Shave · Best of
What is the best safety razor for a beginner?
Start with a mild razor. Sharpologist names the Edwin Jagger DE89 and the Merkur 34C as beginner standards, and Shaving Advisor names the 34C; we can link the DE89 (Edwin Jagger DE89BL chrome safety razor, $36.42) and the Henson AL13, which Sharpologist calls “very mild” ($94.45).1, 2 To start with the Edwin Jagger, plan on $51.39: the razor plus a 50-pack of blades. The Merkur 34C is the razor the guides name most often, but the Amazon listings we found are from resellers, so we cannot link it.
Our picks
The beginner standard
Edwin Jagger DE89BL chrome safety razor
Named as a beginner razor by Sharpologist. Fixed head, no blades included. 4.4 stars from 7,591 ratings.3, 4
Very mild, blades included
Henson Shaving AL13 aluminum safety razor + 5 spare blades
Sharpologist: “The original razor is very mild.” Comes with 5 blades. 4.4 stars from 2,518 ratings.5
Adjustable, start low
Rockwell 6C Gunmetal Chrome adjustable safety razor + 5 blades
6 settings per its listing, so you can start mild and step up. 5 blades included. 4.5 stars from 1,568 ratings.6
- A razor a beginner guide we read names, sold by Amazon or the brand, shown from mildest to adjustable.
- The beginner standard: the Edwin Jagger DE89, named by Sharpologist.
- Very mild: the Henson AL13, which Sharpologist calls very mild. Adjustable: the Rockwell 6C, which lists 6 settings.
A tie in stars goes to the product with more ratings. Cost to start: the Edwin Jagger DE89 ($36.42) plus Vikings Blade Swedish steel platinum-coated DE blades, 50 ($14.97) is $51.39. The Henson and Rockwell razors include 5 blades, so they need nothing more on day one. The Merkur 34C is the usual first razor in the guides, but the Amazon listings we found are from resellers, so we do not link it. Prices on Amazon, November 1, 2026.7
How to shave
Your first shave in three steps
These steps are the maker's own first-shave instructions for a Henson safety razor, and they hold for any safety razor with a fixed head.
Keep the razor flat, then tilt until it cuts
Plant the head flat against your skin and follow the contours. If it is not cutting, tilt the handle slightly until it does. That is the correct angle.8
Use no extra pressure
Use just enough pressure to keep the head touching your skin. The blade is held rigidly, so pressing harder does not improve the shave.8
Shave with the grain first
Until you are comfortable, shave in the direction the hair grows. It is the gentlest path and the best guard against irritation. Use a real shave cream; see Proraso vs Cremo.8
Which blades
Which blades to start with
Blades differ more than razors do, and Sharpologist cautions beginners about it.1
Start with the blades that come with the razor
The Henson and Rockwell razors come with 5 blades each, so you can shave on day one.56 For more, the one blade pack we can link is Vikings Blade Swedish steel platinum-coated DE blades, 50 at $0.30 a blade, 4.6 stars from 6,077 ratings.9 It is sold by “VB Official”, shown under the Vikings Blade store.
The safety razors we checked
Cheapest first. Price is for the razor; blades included where shown.
Head and blades come from each listing's title and details. The guide column is from Sharpologist and Shaving Advisor. The Vikings Blade Chieftain is the cheapest razor here that includes blades (5), but neither guide names it, so it is a price comparison and not a pick. Only razors sold by Amazon or the brand are shown.
Razors (4)
| Product | Head | Blades included | Named by a guide we read | Per razor | Price |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
 Vikings Blade The Chieftain safety razor + 5 blades + caseHead: Fixed head · Blades included: 5 · Named by a guide we read: No guide we read | $24.97 a razor | $24.97 | |||
 Edwin Jagger DE89BL chrome safety razorHead: Fixed head · Blades included: 0 · Named by a guide we read: Yes, Sharpologist | $36.42 a razor | $36.42 | |||
 Rockwell 6C Gunmetal Chrome adjustable safety razor + 5 bladesHead: Adjustable (6 settings) · Blades included: 5 · Named by a guide we read: Sharpologist names a Rockwell model | $60.00 a razor | $60.00 | |||
 Henson Shaving AL13 aluminum safety razor + 5 spare bladesHead: Fixed head · Blades included: 5 · Named by a guide we read: Yes, Sharpologist | $94.45 a razor | $94.45 |
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Questions people ask
What is the best safety razor for a beginner?
A mild one. We link the Edwin Jagger DE89 (4.4 stars from 7,591 ratings) and the Henson AL13, which Sharpologist calls very mild (4.4 stars from 2,518 ratings).1, 4
Which blades should a beginner start with?
The blades that come in the box, then a blade pack. We can link Vikings Blade Swedish steel platinum-coated DE blades, 50: 4.6 stars from 6,077 ratings.
Should I buy a blade sampler?
Sharpologist says sample packs let you try many blade types, then buy your favorite in bulk.1 The sampler packs we found on Amazon were sold by third parties, so we do not link one.10
How much does it cost to start?
The Edwin Jagger DE89 ($36.42) plus a 50-pack of Vikings Blade blades ($14.97) is $51.39. The Chieftain, at $24.97, is the cheapest razor that includes blades, but no guide we read names it.
Is an adjustable razor better for a beginner?
An adjustable razor lets you start on a lower setting. Rockwell 6C Gunmetal Chrome adjustable safety razor + 5 blades lists 6 settings.
How hard should I press?
Not at all, beyond keeping the head on your skin. Henson's instructions say the blade is held rigidly, so pressing harder does not improve the shave.8
Sources
- Sharpologist, Best Safety Razors for Beginners: "the best safety razors are mild, forgiving, and easy to control"; names the Merkur 34C, Edwin Jagger DE89, Henson AL13 ("The original razor is very mild") and Rockwell; describes blade sample packs. Read November 1, 2026.
- Shaving Advisor, Best Safety Razor for Beginners: "These beginner razor recommendations have been geared toward mild razors." Names the Merkur 34C and Edwin Jagger DE89. Read November 1, 2026.
- Edwin Jagger DE89BL chrome safety razor: details on its Amazon listing, read November 1, 2026.
- Star ratings and rating counts: the Amazon page of each product, read November 1, 2026.
- Henson Shaving AL13 aluminum safety razor + 5 spare blades: details on its Amazon listing, read November 1, 2026.
- Rockwell 6C Gunmetal Chrome adjustable safety razor + 5 blades: details on its Amazon listing, read November 1, 2026.
- Prices and photos: Amazon product data, read November 1, 2026. Price per ounce = listing price divided by the total ounces in the listing.
- Henson Shaving, How to use the Henson, the maker's first-shave steps: "Keep the shave plane flat... Tilt the handle slightly until it does [cut]. That's the correct angle." "Use enough pressure to keep the shave plane in contact with your skin, and no more." "For beginners: Shave with the grain." Read November 1, 2026.
- Vikings Blade Swedish steel platinum-coated DE blades, 50: details on its Amazon listing, read November 1, 2026.
- Amazon search for double-edge blade sampler packs through the Creators API, November 1, 2026: every pack we found was sold by a third party (Razor Blades Club, Classic Grooming Club, FGP and others), none by Amazon or a blade maker.
Listing read for each product shown (title and details, November 1, 2026): Edwin Jagger DE89BL chrome safety razor · Henson Shaving AL13 aluminum safety razor + 5 spare blades · Rockwell 6C Gunmetal Chrome adjustable safety razor + 5 blades · Vikings Blade The Chieftain safety razor + 5 blades + case · Vikings Blade Swedish steel platinum-coated DE blades, 50.
Only products sold by Amazon.com or the brand itself are listed, because other sellers can charge much more. A product with no offer today is left out. See how we check.