Safety Razors Education - West Coast Shaving Skip to content
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safety razor education

Everything you need to know to pick the right safety razor. (we promise there's no quiz)

what type of shaver are you?

Are you a wet shave newbie, occassional shaver, head shaver or a total pro? Here are our picks for every type of shaver.

Newbie

If you're just starting out, go with a setup that is easy to use and gives you some room for mistakes. A closed comb razor is the most forgiving. Match it with an easy-to-maneuver handle and you've got a winning combo for getting your feet [and your face] wet. Our Recommendation: WCS 84S
The closed comb and easy-to-grip handle make this perfect for newbies.

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    WCS Classic Collection Razor 84S, Stainless Steel

    50 reviews

    DESCRIPTION WARRANTY  RETURNS  High-quality stainless steel razor Textured handle Choose a chrome-plated head in the closed comb or ope...

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  • Occasional shaver

    If you go 2-3 days between shaves, you'll have more hair to cut because you're shaving less often. So you need a razor that will slice through your hair more efficiently, which is exactly what an open comb will do. But be warned, you need to be more careful to not cut yourself. Our Recommendation: WCS 110B
    The handle has some serious weight, adding pressure to cut hair easily.

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    WCS Midnight Collection Razor 110B, Black Stainless Steel

    9 reviews

    DESCRIPTION WARRANTY RETURNS High quality stainless steel safety razor with black coating Textured handle for grip and beauty Choose a...

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    Current price $25.00
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  • Sensitive skin

    You need a razor that can provide protection. The bar in a closed comb razor does just that, providing a buffer between the blade and your face. It is important to not apply pressure when shaving, let the razor do the work. Also make sure to test and find the perfect blade for your skin. Our Recommendation:WCS 38W
    This lighter razor will help provide the right amount of pressure on your face.

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    WCS Natural Collection Razor 38W, Rosewood

    13 reviews

    DESCRIPTION WARRANTY RETURNS High quality razor from West Coast Shaving Wood-handled Choose from a chrome-plated head in closed comb o...

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    Original price $35.00
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    Current price $28.00
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  • Aficionado

    You want the best of the best. What you need is a CNC machined head. The machined head is cut down from a piece of metal with precision machines. In a word, it is perfect proportions, perfect design, perfect material. Our Recommendation: El Capitan CNC Safety Razor
    Every Part of this razor is Made in the USA... even the box it comes in.

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    WCS Razor Head Set & WCS CNC Handle Safety Razor Designed by Charcoal Goods

    7 reviews

    DESCRIPTION WARRANTY RETURNS Designed by Charcoal Goods exclusively for WCS CNC machined 303 Stainless Steel handle with Brawny, Li...

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    Original price $98.75 - Original price $193.75
    Original price $98.75 - Original price $193.75
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  • how to use a safety razor

    We collaborated with Scott "The Clean Shaver" to create these two videos for you. One is a short 2 minute video that will show you how to shave with the safety razor, and the second video is a much longer video that will help you get your technique perfect when you shave.

    Why are safety razors amazing?

    Learn more about why shaving with a safety razor is good for you, good for your wallet and good for the environment.

    A masculine tradition

    Safety razor shaving is steeped in tradition and is sure to bring out your inner man's man. (pictured: JFK's custom-engraved safety razor and shaving kit)

    Better for your skin

    Disposable razor cartridges can do some serious damage to your skin. A good safety razor can give you a super-smooth shave without the bumps and nicks.

    Better for your wallet

    We all know how expensive disposable razor cartridges are. Let's eliminate that frustration once and for all. Now's the time for a better, more affordable shaving routine.

    Better for the earth

    Did you know that you'll use much less water with a classic wet shaving routine? It's true. And you won't be throwing away disposable razors every week. The earth will thank you.

    Picking the right safety razor:
    Head Geometry

    The type of head is the most important consideration when selecting a safety razor. Depending on your skin sensitivity, hair thickness, and experience with safety razors, we recommend different head types.

    Pros
    Perfect for:
    Hair cutting ability
    Risk for irritation
    5 stars = least risk
    1 star = most risk
    Ease of use
    Affordability
    5 stars = most affordable
    1 star = least affordable

    Closed

    Straight, solid bar to protect your face

    Shop All Closed

    Pros

    • Most Common
    • Mild shave
    • Least irritation

    Perfect for:

    • Everyday shaver
    • Sensitive skin

    Hair cutting ability

    Risk for irritation

    Ease of use

    Affordability

    Open

    Has openings to let more hair through

    Shop All Open

    Pros

    • Cuts hair quickly and easily
    • Doesn't clog

    Perfect for:

    • Occasional shaver
    • Coarse Hair

    Hair cutting ability

    Risk for irritation

    Ease of use

    Affordability

    Slant

    Blade bends for efficient cutting

    Shop All Slant

    Pros

    • More efficient hair cutting design
    • Still protects the skin

    Perfect for:

    • Experienced DE Shaver

    Hair cutting ability

    Risk for irritation

    Ease of use

    Affordability

    Adjustable

    Amount of blade exposure can be adjusted

    Shop All

    Pros

    • Modern design
    • Adjustable aggressiveness

    Perfect for:

    • Shavers who want to "dial in" their blade gap

    Hair cutting ability

    Risk for irritation

    Ease of use

    Affordability

    Picking the right safety razor:
    weight & length

    With the safety razor, weight allows for the razor to do the work of the shave; allowing the razor to apply the necessary pressure to the face through the weight of the handle. Handle length is mostly based on preference.

    Manueverability
    Balance
    Pressure
    Perfect for:

    Light Weight

    Under 55 grams

    Shop All Light

    Manuevering

    Balance

    Pressure

    Perfect for:

    Head Shaver

    Med Weight

    56-120 grams

    Shop All Med

    Manuevering

    Balance

    Pressure

    Perfect for:

    Majority of shavers

    Heavy Weight

    120 grams+

    Shop All Heavy

    Manuevering

    Balance

    Pressure

    Perfect for:

    Combining shaving with weight lifting

    Regular
    Handle

    Shop All Regular

    Manuevering

    Balance

    Pressure

    Perfect for:

    Majority of shavers

    Long
    Handle

    Shop All Long

    Manuevering

    Balance

    Pressure

    Perfect for:

    Big hands