For a long long time I had held the belief that modern razors were the best.
In fact every advert for new branded razors always says "Our best shave yet, closer than ever before!".
But I have recently been converted to a more traditional shaving using a Double Edge razor and I'm delighted with it.
In fact wish I'd of tried one years ago.
Would have saved me a fortune.
In fact more men should try it.
Let me give you the low down.
The modern razor which i used was a Gillett Mach 3 Turbo (how the hell do they come up with these names).
To purchase the main razor (the handle the razor fits onto) is quite cheap and approximately cost £7 (or $10 prices may be different in US).
The razors themselves cost £16 (or $24) for a pack of 8.
Obviously the bulk of the cost ends up being the purchase of the razors and at £2 each they are expensive.
Don't get me wrong, I'm not criticizing the razor, its a good razor and I've used for a good few years.
But the price of the blades just seems to keep increasing.
Now compare this to the Classic Traditional Double edge razor.
The cost of the main part of the razor (handle) may be a little more expensive (although you can get them as cheap as £5), for a quality one usually around £20.
But the replacement razor are ridiculously cheap.
For a well regarded brand, like Wilkinsons £8.
75 for 50, yes your read that right 50 razors.
That's less than 18p per blade.
How much could this save you over the course of a year! Lets do the numbers, based on using the Mach 3 Turbo compared to the Double Edge blade; Modern; cost £7 Blades £2 each, assume one lasts 4 days and you shave 5 days a week (52 weeks x 5 days, divided by 4) = 65 blades (£2 x 65) £130 ($195) Total Cost £137 ($206) Traditional; Cost £20 (Edwin Jagger was the razor I choose) Blades 18p each, lets assume these don't last as long (in reality I get about the same usage out of these as I did the Mach 3 blades).
Lets say 3 days again over 5 days a week shaving (52 x 5 divided by 3) = 87 blades (18p x 87) £16, in fact lets assume only 2 days ware out of a razor, 130 blades needed £23.
40 Total Cost £44 ($66) based on worst case.
Wow I know there would be a big saving but this is unbelievable nearly £100 just by using the more traditional razor.
OK so what are the other pros and cons of Traditional vs modern; Modern Razor; Easier to use than traditional blades Quicker to get a quick shave, although I am getting better with my new traditional blade now.
Less likely to get cut with modern safety razors Main shaver usually made from plastic Traditional Double Edge Razor; Cheaper (worth mentioning again) More stylish (cool retro look, my own opinion obviously) Smoother closer shave (some may argue but from my usage my skin feels smoother after shaving than it did with my Mach3) More manly Never stop production of blades (some modern manufacturers stop making their older brands when they introduce newer products, one of the reasons I had to move to the Mach 3) Main shaver usually made of steel, strong and hard wearing.
Finally to sum up, cheaper, looks better, feels better and if you don't mind taking a little more time shaving you should definitely try a traditional razor.
In fact every advert for new branded razors always says "Our best shave yet, closer than ever before!".
But I have recently been converted to a more traditional shaving using a Double Edge razor and I'm delighted with it.
In fact wish I'd of tried one years ago.
Would have saved me a fortune.
In fact more men should try it.
Let me give you the low down.
The modern razor which i used was a Gillett Mach 3 Turbo (how the hell do they come up with these names).
To purchase the main razor (the handle the razor fits onto) is quite cheap and approximately cost £7 (or $10 prices may be different in US).
The razors themselves cost £16 (or $24) for a pack of 8.
Obviously the bulk of the cost ends up being the purchase of the razors and at £2 each they are expensive.
Don't get me wrong, I'm not criticizing the razor, its a good razor and I've used for a good few years.
But the price of the blades just seems to keep increasing.
Now compare this to the Classic Traditional Double edge razor.
The cost of the main part of the razor (handle) may be a little more expensive (although you can get them as cheap as £5), for a quality one usually around £20.
But the replacement razor are ridiculously cheap.
For a well regarded brand, like Wilkinsons £8.
75 for 50, yes your read that right 50 razors.
That's less than 18p per blade.
How much could this save you over the course of a year! Lets do the numbers, based on using the Mach 3 Turbo compared to the Double Edge blade; Modern; cost £7 Blades £2 each, assume one lasts 4 days and you shave 5 days a week (52 weeks x 5 days, divided by 4) = 65 blades (£2 x 65) £130 ($195) Total Cost £137 ($206) Traditional; Cost £20 (Edwin Jagger was the razor I choose) Blades 18p each, lets assume these don't last as long (in reality I get about the same usage out of these as I did the Mach 3 blades).
Lets say 3 days again over 5 days a week shaving (52 x 5 divided by 3) = 87 blades (18p x 87) £16, in fact lets assume only 2 days ware out of a razor, 130 blades needed £23.
40 Total Cost £44 ($66) based on worst case.
Wow I know there would be a big saving but this is unbelievable nearly £100 just by using the more traditional razor.
OK so what are the other pros and cons of Traditional vs modern; Modern Razor; Easier to use than traditional blades Quicker to get a quick shave, although I am getting better with my new traditional blade now.
Less likely to get cut with modern safety razors Main shaver usually made from plastic Traditional Double Edge Razor; Cheaper (worth mentioning again) More stylish (cool retro look, my own opinion obviously) Smoother closer shave (some may argue but from my usage my skin feels smoother after shaving than it did with my Mach3) More manly Never stop production of blades (some modern manufacturers stop making their older brands when they introduce newer products, one of the reasons I had to move to the Mach 3) Main shaver usually made of steel, strong and hard wearing.
Finally to sum up, cheaper, looks better, feels better and if you don't mind taking a little more time shaving you should definitely try a traditional razor.
Source...