If you are in a hurry and just want to find out what the best double edge razor blade is, then we recommend the Wilkinson Sword Classic as the best one.
A long time ago cavemen would sharpen pieces of flint to shave off their thick beards. Nowadays we are more advanced with our shaving techniques. The modern man can choose from a large selection of the best double edge razor blades. We will help you choose the right pack of safety razor blades.
In this article, we’re going to review the following double edge razor blades:
How to choose the right double edge razor blade?
The main factor to consider is the sharpness of the double edge blades ( also known as de razor blades). A more aggressive blade means that the razor is sharper. So, a mild blade is more dull but sharp enough to cut hair.
Hair & Skin Type
As you may have heard “we are all unique”. This statement has been said many times by a multitude of people. This is because it applies to a lot of things, including your simple razor blade.
Each razor blade will perform differently on the individual, that is because our hair and skin types are much different. Consider your skin; does it tend to be dry? Or maybe it’s extra soft and smooth. Do you have thicker skin or a more sensitive one? These questions are important to consider as each blade will behave differently on various skin types. Thicker beards will require tough blades reviewed below.
The same goes for hair, especially if you want to avoid ingrown hair. Double edge razor blades tend to function better with much thicker growth. But don’t worry if your hair is thinner you might just want to opt-in for a more mild blade.
The length of your stubble is also an important factor to consider. If you like to grow your hair out then you might want to go for a sharper blade that can cut down the growth you let loose.
It is also worth mentioning, that a closer shave decreases the chances of getting ingrown hairs. You will be glad to know that double edge razors are perfect for close shaves.
Skill Level
Using manual razors instead of electric ones already puts you ahead on the learning curve. For those who have tried it, you will know that the electric shavers are much easier to use with less preparation and cleaning up. But you sacrifice a close and accurate shave along with the great feeling.
Razor blades are good at one thing… being sharp. Without that, they would be pretty useless. With that being said, as a beginner you don’t want to be using the sharpest blade. Otherwise, your face would be shredded to pieces. It’s good practice to start with a mild blade. These are much more forgiving and allow you to make more significant mistakes without a permanent scar.
If you already have some practice and want to step up the game, have a look at more aggressive blades that resemble a katana in a small form factor. These are also good for thicker hair and a smoother glide.
Price
Many blades, if not all, come in a pack of 2 or more. That is why it’s important to look at the price for a single blade (divide the price by the number of blades in the pack).
If a blade sets you back more than a quarter, you know that you will be getting a top of the line product and you can’t go wrong with that. You can also get much cheaper sharps which won’t be any worse, so keep an eye out for that! It is also worth knowing where to buy razor blades to get the best price.
Lifetime
You obviously want your blade to be sharp, or at least sharp enough to trim your facial growth.
Some men ask for the best of the best and to achieve that they use a fresh blade each time they shave. Others think that this is craziness and a waste of a perfectly good blade!
A good quality blade should last you around ten shaves if not more. This, of course, depends on many factors such as hair type and shaving creams that you use. A cheaper, lower quality blade may give two or three good shaves and then it’s over.
You might also want to consider sharpening your blade. This will most likely apply to the higher quality blades that you wish to squeeze a few more shaves out of.
Have a look at these classic blade sharpeners:
Be Safe
Like I mentioned before, the design of razor blades makes them very sharp. Double edge razor blades have (like the name suggests) two sharp edges. This increases the chance of you getting cut when handling these tools. Don’t be deterred because with careful handling and some practice you will be able to wield the blades like Zorro.
If you are a first time user consider investing in much milder blades, as these will be more forgiving with your mistakes.
Top 5 Best Double Edge Razor Blades
Wilkinson Sword Classic
A well-known brand in the world of shaving. Wilkinson Sword knows their sharps well and this is obvious with this set of 5 double edge razor blades.
One of the key features of these blades is the PTE coating. This reduces any friction during the shave giving you a smooth glide. Thanks to this great addition the blade does all the work cutting the hair. All you have to do is to apply a feather-light touch to your skin. This brings extra benefits such as avoiding irritation and reducing the chances of cuts
With that being said, these blades are non-aggressive but can still provide a clean cut. It has the quality build and function of any other multi-blade razor but lasts longer and gives you that satisfying feeling.
People who experience receiving a rash from 5 blade razors said that using this double edge blade got rid of the rashes. This blade does not rip the hairs out of your skin, instead, it gracefully flows over your skin giving you the perfect cut.
If you are a beginner to the double edge razor world these are the blades for you. With not so aggressive blade and a great value for money, you can’t go wrong as a shaving starter.
Pros:
- PTE coating provides a smooth cut
- Great for beginners due to the mild nature of the blade
- Less irritation after cuts
Cons:
- Not a good performance on thick growth
- The blades do not fit larger razors
Astra Superior Platinum
Astra is a well-known brand in the professional barber field which is already a good start for them. On top of that, they are Russian made and owned by Gillette which is safe to say that they know what they are doing.
Astra Superior Platinum double edge safety razor blades are one of the most aggressive (sharpest) blades on our list so I would not recommend these to a beginner. Yet, if you know what you’re doing these will last you a lifetime (more than 10 shaves to be exact). Thanks to the stainless steel material and the platinum coating, Astra blades are perpetual and can handle any type of coarse growth.
I wouldn’t be surprised if Astra tests their blades on Russian bears.
With these great benefits, one would think that these blades must cost a fortune, especially with the platinum coating. But, they are one of the cheaper blades that we have reviewed.
With this great durability and a lower cost, these double edge blades are good on the pocket too. You get to save more in the long run compared to other DE blades and even multi-blade razors.
You should also know that many users report that these blades gave them several cuts and nicks. That is explained by the aggressive nature of the edge so depending on your hair and skin this can be either a pro or a con.
Pros:
- Long-lasting and durable
- Great for corse growth
- Easy on the pocket
Cons:
- Not good for beginners
- Can give more than a few cuts when shaving
DERBY Premium
Next on our list is the DERBY Premium double edge razor blade. These blades boast their Swedish steel material along with a concoction of coatings, five to be exact.
A Chromium, Ceramic, Platinum, Tungsten and Polymer coating mix allows the user to experience the benefits of the five different elements all at once while other blades tend to stick to just one particular material. Users seem to report that although this might be a good selling point for Derby the blend does not provide any unforeseen benefits.
There is a great mix of opinions about these double edge blades some positive and others negative. One of the bigger controversies about these blades is that they might just be the Derby Extra (reviewed below) with different branding. However, the difference is more obvious with more uses as the premium branded blades performed better in the durability test giving you more shaves out of a single blade
If you find yourself to be a daily shaver with a fairly light beard you might want to give these blades ago. They are mild and last somewhat longer than others but for their price, it is long enough. This makes them great value for money if you’re a daily shaver. For anything else, I recommend looking at the other blades
Pros:
- Great as a daily shaver
- Good for light growth
- Low Cost
Cons:
- Tends to pull rather than cut
- Not long-lasting (1 or 2 shaves)
Derby Extra
Derby extra although unlike their name suggests they don’t offer anything extra. However, this doesn’t mean they are bad blades. In fact, they are one of the most known blades in the shaving industry. With over 2,000 reviews on well-known websites, people are raving about how reliable these blades can be.
You will find these blades paired with many reputable razor brands, just like car manufacturers opt-in for a reliable tire brand. You certainly don’t want to pair these blades with tires!
Another great benefit to these blades is the cheap price, with it comes to a smooth and mild shave. Both things paired together result in a perfect blade for those who are less experienced with wet shaving.
Unfortunately due to the mild edge they will not provide you with the closest of shaves and will not provide a countless number of shaves either.
Pros
- Smooth and Mild cut
- Cheap but usable
- Best for less experienced shavers
Cons
- Tend to pull on coarse hair
- Not good for a close shave
MÜHLE Blades
These are the more premium blades of the bunch, with a higher price you expect a higher quality blade and they do not disappoint.
The world-renowned German engineering brings us a very aggressive edge on these stainless steel blades. You should expect to get around four to five good shaves out of these. You can even go over a few spots twice. All of this without getting a single nick or cut. Some first-hand reviews stated that these blades make you feel more connected with your ski. So you can achieve greater cutting accuracy.
If you are on a tight budget you might want to look elsewhere as these are a little pricey. If you are not deterred by this and you decide to go ahead with the purchase, you will be greeted with a minimalistic packaging and more than 200 Double-Edged blades. They are aimed at men whore a loyal to the MÜHLE brand and want a premium razor along with a premium blade.
A little fun fact: if you look closely you will see the words “RASURKULTUR” stamped on the blades which translates to “shaving culture”. A little reminder that you’re now part of the club.
Pros:
- Premium blade giving a great shave
- Good for 4 or more shaves
- Designed to fit all double edge/safety razors
Cons:
- One of the most expensive blades
Our Choice
When it comes to double edge razor blades, the quality of the cut and the experience of the shave really depends on the individual. It is always tough to judge blades as the differences are minuscule and opinions amongst men are contrasting. No matter your experience or hair type we wanted to choose a blade that will suit all men the best it can. We had the choice of many manufacturers with years of experience but it untimely came down to one blade.
Of the five products we reviewed, the general consensus was that the double edge razor in terms of value for money, aggressiveness, and quality of the shave was the Wilkinson Sword Classic.
Overall this blade is great for beginners and long time users, with great value for money and the perfect balance of aggressive and mild these blades will satisfy most men.
Wilkinson Sword Classic blades provide a smooth cut that is perfect for men with sensitive skin and for those new to the manual razor game. Aside from a few reports that these blades do not fit standard razors. Plus the fact that they might struggle on really thick growth, people are able to get a good shave out of these blades. It is well-liked by many men and the Wilkinson brand brings years of experience to your face.
