Hair & Body
The Best Safety Razor for Shaving Your Legs & Body
In recent years, we’ve seen more and more folks switching over to safety razors to shave their legs, underarms, and other parts of their body. While people typically switch to save some money and reduce plastic waste, they usually stick with it because the shave is so fantastic! Not only do safety razors give your body a closer, more comfortable and longer-lasting shave, but they can turn a chore into a self-care moment that one can enjoy while they relax and unwind in the bath or shower.
As I haven’t attempted to shave my legs (yet) due to the sheer volume of leg and hair, many of our staff regularly shave their legs and underarms with safety razors. I spoke with Meghan in Ottawa and Jillian in Calgary to get their thoughts on the best safety razors for body shaving.
Meghan
Meghan has a few things to consider when shopping for a razor to shave body hair. Much like the way we consider hair coarseness and skin sensitivity for shaving faces, the same applies everywhere else! Another thing to ponder is how you’ll maneuver your razor: would you like a long handle to reach your ankles or a slimmer head? Most importantly, pick a razor you think looks cool! At the end of the day, they all do a stellar job.
Meghan’s first safety razor was the Merkur Chrome 23C, which they often recommend to first-timers. Meghan likes its extra short handle because it can tuck into the hand while maneuvering around tricky spots like ankles and knees. This razor gives a nice, close shave but is a little more forgiving when it comes to cuts and nicks than a razor that offers a more aggressive shave. This particular model has three handle lengths available so that you can customize it to your needs. Its clean design, ease of use, and budget-friendly price tag make it a crowd-pleaser.
Meghan was totally happy with the Merkur for a couple of years and saw no reason to give up their razor, which still works as well as the day they bought it. That is until we started to carry Henson razors. “As soon as I tried it, I felt like my shave levelled up.” The design and manufacturing of these razors are super precise, resulting in a wicked close shave and no skin irritation. Made of aircraft-grade aluminum, they are lightweight and feel great in your hand.
If you’re looking to shave different coarsenesses of hair on your body (think armpits vs legs vs chest vs beard), an adjustable razor like the Merkur Progress is an excellent option. Not only is it perfect for dialling in the perfect shave for your skin and hair, but it can also be tailored to the unique needs of the different areas of your body.
Jillian
For Jillian, any razor with a standard head is the way to go. Jillian says there’s no need to worry about fancy slant or open comb razors; just stick to something simple and find the right brand of blade to go with it. Jillian also doesn’t sweat the handle length too much. Some folks prefer a longer, grippier razor in the shower or tub, but they’ve had excellent luck shaving legs and underarms with the shorter Merkur 42C. It tucks into tighter areas well due to the short handle, making the shave less awkward than it would be with a long one.
Jillian also finds milder razors best for folks with sensitive skin or who shave frequently. “Milder” just means there’s a bit less blade exposed by the head, which reduces irritation. Henson razors are purpose-built for milder shaving, only allowing the bare minimum amount of edge to be exposed. The lightweight aircraft aluminum construction is also a breeze to handle during the shave. The Edwin Jagger 3one6 is another excellent choice for someone after a gentler shave and is built to last through generations worth of shaving. The solid stainless handle is super robust and available in several colours and finishes!
Finally, the Edwin Jagger rubberized razors are another of Jillian’s favourites. These are often recommended to bathtub shavers as the rubberized handle becomes extra-grippy when wet, reducing the likelihood of an unwanted slip during the shave.