What are the best razor blades?
Customers regularly ask us: "What are the best razor blades?" We can be very brief about that: "The best razor blades don't exist." Every skin and beard differs per man. The choice is of course very personal. Since men are shaving, they have always been looking for the most optimal razor blade. Men love testing and trying. It is our eternal search for the perfect shave. The modern man has already tried several blades during his shaving life. On average 2 different types of razors are on his shelter per man. In this blog we are talking about the advantages and disadvantages of the various type of razor blades.
What should a razor do?
What are the most important aspects of it razor And the corresponding razor blades? In other words: "What should a razor do and where should you pay attention when choosing the right razor blade?" We have just listed it:
- sharp;
- comfort;
- sustainability;
- hygiene;
- applicability;
- price.
Sharp
In the first instance, of course, the blade must be sufficiently sharp to be able to cleave the beard hair in the middle. That sounds logical. But you have sharp and sharp. And of course this is also personal. This depends on type of beard and skin. Mild sharp blades have difficulty with stiff or heavy beard growth. But are perhaps more suitable for the Vlasbaardje or the sensitive skin. Very sharp blades are suitable for the heavy beard but less suitable for sensitive skin. Which razor suits you is your choice.
Comfort
We always say here: "Your skin is not made to go over it with a knife." The razor blade must glide pleasantly over your skin. You shouldn't feel it while shaving. This also depends on the right shaving technique. Of course, a good protective shaving foam also helps with this.
A shave is only perfect if the razor shall smoothly without any irritations.
Sustainability
Of course you have nothing to do if you have to throw it away after once use. Once using and immediately throwing away is a shame, expensive and of course not environmentally friendly.
After each use, the knife will be botter and botter. At some point it no longer cuts but pulls the bearded hair. As soon as the blade starts to pull it is no longer usable. Going on too long causes a painful shave and more chance of irritations. How long you can shave with one knife differs per type or brand. How long you can shave also depends on type of beard hair and shaving technique.
Hygiene
By this we mean to what extent you can clean the knife easily and thoroughly after use. This keeps the blade sharp for longer, it shaves more comfortably and it is of course more hygienic to use. You will not help if you cannot clean the knife properly after use. It's just not fresh.
Applicability
Every application has its own tools. Men shave or smooth their entire face or only the beard contours. Many men also regularly shave their scalp bald. Some blades are more suitable for shaving the face. Other blades are slightly more suitable for tightly shaving the beard edges.
Price
In 2013, the TV program 'The Court of Audit' investigated the actual production and material costs of one cartridge multi-bald knife. It was about the costs of, for example, a Gillette or Wilkinson razor blade. To everyone's surprise, it turned out that the costs for a knife will ultimately cost around 10 cents. While these modern blades in the drugstore or supermarket each cost 4 to 5 euros. A lot of stone and leg are therefore complained about the far too expensive shaving products of these well -known brands. In short, the price of a knife is super important.
Which razor blades do you have to buy?
The choice is huge. There are various types of razor blades. Which is the best for you? That determines yourself. This depends on your skin and beard. Do you have normal sturdy skin or very dry and sensitive skin? Do you have a thin flax beard or a stiff beard growth with harsh beard stuff. Do you shave daily or a few times a month? Finally, do you shave your entire face or do you have a beard and are it about the beard contours?
Below a list of the different type of razor blades:
- Multi-Blade cartridge razor: Gillette Mach3 and Fusion
- Double Edge razor blade
- Single edge razor blade
- Moped and beard razor blade
The advantages and disadvantages of a multi-blade cartridge razor blade
Our experience is that these blades are on average sharp. That is also logical because after all there are 3 to 5 blades in the razor blade and it must of course be suitable for every type of skin and beard. The large manufacturers ensure that as many men as possible will use this multi-leaves.
Because there are many blades in it, you have a consistent uniform pressure distribution on the skin. This makes the multi-leaves shave comfortably smoothly. A frequently heard complaint is that too many blades can lead to shaving irritations on your skin at the same time.
This type of knife is not sustainable. 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 soon get that there is a lot of prut in it. It is therefore difficult to rinse the accumulated dirt in between. In fact, these blades are suitable for shaving the entire face and less for shaving the beard tight. Due to the protective edges around the blades you can't clearly see how they shave along the beard contours.
Advantages:
- Shavers easily, comfortable and smooth;
- Suitable for any type of skin and beard hair;
- Suitable for shaving the scalp
- Varied range of different brands;
- Number of shaves per knife runs from one from a few to 20 times;
- Changing the razor blades is easy and secure;
- Used blades can be safely stored in a cartridge.
Disadvantages:
- 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 knife 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 knife pulls out the beard hair somewhat while the other blades shaves 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 told more often, many men switch to the Double Edge shaving system. The safety razor is becoming extremely popular. More than a billion men with the security shears are shying worldwide.
People switch because the loose blades are very cheap. It shaves great, comfortable and smooth. Compared to the Multi-Blades less annoying shaving irritations, such as ingrown beard hairs and burning sparse spots.
It is a universal system worldwide. All Double Edge blades from the different brands and manufacturers fit into all razor blankets. There is a huge range with different shaving properties: from mild and medium to 'aggressive' sharp. As a result, there is always a knife that is suitable for your skin and beard. This ultimately causes more shaving comfort and fewer irritations during and after shaving.
This type of knife is very durable and environmentally friendly. The blades only consist of an alloy of metals. This makes it easy to recycle for the waste processing industry. During shaving it can be cleaned very easily and smoothly. Just remove the knife from the shaving head, rinse clean under running water and you're done.
These blades are suitable for shaving the entire face and the beard contours. Many men with beard are very enthusiastic about the Double Edge knife. While shaving the beard edges you have a much better view of where the blade is and how it shaves along the edges.
Advantages:
- Shavers easily, comfortable and smooth;
- Very cheap, loose double edge razor blades cost on average € 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 Double Edge razor blades fit on 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 knife runs from one from a few 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 loose blades are only made of metal and recyclable.
Disadvantages:
- Less suitable for shaving the scalp;
- Not all Double Edge razor blades are in a handy dispenser;
- Due to the enormous range of holders and blades, it is a bit of a search for the right combination.
Advantages and disadvantages of the single Edge razor blades
The single edge razor blade is the same as the Double Edge knife. These blades only have one cutting surface instead of two. This type of blades is suitable for the Shavette razor. It fits perfectly in this type of barberscheer knife.
These loose blades are also very cheap. It shaves comfortably and smooth. Compared to the Multi-Blades less annoying shaving irritations, such as ingrown beard hairs and burning sparse spots. Most blades fit well in most Shavette razors.
This type of knife only consists of metal and are very durable and environmentally friendly. The blade can easily be cleaned during shaving. These blades are suitable for shaving the entire face and the beard contours. The Shavette razor is widely used by barbers for shaving the beard.
Advantages:
- Shavers easily, comfortable and smooth;
- Very affordable, loose double edge razor blades cost on average € 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 knife runs from one from a few to 10 times;
- Changing the blades is easy and fairly safe;
- Used blades can be safely stored in a dispenser or cartridge;
- Very sustainable shaving system.
Disadvantages:
- Less suitable for shaving the scalp;
- Not all Double Edge razor blades are in a handy dispenser;
- Due to the enormous range of holders and blades, it is a bit of a search for the right combination.
Advantages and disadvantages of the mustache and beardscheer blades
This small razor blade is actually an outsider. It only fits in with the special mini razor for precision shaving of complicated mustache and beard contours. The German manufacturer DOVO Merkur produces this razor.
