Whether it’s automotive insurance coverage, home payments or shaving, it’s all the time good to avoid wasting money. The drawback is that no one needs to really feel like they’re getting a lesser expertise because of this. Sometimes, you get what you pay for and that’s okay – McDonalds versus Michelin Star. Other instances, you and your pockets are taken for a experience…
Which brings us properly on to cartridge razors! These plastic-covered demons typically current themselves as a fast, simple and cost-effective method to man’s moist shaving wants. No doubt, there’s much less of a studying curve when it comes to placing these blades to pores and skin, however that’s about the one head-to-head they’ll win in a battle in opposition to conventional double-edge security razors.
Below, our crew of shaving specialists have in contrast security and cartridge razors throughout a lot of completely different disciplines. They’ve crunched the numbers and slaved by means of many shaves, all in an effort to prevent money and time!
Without additional ado…
The Cost of Razor Blades
Unless you’re rising a mountain man beard, you’re going to want to spend money on some type of stubble-slaying blade. Of course, there are numerous choices exterior of security and cartridge razors – similar to electrical, straight and cut-throat – however at present we’re going to hold the main target on these two.
Buying blades could be a nerve-racking and costly course of: there are such a lot of choices and variations to select from! The key right here is to focus on simplicity, and never to be fooled by advertising mumbo jumbo – one clear, sharp blade is all you want.
Due to a extra sophisticated manufacturing course of, the presence of a number of blades, and the usage of combined supplies, cartridge razors are nearly all the time dearer than easy double-edge blades. To spotlight this, we’ve in contrast the price of inexpensive males’s shaving model Harry’s (we may’ve picked any model, to be sincere) cartridges with the typical price of a double-edge blade.
At the time of writing, the most cost effective you should buy a Harry’s blade from their web site for is £1.75 (when purchased as a set of both eight or 16 blades, with an auto-refill each two, three or 5 months).
In comparability, the typical price of a double-edge security razor blade (calculated by taking the person price of a blade from every pack of 10 presently stocked on our web site, not together with multi-pack buys) is £0.30 – a saving of £1.45 per blade!
But price is irrelevant with out an thought of what number of shaves every blade supplies…
How Long Do Razor Blades Last?
There are many variables to contemplate when it comes to pinpointing the precise variety of shaves you’ll be able to anticipate to get from a razor blade. There’s the toughness of your stubble, the sharpness of the blade, even your method can have an impact!
According to Harry’s FAQ page, one among their cartridges ought to final “about 6-8 shaves, though this will depend on your hair type and shaving habits.” In distinction, our specialists recommend that the typical double-edge razor blade ought to final 3-4 shaves, relying on the identical variables acknowledged by Harry’s.
Due to their multi-blade design, most cartridge razors will outlast their double-edge counterparts on a 2-1 foundation – fairly spectacular, proper? The drawback is that they’re greater than double the value, which implies they’re nonetheless much less cost-effective in your pockets in the long term.
A Quick Bit of Razor Blade Maths
If we assume that the typical man shaves thrice per week between the age of 16 and 80, then he completes 156 shaves per yr – 9,984 shaves in his lifetime.
If he accomplished all of these shaves with Harry’s cartridge razors, he’d use between 1,248 and 1,664 blades. Based on the very best price of every Harry’s cartridge being £1.75, meaning he’d spend between £2,187 and £2,912 on blades.
If he accomplished all of these shaves with a double-edge razor blade he’d use between 2,496 and three,328 blades, spending between £748.80 and £998.40. More blades, much less cash!
If the typical man shaved with double-edge razor blades – as an alternative of cartridge razors – for his total life, he’d save anyplace between £1,438.20 and a well-worth-having £1,913.60.
That’s bought to be well worth the early dedication, proper?!
Which is Better for the Environment?
Truth be informed, all razor blades are a little bit of a ache to recycle – it’s simply a type of issues. Due to their nature, further precautions have to be taken to defend all events concerned, which is why you shouldn’t merely pop them into your combined recycling or basic waste. That being stated, double-edge blades are nonetheless notably much less awkward than cartridges.
By design, security razor blades are easy. They’re lower from enormous sheets of chrome steel, earlier than being wrapped in protecting papers and packed into small card or plastic containers.
The capacity to simply separate these supplies – blade, paper and field – makes recycling them a doddle too. The solely factor you may need to be careful for is waxed papers and scrunchable plastics, which might’t normally be recycled. As for the used blades themselves, seize your self a blade financial institution – like a cash field for perished blades – and hold them safely secured inside. Once the financial institution is full, deposit it at your native recycling centre. You may even find a way to get your barber to take them off your arms – they use and recycle razor blades on a day by day foundation!
In comparability, most cartridges fuse collectively a number of stainless-steel blades inside a plastic case. Some additionally incorporate add-ons similar to lubrication strips and precision trimmers. The finish result’s a cartridge head with all of the shaving gimmicks, however no simple means of separating the combined supplies. Because of this, most recycling centres will refuse cartridge razors, sending them straight to landfill as an alternative.
Of course, there are corporations on the market – similar to Teracycle – that concentrate on recycling hard-to-recycle merchandise, however they’re a good distance off being universally and simply accessible to all. Watch this area, for certain!
What About the Quality of the Shave?
Saving cash and doing all your bit for the setting is one factor, however in the end, it’s all in regards to the high quality of the shave.
If all you’re after is a fast shave – and also you’re prepared to hand over cash and satisfaction over time – then a cartridge razor is for you. Without doubt, this contemporary razor tech can rapidly whip stubble out of your face, with far much less threat of cuts. But at what price?
For some folks, 5 blades are merely an excessive amount of and their pores and skin can’t take it. With every cross, their face reddens because the blades take away extra than simply their stubble. Not simply that, however their facial fuzz has now been lower so quick and blunt that ingrown hairs are more likely to trigger discomfort. Lubrication strips and the correct shaving merchandise do supply some safety for these with delicate pores and skin, however typically that’s not sufficient and the harm is already accomplished.
In comparability, shaving with a double-edge security razor poses precisely the alternative drawback. To start with, the educational curve is slightly steeper than with a cartridge – it’s simply you and one slender, sharpened blade. During these first few shaves, you may nick your self, however with slightly observe you’ll unlock a cleaner shave with a lot much less irritation. When it comes to security razor shaving, it’s all about persistence and method.
If it was a race between the hare and the tortoise, who would you again?
The Different Types of Razor Handle
Once you’ve chosen your blade, you’ll want to resolve on the razor deal with that may wield it. Again, there are price financial savings and private preferences to be thought of right here; each may have an effect on your alternative of blade.
Cartridges have a tendency to match on solely a finite variety of handles, which means your choices might be restricted relying on the kind of cartridge you purchase. However, these handles are normally constructed from plastic which tends to hold their price down, making it cheaper to substitute damaged, misplaced or out-dated variations.
The great thing about double-edge razor blades is that they’re nearly all interchangeable with any security razor deal with you dream of. This permits for way more customisation as you uncover and acquire your personal shaving arsenal. Double-edge security razors are additionally perfect for people who want to scale back their plastic footprint, because the overwhelming majority are constructed from sturdy metals. The solely slight caveat is that these handles are sometimes pricier than their plastic cartridge counterparts, except you choose for a sophisticated entry-level razor similar to this one from Hill & Drew.
Our Expert Conclusion
Multi-blade cartridge tech is spectacular and undeniably faster and simpler to shave with within the early days. But its pitfalls lie in its lack of ability to quench the true luxurious that moist shaving ought to present. This, alongside the over-inflated price of cartridges and the adverse impacts they will have on the setting, depart it barely adrift of its predecessor.
If you might have the persistence to climate the storm and conquer the educational curve of a double-edge security razor, your total relationship together with your morning shave will change for the higher. Over time, you’ll save massive bucks, assist the setting and undergo with much less irritation.
And that sounds fairly rattling good to us!
