Since we published our episode on grooming earlier this week, a lot of folks have been emailing asking about equipment for the basic wet shave. I’m not a shaving nerd myself, but I did a lot of research at places like Badger & Blade when I started wet shaving and in preparation for the episode.
The one item that was almost universally recommended was the Merkur HD. There are many safety razors available, and even more available vintage. Some are more aggressive, some less aggressive, some adjustable, some cheap, some expensive. The one that was suitable for beginners but still recommended by the hardcore was and is the Merkur. It costs about $45, is built like a tank, and is a great first step on the road to a new shaving lifestyle.