Safety razors: are they outdated or a forgotten gem? In our opinion the safety razor is a forgotten gem for both men and women. Like any art, there is some learning to do but it is relatively easy and intuitive to use a safety razor. Let’s look at why you should consider using a safety razor.
First, let’s compare the cost of a safety razor vs. a disposable razor or disposable cartridge razor. For the first year, a safety razor may cost the same due to the initial investment in the razor itself. But after the first year you may end up spending only $10 a year on blades. There are of course variables in this such as cheaper vs. more expensive blades the amount you spent on your safety razor, and the amount you were spending on your disposable razor previously. Due to the material that a safety razor is made with, it has a longer life expectancy than most other razors. Let’s look at some specific numbers. If you buy a Bamboo safety razor from Dandelion Naturals for $20 plus $8 shipping and spend $10 for an additional 100 blades (which you will most likely only use 50 in a year) then you have spent $38 in a year and may not spend any money the second year. Now let’s look at disposable razors. If you bought one $7 handle and 12 – 4 pack (6 blade cartridge) Dollar Shave disposable razor heads (about a year’s supply) it would cost $127. With this kind of razor the handle should last at least 2 years if not more so you wouldn’t need to spend $7 on a handle for a few years. The yearly cost of maintaining a dollar shave disposable 6 blade cartridge razor would be $120. Another disposable razor option you can find at supermarkets is: The Gillette Sensor 2 razor. If you bought 2 Gillette Sensor 2 razor value packs (25 fully disposable) then you would spend about $40 every year.
In summary a safety razor costs $38 dollars the first year, and $0 the second. A Dollar Shave 6-blade cartridge razor costs $120 per year. And a Gillette Sensor 2 razor costs $40 dollars a year. This makes a safety razor a more economical option in the long run over just a period of two years and as long as the safety razor handle is still working well then it remains the most economical option. (These calculations have been made assuming that 50 razors/blades/cartridges would be used a year)
Safety razors are a non-toxic option due to being made from primarily metal and do not contain lubricating strips that are made with chemicals such as BHT, Phenoxyethanol, Polysorbate 20, Colors, & Fragrance which have all been linked with cancer. What makes a safety razor even better is that its blades and the razor itself are recyclable, unlike disposable razors which only get dumped in a landfill and take hundreds of years to break down while also adding to the plastic crisis we are already facing. “One of the leading reasons both men and women have started to consider safety razors is due to their environmentally friendly design. Safety razors can be recycled, are made from sustainable materials, and require less frequent replacement making them much better for the environment. Cartridge razors contain plastic and rubber, which may take several hundred years to decompose in a landfill. Recycling a cartridge razor must be done through special collection programs as we covered here.” (1)
Is one blade really better?
“With a 3 blade razor, each blade was intended to serve a purpose:
First blade: hooks the hair follicle, pulling it up
Second blade: cuts the more exposed hair
Third blade: backup, ensuring nothing is missed.
This same concept is carried over into 4, 5 and 6 blade razors.
As more blades are added, there is ALSO an increased chance of:
Razor burn
Skin irritation
Nicks
Ingrown hairs.”(2)
Safety razors also clog less and take the same amount of time to perform the same shave as a multi-blade disposable razor would. And since there is only one blade it causes less skin irritation, razor burn, and ingrown hairs.
Types of safety razors:
The basic design of all safety razors begins with the razor head and the handle. However, one of the ways that safety razors can differ is in regards to how the blade actually gets inserted and safely secured for use. There are 3 different designs based on how the blade gets inserted and safely secured in the razor head.
One-Piece (aka Butterfly)
The one-piece safety razor, often commonly referred to as a butterfly safety razor, has no removable parts as it is simply one piece. This design is called a butterfly safety razor because you twist the handle to open the head, and as the head opens it somewhat resembles a butterfly with its wings open. Once the head is open, a blade is then inserted and fastened into place. The last step is to then twist the handle in the opposite direction to close the head. The butterfly safety razor is then ready for use.
Two-Piece
The two-piece design is different from the one-piece in that the top of the head actually unscrews from the base of the head and handle. The base of the head and the handle are permanently attached as one piece. In order to insert a blade in the two-piece design, the top of the head is first removed by unscrewing it from the handle/base of the head. A razor blade can then be inserted between the two disassembled parts. The top of the head is then screwed back into the base of the head/handle and the safety razor is ready for use.
Three-Piece
The three pieces of this safety razor design are 1) top of the head 2) base of the head and 3) the handle. To insert a blade in the three-piece safety razor, you first unscrew the handle from the two parts of the head. You then align and insert the blade between the two head pieces. Lastly, screw the handle back into the head.
Three-piece safety razors are great because 1) they are probably the easiest to keep clean and 2) they have no moving mechanical parts so they are extremely durable if you take good care of them. The biggest drawback though is probably that you will have to handle the blade the most with this design. It shouldn’t be too difficult as long as you are paying attention to what you are doing, but you do want to be extra careful when inserting and removing the blade of a three-piece design razor blade.
There are two categories when it comes to the razor head of safety razors: open comb and closed comb. Open comb is more aggressive.
Closed Comb
The closed comb design is instead of having teeth that run underneath the edge of the razor, the closed comb razor has a flat edge or “safety bar” that runs underneath the edge of the blade. This design provides more protection for the shaver and ensures a smoother shaving surface for the blade. This design typically helps to reduce the amount of nicks and cuts by being a smoother and less aggressive shave when compared to an open comb.
Closed comb safety razors do a great job of getting close to the skin for a great shave, but they also offer an extra layer of protection just in case you make a mistake while shaving. If you have really thick and/or coarse hair, you may want to consider an open comb, but for the majority of men (especially those new to wet shaving) we recommend a closed comb razor.
Fixed
The vast majority of safety razors on the market are fixed blade. All this means is that the amount of the razor blade that is exposed when you shave is predetermined and you cannot adjust it. The razor head is locked into this one setting. Most fixed razor heads are typically between a mild and medium aggressive shave.
Fixed heads are great for beginner (and intermediate, and advanced…) wet shavers because you know the razor head is positioned exactly how it should be. Therefore, if you get a bad shave, you know it’s not due to the razor head alignment or blade exposure but it was probably caused by something else like poor technique, inferior blades or an inadequate lather. (3)
Dandelion Naturals has a Bamboo Stainless Steel Safety Razor. It is a Three Piece Bamboo Safety Razor with open & closed comb (the best of both worlds). Great for a beginner shaver and ones with more experience. It is also made with the durable and effective materials and design of stainless steel and a three piece razor. It comes with 10 Stainless Steel Blades from Bamboo Switch! Due to its ergonomic shape it provides a solid grip which makes it ideal for shaving face and body. It provides a smooth and clean shave for both men and women. Durable and strong yet natural and earth friendly. You can find this razor at: https://dandelionnaturals.com/product/bamboo-stainless-steel-safety-razor/
How to shave with a safety razor?
The method of shaving that is used with a safety razor is called wet shaving.
First, begin by lathering your shaving soap with a shaving brush or against your hair and skin.
Applying shaving soap is a necessary step to help the razor glide. The shaving soap we recommend is Dandelion Naturals Shaving soap. It is a tallow-based shaving soap that causes the razor to glide across the skin. You can find unscented and essential oil-scented bars at: https://dandelionnaturals.com/product-category/soap-bars/shave/
Grab your razor and:
“Hold the razor at 30 degrees: This is the ideal angle that will expose most of the blade to your hair. No pressure: Do not apply any pressure with safety razors, since the weight of the razor should take care of that itself.
Keep skin tight: Maintain a smooth, steady skin surface by turning your face to the right angle and pulling the skin taut.
Shave with the grain: i.e., follow the direction your hair grows instead of against it to minimize irritation.
Short strokes: short, straight, and sturdy strokes will bring the best shave out of a safety razor” (4)
(5)
Remember to rinse the razor regularly to remove any excess soap and cut hairs. This ensures that the blade is unclogged and will properly cut the hairs. In addition, it reduces friction and the rate at which the blade dulls.
If you would like to continue for an even more thorough shave, lather up your face again with enough soap and begin your second pass. Follow the same process as the first, applying shaving soap. You can try shaving across the grain or against the grain at this point. Remember to keep the skin taut and stick to short, gentle strokes. After shaving, rinse your face with water and pat dry.
Some wet shavers like to apply a moisturizer after shaving. We recommend Dandelion Naturals Tallow Balm as a nourishing moisturizer that will calm the skin and help retain moisture. You can find it at: https://dandelionnaturals.com/product/tallow-balm/
We have put together a bundle including many of the above products to make it easy to make a non-toxic switch or to give a shaving kit to someone you love. Our Men’s Shave Kit includes: 1 Tallow Shave Bar, 2 oz. tin of tallow balm, and 1 Razor with 10 blades. You can find this kit at: https://dandelionnaturals.com/product/mens-shave-kit/
And our Women’s Shave kit includes: 1 Tallow Shave Bar, 1 Lotion Bar, and 1 Razor and 10 blades. You can find this kit at: https://dandelionnaturals.com/product/womens-shave-kit/
Customers that have tried a safety razor, love it and have made the permanent switch. It is perfect to use on the face, legs, under arms, and more. And some have even commented that maintaining a 30 degree angle is quite easy due to the design. We are so proud that we can offer these nourishing and non-toxic personal care products that customers love at Dandelion Naturals.
Resources:
https://www.toolsofmen.com/safety-razor-vs-cartridge-razor/ (1)
https://www.asuperiorshave.com/safety-razors/beginners-guide-to-safety-razors/#tab-con-16 (3)
