UrbanUpdate

Even the best straight razor can be a hard sell, especially since Sweeney Todd went and maligned them. Many of us happily lean back in the barber’s chair and get a brilliant straight-razor shave from those most trusted hands—and come out of it with the smoothest, closest shave possible. Still, if you lined up all the different types of face-shaving razors for a first-time user, and asked which tool he would least prefer to use, he’d probably point to the one that's simply a long, sharp blade. 

But the best straight razors for you—for at-home use—come with some genius tweaks to make them easier to shave with than you might expect. They tend to have shorter blades, typically fold into themselves, and generally incorporate design features that allow for an ergo-friendly, steadily held, no-nicks finish. Other, even-smaller razors are dedicated to detailing the edges of your sideburns, lineup, cheek lines, or mustache.

This seemingly-simple category of razor is in fact a rabbit hole down which you can go as deep as you care to. The first thing to know is that there are many different types of straight razors. Some important ones to know: 

Cut-throat razors:  The bad PR for straight razors just continues. Jokes aside, these are the ones that fold into themselves, almost like a Swiss army knife. The technical name for the handles in these razors is “scales,” probably since they help balance the device as you use it, like a counterweight.

Replaceable blade: These ones work a lot like safety razors: You buy the razor, and swap in the blades after a few shaves. Those blades are usually fairly inexpensive. 

Kamisori: These have a fixed design, wherein the blade extends out like a knife from the handle. That makes Kamisoris a little difficult to store, since the blade is left exposed, so be sure to have a durable, high-quality pouch for it.

And on top of all that, straight razor blades can be even more finely labeled based on the corners or curvature of their outermost points. We’ll spare you the names, but know that the best type for beginners is called the Dutch point, which is basically a curved, rounded end that lacks any sharp edges aside from the blade itself. Look for this if you’re just getting started. 

Now, if you want to master the art of the barbershop straight razor shave, make sure you brush up on how to shave with a straight razor. Then pick up best straight razors for your own at-home use, which we hope you’ll consider as much as any cartridge or safety options—even if it’s just to tidy up the edges.

The Best Straight Razor for At-Home Use

DOVO straight razor$152

Amazon

With a beautiful ebony-wood casing and a 5/8" silver steel frame, DOVO's "cut-throat" device is not only a cut above the rest, but it also looks sharper (figuratively) than the competition. DOVO is one of the names in straight razor shaves, so it's a smart investment for both newcomers and veterans alike.

The Best Replaceable Blade Straight Razor

Utopia Care straight edge razor with Derby blades (100 count)$13

Amazon

Just fasten a new blade every shave or three and toss the old ones out. You save a ton of money versus cartridges while never having to worry about the upkeep and sharpening of more-traditional devices.

The Best Kamisori Straight Razor

Iwasaki Japanese Kamisori straight razor$395

Fendrihan

This is sex on a stick. (With all due respect to the iconic Japanese label, which probably would describe their device in more poetic terms.) The nearly two-inch long blade is made of Swedish carbon steel and has a rattan-wrapped grip to ensure you keep a steady hold.

The Best Straight Razor for Detailing Lineups and Facial Hair

Trim touch-up blades (3 count)$4

Target

These teeny disposable detailers will tidy up your cheek lines, sideburns, lineups, mustache, and even your eyebrows. Don't use them on broad swatches of beard—you've got a billion other devices for that—but draw clean, fine lines as needed, without the daunting display of other straight-blade designs.

The Best Straight Razor for Barbers

Ralf Aust x Fendrihan straight razor 6/8”$195

Fendrihan

This sharp-cornered tool is best kept in the hands of a professional. It's made of carbon steel and has an African blackwood scales to encase the blade when not in use. (You have our permission to use this one on yourself if you've mastered the rounded Dutch-ended devices.)

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Adam Hurly has been covering men's grooming since 2013 (and for GQ since 2016). He is also a travel writer. In Fall 2024, Adam is launching Blue Print by Adam Hurly, a men's grooming platform. Adam resides in Lisbon (previously Berlin, NYC, and San Francisco). He is a Sioux Falls, SD, native... Read moreWriterInstagramRelated Stories for GQBathroom and ShowerShaving