The best straight razor for the money depends mainly on your choice of the type of straight razor you want. Traditional fixed blade or disposable?
Traditional straight razors with a fixed blade tend to be much more expensive than shavettes that use disposable blades. At the same time, shavers who use traditional straight razors are unlikely to touch shavettes because using a shavette is a very different shaving experience.
But if you’re more of a beginner or otherwise don’t much mind about the difference between shavettes and straight razors then shavettes tend to be much cheaper.
In general the best straight razor for the money is probably a Dovo Inox or Dovo Bismarck. While they are more expensive than Dovo “Best Quality” razors they don’t seem to have some of the quality control issues.
You may be tempted by a Dovo “Best Quality” straight razor – especially given the grand title stamped on the blade and the price tag under $100. However, there are quite a few reports in the straight rzaor shaving community about the occasional warped blade or the cheap handle.
Dovo’s Bismarck (review) and Inox razors are the legendary Solingen brand’s flagship products and don’t seem to have these problems. They are twice the price though, so if you don’t mind a cheaper looking handle and the possibility of negotiating with customer services if you get an off blade then the budget Dovo could be the best straight razor for the money.
Best Straight Razor For The Money
Dovo Bismarck
The Dovo Bismarck 6/8″ – often mispelled as Dovo Bismark – is made from premium hollow-ground Swedish carbon steel which means it is so thin it flexes as you use it. The size is 6/8″, referring to the depth of the blade from cutting edge to spine.
However, what stands the Dovo Bismarck out as one of the most hallowed straight razors is its hand-filled 24k gold decoration on the blade.
Like all Dovo straight razors, the Bismarck arrives factory-honed and so it’s not quite shave ready, although plenty of shavers manage alright with a good strop. In theory it should be properly honed before use but you can decide this when your Bismarck arrives.
The scales – or handle – have a variety of options but our favourite is the ebony wood with inlaid gold.
Dovo Best Quality
This is much more of an entry-level straight razor for beginners, but then that could be exactly what you’re looking for in the best straight razor for the money.
Generally the feedback on these are very good – although most people do end by saying “for the money.”
Like, “the handle looks a bit cheap but overall its a good razor for the money”
There’s also a bit of fixation on the brand. A Dovo straight razor for under $100? Take my money! But that’s not being shallow. Dovo is a very highly regarded and trusted brand and so its cheapest straight razor, while given a few minor flaws, is still an excellent purchase.
Feather SS
If you’re looking for a disposable blade straight razor – known as a shavette – then go with the Feather SS. This superior, barber-quality straight razor is under $100 but offers great performance. It is also half the price of the Feather DX, perhaps the ultimate straight razor with replaceable blades.
The Feather SS also features a more rounded, bevelled clasp which acts as some protection for the skin and so is a good way to start learning to shave with a straight razor.
This is also great for barbers as the disposable blades mean the safest shave for customers with no contamination. The SS is part of the “Artist Club” series aimed at professionals and so not only do you get great quality but a strong and reliable build.
