A Close Shave: Safety Razors vs. Disposable Razors
There’s been a big surge of interest lately in old-timey shaving methods, and while it’s easy to write it off as the domain of hipsters, there’s honestly a lot to gain by going for an old-school safety razor. You save money, save the Earth, and get a better shave.
Cost
Disposable razors come in a wide variety of price ranges. You can choose to go pretty cheaply or treat yourself at a higher price point. But whether you spend $0.30 or $3.00 per razor, it’s going to start adding up in a hurry. And honestly, you usually don’t want the razors that are down at the low end of that price range.
Likewise, there’s a wide range of safety razors available, and you can spend as little or as much as you want. You can easily spend more or less than this, but around $20 is a reasonable amount to spend.
The trick is that once you’ve made that initial investment, safety razor blades are incredibly cheap. There are plenty of boxes that can routinely be found for between $7-$10. Of course, if you don’t feel like buying in bulk, you can still buy smaller packs of blades pretty cheaply. You have to really be trying to find blades that cost more than a buck a pop, which would be a fantastic deal for a disposable razor. Once you’ve made that initial investment in a safety razor, you’re going to save a ton of money over time.
Environment
Another big concern with shaving is pure waste. Throwing away an entire razor every week or two may not affect you personally, but you don’t exactly have to be a giant hippy to start feeling a little guilty after awhile. A lot of razor blades come in a small plastic case with a slot for the used ones. This lets you safely store and throw them away, with much less waste than tossing a whole razor out. This isn’t really a tangible benefit, but if you can save money and minimize your environmental impact, why wouldn’t you?
The Shave
Shaving with a safety razor is a unique experience. It definitely takes some getting used to, but once you do, it’s worth the effort. Safety razors require a lot less pressure than disposables. You’ll need to use a lighter touch. They’re designed to protect you from cutting yourself too badly, but if you push that blade into your skin like it’s a Mach 3, you’re going to hurt yourself.
But if you take your time and learn how much pressure to use, you’ll give yourself the closest shave you’ve ever had. You’ll throw a party just to invite people over to feel your face. You’ll catch yourself daydreaming about the texture of your own cheeks. But then you’ll remember they’re your cheeks, and you can rub them whenever you want. And then you’ll do it, and it’ll be the greatest moment of your day.
Using a safety razor is a perfect hat-trick. It’s cheaper, it’s better for the environment, and it provides a better shave than a disposable razor. There’s no reason not to go for it.
