The Great Debate of Shaving: Safety Razor vs. Cartridge Razor

When it comes to getting the perfect shave, your tools matter more than anything else. Find out the winner of the great safety razor vs. cartridge razor debate!

If you’re like most women, you use a disposable or cartridge razor to shave your legs, armpits, and other areas. But it probably never crossed your mind to consider using a safety razor. After all, that kind is for your boyfriend or husband, right?

Actually, there is no rule that says the old-school safety razor is only for men. It can actually be a great alternative over plastic disposable razors, although each has their pros and cons. Here’s everything you need to know about using a safety razor vs. cartridge razor to remove unwanted body hair.

Basic Differences Between a Safety Razor vs. Cartridge Razor

At first glance, both the safety razor and the cartridge or disposable razor look the same, except one is made of metal and the other is made of plastic. But there are a few important differences. First, let’s look at the safety razor.

Safety Razor Traits

A lot of men probably received a shaving lesson from their fathers along with a safety razor of their own back in the day. A safety razor is basically a metal razor with a double edge blade that has a built-in guard to guard against cuts and nicks. The blade needs to be replaced after so many shaves and they are sold in packs.

The safety razor was developed in the mid-1800s as an alternative to the truly terrifying look straight razor. An improved design was patented by two Fredrick and Otto Kampfe in 1880 and by World War I, safety razors were being issued to every American serviceman.

Safety razors rely on a single blade to create a close shave, and they are also usually heavier than plastic razors. This can be a good thing because that added heft can give you a little more control than a lightweight razor that feels like it could fly away. It also allows you to apply less pressure as you shave.

Cartridge or Disposable Razor Traits

The disposable razor was created and marketed to the American masses starting in the late ’60s and early ’70s. Unlike the safety razor, their design usually has multiple blades which lift the hair and then cut it to create a close shave.

They’re also constantly being improved to give men and women smoother shaves. Many blade cartridges contain a built-in lubricant to help the blades glide smoothly and the head pivots to conform to the area. This prevents nicks.

After so many shaves you throw them away. There’s no replacing the blades unless you’re using a cartridge razor. Then you simply remove the old dull cartridge and pop in a fresh one.

Those are the basic differences; now let’s look at some areas where one type of razor triumphs over the other.

Safety Razors Provide Better Shave Quality

This one is actually up for debate because while cartridge razors can give you a close shave with their lift and slice technology, they also tend to cause more irritation. A blade with three razors gliding over your leg stubble is just like shaving them three times with a single blade safety razor.

There’s also a bit of a learning curve when using safety razors, as the heads don’t pivot like on cartridge razors. You’ll have to keep the blade at a 30-degree angle to achieve a smooth shave.

You also shouldn’t go over an area unless it’s covered with soap or shaving cream, and you don’t have to apply any pressure as you shave. Re-shaving a bare area can cause bumps and irritation. Keep your strokes short and take your time.

If you’re intimidated about what to expect when you shave with a safety razor, this informative article will help you learn more about your first shave with one.

Safety Razors Can Save You Money

Initially, disposable and cartridge razors seem like the no-brainer shaving choice if you’re looking to save money. A quality safety razor can cost as much as $40 while a cartridge razor usually costs around $10. After all, they’re much cheaper than a professional safety razor, so why would you want the alternative?

But their cost is deceiving. The cartridge packages themselves can cost up to $10 each and their price is inching up all of the time. With a safety razor, the blades are usually under a dollar each and many only cost mere cents.

You can, however, save some money on cartridge blades and razors when you become a member of shaving sites such as the Dollar Shave Club.

Over time, you end up saving much more money by owning a safety razor for life than you would by replacing cartridges and that’s factoring in shaving cream, soaps, and other moisturizing agents to help the blades glide over skin.

Cartridge Razors Have Easier Blades to Replace

Cartridge razors have an advantage over safety razors in that their blades are much easier and quicker to replace. Changing the safety blade is a little more involved. You need to untwist the razor head from the handle and remove the bottom plate so the old blade will come out.

It can be a little tricky and time-consuming until you get the hang of it. You may also be afraid of cutting yourself while handling the razor blades. If this proves to be too much of a hassle, then cartridge and disposable razors are the way to go.

Safety Razors Are Better For the Environment

If you need another compelling reason to use a safety razor to shave, consider that the EPA says that two billion disposable razors clog our landfills annually. They’re the most wasteful bathroom product Americans use.

Even though they’re mostly made of plastic, you can’t add used razors or razor cartridges to your recycling bin. Manufacturers also create a lot of waste making these products.

A safety razor, on the other hand, is considered a waste-free, reusable shaving product. The stainless steel blades themselves can be recycled and the razor itself can pretty much last you a lifetime. So if making a positive contribution to the environment is a concern for you, the safety razor wins hands down.

Getting the Best Shave and Other Lifestyle Tips

Are you brave enough to give a safety razor a go? We hope this post cleared up some of the differences of using a safety razor vs. cartridge razor.

We have a lot of grooming and beauty tips to help moms make the most of their appearance, time, and budget. Be sure to read our latest lifestyle posts to learn more!