What are the best razor blades?
Customers regularly ask us: 'What are the best razor blades?' We can be very brief about this: 'The best razor blades do not exist.' Every skin and beard differs from man to man. The choice is of course very personal. Ever since men started shaving, they are always looking for the most optimal razor blade. Men like to test and try. It is our eternal search for the perfect shave. The modern man has tried various blades during his shaving life. Each man has an average of 2 different types of razors on his shelf. In this blog we talk about the advantages and disadvantages of the various types of razor blades.
What's a razor supposed to do?
What are the most important aspects of the razor and its razor blades? In other words: 'What should a razor blade do and what should you pay attention to when choosing the right razor blade?' We have listed it briefly:
- sharp;
- comfort;
- sustainability;
- hygiene;
- applicability;
- price.
Sharp
Initially, the blade must of course be sharp enough to split the beard hairs in half. That makes sense. But you have sharp and sharp. And of course this is also personal. This depends on the type of beard and skin. Mildly sharp blades have difficulty with coarse or heavy beard growth. But they may be more suitable for flaxen beards or sensitive skin. Very sharp blades are suitable for heavy beards but less suitable for sensitive skin. Which razor suits you is your choice.
Comfort
We always say here: 'Your skin is not made to be run over with a knife.' The razor should glide comfortably over your skin. Actually, you shouldn't feel it while shaving. This also depends on the correct shaving technique. Of course, a good protective shaving foam also helps with this.
A shave is only perfect if the razor provides an efficient, smooth shave without any irritation.
Sustainability
Of course, it is of no use if you have to throw it away after one use. Use once and throw it away immediately is a waste, expensive and of course not environmentally friendly.
After each use the blade will become duller and duller. At a certain point it no longer cuts but pulls the beard hairs. As soon as the blade starts to pull, it is no longer usable. Continuing for too long causes a painful shave and a greater risk of irritation. How long you can shave with one blade varies per type or brand. How long you can shave also depends on the type of beard hair and shaving technique.
Hygiene
By this we mean to what extent you can easily and thoroughly clean the blade during and after use. This keeps the blade sharp for longer, provides a more comfortable shave and is of course more hygienic to use. It is of no use if you cannot clean the blade properly after use. It's just not fresh.
Applicability
Each application has its own tools. Men either shave their entire face or just the beard contours. Many men also regularly shave their scalp. Some blades are more suitable for shaving the face. Other blades are slightly more suitable for a close shave of the beard edges.
Price
In 2013, the TV program 'De Rekenkamer' investigated the actual production and material costs of one cartridge multi-balde blade. It concerned the cost of, for example, a Gillette or Wilkinson razor. To everyone's surprise, it turned out that the cost for a blade was approximately 10 euro cents. While these modern blades cost 4 to 5 Euro each in the drugstore or supermarket. There are many complaints about the overpriced shaving products from these well-known brands. In short, the price of a knife is super important.
Which razor blades should you buy?
The choice is huge. There are various types of razor blades. Which one is best for you? That's up to you. This depends on your skin and beard. Do you have normal firm skin or very dry and sensitive skin? Do you have a thin flaxen beard or stiff beard growth with crackling beard stubble? Do you shave daily or a few times a month? Finally, do you shave your entire face or do you have a beard and is it all about the beard contours?
Below is a list of the different types of razor blades:
- Multi-blade cartridge razor: Gillette Mach3 and Fusion
- Double edge razor blade
- Single edge razor blade
- Mustache and beard razor
The advantages and disadvantages of a multi-blade cartridge razor
Our experience is that these blades are averagely sharp. That makes sense because after all, there are 3 to 5 blades in the razor and it must of course be suitable for every type of skin and beard. The major manufacturers ensure that as many men as possible use these multi-blades.
Because there are many blades, you have a consistent, even pressure distribution on the skin. This allows the multi-blades to shave comfortably and smoothly. A frequently heard complaint is that too many blades over your skin at the same time can lead to shaving irritation.
This type of blade is not durable. It contains many different materials, such as metal, plastic and rubber. This makes it difficult to recycle. Because the blades are very close together, you quickly get a lot of dirt in between them. It is therefore difficult to rinse out the accumulated dirt. These blades are actually suitable for shaving the entire face and less so for a close shave of the beard. Due to the protective edges around the blades, you cannot clearly see how they shave along the beard contours.
Advantages:
- shaves easily, comfortably and smoothly;
- suitable for any type of skin and beard hair;
- suitable for shaving the scalp
- varied range of different brands;
- number of shaves per blade ranges from a few times to 20 times;
- changing the razor blades is easy and safe;
- used blades can be safely stored in a cartridge.
Cons:
- very pricey; the Gillette and Wilkinson razor blades cost between €3 and €5 each;
- no universal system; the 3-blade and 5-blade razor blades have their own handle: for example, the Mach3 blade does not click on a Fusion handle and vice versa;
- less suitable for shaving the mustache and beard;
- more chance of shaving irritations and ingrown beard hairs because one blade pulls out the beard hair slightly while the other blades shave it off;
- not sustainable due to the use of various materials in the blades.
Advantages and disadvantages of the double edge razor blades
As we have often said, many men are switching to the double edge shaving system. The safety razor is becoming extremely popular. More than a billion men worldwide shave with the safety razor.
People are switching because the individual blades are very affordable. It shaves well, comfortably and smoothly. Compared to the multi-blades, fewer annoying shaving irritations, such as ingrown beard hairs and burning chapped spots.
It is a universal system worldwide. All double edge blades from the different brands and manufacturers fit in all razor holders. There is a huge range with different shaving properties: from mild and medium to 'aggressively' sharp. This means you can always find a blade that is suitable for your skin and beard. This ultimately ensures more shaving comfort and less irritation during and after shaving.
This type of blade is very durable and environmentally friendly. The blades consist only of an alloy of metals. This makes it easy to recycle for the waste management industry. It can be cleaned very easily and smoothly while shaving. Just remove the blade from the shaving head, rinse it clean under running water and you're done.
These blades are suitable for shaving the entire face and beard contours. Many men with beards are very enthusiastic about the double edge blade. When shaving the beard edges, you have a much better view of where the blade is and how it shaves along the edges.
Advantages:
- shaves easily, comfortably and smoothly;
- very affordable, separate double edge razor blades cost an average of € 0.30 each;
- suitable for any type of skin and beard hair;
- very varied range of different brands;
- very suitable for shaving the mustache, beard contours and sideburns;
- worldwide universal shaving system: the different brands of double edge razor blades fit every type of safety razor;
- very varied range of double edge razor blades with different shaving properties: from mild and medium to extremely sharp;
- number of shaves per blade ranges from a few times to 10 times;
- Changing the blades is easy and fairly safe;
- used blades can be safely stored in a dispenser or cartridge;
- very durable shaving system: the individual blades are only made of metal and are recyclable.
Cons:
- less suitable for shaving the scalp;
- not all double edge razor blades come in a handy dispenser;
- Due to the enormous range of holders and blades, it takes some time to find the right combination.
Advantages and disadvantages of the single edge razor blades
The single edge razor blade is the same as the double edge blade. These blades only have one cutting edge instead of two. This type of blades is suitable for the shavette razor. It fits perfectly in this type of barber razor.
These individual blades are also very affordable. It shaves comfortably and smoothly. Compared to the multi-blades, fewer annoying shaving irritations, such as ingrown beard hairs and burning chapped spots. Most blades fit well in most shavette razors.
This type of blade consists only of metal and is very durable and environmentally friendly. The blade can easily be cleaned while shaving. These blades are suitable for shaving the entire face and beard contours. The shavette razor is widely used by barbers for shaving the beard.
Advantages:
- shaves easily, comfortably and smoothly;
- very affordable, separate double edge razor blades cost an average of € 0.10 each;
- suitable for any type of skin and beard hair;
- varied range of different brands;
- very suitable for shaving the mustache, beard contours and sideburns;
- worldwide universal shaving system: the different brands fit in the shavette razor;
- varied range of double edge razor blades with different shaving properties: from mild and medium to extremely sharp;
- number of shaves per blade ranges from a few times to 10 times;
- Changing the blades is easy and fairly safe;
- used blades can be safely stored in a dispenser or cartridge;
- very durable shaving system.
Cons:
- less suitable for shaving the scalp;
- not all double edge razor blades come in a handy dispenser;
- Due to the enormous range of holders and blades, it takes some time to find the right combination.
Advantages and disadvantages of the mustache and beard razors
This little razor is actually an outsider. It only fits the special mini razor for precision shaving of complicated mustache and beard contours. The German manufacturer Dovo Merkur produces this razor.
