Cutthroat Razors - For the Ultimate Shave
Cutthroat razors, also known as straight razors, represent the most traditional and precise form of wet shaving. They deliver the closest shave possible but require skill, patience, and respect for the blade.
At the Shaving Emporium, we recommend beginners start with a DE safety razor before progressing to a cutthroat, as safety razors provide forgiveness and control that straight razors do not.
This guide covers the top 15 straight razors available in the UK, buyer ratings, pros & cons, and a detailed buyer’s guide to help you choose the right razor.
All our product recommendations are based on our independent research which we conduct online by reading the many reviews we find at online websites. This review contains affiliate links and we may receive a commission for purchases made.
You can read our affiliates page to find out more and also read about how we write our reviews.
Before You Buy - Top 5 Buying Tips
Just before checking out the main reviews, we have provided a few tips just below on straight razors, that we think will help you make the best choice.
- Don’t overspend at first – Entry‑level razors cost £10–20. Upgrade later if you enjoy the style.
- Blade types – Choose between fixed blades (require stropping/honing) or disposable blades (shavettes).
- Fixed blade razors – High quality, last a lifetime, but need regular sharpening.
- Disposable blade razors (shavettes) – Hygienic, easy to maintain, widely used by barbers.
- Style & handle materials – Options include wood, stainless steel, and plastic. Comfort and balance matter.
Top 14 Straight Razors
Razor | Type | Buyer Satisfaction | Highlights |
|---|---|---|---|
Shavette | 86% (7,000+ reviews) | Stainless steel, wooden handle, barber favourite | |
Shavette | 88% (2,000+ reviews) | Matte black stainless steel, secure blade lock | |
Shavette | 86% (400+ reviews) | Lightweight, ergonomic, includes beard brush | |
Shavette | 80% (50+ reviews) | Balanced weight, travel pouch | |
Shavette | 86% (100+ reviews) | Wooden handle, leather pouch, barber‑approved | |
Fixed Blade | 82% (100+ reviews) | Handmade, wood handle, beginner‑friendly | |
Fixed Blade | 84% (450+ reviews) | 5/8 carbon steel, round head, Solingen quality | |
Shavette | 72% (200+ reviews) | Aluminium blade holder, beginner option | |
Fixed Blade | 82% (450+ reviews) | Carbon steel, kit with strop and brush | |
Shavette | 88% (20+ reviews) | Rubber grip, velvet pouch, precision control | |
Fixed Blade | 88% (2,000+ reviews) | Ebony handle, 24k gold etching, premium choice | |
Shavette | 78% (120+ reviews) | Popular budget option | |
Shavette | 68% (130+ reviews) | Stylish, stainless steel | |
Fixed Blade | 84% (800+ reviews) | Premium Japanese craftsmanship |
1. Cambridge Cutthroat® Razor
- Buyer Satisfaction: 86% (7,000+ reviews)
- Type: Shavette, stainless steel, wooden handle
- Highlights: Swing lock mechanism, barber favourite, travel pouch included
- Pros: Secure blade hold, stylish design, comfortable grip
- Cons: Some complaints about balance and occasional faulty products
2. Tecto Cutthroat Razor
- Buyer Satisfaction: – 88% (2,000+ reviews)
- Type: Shavette, matte black stainless steel
- Highlights: Durable build, locking blade system, rust‑resistant
- Pros: High quality at a good price, solid weight, attractive design
- Cons: No blades included due to UK shipping laws
3. Sharpy Cutthroat Razor Kit
- Buyer Satisfaction: – 86% (400+ reviews)
- Type: Shavette, stainless steel, lightweight (60g)
- Highlights: Ergonomic design, includes beard brush
- Pros: Comfortable control, barber‑approved, unique styling
- Cons: None reported
4. Awans Straight Razor
- Buyer Satisfaction: – 80% (50+ reviews)
- Type: Shavette, stainless steel swing lock
- Highlights: Travel pouch included, balanced weight
- Pros: Well‑balanced, neat travel storage, stylish design
- Cons: No major complaints
5. Preston Regis Cutthroat Razor Kit
- Buyer Satisfaction: – 86% (100+ reviews)
- Type: Shavette, stainless steel, wooden handle
- Highlights: Leather pouch, beard comb, barber used
- Pros: Easy blade changes, solid balance, quality wooden handle
- Cons: Some accessories (comb/pouch) felt low quality
6. Candure Straight Razor
- Buyer Satisfaction: – 82% (100+ reviews)
- Type: Fixed blade, handmade stainless steel, wood handle
- Highlights: Beginner friendly with minimal blade exposure
- Pros: Good value for a fixed blade, more control, carrying case included
- Cons: No major complaints
7. Dovo Black Cellidor Razor
- Buyer Satisfaction: – 84% (450+ reviews)
- Type: Fixed blade, 5/8 carbon steel, round head
- Highlights: Solingen craftsmanship, hollow ground blade
- Pros: Arrives sharp, easy to maintain, safer rounded end for beginners
- Cons: Plastic handle feels cheap compared to blade quality
8. Dovo Blue Shavette Razor
- Buyer Satisfaction: – 72% (200+ reviews)
- Type: Shavette, aluminium blade holder, plastic handle
- Highlights: Includes 4 disposable blades, storage pouch
- Pros: Good for beginners, replaceable blades, decent appearance
- Cons: Blade replacement fiddly, prone to breaking
9. Gold Dollar Straight Razor Kit
- Buyer Satisfaction: – 82% (450+ reviews)
- Type: Fixed blade, carbon steel
- Highlights: Kit includes strop, cream, brush
- Pros: Sharp blade, balanced feel, attractive design, ready‑to‑use kit
- Cons: Requires careful maintenance to prevent rust
10. Kamisori Cutthroat Razor
- Buyer Satisfaction: – 88% (20+ reviews)
- Type: Shavette, rubber handle
- Highlights: Pinch and replace blade system, velvet pouch
- Pros: Excellent grip, precise control, balanced design
- Cons: Needs careful drying to avoid rust
11. Dovo Bismarck 6/8 Razor
- Buyer Satisfaction: – 88% (2,000+ reviews)
- Type: Fixed blade, carbon steel with 24k gold etching
- Highlights: Ebony handle, ornate design, premium Solingen build
- Pros: Beautiful craftsmanship, sharp and balanced, luxury feel
- Cons: Expensive, requires diligent care to prevent rust
12. Classic Samurai Razor
- Buyer Satisfaction: – (limited data)
- Type: Shavette
- Highlights: Popular budget option, simple design
- Pros: Affordable, easy to use
- Cons: Basic build quality
13. London Barber Salon Razor
- Buyer Satisfaction: – (limited data)
- Type: Shavette
- Highlights: Stylish stainless steel design
- Pros: Attractive look, barber style performance
- Cons: Less reviewed, limited buyer feedback
14. Shibumi Straight Razor
- Buyer Satisfaction: – (premium niche brand)
- Type: Fixed blade, Japanese craftsmanship
- Highlights: Minimalist design, high‑end build quality
- Pros: Premium feel, excellent cutting performance
- Cons: Expensive, niche availability
Straight Razor Buyer's Guide
We always like to write a full buyer's guide, which we believe is especially helpful for any new buyer of a product like this. Cutthroat razors we believe are a specialist shaving tool, and need to be treated with great respect.
Straight razor shaving is without doubt the best form of wet shaving. It does take time and a little practice, but it will give you the closet-cut shave possible.
The good news is that it costs a fraction of disposable safety razor shaving. In essence all you ever need to do is buy razor blades and some shaving soap or cream.
When using a cutthroat the reality is that your skin only needs to be shaven every other day.
Cutthroat Razor Price Points
We mentioned in our buying tips a little about the various price points. Here we explain those in a lot more detail. You can quite literally pick these up for around £2-3 at the lower end.
Many beginners will buy these just to see if they like the idea of using a brush for wet shaving. In our opinion there is nothing wrong with that at all. Why spend more money than you have to, if you are simply giving something new a try.
There is no doubt though that the hairs will fall out of any cheaply made brush. That is why most men are prepared to spend a bit more and get a better quality brush.
For around £8-10 you get a good quality brush that will last you for years. if you want something even better, then by spending around £20, you can get a great looking high quality brush that will last you a lifetime.
Cutthroat Brands
Certain brands are known for their wet shaving products and in particular for their straight razors. These include:
- Boker Graf
- Candure
- Shibumi
- Dovo and Niegeloh of Solingen
- Feather Artist
Those are still excellent brands, but they are usually more expensive. (£100-200) Other brands entered the market such as:
- Preston Regis
- Jolly Roger
- Awans
These are also very good cutthroats, but they are usually at lower prices. We would recommend to anyone starting out to spend a smaller amount of money.
If you like this form of shaving you can always go for a more expensive option later.
Straight Razor Accessories
There are a few small accessories that you can get for a shaving brush. The most popular is a stand. That is really useful as it gives you a place to properly dry your brush out. These are usually made with a place to hold your DE razor.
You can also buy a variety of shaving bowls, mugs and scuttles where the brush is used to create the lather with a good shaving soap.
How to Use Your Straight Razor
As we have mentioned the majority of straight razors now use disposable blades. That does mean that the blades can be changed, just like those in a safety razor.
It also means you don't have to worry about stropping and sharpening
Most of the disposable straight razors can make use of standard safety double edge razor blades like Derby, Gillette, Astra Superior etc.
Step 1 - Prepare the Face
The face or area being shaved should be washed with hot water. Ideally a hot towel should be used to soak the beard, but we also understand that not everyone will have the time to do that.
Step 2 - Use a Quality Soap, Cream or Gel
It is important to use a good quality shaving soap, cream or gel. Again ideally this should be applied using a good quality shaving brush.
Step 3 - Hold the Straight Razor Properly?
When starting out with a straight razor you do need to be very careful.There is a natural tendency to push in with a blade. You should never do that.
Getting the right grip is important and it will change slightly depending on what area of the face you are shaving. Just make sure the razor feels secure in your hand and will not slip.
This part does take a bit of practise to get right.
Step 4 - Shave with the Grain
Hold the blade at a 30 degree angle and use short strokes to shave. Shave with the grain and avoid applying pressure and just trust the blade to do its job.
The grain means the direction in which the hair naturally grows on the face. Be extra careful. Start with the cheeks first, then the neck and finally finish off with the chin and the mouth.
Take care and be gentle, this is never a process that you wish to rush.
Step 5 - Apply Moisturiser
When finished wash you face with cold water to close the pores in the skin. Then apply a balm, post shave cream or moisturiser before applying any after shave.
Hopefully you have found the above information useful and known a little bit more about the cutthroat razor and how to pick one. They do take a bit of getting used to, but once you master the technique, you really will never get a closer shave.
The straight razor shave is about as good as it gets.
