Whether it’s car insurance, house bills or shaving, it’s always nice to save some cash. The problem is that nobody wants to feel like they’re getting a lesser experience as a result. Sometimes, you get what you pay for and that’s okay – McDonalds versus Michelin Star. Other times, you and your wallet are taken for a ride…
Which brings us nicely on to cartridge razors! These plastic-covered demons often present themselves as a quick, easy and cost-effective approach to man’s wet shaving needs. No doubt, there’s less of a learning curve when it comes to putting these blades to skin, but that’s about the only head-to-head they’ll win in a battle against traditional double-edge safety razors.
Below, our team of shaving experts have compared safety and cartridge razors across a number of different disciplines. They’ve crunched the numbers and slaved through many shaves, all in an effort to save you time and money!
Without further ado…
The Cost of Razor Blades
Unless you’re growing a mountain man beard, you’re going to need to invest in some sort of stubble-slaying blade. Of course, there are many options outside of safety and cartridge razors – such as electric, straight and cut-throat – but today we’re going to keep the focus on these two.
Buying blades can be a stressful and expensive process: there are so many options and variations to choose from! The key here is to focus on simplicity, and not to be fooled by marketing mumbo jumbo – one clean, sharp blade is all you need.
Due to a more complicated manufacturing process, the presence of multiple blades, and the use of mixed materials, cartridge razors are almost always more expensive than simple double-edge blades. To highlight this, we’ve compared the cost of affordable men’s shaving brand Harry’s (we could’ve picked any brand, to be honest) cartridges with the average cost of a double-edge blade.
At the time of writing, the cheapest you can purchase a Harry’s blade from their website for is £1.75 (when bought as a set of either eight or 16 blades, with an auto-refill every two, three or five months).
In comparison, the average cost of a double-edge safety razor blade (calculated by taking the individual cost of a blade from each pack of 10 currently stocked on our website, not including multi-pack buys) is £0.30 – a saving of £1.45 per blade!
But cost is irrelevant without an idea of how many shaves each blade provides…
How Long Do Razor Blades Last?
There are many variables to consider when it comes to pinpointing the exact number of shaves you can expect to get from a razor blade. There’s the toughness of your stubble, the sharpness of the blade, even your technique can have an effect!
According to Harry’s FAQ page, one of their cartridges should last “about 6-8 shaves, though this will depend on your hair type and shaving habits.” In contrast, our experts suggest that the average double-edge razor blade should last 3-4 shaves, depending on the same variables stated by Harry’s.
Due to their multi-blade design, most cartridge razors will outlast their double-edge counterparts on a 2-1 basis – pretty impressive, right? The problem is that they’re more than double the price, which means they’re still less cost-effective for your wallet in the long run.
A Quick Bit of Razor Blade Maths
If we assume that the average man shaves three times per week between the age of 16 and 80, then he completes 156 shaves per year – 9,984 shaves in his lifetime.
If he completed all of those shaves with Harry’s cartridge razors, he’d use between 1,248 and 1,664 blades. Based on the best possible cost of each Harry’s cartridge being £1.75, that means he’d spend between £2,187 and £2,912 on blades.
If he completed all of those shaves with a double-edge razor blade he’d use between 2,496 and 3,328 blades, spending between £748.80 and £998.40. More blades, less money!
If the average man shaved with double-edge razor blades – instead of cartridge razors – for his entire life, he’d save anywhere between £1,438.20 and a well-worth-having £1,913.60.
That’s got to be worth the early commitment, right?!
Which is Better for the Environment?
Truth be told, all razor blades are a bit of a pain to recycle – it’s just one of those things. Due to their nature, extra precautions have to be taken to protect all parties involved, which is why you shouldn’t simply pop them into your mixed recycling or general waste. That being said, double-edge blades are still notably less awkward than cartridges.
By design, safety razor blades are simple. They’re cut from huge sheets of stainless steel, before being wrapped in protective papers and packed into small card or plastic containers.
The ability to easily separate these materials – blade, paper and box – makes recycling them a doddle too. The only thing you might have to watch out for is waxed papers and scrunchable plastics, which can’t usually be recycled. As for the used blades themselves, grab yourself a blade bank – like a money box for perished blades – and keep them safely secured inside. Once the bank is full, deposit it at your local recycling centre. You might even be able to get your barber to take them off your hands – they use and recycle razor blades on a daily basis!
In comparison, most cartridges fuse together multiple stainless-steel blades inside a plastic case. Some also incorporate add-ons such as lubrication strips and precision trimmers. The end result is a cartridge head with all the shaving gimmicks, but no easy way of separating the mixed materials. Because of this, most recycling centres will refuse cartridge razors, sending them straight to landfill instead.
Of course, there are companies out there – such as Teracycle – that specialise in recycling hard-to-recycle products, but they’re a long way off being universally and easily accessible to all. Watch this space, for sure!
What About the Quality of the Shave?
Saving money and doing your bit for the environment is one thing, but ultimately, it’s all about the quality of the shave.
If all you’re after is a quick shave – and you’re willing to give up money and satisfaction over time – then a cartridge razor is for you. Without doubt, this modern razor tech can quickly whip stubble from your face, with far less risk of cuts. But at what cost?
For some people, five blades are simply too much and their skin can’t take it. With each pass, their face reddens as the blades take away more than just their stubble. Not just that, but their facial fuzz has now been cut so short and blunt that ingrown hairs are much more likely to cause discomfort. Lubrication strips and the right shaving products do offer some protection for those with sensitive skin, but often that’s not enough and the damage is already done.
In comparison, shaving with a double-edge safety razor poses exactly the opposite problem. To begin with, the learning curve is a little steeper than with a cartridge – it’s just you and one slender, sharpened blade. During those first few shaves, you might nick yourself, but with a little practice you’ll unlock a cleaner shave with much less irritation. When it comes to safety razor shaving, it’s all about patience and technique.
If it was a race between the hare and the tortoise, who would you back?
The Different Types of Razor Handle
Once you’ve chosen your blade, you’ll need to decide on the razor handle that will wield it. Again, there are cost savings and personal preferences to be considered here; both could have an impact on your choice of blade.
Cartridges tend to fit on only a finite number of handles, meaning your options can be limited depending on the type of cartridge you buy. However, these handles are usually made from plastic which tends to keep their cost down, making it cheaper to replace broken, lost or out-dated versions.
The beauty of double-edge razor blades is that they’re virtually all interchangeable with any safety razor handle you dream of. This allows for much more customisation as you discover and collect your own shaving arsenal. Double-edge safety razors are also ideal for those that wish to reduce their plastic footprint, as the vast majority are made from durable metals. The only slight caveat is that these handles are often pricier than their plastic cartridge counterparts, unless you opt for a classy entry-level razor such as this one from Hill & Drew.
Our Expert Conclusion
Multi-blade cartridge tech is impressive and undeniably quicker and easier to shave with in the early days. But its pitfalls lie in its inability to quench the true luxury that wet shaving should provide. This, alongside the over-inflated cost of cartridges and the negative impacts they can have on the environment, leave it slightly adrift of its predecessor.
If you have the patience to weather the storm and conquer the learning curve of a double-edge safety razor, your entire relationship with your morning shave will change for the better. Over time, you’ll save big bucks, help the environment and suffer with less irritation.
And that sounds pretty damn good to us!
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