Ending the Great Debate: safety razor vs cartridgeRazor

One of the biggest topics of debate in the world of shaving has to be Safety razor vs. Cartridge razor.

Any avid reader or repeat visitor to our site should probably already be aware of my personal opinion on cartridge razors and the multi-billion dollar business that they have created.

However, in the hopes of convincing those of you who are still on the fence, trying to make the ultimate decision of safety razor vs. cartridge, I’ll try to keep my personal opinion out of this one.

Instead, let’s focus on the science behind the two to convince you once and for all that cartridge razors are the devil…err, I mean, that cartridge razors are inferior to safety razors.

In this picture is a Muhle R41 (check Amazon reviews) and Gillette Mach 3 (check user reviews).

After reading all of the facts, I hope that you’ll be the next in an increasingly long line of men who have finally been convinced to give up those expensive, ineffective cartridge razors in favor of something that gets the job done better for a fraction of the price.

Safety Razor vs Straight Razor Infographic

Here is a helpful infographic that summarizes the differences between safety razors and cartridge razors.

Also, be sure to read the information below the infographic, as it provides far more detail.

Feel free to share! (but please be sure to reference the entire article as it has much more information)

Safety Razor vs. Cartridge: Breaking it Down

Before we get into the reasons why safety razors are so much better than cartridge razors, it’s first necessary to look at exactly what each type of razor is for those of you who are as of yet uninitiated.

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When we say cartridge razor, we’re referring to those multiple blade disposable razors that have become so popular in the last few decades—beginning with the release of the Gillette Mach 3.

Most of these razors tend to have a reusable razor handle that takes replacement multiple blade cartridges, which simply snap into place on the hand.

On the other hand, a safety razor, also called a double edge razor, is something much more old school.

While this type of razor uses a disposable double-edge blade, the entire rest of the razor is typically constructed from metal and is meant to be used time and time again.

Still, using a safety razor can present a bit of a learning curve, especially if you’ve never used one before.

Not to worry, though, it is not rocket science, and it’s way easier than learning to use straight shavers.

The wet shaving system requires that you lather your face well to ensure that your facial hair is moist enough for the safety razor to avoid irritation.

To get a better shave, use a shaving brush for uniform application of the shaving cream and get a good shave with a single pass of a safety razor.

Though not found in your everyday barbershop, causing a safety razor means you don’t have to worry about clogging up and build-up of landfills as you may experience with cartridges.

Safety Razor vs. Cartridge & How They’re Related, aka In The Beginning

Once upon a time, there was no such thing as a disposable razor, if you can believe that.

In fact, it wasn’t but a little over a hundred years ago that King Camp Gillette began his search for a disposable razor.

Before then, men used the same blade over and over again before taking them in to have them sharpened.

Then Gillette made the brilliant realization that there was more money to be made by making a product that was meant to be thrown away after so many uses, and thus, both safety razors and cartridge razors were slowly introduced to the world.

This realization led to the development of both the disposable razor and the modern safety razor, but nowadays, there are really no similarities left between the two.

In this picture is the Merkur 180 long handle (Check user reviews) and the Gillette Fusion (check user reviews).

Safety Razor vs. Cartridge Razors: Judging the Quality of the Shave

One unfortunate myth that has been perpetrated by Gillette’s marketing machine is that the more blades a razor has, the smoother shave it will provide.

However, science has repeatedly shown that this is simply not true.

In fact, the opposite is true, as the more blades a razor has, the more skin irritation you will experience as a result.

In the most basic terms, it only takes one sharp blade and good shaving soap/cream to give you a close shave.

Moreover, the more times you go over your face with a razor blade, the more irritation you are likely to experience.

Therefore, it only makes sense that taking one pass with a 5 blade razor is the same as taking 5 passes with a single-blade razor, and thus will cause 5 times as much irritation.

This multi-blade approach of the cartridge razors can result in razor bumps and ingrown hairs for those of us with sensitive skin.

However, it’s not just the amount of irritation that separates safety razors from their inferior counterparts.

The quality of the steel used in the razors also plays a major role in how sharp they end up and thus how well they shave without causing razor burns.

While cartridge razors tend to use cheap, inferior quality steel, many double-edged safety razor blades use medical-grade stainless or carbon steel, which can be sharpened to a much finer, thinner edge without degrading.

This means that these superior antique safety razor de razor blades can also provide a much closer shave, without the need to go over the same spot many times.

Moving back to the irritation factor, the fact that you can get a closer shave with lesser passes when using a safety razor means that really, you’re likely to reduce the amount of irritation by a factor of 10.

Think about it, one or two passes with a single blade compared to four or five passes with a 5-blade razor.

We’re taking 10 to 25 times less irritation here!

The quality of the shave that the two provisions are also related to the angle at which the blade is to the face.

Whereas a cartridge razor allows you to shave at one angle only, a safety razor allows you to slightly adjust the angle, and thus increase the quality of the shave.

Breaking Down the Costs: Safety Razors Win Again!

While the vastly differing shave qualities that the two products can provide should be enough to convince any real man why Gillette safety razor, king c Gillette safety razor, micro touch safety razor, and more are so much better, some men are still too cheap to choose quality over price.

However, in this case, the vintage safety razor definitely wins again.

Though the safety razor itself may cost anywhere between twenty and several hundred dollars, this is really a one-time cost, as the all-metal razors should last for a lifetime.

The upfront initial investment made on Gillette mach3 cartridge, Gillette ProGlide cartridge, Viking blades safety razor, Henson safety razor, japan safety razor, and more will guarantee you a comfortable shave over a long time when combined with good shaving cream.

So don’t think about the cost of the razor itself, instead, focus on the cost of the replacement blades (like Astra or Schick).

The price of safety razor blade disposal cartridges (like Gillette or Bic) just keeps rising, with some of the newer ones costing as much as $10 per cartridge.

Since you’ll probably only get three to four shaves out of a cartridge at most, this could easily end up costing you well over several hundred dollars a year.

On the other hand, even the best double edge razor blades generally sell for less than $1 per blade, which could quickly add up to some serious savings in the long run.

So even if you’re not concerned with doing your face and skin a favor, at least do your wallet a favor and choose the smarter, sharper, more sensible option.

Safety Razor vs Cartridge Razors: The Final Judgment

Safety razors are not only cheaper and provide a better quality shave, but they also look a heck of a lot cooler and make you feel much more like a man.

So ignore all of the marketing tactics that try to convince you that the newest six or seven-blade razor is the answer to all of your problems, as an old-school safety razor is really all you need to get the best shave of your life.

We have thoroughly tested virtually all the safety razors, so be sure to check out our list of the best safety razors segmented by price range.

Here is a shortlist of PNP’s favorite safety razors.

For many more, check out the link above about the best safety razors!

• The Edwin Jagger DE89lbl – My review/amazon reviews!
• The Merkur 34c – My review/amazon reviews!
• The Merkur futur –My review/amazon reviews!
• The Feather all stainless – My review/amazon reviews!

If you do go for a cartridge razor, we suggest either the Mach 3 or fusion…although we highly recommend a safety razor instead!

The only real advantage cartridge razors have, is in terms of convenience.

If that is your only factor, then you should stick to the cartridge razor.

In that case, be sure to check out our article on Mach 3 vs Fusion to make sure you at least get the best cartridge razor on the market.

That being said, once you get the hang of it, you’ll find that it only takes you a few minutes more to shave with a safety razor, and after seeing just how much better the results are, you will quickly realize that it is time well spent.

Frequently Asked Questions

1. How good are Merkur razors?

Merkur blades are made of high-quality materials and have an excellent design, making them extremely durable. They appear to last slightly longer than the average de blade.

2. Is Merkur a reputable brand?

Overall, the best safety razor. Merkur, a German razor company, was mentioned more than any other brand, praised for its long history, low price point, and reputation for quality manufacturing.

3. How long will a Merkur blade last?

Lasts 3-7 shaves.
Merkur is a well-known brand. They are appealing because they can provide a very close shave without being as aggressive as other brands. They are rust-resistant due to their platinum coating, and one blade can typically last between 3-7 shaves.

4. Where are Merkur razors manufactured?

MERKUR safety razors are made in Germany and provide complete corrosion protection as well as exceptional durability due to the zinc die casting process.