Safety razor and straight razor reviews from Thomas Hargrove: 20+ years of wet shaving experience in every assessment.
After 23 years of daily wet shaving and testing over 300 razors, I can tell you the best safety razor for beginners without hesitation: the Edwin Jagger DE89. It’s forgiving, well-balanced, and built to last long enough that you’ll still be using it when you’re no longer a beginner. I started wet shaving with my…
Double Edge Razor Blades Ranked by Sharpness: The Complete Comparison After 23 years of wet shaving and testing over 300 different razor and blade combinations, I can tell you this: blade sharpness matters more than most shavers realize, but it’s not a simple “sharper is always better” equation. The sharpest blade in my testing—the Feather…
Derby vs Astra DE Blades: Which Budget Blade Wins? I’ve burned through thousands of derby vs astra double edge razor blades over two decades, and the honest truth is this: Astra Superior Platinum edges out Derby Extra in almost every category that matters. Derby blades are forgiving and smooth, yes—but they sacrifice sharpness and longevity…
Best Safety Razors for Black Men with Coarse or Curly Hair After two decades of wet shaving and testing over 300 razors, I can tell you the truth: the right safety razor can eliminate razor bumps and ingrown hairs that plague Black men with coarse, curly facial hair. The wrong one? It’ll make things worse…
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…