Is the Van der Hagen Safety Razor Worth a Darn?! 

Two years ago my CVS decided to stop carrying this Van der Hagen and they put them on sale for $5 and I bought all they had (7). I give them to my buddies with a variety pack of blades when they express a desire to try a safety razor.

This was my first safety razor and got me watching your channel.

That was the first razor that made me fall Down the rabbit hole lol

This dude said your 15-16 tried a cartridge razor and you wanna try a safety and see what the fuss about how dude know exactly how I got this shit💀

I am an older woman who now finds it necessary to shave her face. This is not something I grew up doing! I bought a Van der Hagen at Target. Watching your video not only provided information on the razor, but gave good information on shaving faces in general. Thank you!

This is a man right here bro. He’s so relaxed with that blade very inspiring

I started with vanderhagen. I appreciate it for the fact that it's at walmart and introduces huge amounts of people to wet shaving. I don't use it now that I have my fatboy's and 6s but it was fairly decent. Very mild though.

I remember when the Gillettes that people pay big bucks for now were grocery store razors!

This is actually the first safety razor I have purchased. I got the long handle version. I honestly have zero complaints. I still use it from time to time. I have built up a small collection and use multiple ones but the first razor always has a place in the heart.

If I recall correctly, the blades it comes with are actually Merkur blades made in Germany. The razor itself is the common Weishi razor that's sold under various brand names. I started with it years ago and it did a serviceable job as most DE razors will with proper technique.

Love your videos. I'm 29 and still experimenting with different ways of shaving. Thanks for helping us younger guys still figuring it out.

This was my first safety razor. I got it off Amazon and still love it. It’s not in my rotation of razors, but I still use it from time to time. Highly recommended it for beginner wet shavers.

After watching your video, I just got this safety razor since I’m a beginner. I always watch your videos, thanks for introducing me!

I just bought this as my first safety razor because I didn’t like the cartridge razors and so far I like it

When I started down the wet shave road last year, the VDH was my entry razor. Only $17 at Wegmans. Brush and soap was another $15 or so. And it was good enough to keep with it. Much better than the cart I had been using for over 40 years. For what it is, it's a decent starter. I still use it every once in a while. I didn't care for the blades. But I was a beginner, so it may have my inexperience that skews my judgement on them. Have a great weekend.

Had this first for week ,no problems but reading through the comments it seem some guys had issues. This is also my first saftey razor. I'm enjoying it getting a much better shave than dollar shave clubs cartridge razors.

SinatraLennon: shaving with your locally available whatever is available to you!

I started with this as well. I found multitudes of videos and reviews just tearing it apart but I couldn’t understand why. It’s actually a fine product! I even go back to it every now and again. It’s a somewhat mild shave but if you make three passes and take your time, you can get a fine shave. It’s much better with a feather razor blade.

I’ll definitely look into the Van Der Hagen. I had no idea Barbasol had an after shave lotion. Learned something new

Good presentation! My freind had one didn't have enough money to buy a good one so I got him the stirling soaps starter kit which their razors are made in house and quality. I also splurged and got him stirling soaps sample soaps and a bunch of shaving stuff on ebay. Now that's his hobby and mine and thats one of the main thing we talks about.

I’ve been enjoying your videos and appreciate your content. I was in my local Fred Meyer store ( a Kroger corporation store) yesterday and happened to notice that they had the Van der Hagen on clearance. The price blew me away. At only $4.50 I decided it was time to grab one. 😎 I’m quite happy with this accidental find. Not sure if the rest of the Kroger corporation is doing the same clearance or not but Christmas is not too far off and folks might want to take advantage of it. My lucky day could be yours too.

I bought that razor here in Sweden but it was in gold. Works REALLY well with a voskhod blade. Though it cost me 35 dollars here. Great video as always, take care :)

I shaved with the King C Gillette razor, First Line Shave Star Odyssey soap and splash which was home mentholated, and a Persona blue blade this morning. It was wonderfully comfortable and easy.

That razor was the first one my wife bought for me as i moved away from cartridges. It's a good razor but the blades were crap and lasted maybe 2 shaves. Feather blades in it and it was a decent bit of kit. That was way back when i managed to save money compared to using cartridges! Having moved on to straight razors and all the paraphernalia that comes with that as well as collecting brushes and soaps means that any pretense of saving money left the building years ago. T

I have a pretty gritty beard and I’ve been using just normal throw away razors and they always torn up me neck I switched to this exact razor recently and I no longer get the red bumps or rashes I used to get. The shave is actually better then I expected, i noticed that my skin isn’t as smooth but to be honest it’s pretty damn close so I’d definitely recommend doing the switch.

thank you for the review i just bought my first one and wanted to have an idea on what im getting into, great review and alot of feed bsck thanks man

I bought this razor and then I got hooked on your channel and all things vintage safety razor. I just ordered a ww1 issued Gillette 1918 J serial number razor.

Thabk you for this. I never really learned how to shave and your videos have helped me so much. You are so sweet, thank you!

Great video and channel. Sadly, I have fallen down the safety razor rabbit hole! Now collecting old school aftershaves. Just got some Mandate. Big in the 80s

That razor is actually a rebranded Weishi. It is a good starter razor. The blades in my opinion are just average. You should try their shave soap! I can purchase that in my local grocery store. It has a good scent and lathers beautifully!! Thanks for reviewing it!

Awesome! Ive been waiting for this one for ever!

Been eyeballing this and glad I watched this review and saw how exactly it performed which was decent and mild which I prefer; now off to order one!

Never used the razor but the blades are very good. Have used them in my Merkur 38C. Very nice shave.

Wait for it! Here it comes!! I TOLD YOU SO!!! And guess what? The everyday price at Food Lion grocery stores is $7.99 :O

Great review! I'm 32 and a texan! I am just now researching safety razors bc I've never used one b4. Gonna watch your other videos and compare. Thanks!

Absolutely love your videos man this is actually the video that made me start following you about a week ago it’s the best video on the van der Hagen shaver it’s my first safety razor and would really appreciate your opinion on how it feels with the feather blades in it I’m debating weather or not to buy them and would love to see a side by side comparison like if u shaved half ur face with one and then the other up to you either way would appreciate more van der Hagen content for us first starters thank you again for all your videos funniest and most positive shaving videos on RU-vid 🤘🏼🙌🏻🙌🏻

Hey, from here in Dallas! Loved your channel for ages! I'm never averse to using brands found big box stores, especially if they work. For my regular aftershave lotion, after playing around with the hyped-up shave balms, I have for years found myself using Suave's Vitamin Revitalizing Lotion. I hate thick greasy lotions, but theirs is a very satin-like loose watery lotion, very pleasant and moisturizing. I bring it up here, because if they ever decide to discontinue it, I would be devastated. :(

you remind me so much of my grandfather. i really appreciate this video and review.

I like your energy! You’ve got good vibes. 💜

Van der Hagen is what got me started wetshaving four years ago. Makes a great travel razor!

Howdy from the Sierra Nevada mountains of California! I purchased a van der hagen double-edged safety razor a couple of years ago. I actually like this razor very much. It is on the mild side when compared to my 58 Gillette super speed but not so much that it's noticeable in a significant way, in fact I think that the two razors are very close in their aggressiveness. It isn't so mild that I don't enjoy using it but my 58 super speed is my daily driver and one of these days I hope to pick up a 58 Gillette fat boy since I haven't acquired one of those legendary razors as of yet I have a very thick beard and it seems to work very well for me. I found the weight of it to be just fine. I picked mine up at a Walgreens for about $10. I think it's well worth the investment and it's a great razor for anybody just getting into wet shaving. So thank you for doing a video on this much maligned and underrated razor. Shave on my brother!!!

This was my first safety razor, not Van der Hagen, but ICE, I've seen this razor with other companies name on it. I used it for 8 yrs and thought it was great, and it was, then I purchased a Merkur 38C, and then a Rockwell 2C. the point is, Wet Shaving can be very inexpensive if that's what you want, or you can venture into more expensive products, and make it more of a hobby. I love the mix and matching of razors, blades, creams and soaps looking for that perfect combination.

40 years from now the Van Der Hagen will be a collector dream. Buy two. 😀

Bought my first one today I am 48 and have used cheap razors for years, I feel like a fool now, decades I wasted and never got a shave this smooth.

Been using this razor for months been doing me well

That's a rebranded Weishi 9306, if I'm not mistaken. Different companies have a rebranded version of this. I have a Boker that's the same.

I went back to my hagen. The razor that came with the bundle I think you promoted like a year ago or so was longer, heavier, and smooth which was a bit of a problem when my hands got wet. Also, it was a screw top instead of the butterfly. All in all, I like my hagen and I'll just stick with it.

Can wait to see what you think. This is my favorite. Best blade in my opinion.

Started out with the Hagen to get familiar with wet shaving. Picked up a number 90 Feather from the '60s, never looked back.. the Hagen is a great starter razor though.

After watching for a while I've finally made the jump to safety razors. I've used mine twice and I don't regret buying it.😀😀😀

I got my VH razor in highschool almost 6 years ago. It has served me well, but I have decided to step up to a Henson. I'd like to see you review Henson as they're made in Canada and high quality.

I have Van Der Hagen soaps, creams as a staple, love their stuff, I'm just a SE type of guy, I like my Twig. I just ordered a 4 pack of Col. Conk glycerin pucks for a change of pace. That razor seemed to do a fine job though.

You should do a video on your top 10 favorite DE safety razors.

the van der hagen is a great shaver and the blades are great to i had mine for 3 years and its still going strong

Here in China it's the Weishi 9306, I have one, it's my travel razor and shaves quite well with a good sharp blade. Try it with one of your Feather blades you'll appreciate it more

Great way of teaching how to use this just purchased this one just join the wet shave community thank you for the video

I’ve been waiting for this!!

Have a fantastic Easter !

I got that razor in 2019 and i love it. I just got the van der hagen adjustable and it’s petty good too.

I haven't used their razor, but I really like the Van Der Hagen Shave soaps. I started with their boar hair brush until I got a synthetic hair brush and completely quit using the boar hair.

I use the leftover lather in my bowl as my aftershave, moisturizes.

My dad gave me this razor when i was 15 after him not liking it, I still have it today. Planning to try the merkur 34c

They really do make everything good in germany, from cars all the way to razors. Happy Easter👍👌

Sinatra: There's another Safety Razor out there that beginners and established wet shavers can use, too. And it's very inexpensive plus not very cheaply made either. Solid razor. Very Good Razor. It's the Lord L6. It's under $ 7 with tax and sold on Amazon. I like using it and it's got a long handle too. It's in my razor rotation along with my Merkur 23c Long Handle Version of the Merkur 34c HD Bulldog...The 23c costs $28 on Amazon and the 34c is over $40+ on Amazon too.. ➡️Sinatra, I highly recommend that you try and make a video with the Lord L6...You'll like it!👍

I just bought this razor and it is a huge upgrade from the manscaped one. My first shave went well. Like budder, but the second one wasn't as good. Mostly likely cause I messed up the angle of got too confident

A few years ago, I bought one of these. I had ordered some shave soaps, brush, bowl, variety pack of razors, and a Parker butterfly razor. The soaps arrived quickly, but it was going to be a couple weeks before the razor made it to me, and I couldn't wait, so I picked one of these up from the local drug store. While I did like the Parker a little better, the handle broke after a couple years, but the Van Der Hagen is still going strong👍

Thanks so much! I have to shave every other day and never tried a safety razor! This will be my first safety razor and I am excited.

I use williams shaving soap and plenty of hot water with a brush in a mug .I use derby extra and Dorco blades.

I always have to go over it one last time to get that "stuff" that bothers me, I thought I was little nuts but maybe not. Nice shave.

I bought one of those Wei Shi / Van der Hagen / Pawn Stars razors cheap. It shaves just fine with most blades, but is still a chrome plated zamak wunder. I'm a nickel and brass snob, but still pull out this razor on occasion. It's cheap and it works.

I'm pretty sure that's one of those private label razors like a Dorco or a Personna. I've seen that exact razor under numerous names. I myself even own one under the Nautica brand, yes that nautica clothing brand. I used to use that razor in between my shaves with my fusion proglide but then I upgraded from the nautica to a wilkinson sword DE. Night and day difference. The Van De Hagen/Nautica is a good beginners DE razor but definitely recommended moving up to a more premium razor

Great video as always 👍

Bought this the other day cuz it looked cool. Nice review

Excellent shave sir

Nice shave!! Looks like a nice razor for a beginner... Have a great Easter! 🤙

First time safety razor user and this is my first one. Bought it a few days ago and zero razor burn. I'm glad I just saw this and confirmed it was decent.

Just bought this today sinatra I will give it a world

You live in Texas, have you seen the big zote soap bars? In Latin America a lot of people even bath with them. Not long ago I experimented with the white colored one, and I got a good lather out of it with the boar brush. It's slick, though I think it doesn't provide much thickness. The ingredients are sodium tallowate (animal fat), sodium cocoate, Citronella oil (fragrance), glycerin and optical brightener. It's a laundry soap, but according to the company website it can be used for bathing too

I bought a swarski sword....spelling? I loved it. Over time the mechanism jammed. I have oils for my hair clippers & used it in the mechanism...problem solved on a less expensive razor holder.

Ive used van der hagen products for about a year or so now, cant complain its a solid product for the money 👍

Have had one for years and years, use it for a secondary clean up razor after 15 or 20 minutes after my shave. Keep a Feather blade loaded up in it. Yeah, a cheap Chinese product, $8/10 at walmart, at least that's what I paid for it. Works. Does the pick ups.

This was my first DE safety razor. Got it at Walmart. Led me to channels like this.

Most $10 to $20 safety razors can give decent one-pass shaves. My first safety razor was a $12 Gillette Tech clone. Amazon sells the Van Der Hagen TTO razor for $12.95. The best thing about a cheap razor is if you lose it or it breaks, Target (or Amazon) has another one just like it. Nice 3.125 pass shave.

That’s the one I started with, now the Rockwell 6C is my favorite

Crazy shave job bro! Keep up the amazing work, mine and sortiz’s new source for all things shave. 😉

I bought one a year ago when I started using a safety razor but I never tried the blades since I was given some astra blades to try and then went to the feather blades

I love my dollar store razors. lol. I have two different ones, one like this van der hagan, and the "new one" (longer handle, more aggressive) I've been using this style for like 5 years now, from the dollar store !! I've only had to replace it once... one side of the butterfly comes loose after 2-3 years. I'll have to replace it again soon, it's starting to come loose. But, i'll probably buy a nicer one now, since i'm sure i like shaving this way.

Don't neglect your face!! The hair looks awesome, Like Duke Nuk'em!! Always wondered about the Van der Hagen. Great shave . Happy Easter.

I am that new guy to shaving that bought this razor at a local store to get started. I had looked for your review of it. It is a great public service to us that you took the time to review it. Question, what would you recommend as a next step razor from this one? P.S. I enjoy the anticipation of shaving a 3 day beard now. LOL

Try the Lord L6. You can get it shipped from Amazon for around $6.00. It’s a great smooth shaver.

That was my first safety razor!!! Passed it along to my son-in-law. He is now a wet shaver also!!!

I shredded myself with this razor. After a month, and after watching " how to shave videos," still shredding myself. I got the Hensen. No cuts two months later. Sensitive skin, I guess. Girlie- man skin will like the Hensen.

Nice vid. You should do the $1 again, they have changed the razor....it's a bit lighter apparently. It gives you a GOOD shave.

Like most of the comments here, it was my first DE razor as well. There's probably a lot of high end brands that should pay tribute to this brand for getting alot of us to start dumping our hard earned cash on premium products 🤣

Very helpful demonstration and discussion! Another shave you should try is this razor using a Feather blade. Maybe the extra sharpness might let you have a good two-pass shave that way.

The Van Der Hagen is what I started with in 2016, and it is certainly more solid than the Dollar Tree equivalent. It's too mild for my taste, but it was indeed a good first introduction, and indeed I passed it on to a friend for their first introduction as well.

"Probably available in Canada" - I've never seen it stores, but the Canadian version of Amazon stocks it for just over $30 CDN. (There's also a long-handled black version for $139 CDN - and no, that's NOT a typo!) Bear in mind that I didn't get into wet shaving until after COVID, so I wasn't really looking hard back then. Walmart carries some software, but no razor or blades. I haven't seen the King C Gillette DE in stores either (though the cartridge version and related paraphernalia is), but Amazon carries that too. Walmart's website says it is available in stores - to my surprise, they have quite a few DE razors, but mostly online - only two in-store (the other one they carry is next). The Wilkinson Sword chrome TTO is available at Shopper's Drug Mart (where I bought mine), and at Walmart. So here in Canada, if you want to pick one up while wandering the aisles, it will likely end up being either the KCG or the Wilkie.

I do own one of these and it allways worked well.

I like the availability of them, If I was away from home for a few days and needed a shave I would pick one up.

I have tried this razor and was impressed. I think it's inferior to the merkur and feather and Rockwell and most of the ones you use regularly but it is definitely worth a $16 purchase