Best Safety Razor Blades

If you received a shaving kit over the holidays, or perhaps you just picked up one of the best safety razors on the market – chances are that you will want to explore the wide world of razor blades in order to attain the best shave ever.

While the double edge safety razor’s weight, size, and blade exposure can all have a large impact on the performance of a blade – by and far the biggest determining factor on whether a shave is close and comfortable will boil down to the best razor blade that compliments your hardware, regimen, skin, and whiskers.

After conducting hours of research, scouring forums, and digesting information from wet shaving enthusiasts, we found that the Feather blade was rated among the best for men who have their wet shaving routine down to a science (i.e., the experts).

Whereas men who are still learning the trade but want to get away from the starter blades that came packaged with their DE razor, either the Wilkinson Sword Classic or the Astra Platinum would be an excellent choice.

Comparing Safety Razor Blades

Here’s the key differences between the most popular safety razor blades:

RankingRazor BladeSuggested Experience LevelCountry of OriginBlades per PackPriceCost per Blade
1Feather Double Edge BladesExperiencedJapan50$23$0.46
2Astra Platinum Double Edge Safety Razor BladesAll LevelsRussia100$9$0.09
3Wilkinson Sword Classic Double Edge Safety Razor BladesBeginnersGermany100$22$0.22
4Gillette 7 O’clock Super StainlessBeginners / IntermediateRussia100$15$0.15
5KAI Stainless SteelIntermediate / AdvancedJapan50$22$0.44
6Derby Extra Double Edge Razor BladesAll LevelsTurkey100$8$0.08
7Shark Super Stainless Double Edge Razor BladesAdvancedEgypt100$6$0.06

8 Best Safety Razor Blades In 2024 Reviewed

1. Best Overall Safety Razor Blade: Feather Double Edge Blades

feather razor blade 1

One of the sharpest blades that you can buy for your double edge safety razor will be the Feather Hi-Stainless razor blade.

For better or worse, the Feather blade is the sharpest blade that will give you the closest shave possible.

Even the most experienced shavers that rely on a Feather Hi-Stainless blade for everyday use, may accidentally nick themselves due to the extremely sharp edge.

Given that the edge is so sharp on this particular razor blade, we recommend that this is likely going to be better suited for the men out there that are highly experienced in wet shaving and know the contours of their face extremely well.

With the unforgiving nature of this razor blade, be sure to have your styptic pencil or alum block handy when first giving these blades a try.

Lastly, with a thinner edge on this blade, expect on average to swap out the blade once every 3 or 4 shaves as there may be tiny chips that form along the edge that could lead to discomfort.

What customers are saying: Customers highly recommend Feather Double Edge Safety Razor Blades as they are extremely sharp and perfect for individuals with course hair, but not recommended for beginners. However, customers have also warned of knock-off products being sold which do not provide the same quality shaving experience.

2. Best For Beginners: Derby Extra Double Edge Razor Blades

derby extra razor blades 1

One of the most popular razor blades used by beginners, Derby Extra double edge safety razor blades are an incredibly smooth shave that will almost liken the knee-jerk term of dull by some wet shaving enthusiasts.

Manufactured in Turkey, Derby Extra’s are one of the cheapest blades that you can get at roughly $.08 a blade.

Their rock bottom price makes them attractive for men who are still exploring the wet shaving world and all that it has to offer.

Unfortunately, given their wide prevalence among beginners everywhere oftentimes gives them an unnecessarily bad reputation.

Since beginners are still learning the contours of their face and perfecting their technique, naturally they are incredibly susceptible to nicks and general irritation.

However, what we found time and time again, is that when experienced wet shavers revisited this blade, they found that it just simply wasn’t nearly as bad as they remembered it (i.e. their vastly improved technique made the blade shine).

While with any razor blade it’s a very much a ‘your mileage may vary’ scenario – these are definitely worth a shot. But before shoot off a bad review about them, make sure you have a perfect technique.

What customers are saying: Many customers were unhappy with the Derby Extra Double Edge Razor Blades, reporting that they were dull and not sharp enough for a clean shave. However, some customers were satisfied with the blades, finding them to be sharp and efficient for their shaving needs.

3. Astra Platinum Double Edge Safety Razor Blades

astra razor blades

Crafted in Russia, these razor blades are by and far one of the most popular brands among all men who shave with a double edge safety razor. Their incredibly cost-efficient price point at only $.10 a blade makes them easy on the budget but nevertheless a fine and close shave for many.

Regarding performance, these blades tend to be a bit smoother. This shouldn’t be confused with sharper. If you are coming from a background of using a Feather blade and find that you occasionally nick yourself – then Astra’s slightly smoother edge will likely be a welcome change.

Within the box of razors, you will find each individual blade wrapped in waxed paper to ensure adequate protection from incidental nicks and cuts when loading the blade.

Since these are wrapped in paper and not housed in a self-disposal kit – be sure to pick up a razor blade disposal case along with your purchase.

Overall this is a great blade and is highly recommended by many in the wet shaving community for men at all levels of experience.

What customers are saying: Customers are impressed with the quality and price of the blades, and compliment their performance. Some have issues with the lack of a disposal compartment or find that the blades are dull.

4. Best For Intermediates: Gillette 7 O’clock Super Stainless

gillette 7 oclock razor blades

There is absolutely no denying the clout that Gillette carries over the shaving world.

While you may have been trying to escape the high prices commanded by cartridge and disposable razors alike – Gillette does actually make a top-notch razor for double edge safety razors.

Let’s just say that Gillette knows a thing or two when it comes to traditional double edge safety razors (pssst. – they hold the original patent).

The 7 o’clock blades offered by Gillette will provide an incredibly smooth shave time and time again (usually for about 4 shaves per blade). Their smoother surface (as opposed to sharper) allows for great comfort for men that have medium to thinner whiskers.

In addition, the smooth edge of this blade will be less susceptible to surface nicks or cuts that you would otherwise experience when shaving with some of the other sharper blades that we reviewed.

One common point of confusion about this blade, and you will see it discussed wildly online, is its country of origin.

Gillette offers 7 o’clock’s in green packaging. However, where their difference lies is within the subheading of the box. The ones pictured above are Super Stainless – which are the better of the two.

Gillette Super Stainless 7 o’clock is made in Russia – this is the one you want.

The other product that this is confused with is the Gillette 7 o’clock Permasharp – which is made in India. These blades are considered by many to be inferior to the Russian manufactured blades.

While you may have escaped the high-priced shaving world for a DE razor, these blades are incredibly affordable. Ringing up at about $.16 per blade – they won’t break the bank.

Overall this is an excellent blade for men just dipping their toes in the wet shaving world looking to experiment with a smoother blade.

What customers are saying: Customers appreciate these Gillette 7 o’clock blades for being both sharp and smooth, providing irritation-free shaves to coarse beards. Some customers also note that they are a great value for the quantity and can be reused with proper drying.

5. KAI Stainless Steel

kai razor blades

Crafted in Japan, KAI is both an extremely expensive blade at about $.46 per blade which is significantly higher than Astra’s $.10 blade price, and even the highly regarded Feather at $.30.

Beyond this blade commanding a generally higher price tag compared to the other best razor blades on the market – KAI stainless steel blades are constructed from one of the top Japanese cutlery manufacturers.

What’s significant about the KAI blade, is that many men who may want the sharpness of the Feather blade, but find the frequent nicks or general irritation, will likely prefer the KAI Stainless steel blade as it tends to carry just an ever so slightly smoother edge to the blade.

While this blade may not be suited for extremely thick whiskers, due to pronounced tugging and pulling on the root when passed, many men should find that this blade performs well on their hair.

Generally speaking, it’s a substantial investment for razor blades and is great for enthusiasts looking to try out something new.

What customers are saying: Customers have mixed experiences with these blades, with some finding them durable and long-lasting, while others believe there are better options available. Some praise the close, comfortable shave, while others report experiencing nicks and mediocre performance.

6. Personna Double Edge Razor Blades

personna double edge blades

With 135 years under their belt, Personna is beloved by many men who use a safety razor daily.

Striking the right balance between cost and performance, these ~$0.14 blades deliver terrific value.

In order to make the wickedly sharp edge, these razor blades rely on chrome steel that should have no problem slicing through the thickest of hairs.

Of course, given that this isn’t made from stainless steel, corrosion can become a problem if you don’t rotate the blades regularly.

If you find that the Feather’s are a bit too sharp for your liking the Personna blades may be the perfect pick for you.

What customers are saying: Customers have mixed opinions on the Personna DE blades, some finding them to be sharp and long-lasting, while others believe they are not sharp enough or feel burred. Some find them to be a good value for the price, but a few customers have experienced the blades bending after removing the paper.

7. Shark Super Stainless Double Edge Razor Blades

shark super blades

If you are an advanced double edge safety razor enthusiast that is also on a budget while also looking for an extremely sharp blade that isn’t Feather, the Shark Super Stainless steel razor blades are likely going to be your best alternative.

Made in Egypt, these blades rival the Feather’s in the sharpness category, which will give you an incredibly aggressive shave time after time.

Just like the Feather’s, these are going to be best suited for the advanced wet shavers out there, if you aren’t on the top of your game, you are likely going to nick yourself given the sharpness of the edge. Therefore, it’s going to be critical that you have your styptic pencil and alum block on hand before giving this blade a try.

Regarding cost, this blade is incredibly affordable as it rings up at about $.11 each.

Expect this blade to effectively cut through coarse hairs and last you about 4 shaves before a replacement should be made.

What customers are saying: Customers have mixed opinions about these Shark razor blades, with some saying they are worth the money for a decent shave, while others claim there are better options available.

8. Wilkinson Sword Classic Double Edge Safety Razor Blades

wilkinson sword razor blades

A terrific blade featuring a three-step coating process will allow for a close yet smooth shave with this razor from Wilkinson.

Along the stainless steel edge of each one of these blades, you will find chromium to help ward off corrosion, ceramic that will help to expand durability, lastly a coating of PTFE (i.e. Teflon) to help to further reduce irritation.

These blades, given their relatively smoother edge (even though the name infers otherwise), are usually favored and liked by beginners with a relatively average whisker width.

Another nice aspect of these blades is that their price point is in line with others in the market at only $.20 per blade. Expect to get about a week’s worth of shaves with each blade before replacement.

Lastly, if you are near a Walmart you may be able to find these in the shaving aisle as they are widely distributed.

Of course, you can easily order it online with just a few clicks of a mouse so you don’t have to leave the house!

What customers are saying: Customers have found the Wilkinson Sword double-edge blades to be amazing, long-lasting, and a great alternative to other blade brands. However, some customers caution that the advertised quantity may not always match what is received.

Razor Blade Buying Guide & FAQs

Expensive razor blades don’t save a bad technique

You can spend all you want on new razor blades, but they won’t make a difference if you don’t know how to use a safety razor properly.

To start, you need to know what shaving grain is and why it matters.  We go into detail about the shaving grain in this comprehensive guide.

In addition to the shaving grain, the razor blade must be held at the proper angle when shaving – approximately a 30 to 45-degree angle.  

An angle too open and you are taking off the top layer of your skin, too narrow, and you are missing the hairs completely:

diagram demonstrating proper cuttingle angle of razor blade

Once you have the proper angle committed to muscle memory, you can tell the difference between razor blades and how they perform on your skin.

Will the best razor always be the sharpest?

The sharpness of the blade varies from one brand to the next. So while it may seem logical to seek out the sharpest blade to get the best results, it’s not always that simple.

You see, a sharper blade will increase the chances of delivering a nick to your skin.  So even if you are well trained with a safety razor, you still may experience more cuts when using a sharper blade.

Of course, you will likely need fewer passes with sharper blades as the blade will be much more aggressive.  This means that you might be able to achieve a smooth shave with only a pass or two (largely dependent on all the other factors in your shave).

Contrary to sharper blades, there are smoother blades.

What does smoother mean?

A smoother blade means that the edge may be slightly more rounded and require additional effort to slice through the hair follicle.  With more effort required, surface cuts and irritation are reduced.  But too smooth of a blade, and you will have to press slightly harder to get a close shave.

Therefore, when selecting a razor blade, it’s best to test across many different brands to find a blade that works well for both your own shaving technique along with the weight and aggressiveness of your safety razor.

A brief look at other shaving products to enhance your shave

proraso shaving cream partially used

Beyond the razor, the most significant impact on the overall comfort of your shave will be the shaving cream.  

If you have top-of-the-line razor blades, handles, shave brushes, and pre-shave oil – it will mean nothing if you use bad shaving cream.

Shaving cream plays a pivotal role in retaining both heat and moisture when applied to your skin.

This ensures that your whiskers remain soft and your skin pliable.  So if you haven’t invested in a good shaving cream lately, consider reading our in-depth reviews of some shaving creams for further guidance.

How often should you swap out your razor blades?

You should change out your razor blade after five shaves.  This assumes that you shave with, across, and against the grain.

Adam Williams

As the lead editor of Tools of Men, Adam loves men's grooming products. Particularly of interest is managing facial hair and perfecting the art of the modern man's skincare routine. His work has been featured or quoted in several publications, including New York Magazine, Vice, Sharpologist, MIC, Elite Daily, and more. When Adam isn't working, he enjoys spending time with his two little kids who keep him both on his toes and young at heart.

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