On my quest to be more green I keep coming across eco-friendly razors, i.e. safety razors. The problem is they all seem so expensive. But how does the cost compare over time and how much better for the planet is a safety razor… if at all?
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What is a safety razor?
“A safety razor is a shaving implement with a protective device positioned between the edge of the blade and the skin. The initial purpose of these protective devices was to reduce the level of skill needed for injury-free shaving, thereby reducing the reliance on professional barbers. The term was first used in a patent issued in 1880, for a razor in the basic contemporary configuration with a handle attached at right angles to a head in which a removable blade is placed (although this form predated the patent).” – Wikipedia
I’ll go into the different kinds, and costs, of safety razors but let’s look at the alternatives to safety razors first.
Alternatives to safety razors
I think it’s important for me to point out that I see no real difference between mens and womens razors, apart from the price, often known as the pink tax, and that womens razors tend to be pink. Women often have to pay more for what is essentially the exact same product, so I won’t be differentiating between mens and womens razors. I’ve used mens razors for years just because they’re cheaper and do the same job.
- Plastic disposable razors
- Razors with replaceable blade attachments
“According to a (..) report by Statista, 163 million consumers in the U.S. used disposable razors in 2018.” – Huffington Post
The whole purpose of disposable razors is to make you need to keep buying them. A company makes more money if you continue being a customer. Yes, they can be convenient especially if you’re on the road, due to have a meeting, and you forgot to bring your razor with you. Just pop to the local shop / garage and buy a pack of disposable razors so you can have a quick shave. But convenience is a big price to pay for the amount of disposable razors that end up in landfill. Disposable razors just aren’t recycled, mainly because they’re made from a mixture of different materials.
A slightly better alternative to a disposable razor is a razor which has a disposable blade attachment. At least it’s a smaller thing being thrown away, with the main handle being usable for years.
What gives the best shave?
There are loads of advertising campaigns letting you know which is the ‘best shave a man can get’, and this appears to be based on how many blades the razor has. But does the number of blades really mean the shave is better? The answer is not necessarily. Safety razors are known to be better for those with sensitive skin, which makes sense… “More blades just means that there are more razors scraping across the skin, more risk of irritation and more stripping of oils,” Dr. Jeremy Fenton, a dermatologist with Schweiger Dermatology Group NYC.
Many people say that a safety razor gives a much closer shave than other types of razor and almost all people who use them say they’ll never go back to disposables again.
What’s the most cost-effective razor?
This is a tricky one to answer because some people will use a disposable razor once, others will use them for up to 3 weeks. Same goes for any kind of razor blade. The disposable razors listed are not only made of non-recyclable plastic but come in non-recyclable plastic packaging as well. Not very environmentally friendly at all.
Disposable Razors
Prices from today (12/08/19) on the Sainsbury’s website. Does not include any special offer.
- 10 x Gillette disposable razors = £3
- 10 x Wilkinson Sword disposable razors = £2
- 5 x Sainsburys basic disposable razors = 0.40p
The disposable razors listed above are the most basic ones you can buy. There are many others for sale, such as 5 x Gillette Mach 3 razors for £8.
Disposable Attachment Blades
- Gillette Mach 3 + Extra Blade = £7
- (Gillette Mach 3, 8 x razor blades = £15)
- Wilkinson Sword Quattro Titanium Sensitive Razor Blades + 8 extra blades = £13
- (Wilkinson Sword Quattro, 8 x razor blades =£11.50)
Already you can see the price has gone up quite a bit for razors which have disposable heads. It’s the replacement heads which start to really add up and get expensive.
Eco-Friendly Razors – Cost Comparison
As I stated at the beginning of this article I’ve found a lot of expensive safety razors. One thing to bear in mind though is that they will last a lot longer than the other types. They also look a lot nicer. You’ll find that safety razors tend to be ‘double-edged’, meaning the razor blades you buy will last longer as you’re using both sides of them.
I’ve not included any which come in a plastic travel case.
- Feather WS-D2S Safety Razor in Stainless Steel and Dark Hard Wood with Stand – No Blades = £360
- Rockwell 2C Razor Gunmetal – No Blades Included = £31.37
- Merkur 23C Long Handle Safety Razor – No Blades Included = £28.90
- Bambaw safety razor with bamboo handle – No Blades Included= £18.50
- Jungle Culture Safety Razors = from £16.99
Some safety razors are really expensive and others are extremely reasonable especially when you compare them to razors with disposable blade attachments. Over time you’ll also save yourself lots of money because replacement blades are so much cheaper than buying replacement blade attachments.
If you can afford a Gillette Mach 3 with extra blades you can easily afford a Jungle Culture safety razor. It’s much better for the planet and your wallet!
How to use a safety razor
Before you use your safety razor for the first time make sure you read the instructions. The instructions will explain how to properly assemble your razor, important for those such as the adjustable ones, as well as how best to use it. Don’t start using it like you would a disposable or you might end up cutting yourself. Safety razors don’t need as much pressure as other razors and you should use shorter strokes rather than gliding them up your whole leg for example. Have a read of ‘how to use a safety razor‘ for a step by step guide.
Overall there is no reason not to buy a safety razor (unless you prefer not to shave at all, which is even better for the planet). A safety razor is plastic free, looks good and is comparable in price to other types of razor. Safety razors are eco-friendly razors and the best solution for sustainable shaving.
I’ve recently converted to using a bamboo safety razor and I couldn’t be happier with it.
Eco-Friendly Shaving
Safety Razors are definitely the most eco-friendly razors you can buy but a razor is not the only thing to consider for an eco-friendly shaving routine. What about shaving foam, soap or gel? You’ll find that most places that sell safety razors also sell eco-friendly shaving soaps; well, in eco-friendly online shops anyway. You can also buy vegan shaving brushes, but as they have synthetic fibres I’m not including any below.
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