Safety Razors vs. Cartridge Razors - Which is better?

In many households, cartridge razors with a plastic shaving head can still be found in the bathroom. You should already know why a safety razor is the better choice for wet shaving. The heart of every razor is the blade. But what is the difference between safety razor blades and cartridge shaving heads?

The head of a cartridge razor has five shaving blades, which are equipped with a lubricating strip. That alone should make it clear to you why this is the case. If you use five blades for shaving, it is five times more irritating to the skin than if you use only one. This leads to skin irritation and razor bumps very quickly - and redness is also hard to avoid. Added to this is the high purchase price. If you use cartridge shaving heads, it is not uncommon for them to cost around three euros. That adds up quickly. To avoid the high costs, many men use the plastic heads for much longer. This means they are shaving with a dull blade, and itching and skin redness are inevitable.

With just one razor blade, you not only save a lot of money in the long run, but it is also much more environmentally friendly. Apart from the five blades, cartridge razor heads consist almost entirely of plastic. But if you use a razor and blades for a classic shave, you no longer consume any plastic at all. So, if you haven't already done so, switching to razor blades for safety razors and straight razors offers you a number of advantages and you can say goodbye to the daily annoyance of cartridge razors.

Buying razor blades - What you should keep in mind

If you want to order razor blades, it can be quite overwhelming. The selection is huge, and beginners in particular wonder what the differences are and which blades are best suited for safety razors. Everyone naturally wants the best razor blades for themselves, but that often only happens by testing them out to find the right choice for you. Basically, razor blades differ in material, sharpness, and thickness. You can find information on this if you search for the respective razor blade online.

If the razor blades are cheap, this does not necessarily mean they are poorly made or of lower quality. However, cheap razor blades can also become dull faster and are usually not of very high-quality craftsmanship. To check this, you have to try them out. On average, you can stick to the rule that a razor blade should cost about 20 cents. Of course, there is no upper limit. When you buy razor blades, they are usually offered in 100-packs. This is also easier on your wallet. If you want to buy individual blades, we have a trial set of our Störtebekker razor blades for you. The set contains five blades - ideal for trying them out. To save even more money, we recommend that you buy the pack of 100 of our razor blades for safety razors and straight razors - then you won't need to buy new ones for a while.

Proper use and preparation of razor blades

You surely think your tool is the only thing that matters for the shave to achieve a good result. That may be true to a certain extent, as you should definitely only use high-quality razors and good razor blades. However, for the perfect shave, the correct use of the razors and blades and especially the preparation are very important. This is often disregarded. Lack of care before the shaving process can lead to skin irritation, bumps, or even inflammation, unnecessarily irritating your skin. If you use your razor incorrectly, it can easily happen that you cut yourself, resulting in an unclear complexion. But don't worry. A safety razor or straight razor, which uses only one blade, is just as safe and gives you a much more pleasant result if you approach it correctly.

For a close shave, you should definitely take enough time. Don't rush, and especially as a beginner, it takes a few tries to get a feel for the razor blades on your skin. First, dampen a towel with warm water and leave it on your face for a few minutes. This softens your beard hair and simultaneously moisturizes your face. The classic shave is not called "wet shaving" for nothing. Then you begin whipping up and applying the shaving foam, which you let sit for about 3 minutes so that your beard hair can stand up and your pores can open. After that, the shave follows. If you are not yet sure how it works, feel free to take a look at our free shaving and beard guide, which you get as a download with every order.

How to successfully change your razor blades

Razor blades, which are essential for shaving with a safety razor or a straight razor, should be changed regularly. Depending on your skin type and beard density, this can vary. Basically, we recommend that you change your razor blades every 2–5 shaves. However, if you don't shave your entire face every time, but only the contours, a razor blade can last up to 10 shaves. If you rarely change your blades, you are literally pulling the hair out instead of cutting it off. This is primarily painful, but also causes razor burn and a rough skin texture. So don't make the mistake; change your blades every few shaves to do your skin a favor.

To change the razor blades, turn the bottom of the handle clockwise until the butterfly mechanism opens. Now you can remove the old razor blade (if one has already been inserted) and dispose of it in the residual waste, as blades are hygiene items. Now take one of your new razor blades and place it flat in the middle with the slot. Then you can close the mechanism again. Now your razor is ready for use again. In addition, the risk of injury is significantly minimized because we use a closed comb in our razors, which is particularly beginner-friendly.