Types of Razors Explained: DE, SE, Straight, Shavette, Cartridge, Electric
Key takeaways
- The double-edge (DE) safety razor is the usual wet-shaving starting point: one sharp blade, a fixed head, and inexpensive blades you swap roughly every 5 to 7 shaves.
- Single-edge (SE) razors and straight razors give a very direct shave with one open edge; the straight razor needs stropping and occasional honing.
- A shavette is a straight razor that takes disposable blades, so you get the open-blade feel without the upkeep.
- Cartridge and electric razors trade closeness and skin-kindness for speed and convenience; the right razor is the one that suits your skin, beard, and patience.
The main types of razors are the double-edge (DE) safety razor, the single-edge (SE) safety razor, the straight razor, the shavette, the multi-blade cartridge, and the electric razor, and they differ in how many edges meet your skin, how the blade is held, and how much skill and upkeep each one asks of you. When I switched from cartridges I had no idea there was a whole family of razors behind the one in the supermarket aisle. Here is how each works and who each suits.
Double-edge safety razor
The double-edge safety razor is the usual wet-shaving starting point: a single thin blade, sharp on both long sides, clamped in a head that limits how much edge touches the skin. You hold it at roughly 30 degrees to the face, let the weight of the razor do the work with light to no pressure, and take more than one careful pass over a brush-built lather. The blades are inexpensive and you swap one roughly every 5 to 7 shaves, though that varies with your beard and the blade brand. It suits almost anyone who wants a close, kind shave without much fuss; it is the razor I still reach for most days. Read safety razor explained for the full breakdown.
Single-edge safety razor
A single-edge (SE) safety razor uses one sharp edge instead of two, often a thicker, stiffer blade than a DE. Because only one side cuts, the head sits flat against the skin in a way some shavers find easier to read, and the stiffer blade can feel smooth and deliberate. It is still a guarded, replaceable-blade razor, so the upkeep is the same as a DE: rinse it, air-dry it, and change the blade when it tugs. SE razors suit people who like a slightly more direct shave than a DE but do not want the maintenance of an open blade. The same light-pressure, with-the-grain rules apply.
Straight razor
A straight razor is a single fixed open blade with no guard, folded into a handle, giving the most direct and controllable shave of any razor and the steepest learning curve. There is no safety bar between edge and skin, so you set the angle yourself and there is little margin for error. A straight razor also needs upkeep that the others do not: you strop the edge before each shave to realign it, and you hone it occasionally to restore sharpness. It rewards patience with a remarkably close, satisfying shave, and suits the shaver who enjoys the craft itself. Start with how to shave with a straight razor before you buy one.
Shavette
A shavette is a straight razor that takes a disposable blade instead of a fixed, honed edge, so you get the open-blade feel without stropping or honing. You snap in a fresh blade, shave, and swap it out, which is why many barbers favour shavettes for hygiene between clients. The trade-off is that a thin disposable blade is very sharp and lighter than a set straight razor, so it is less forgiving and asks for the same slow, careful hand. A shavette suits someone curious about the straight-razor experience who would rather change blades than learn to maintain an edge. It bridges the gap toward how to shave with a straight razor.
Cartridge razor
A cartridge razor holds several spring-mounted blades in a disposable plastic head, designed for a fast, near-effortless shave. Multiple blades stretch and cut the hair in one stroke, which is quick and easy but means several edges drag over the same patch of skin; for some people that contributes to razor burn and ingrown hairs, more so against the grain and with curly hair. The American Academy of Dermatology advises shaving in the direction the hair grows and using a sharp blade to reduce irritation, advice that applies whichever razor you hold. Cartridges suit people who prize speed and simplicity over the closeness and lower running cost of a single blade; see safety razor vs cartridge for the comparison.
Electric razor
An electric razor cuts hair with oscillating or rotating blades that sit just behind a thin foil or guard, usually used dry and without lather. Because the blades never touch the skin directly, it is quick, low-risk for nicks, and forgiving on the go, but it generally does not match the closeness of a single sharp blade on a lathered face. Electric razors suit people who shave in a hurry, travel light, or find that wet shaving irritates their skin. They are a different tool from wet shaving rather than a better or worse one; the right razor is the one that fits your skin, beard, and patience.
Looking after your skin
Whichever razor you choose, the skin rules are the same: prep with warm water, use a sharp edge, keep pressure light, and shave with the grain first. Razor burn and the odd nick are common while you find your method and usually settle as your technique does. Anything painful, persistent, spreading, or infected is a job for a pharmacist or doctor, not a change of razor. If your skin flares easily, read shaving sensitive skin before switching tools.
This guide is general information and one shaver’s experience, reviewed by a master barber. Everyone’s skin and beard are different, so introduce any new razor gently and give yourself a few shaves to adjust.
References
- Shaving tips, American Academy of Dermatology.
- Razor bump treatment, American Academy of Dermatology.
- Ingrown hairs, NHS.
Frequently asked questions
What are the main types of razors?
The main types are the double-edge (DE) safety razor, the single-edge (SE) safety razor, the straight razor, the shavette, the multi-blade cartridge razor, and the electric razor. The first four are forms of wet shaving with a single sharp edge worked over a lathered face. Cartridge razors use several blades in a disposable head, and electric razors cut with oscillating or rotating blades behind a foil or guard, usually dry. Each cuts hair differently and suits a different mix of skin, beard, and time.
What is the difference between a safety razor and a straight razor?
A safety razor holds a blade in a head that limits how much edge meets the skin, which is why it is called safe; a double-edge model takes a thin replaceable blade and is the usual starting point. A straight razor is a single fixed open blade with no guard, folded into a handle, and it gives a very direct shave with full control but no margin for error. The straight razor also needs stropping before use and occasional honing, while a safety razor just needs a fresh blade.
Is a shavette the same as a straight razor?
A shavette looks and handles like a straight razor but takes a disposable blade instead of a fixed, honed edge. You get the open-blade angle and feel without stropping or honing, and you swap the blade rather than maintaining it. Many barbers use shavettes for hygiene because the blade is changed between clients. The trade-off is that the lighter, very sharp disposable blade is less forgiving than a well-set straight razor, so beginners should go slowly.
Which type of razor is best for sensitive skin?
For many people with sensitive skin a single-blade wet shave, usually a DE safety razor, is kinder than a multi-blade cartridge, because one sharp blade making a clean pass tends to irritate less than several blades dragging over the same spot. The lather also protects the skin. Closeness comes from careful passes and light pressure rather than extra blades. There is no single best for everyone, so see shaving sensitive skin for how to adjust your method.
Are electric razors as close as a wet shave?
Generally no. Electric razors cut slightly above the skin behind a foil or guard, so they are quick, dry, and low-risk for nicks, but they usually do not match the closeness of a single sharp blade on a lathered face. They suit people who shave fast, travel, or find wet shaving irritating. A wet shave with a safety or straight razor tends to give a closer finish at the cost of more time and a learning curve.
What razor should a beginner start with?
Most beginners start with a double-edge safety razor. It uses one inexpensive, easily replaced blade, holds it at a controlled angle, and is far more forgiving than a straight razor or shavette. The skills you build with it, light pressure, roughly a 30 degree angle, and shaving with the grain first, carry over to every other wet-shaving razor if you choose to move on.
Written by Tom Hartley. Reviewed by Marcus Webb.
Our guides are written from personal experience and reviewed by a master barber for accuracy. Read our editorial policy.