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A Safety Razor is better...
We men are told today that modern, disposable-blade razors give us, in terms of a shave, 'the best a man can get' to borrow one manufacturers strapline. Is this really true though and are we selling ourselves short in terms of exchanging speed for control and enjoyment?
This article looks at the pros and cons (and I do think we are being conned!) of the latest three, then it was four, then five blade offerings from the leading razor and blade manufacturers against a good safety razor and quality single blade.
The modern disposable-blade shaving razor is quite a feat, both of engineering and marketing. The marketing side began way back with the first of King Camp Gillette's safety razors that were fitted with the new double-edged and most importantly, disposable blade.
I believe that in the last 20 years or so, shaving has taken a huge backward step. Many men agree with me and are switching to a razor and blade very similar to the one first invented by Mr Gillette.
The evolution of the modern, disposable blade razor has now culminated in the four and five blade offerings we see today, the replacement blade packs for these razors are in no sense any longer ‘cheap’. Makers have been driven to this extreme since the advent of the twin-blade razor - after all if two blades are good, surely three are better? or maybe four? What about five? Hey, we'll put one on the back for detail work (or maybe we should have two?) - and so it goes on.
They are all the time trying to keep ahead of their competitors and also attempting to justify the exorbitant prices charged for ‘disposable’ blades!
The problem now though, is that the razor heads are now so thick that they are becoming awkward to handle (hence the single 'detail' blade on the back) and here’s the sting in the tail – these multiple blade razors just don't give any better a shave than a single blade safety razor, in fact, most aren’t nearly as good!
Maybe this is why many men are beginning to question just how good these modern razors really are and how expensive they are becoming. Maybe this is why many men are not only turning the clock back in terms of equipment but looking forward to getting a more satisfactory shave too. That's right - they are returning to the safety razor and even the straight razor too.
Not so long ago, any man using a safety razor or heaven forbid, a straight razor would have been viewed as being eccentric, or just old-fashioned but not so today.
So many men are now returning to using a good safety razor for their daily shave that they're fast becoming the cool must-have in men's grooming. A safety razor will take you a few shaves to get used to it, but I thoroughly enjoy my morning shave now, because I’m using a ‘skill’ rather than just dragging a razor over my face. Using traditional high quality soaps and creams and a good brush also add to the experience.
We deserve to relax when shaving and it should be enjoyable, not a quick chore. Why treat it like a chore to be barely tolerated when it can be so enjoyable? The shave you get when using a safety razor is different too and it gives a sense of satisfaction, of a skill mastered and a job well done.
So, give it a go, you’ll not only find shaving more enjoyable, but a lot cheaper too!
Switching to traditional shaving may be a small change to your lifestyle, a little time to slow down, giving yourself some 'me time' that you surely deserve.
Shaving with a safety razor is very inexpensive because the razor will last you a lifetime and replacement blades are cheap. Soaps and creams last for ages and your shaving brush should give many years of service too.
In the end, it's up to you. I'm not trying to pretend that using a safety razor or straight razor will transform your life, but your morning shave will just give you that extra time to relax and think. Hey, like Mr Gillette, you may just think of the next great entrepreneurial idea that will make you millions?