Classic double-edge (DE) safety razors have just one, extremely sharp blade that glides micrometers above the skin. The shave is simply amazing and without the irritation and stubble that you get from multiple blades.
Unlike multi-blade cartridge razors, safety razors are infinitely customizable: you can easily adjust your hand position and thus the angle of the blade; change to a sharper or gentler brand of blade; or in the case of adjustable razors, the gap between the guard and the blade.
Nicks and cuts? Once you get comfortable, it is similar to a cartridge razor, in our experience, very rare…it is called a safety razor for a reason! Of course there is a learning curve, but after a few shaves you will be fine.
Replacement safety razor blades are cheap, dirt cheap! 100 high-quality Platinum and Teflon coated blades cost between $5 and $30, or $.05 to $.30 cents each. If you change your blade every three shaves, one hundred blades will last about a year.
Save hundreds of dollars a year over regular multi-blade cartridge (such as the Fusion, Mach 3, Quattro, or disposable razors). Seriously. This is big money over time!
In an economy like ours, every last dime counts, and moving to a safety razor can save you and your family significant money. This is technology from the Great Depression – but with 21st century blades.
Double edge blades are incredibly efficient – just a single strip of metal, wrapped in a small piece of waxed paper, and in a small container the size of a matchbox.
Even with the packaging, they have up to 97% less material than disposables.
According to the EPA, two billion disposable razors are landfilled annually.
Learning Curve – Like many new skills, it takes a bit of time to learn to use a Safety Razor. Usually after the first week, it feels like second nature, but there are always new techniques to learn in pursuit of a Baby Bottom Smooth (BBS) shave.
Time – it takes a bit longer to shave with a safety razor than with multi-blade ExtremeMachHydroFusion cartridges. Between lathering and shaving, it can take five to ten minutes. However, these meditative moments are a great way to start
Upfront Cost – While the savings come from the ten-cent replacement blades, your first safety razor and double-edge blades will cost between $20 and $100, with $50 being the sweet spot.
Since 2007, RetroRazor has made choosing a safety razor kit simple. With thousands of combinations of razor, blade, brush and soap, it is easy to be overwhelmed, but we are here to help you find the best value in old-school shaving for your budget.
In the links below you will find our absolute favorite shaving products, hand selected and field tested - and most with free shipping and the Amazon A-Z Guarantee
There is not a better time to get a close shave than Valentines’s Day…
Sending lots of lather and love to our shaving friends.
Happy Valentines Day from RetroRazor
More vintage valentines at http://7deadlysinners.typepad.com/
There are quite a few options for blades packaged with little or no plastic. Here are a few of my favorites:
Kudos on keeping conscious of the waste stream!
As only MadTV could do – though the Onion has a similar take on 5 blades in 2004.
Mantic59 is not affiliated with RetroRazor, the video(s) are used with his permission, and are provided as an educational resource.
Michael Fassbender, recently starring in Inglourious Basterds (and Band of Brothers back in the day) featured on the cover of the New York Times Style Magazine: Fall Men’s issue on September 13th. Photographed by Jean-Baptiste Mondino. No other mentions of shaving in the issue besides the cover shot; Armand Limnander wraps up the issue nicely.
Thanks to Roberta and Shelby for the sharp eyes!
Scott Meyer has a fantastic shaving cameo in his Basic Instruction comic. Click the comic to read the whole strip and to check out the rest of his site – its great!
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