Safety razor and straight razor reviews from Thomas Hargrove: 20+ years of wet shaving experience in every assessment.
I’ve spent roughly $800 on wet shaving gear in 23 years. My buddy Mark has spent over $4,200 on Gillette Fusion cartridges and canned foam in the same period. That’s the short answer to whether wet shaving saves money—it absolutely does, and the gap widens every year you stick with it. When my grandfather handed…
Open Comb vs Closed Comb Safety Razors: A Complete Comparison Guide After testing over 300 safety razors in 23 years of wet shaving, I can tell you this: the difference between open comb and closed comb razors isn’t about which is “better”—it’s about which matches your beard and skill level. An open comb gives you…
Timor Razor Blades Review: The Underrated Budget DE Blade After 23 years of wet shaving and testing over 300 different razors and blade combinations, I can confidently say that Timor razor blades are one of the most underrated budget options in the DE blade market. These German-made blades deliver a smooth, forgiving shave that punches…
The Complete Beginner’s Guide to Wet Shaving in 2026 I’ve been wet shaving for 22 years, and I can tell you this: switching from disposable cartridges to a proper safety razor is one of the best decisions you’ll make for your face and your wallet. After testing over 300 razors and teaching dozens of friends…
Open Comb vs Closed Comb Safety Razors: A Complete Guide After 23 years of wet shaving and testing over 300 razors, I can tell you the difference between open comb and closed comb safety razors comes down to blade exposure and aggression. Open comb razors expose more of the blade edge through teeth-like guards, making…
Why Safety Razors Are Better Than Cartridge Razors After 23 years of wet shaving and testing over 300 razors, I can tell you without hesitation: safety razors deliver a superior shave at a fraction of the cost, with none of the environmental guilt that comes with tossing plastic cartridges in the trash every week. I…
Why Are More Blades on a Razor Better? The Truth About Blade Count After testing over 300 razors in 23 years of wet shaving, I can tell you straight: more blades aren’t better—they’re a marketing gimmick that actually makes your shave worse. The best shave I’ve ever gotten came from my grandfather’s single-blade 1959 Gillette…
Best Safety Razor for Black Men with Coarse or Curly Hair After 23 years of wet shaving and testing over 300 razors, I can tell you the best safety razor for black men with coarse or curly hair is a mild-to-moderate slant razor or an adjustable set to a lower aggression level—specifically the Merkur 37C…
Best Wet Shaving Starter Kits for Men in 2026 After 23 years of wet shaving and testing over 300 razors, I can tell you this: the best starter kit isn’t always the cheapest one. It’s the one that won’t make you quit after three bloody shaves and go crawling back to your cartridge razor. I…
Complete Wet Shaving Routine for Beginners: A Step-by-Step Workflow A proper wet shaving routine takes 10-15 minutes and follows a specific sequence: prep, lather, shave (with the grain, then across), rinse, and aftercare. I’ve been wet shaving for 22 years, and the biggest mistake beginners make is rushing through prep or skipping the second pass…