to safety razor blades. You would eventually find a brand that’s perfect for you. But at the early stages, you should try different blades.
Is the Sharpest Blade the Best?
Not necessarily. A sharper blade doesn’t mean it would deliver the best result for your skin and beard type. A sharp blade increases the risk of cuts, especially when you’re inexperienced. Once you’ve gotten the hang of it, then it’s okay.
A rule of thumb is to go for aggressive blades if you have a thick beard. Your shaving cream also plays a role in determining the sharpness of your blade. You should invest in a good quality shaving cream. Therefore, the best blade for you comes down to your skin, beard type, and regimen.
Changing a Safety Razor Blade
If you’re new to safety razors or you just recently migrated after years in the wilderness, you probably would need some guide on changing the blades of your safety razor. Trust us to take you through this. Once you get the hang of it, it would be as natural as breathing.
- Safety razor: The type of safety razor you own is the first thing to consider then you can learn how to take it apart.
- Unwrapping Blades: Most safety razor blades come in a wrapper. Therefore, you should gently peel it holding the ends of the blade and never the edge (never!)
- Take the razor apart: You must have familiarized yourself with your razor. So if you’re using a two-piece or three-piece razor, you need to take it apart. It involves unscrewing the handle before picking up the blade.
- Position the Blade onto the mount of the safety razor.
- Screw the handle back in place.
Best Safety Razor Blades for Sensitive Skin
Here, we would review some of the best safety razor blades for sensitive skin. This should help narrow down your choices, making it easy to make the right choice. These are some of the best-reviewed products in the market.
Feather Double Edge Stainless Steel Blades
The Feather Company of Japan is known primarily for producing medical supplies – particularly scalpels. They use the same manufacturing process for scalpels for their razor blades. Their blades are pretty much medical-grade design!
It is the sharpest blade in the market that gives the closest shave possible. Even in the hands of seasoned shavers, this blade still causes nicks and cuts. It comes at a premium price and that’s understandable. Despite its sharpness, it is still suitable for men with sensitive skin who are adept in wet shaving. 
Pros
- One of the sharpest blades you can buy
- Gives a close shave
- Great fit for different types of safety razors
Cons
- Not suitable for beginners
- It is a bit pricey
Astra Double Edge Safety Razor Blades
What makes Astra qualify as a top-quality blade is that not only does it give a close shave, it is incredibly durable. You could go as high as ten shaves with this blade depending on the thickness of the facial hair.
It is an excellent fit for men with sensitive skin as it helps to reduce skin irritation. It contains 100-blades per pack but still very affordable. 
Pros
- Long-lasting
- Great price
- Sharp enough for a variety of facial hair types
Cons
- It could cause nicks and cuts due to its sharpness
- Beginners should stay away
Derby Extra Double Edge Razor Blades
This is the razor blade made for men new to wet shaving. It has gotten mixed reception over the years due to its mildness. But those men should take a chill pill as it was designed for beginners and of course, men with sensitive skin. 
Pros
- Wonderful blade for beginners
- It is cheap
- Gentle and doesn’t irritate the skin
- Good coating for low friction shaving
Cons
- It doesn’t give a close shave
- It tends to pull hairs
- Not suitable for thick hair
Merkur Double Edge Razor Blades
Germans are known for their craftsmanship and efficiency, and this is no different for these high-quality razor blades. Designed with sensitive skins in minds, it is a mid-level aggressive that can give a relatively close shave with little or no cuts. While it is not suitable for newbies, it doesn’t take long to adjust to and provides a very comfortable shave. 
Pros
- It gives a consistently good shave
- Superior craftsmanship
- Very affordable for its quality
Cons
- Not ideal for beginners
Personna Double Edge Safety Razor Blades
Not amongst the most famous blades out there but it does have its fans. Made from high-quality stainless steel, it is one of the sharpest blades in the market.
Probably a bit aggressive for men with sensitive skin, especially if they’re beginners. Experts have no problem with this blade and consistently marvel at its quality.
Pros
- Gives a close shave
- Provides a very smooth shave
- The package is recyclable (environment-friendly)
Cons
- Not sharp enough according to some users.
- Short life span per blade
Conclusion
After a close review of the above blades, we have to choose the best of the bunch, which is no easy task. The best razor blade for men with sensitive skin has to be Derby Extra Double Edge Razor Blades.
It is not the sharpest blade in the market, but the comfort it gives to men who have delicate skin is priceless. There’s little fear of nicks and cuts and it does make shaving seem like a vacation. However, there are men who despite their sensitive skin still want a close shave with the sharpest blade, probably because they have coarse facial hair. Then they should go for the sharper blades on our list.
In the end, your choice of the blade would still come down to your preference. Different blades would act differently depending on your hair thickness and skin. It is advisable to try out a variety of blades if you’re new to shaving with safety razors until you find one that’s perfect for you.
We hope we have helped you learn about safety razor blades and the best for sensitive skin. Read this over and over so that you don’t purchase the wrong blade next time.
Enjoy your shave!
