Best Straight Razor for Barbers
When it comes to barbering, the straight razor is an indispensable tool that allows barbers to provide a high-end grooming experience for their clients. The right straight razor can make all the difference in a barber's ability to provide precision haircuts and quality shaves. We've done the research and rounded up all of our favorite straight razors for barbers based on these four things:
- Overall Weight
- Blade Width and Material
- Quality of Shave
- Price
Our Overall Favorite: Dovo Straight Razor Inox 5/8" Olive Wood
Other Products to Consider:
- Most Budget Friendly: Dovo Straight Razor Best Quality 5/8"
- Best for Precision: Dovo Straight Razor Barbarossa 5/8" Olive Wood
- Most Stylish Straight Razor: Dovo Straight Razor Solingen 5/8" Mother of Pearl
- Best Replaceable Blade: Parker PTBMETAL Professional Straight Razor
Dovo Straight Razor Inox 5/8" Olive Wood
Overall Favorite
The Dovo Straight Razor Inox 5/8" Olive Wood is a high-quality straight razor from one of the best brands in the industry. This razor features a stainless steel full hollow ground blade with 24-karat gold-plated detailing that will leave clients feeling like they’re getting a 5-star experience. The weight of the blade makes it easy to glide gently across the skin for a smooth shave without using much pressure. The rounded head of the razor also makes it easy and safe to get the area of the nose, ears, and chin.
- Blade Width and Material: 5/8 in. Wide and Grade 1.4034 Stainless Steel
- Handle Material: Olive Wood
- Total Weight: 3.5 oz.
"The razor is super sharp out of the box…the performance is fantastic. I've been holding off on buying a good straight razor for a long time and finally convinced myself to do it. I am exceptionally happy and can't figure out why I waited as long as I did."
Pros
- 5/8" Full-hollow ground blade
- Ideal for detailing and shaping the beard
- High-quality and long-lasting materials
Things to Consider
- Higher price point
- Heavier blade
Best Feature
The grade 1.4034 stainless steel blade requires minimal maintenance, is easy to clean, and is resistant to corrosion.
Price & Rating
- Price: $252.02 AUD / $169.50 USD
- Rating: 4.5 ⭐️ (4 reviews)
Dovo Straight Razor Best Quality 5/8"
Most Budget Friendly
The Dovo Straight Razor Best Quality 5/8" is a great straight razor for barbers who are just getting started or who need to keep budget in mind while still purchasing quality products. It features a 5/8" round point, a full hollow ground carbon steel blade, and a low-maintenance acrylic glass handle. The weight of this carbon steel blade is relatively heavy, making it easy to gently glide it across the skin for a smooth straight razor shave with minimal effort.
- Blade Width and Material: 5/8 in. wide and Carbon Steel
- Handle Material: PMMA Plastic
- Total Weight: 1.76 oz.
"Great quality. Good price."
Pros
- 5/8" Full-hollow ground blade
- Good price point
Things to Consider
- Heavier blade
Best Feature
The functionality of this razor makes it a great choice for both beginners and experts.
Price & Rating
- Price: $151.59 AUD / $101.95 USD
- Rating: 5 ⭐️ (2 reviews)
Dovo Straight Razor Barbarossa 5/8" Olive Wood
Best for Precision
The Dovo Straight Razor Barbarossa 5/8" Olive Wood is a great choice for all types of hair and to meet all the needs of barbers. It has been designed with a special short blade that is easy to maneuver and allows for precise control. The wooden handle is easy to hold and control for a comfortable shave. The Spanish point on this straight razor blade also allows you to shape and contour facial hair with unmatched precision.
- Blade Width and Material: 5/8 in. wide and Carbon Steel
- Handle Material: Olive Wood
- Total Weight: 1.3 oz.
"[...] It's absolutely perfect for carving your beard line and even cleaning up the area between your ear and sideburns. [...] If you have a beard and are into straight razors, you will love this. If you don't have a beard, you will probably love this too."
Pros
- Great for beginners
- The square point, full-hollow blade for precision
Things to Consider
- Higher price point
Best Feature
The Spanish Point blade allows for precise control, and it is easy to maneuver.
Price & Rating
- Price: $222.29 AUD / $149.50 USD
- Rating: 5 ⭐️ (5 reviews)
Dovo Straight Razor Solingen 5/8" Mother of Pearl
Most Stylish Straight Razor
The Dovo Straight Razor Solingen 5/8" Mother of Pearl is a gorgeous 24k gold-plated razor that includes ornate engravings on the blade and back that complement the shimmering mother-of-pearl-colour on its scales and a DOVO inlay on the handle. Mother-of-pearl has been used for centuries for the luxurious finishing of high-quality products, and for ethical reasons we work solely with a mother-of-pearl imitation made of acrylic glass that perfectly imitatess the iridescent color play of real mother-of-pearl.
- Blade Width and Material: 5/8" carbon steel blade
- Handle Material: Acrylic, mother-of-pearl imitation
- Total Weight: 1.8 oz.
"Excellent craftsmanship and quality…I used this straight out of the box!"
Pros
- Beautiful, ornate details
- Classic, round point is suitable for most shaving situations
Things to Consider
- Relatively heavy blade
- For ethical reasons, the mother-of-pearl is imitation acrylic glass
Best Feature
This razor is the perfect combination of design and functionality and exudes class and sophistication.
Price & Rating
- Price: $260.00 AUD / $176.50 USD
- Rating: 5 ⭐️
Parker PTBMETAL Professional Straight Razor
Best Replaceable Blade
The Parker PTBMETAL Professional Straight Razor is a replaceable blade straight-edge razor. It allows barbers to easily change blades between clients and continue to provide high-quality shaves. It features a stainless steel blade arm and handles with an all-black design. You can swap out your choice of double edge blades, and it doesn't require any sharpening or honing, so you can spend your time giving your clients the care and attention they deserve.
- Blade Width and Material: Blade width varies, and Stainless Steel
- Handle Material: Stainless Steel with Black Finish
- Total Weight: 1.69 oz.
"It has a strong hold, and it's not cheaply made at all. I really like this kind of straight razor, and this one is a good example of why they are safe, easy to use, and you get a great result."
Pros
- No sharpening or honing required
- Good price point
Things to Consider
- Requires you to purchase disposable blades.
Best Feature
Great price point and low maintenance with no sharpening or honing required.
Price & Rating
- Price: $50.55 AUD / $34 USD
- Rating: 4.6 ⭐️ (7 reviews)
How to Pick the Best Straight Razor Blade
When choosing the best straight razor for professional barbers, there are many factors to consider, including skill level, overall weight, handle length, and the quality of the materials. Here's a breakdown of each factor and what to look for when choosing a straight razor for barbers:
- Skill Level: If you are a beginner, a more forgiving razor with a rounded tip and a wider blade may be a better choice. This type of razor is easier to control and less likely to cause nicks or cuts. Someone with more experience may prefer a sharper blade with a pointed tip for precision cutting.
- Overall Weight: The weight of the straight razor is another crucial factor to consider. Some barbers prefer a heavier razor as it provides more momentum and requires less pressure to cut through thick hair. However, a lighter razor may be more suitable for those who prefer a more delicate touch or those who have smaller hands.
- Handle Length: The handle length is another critical factor to consider when choosing a straight razor. A shorter handle is typically more maneuverable and allows for more precise control. However, a longer handle may be more comfortable for barbers with larger hands or those who prefer a more substantial grip.
- Quality of the Materials: The quality of the materials used to make the straight razor is an essential consideration. High-quality materials such as carbon steel or stainless steel are essential for durability and longevity. A razor made from cheap materials may not hold up over time and may require frequent sharpening or replacement.
It's essential to choose a razor that is well-suited to the barber's individual needs and preferences to ensure a comfortable and effective shaving experience.
The Bottom Line
Our Top Pick: Dovo Straight Razor Inox 5/8" Olive Wood
The Dovo Straight Razor Inox 5/8" Olive Wood is a high-quality, long-lasting razor that is great for getting a clean and smooth shave. Its weight makes it simple to maneuver without a lot of pressure, and it easily glides across the skin for a smooth finish.
Other safety razors worth considering:
- Most Budget Friendly: Dovo Straight Razor Best Quality 5/8"
- Best for Precision: Dovo Straight Razor Barbarossa 5/8" Olive Wood
- Best Straight Handle Razor: Feather Artist Club Black SS Straight Razor
- Best Replaceable Blade: Parker PTBMETAL Professional Straight Razor