Safety razor or cartridge razor – Which shave suits you better?

When you get into traditional wet shaving, this question almost automatically comes to mind:

Do I really need a safety razor – or is my cartridge razor completely sufficient?

The honest answer:

Both work.

And that is exactly why I don't think much of pretending that a cartridge razor is inherently bad and a safety razor is automatically the better choice.

The two systems simply take different approaches.

And which one is better for you depends heavily on how you want to shave.

Cartridge razors – fast, familiar and uncomplicated

Cartridge razors have one major advantage:

They are extremely easy to use.

Multiple blades, a moving head, and little thought about angles or technique.

Especially in the morning when you are under time pressure, that can be quite pleasant.

If you have been using a cartridge razor for years and have no problems with it, you don't necessarily have to change anything.

That is how honest you have to be.

Where cartridge razors still bother me

What bothers me personally the most are the ongoing costs.

The handles themselves are often cheap.

The cartridges, on the other hand, are not.

And that is exactly where the system becomes expensive over the years.

With a safety razor, it is usually the other way around:

The razor costs a bit more at the beginning.

The classic double-edge blades afterwards only a fraction of a cartridge.

If you shave regularly, you will eventually notice this difference quite clearly.

The safety razor requires a bit more attention at the beginning

I wouldn't try to fool anyone here.

With a safety razor, you first have to develop a feel.

Angle.

Pressure.

Blade.

Growth direction.

That is not difficult.

But it is also not completely idiot-proof.

Especially the first shaves can therefore take a bit longer.

After a few uses, however, a lot of it becomes automatic.

And that is exactly when the appeal begins for many.

A blade instead of a complete blade head

With a classic safety razor, a single double-edge blade works directly on the skin.

That significantly changes the shaving feel.

You decide more yourself at what angle and with what pressure you work.

For some skin, that works very well.

Others manage with a cartridge razor without any problems.

That is why I would never make a blanket statement about skin compatibility:

“A safety razor is always better.”

Technology, blade, preparation, skin and beard play at least as much of a role.

With a safety razor, you can influence significantly more

And that is exactly what I find exciting.

With a cartridge razor, the system is largely predetermined.

With a safety razor, you can vary it instead:

• different blade
• different razor
• different aggressiveness
• different shaving soap
• different technique

That can mean a bit more effort at the beginning.

But exactly because of that, the shave can be adapted more to your own preferences.

And what does that really cost?

That is one of the clearest differences.

Cartridge blades are regularly repurchased and can cost quite a bit over the year.

Double-edge blades, on the other hand, are very cheap.

Even if you test different types, the ongoing consumption usually remains manageable.

A good safety razor can also last many years.

That is exactly why the entry is initially a bit more expensive, but the ongoing costs afterwards are often significantly lower.

Sustainability – here the razor has a real advantage

Even here, I wouldn't make huge environmental promises.

But the fundamental difference is quite obvious:

With a classic safety razor, in the normal case, only the small metal blade is changed.

With cartridge razors, on the other hand, a complete cartridge with various materials is regularly disposed of.

Anyone who wants as little consumable material as possible therefore has a very simple solution with a long-lasting metal razor.

For whom would I choose a cartridge razor?

If you say:

“I just want to get ready quickly in the morning and not deal with the topic at all.”

Then a cartridge razor is completely legitimate.

It can also be practical on trips or when speed really is the top priority.

For whom would I choose a safety razor?

If you, on the other hand, want to spend a little more time on your shave, the safety razor becomes interesting.

Especially if you:

• want lower ongoing blade costs
• want to try different blades
• want to determine your technique more yourself
• prefer long-lasting tools
• see classic wet shaving as more than just a duty

Then I would definitely give a safety razor a chance.

My own view on it

For me, this exact difference is decisive:

A cartridge razor takes over as many decisions as possible for me.

A safety razor gives me more control.

And I like control.

Which blade?

Which soap?

How many passes?

How thoroughly do I want to shave today?

That is exactly why classic wet shaving eventually became more than just removing hair for me.

My conclusion

The cartridge razor is not the enemy of classic wet shaving.

It is simply a different tool.

If you want to shave as quickly, uncomplicatedly and without adjustment as possible, it can be just right.

If you, on the other hand, want more control, lower ongoing blade costs and a more conscious shaving experience, I would try the safety razor.

And no:

You don't have to become a shaving nerd or stand in the bathroom for half an hour in the morning.

A little practice is usually more than enough.