The safety razor is one of the most important razors ever invented, its place is cemented firmly in the pantheon of grooming tools, for men and women alike. In the last half century or so, there has been a shift in the common culture to look for a razor that is easily replaceable, disposable even, is cheaper and easier to make, and, maybe even offers more blades (because more blades automatically equals more better, right?).Wrong. The safety razor is not just an old-school relic from yesteryear. It is a practical, environmentally friendly, and affordable tool with benefits that outweigh those of the cartridge razor. Allow me to make the case for why a safety razor should be in your bathroom drawer.
1. It's better for your skin
Okay, I get it. The big drugstore razor brands have moisturizer strips built in to the razors, they have multiple blades to cut the hair super close, and it obviously worked for the retired Abercrombie model that's in the commercial. You may ask: how can just a hunk of metal with a blade attached to it be better for me? Hasn't technology progressed so far that the best way to shave has changed, too?
Short answer, no.
That's because multi-blade razors actually tug on the hair slightly, causing the hair to be cut below skin-surface level. The trailing blades also increase the overall contact with your skin, shaving off layers of it in the process.
In contrast, a single-blade safety razor cuts the hair flush with the skin's surface. This provides an incredibly close shave with less strokes, thus less redness and irritation after you've completed.
2. Shaving becomes meditative
Unless you're practicing on yourself to fulfill your dream of becoming the next Sweeney Todd, it would probably be in your best interest to pay close attention to what you are doing.
This practice comes with a bit of a learning curve, it's a skill that you develop the more that you do it. Coincidentally, your risk for nicks doesn't diminish. This required immense focus on the razor, on your skin and hair, and not much else. It becomes a time for you. A time that you can relax, take control of the blade, and make yourself look good, and therefore, feel good!
3. It's vastly better for the environment
Cartridge razors are becoming increasingly less expensive to replace, with a space race between DTC brands on who can send you the most replacements via mail for the cheapest price.
According to the EPA, around 2 billion cartridge razors are thrown away each year. That's 2,000,000,000 large pieces of plastic and metal in our landfills, oceans, and rivers, polluting the natural ecosystems. That doesn't even mention the packaging that they come in.
When you purchase a good quality safety razor, if you take care of it, you are ensuring yourself a single tool for life. All that you need to replace are the blades.
4. It's easier on your wallet.
Speaking of blades, the blades in a safety razor are insanely cheap to replace. A year's supply of DE blades will easily only run you around $10. For a high-quality razor there may be a more significant up-front payment, however you are making a long-term investment. You're purchasing a tool that will last multiple lifetimes, and if you take great care of it, it will do the same for you.
If you want to invest in yourself and improve your shaving routine, check out one of our unbeatable, guaranteed-for-life safety razors.
