Razor Rankings

How razors are ranked

Blade selection: all evaluations are made using a Personna Diamond GEM blade.

3-pass shave: all evaluations are based on a traditional 3-pass shave: with the grain (WTG), across the grain (XTG) and against the grain (ATG).

Razor scoring: all razors are scored 1–10 on four attributes. All scores are entirely subjective, based on the tester's experience after multiple shaves, and will likely vary from other users. YMMV!

• Efficiency: the closeness achieved by the razor on a per-stroke basis.
• Comfort: the degree to which the razor is free from causing discomfort, irritation or damage (including weepers and nicks).
• Consistency: the ability of the razor to repeat its results in a predictable way.
• Ease of Use: the amount of effort required during the shave and the amount of practice required to master the razor.

Composite score: the sum of the four attribute scores. Helpful for identifying razors that may be prized for attributes other than efficiency, such as comfort or ease of use. A razor with low per-stroke efficiency can still have high total-shave efficiency when very high comfort allows extra buffing; a razor with very high per-stroke efficiency but low comfort or poor ease of use can fall short over the whole shave.

Clamp width: the distance between the farthest points at which the blade is clamped, looking at the side of the razor's head. ShaveSplash considers clamp width one of the most determinative features in a razor's performance and uses it to define a razor's architecture.

• Blade Bender (clamp width 7–11 mm): creates rigidity and controls blade flex by clamping the blade close to its center and bending it downward to create torsion. Some use a trapezoidal head shape to help bend the blade.
• Hybrid (12–16 mm): a middle ground, using some bending while clamping the blade near its edge to create rigidity and minimize flex.
• Edge Clamper (17–21 mm): controls flex by clamping the blade as close to its edge as possible.

Average Result: a 9-step scale for the final result of a shave, from DFS (Damn Fine Shave) to BBS (Baby Butt Smooth). Entirely subjective, based on the tester's experience after multiple shaves, but it tends to track Efficiency. YMMV!

DFS (1) · DFS+/DFS (2) · DFS+ (3) · BBS-/DFS+ (4) · BBS- (5) · BBS/BBS- (6) · BBS (7) · BBS+/BBS (8) · BBS+ (9)

Efficiency Tier: razors grouped into five tiers by their Average Result.

• Low: DFS, DFS+/DFS
• Medium-Low: DFS+, BBS-/DFS+
• Medium: BBS-
• Medium-High: BBS/BBS-, BBS
• High: BBS+/BBS, BBS+