Safety Razor vs Cartridge Razor: Which One Is Best for You?

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When it comes to the safety razor vs cartridge razor debate, most people fall into either camp, which means they often have a biased view on which one is better. In fact, many safety razor users love to make fun of cartridge razors, deeming them inferior shaving tools and, above all, far too expensive. Meanwhile, those who prefer cartridge razors tend to think you need an engineering degree just to shave with a safety razor!

Having used both types of razors throughout my life, I’ll hopefully provide a more balanced and nuanced comparison that helps you decide which one better suits your shaving needs.

To make things easier, I’ll divide this safety razor vs cartridge razor comparison into three sections, each covering a different aspect of the shaving experience: the learning curve, shaving dynamics, and long-term cost.

For the purposes of this comparison, I’ll use the Gillette SkinGuard as the cartridge razor and the King C. Gillette Safety Razor as the safety razor. I chose these models because both are high-quality razors that will suit 99% of shavers while also being widely available and reasonably priced.

Learning Curve: Safety Razor vs Cartridge Razor

Both safety razors and cartridge razors are designed to be relatively easy to use, but here you have to give the advantage to cartridge razors. You can practically use them with your eyes closed because of how forgiving their design is!

Most cartridge razors have a pivoting head that helps maintain the correct shaving angle across your face and prevents you from applying too much pressure against your skin.

The main learning curve when using a safety razor comes down to finding the correct shaving angle and using minimal pressure. With the King C. Gillette Safety Razor, the ideal cutting angle is around 45 degrees, and you have to maintain that angle as you shave across your face and neck. This takes some practice, but realistically, most people become comfortable with it after only a few shaves. After that, it quickly becomes second nature.

Because safety razors do not have pivoting heads, controlling the amount of pressure you apply is incredibly important. You want to position the razor so that the safety bar sits evenly against your skin rather than holding it at a twisted angle, which can cause the blade to make uneven contact. Once the angle is correct, simply glide the razor across your skin and let the blade do the cutting. Pressing down too hard is one of the most common mistakes beginners make and can lead to razor burn and irritation.

Overall, cartridge razors are easier to use because of their forgiving design, but safety razors are not nearly as difficult as many people make them seem.

Putting in a little bit of effort to learn the proper technique will make using a safety razor feel completely natural. Speaking from personal experience, it only took me around two shaves to figure out the correct angle and how much pressure to use with a safety razor.

Safety Razor vs Cartridge Razor: Which Is Better for Your Shaving Needs?

The best razor depends on your shaving habits, beard type, and personal preferences.

If You Are Shaving for the First Time

If you are completely new to shaving, for example if you’re in your early teens and need to shave off some peach fuzz, a cartridge razor is probably the better option. It is incredibly forgiving and very difficult to mess up. Most cartridge razors have a pivoting head that automatically helps maintain the correct shaving angle, so you can focus on learning the basics without worrying too much about technique.

I highly recommend the Gillette SkinGuard if you’re looking for an incredibly safe cartrdige razor that really reduces the chances of skin irritation and bumps.

You can absolutely start with a safety razor, but you will need to spend some time learning the correct angle and how much pressure to use. Watching a few YouTube videos beforehand will help, but there is still a small learning curve.

Overall, if this is your very first shave, I would recommend starting with a cartridge razor. You are less likely to nick yourself, and I want you to have a good memory of your first shave when you look back on it years later!

If You Shave Daily

Both options work very well for daily shaving, but I would give the edge to safety razors.

The reason is simple: cost. If you shave most weekdays, cartridge refills add up surprisingly quickly. A safety razor can give you an equally comfortable and close shave compared to a cartridge razor while costing a fraction of the price over the long run.

If You Only Have Light Stubble

Honestly, both options work well here.

Light stubble is easy for both cartridge razors and safety razors to cut through, so the better choice comes down to what you value more. If convenience is your top priority, a cartridge razor makes sense. I actually have a friend who shaves in the shower without a mirror and uses a cartridge razor!

But if you want to save money and do not mind a slight learning curve, a safety razor is clearly the better option.

If You Have Heavy Stubble or Coarse Facial Hair

This is where safety razors really start to shine.

Cartridge razors can struggle with longer or denser stubble because the blades tend to get clogged with hair and shaving cream. If you normally shave only once or twice a week, you may find yourself constantly rinsing the cartridge just to keep it cutting properly.

Safety razors generally handle thicker hair growth much better because the single-blade design is far less prone to clogging. They also give you something cartridge razors cannot: blade choice.

If you have particularly thick or coarse facial hair, you can simply switch to a sharper blade. Many men who have very thick stubble use safety razor blades from brands such as Feather or Kai because they are exceptionally sharp and cut through dense stubble with very little resistance.

With cartridge razors, you are limited to whatever blade system is built into the cartridge. As a result, people with thick facial hair can sometimes experience tugging and pulling, especially when shaving longer growth or when the cartridge starts to dull.

For men with coarse facial hair or several days’ worth of beard growth, I would strongly lean toward a safety razor.

If You Struggle With Ingrown Hairs and Razor Bumps

If ingrown hairs and razor bumps are your biggest issues with shaving, switching to a safety razor is worth considering.

Safety razors use a single blade that cuts the hair at skin level. Most cartridge razors use multiple blades, which can pull the hair slightly before cutting it. For some people, especially those prone to ingrown hairs, this can increase the chances of the hair growing back beneath the skin.

That said, not all cartridge razors are created equal. The Gillette SkinGuard used in this comparison is different from most modern cartridge razors because it only uses two blades and is specifically designed to reduce irritation and ingrown hairs while delivering an acceptably close shave.

Still, if ingrown hairs and razor bumps are something you deal with on a regular basis, I would definitely consider trying a safety razor. Many people find that switching away from traditional multi-blade cartridges dramatically improves their shaving experience.

Safety Razor vs Cartridge Razor: Long-Term Cost Comparison

This is where safety razors win hands down. There is a massive difference when it comes to the long-term costs of safety razors compared to cartridge razors.

Safety Razor Cost

Gone are the days when you needed to spend $60+ to get a decent safety razor. These days, you can get a high-quality safety razor for under $30. The King C. Gillette Safety Razor used in this comparison typically costs around $30 and can often be found for around $20 when on sale.

A pack of safety razor blades usually costs between $7 and $30, with most packs costing below $15. Each blade typically lasts around 3-5 shaves depending on your shaving routine. Assuming you shave on weekdays, that works out to around 20 shaves per month, or roughly 240 shaves per year.

Since a pack of 100 blades provides around 300-500 shaves, it can last approximately 15-25 months.

These Astra blades cost less than $10 for a pack of 100 and are great for beginners because they offer a close comfortable shave. I personally started out with these blades when I started using a safety razor.

Safety razor cost breakdown:

• Safety razor: ~$30 (one-time purchase)
• 100-pack of blades: ~$15
• First-year cost: ~$45
• Yearly blade cost after that: ~$7-$12

Cartridge Razor Cost

Now compare that to cartridge razors. The Gillette SkinGuard used in this comparison costs around $13 for the handle and two cartridges. While the initial cost might seem cheaper, the replacement cartridges are where the expenses quickly add up.

A Gillette SkinGuard cartridge typically lasts around 5 shaves. If you shave only on weekdays, you would need around 4 cartridges per month, or roughly 48 cartridges per year.

With replacement cartridges costing around $15 for a pack of 4, your yearly cost would be around $180.

Cartridge razor cost breakdown:

• Razor handle + 2 cartridges: ~$13
• Replacement cartridges: ~$180/year
• First-year cost: ~$193
• Yearly cost after that: ~$180

5-Year Cost Comparison: Safety Razor vs Cartridge Razor

Over 5 years, the difference becomes massive.

Safety razor:

• Initial razor: ~$30
• Blades over 5 years: ~$45-$60
• Total cost: ~$75-$90

Cartridge razor:

• Initial handle: ~$13
• Replacement cartridges over 5 years: ~$900
• Total cost: ~$913

That means you could save over $800 simply by switching from a cartridge razor to a safety razor!

If you’re tired of expensive cartridge refills, switching to a safety razor can save you hundreds of dollars over time.

Conclusion

For most people, a safety razor is the better long-term choice. It offers more blade options, handles thick stubble better, and costs significantly less over time. However, cartridge razors are still a great option if you want maximum convenience and an easy, beginner-friendly shave.

Ultimately, the best razor is the one that fits your shaving habits and preferences.

Frequently Asked Questions

Are safety razors better than cartridge razors?

Safety razors are better for people who want lower costs, more blade options, and better performance with thick stubble. Cartridge razors are better for people who prioritize convenience and an easy shaving experience.

Can a Safety Razor Shave as Close as a Cartridge Razor?

Yes, a safety razor can shave just as close as a cartridge razor. Unlike most cartridge razors, which use multiple blades to lift and cut the hair, a safety razor uses a single blade that cuts hair at skin level. This can help reduce the risk of ingrown hairs, razor bumps, and irritation while still delivering an extremely close shave.

What Kind of Razor Is Best for Folliculitis?

A safety razor is arguably the better choice for people with folliculitis because it uses a single blade that cuts hair at skin level, helping reduce the risk of ingrown hairs and razor bumps.

The Gillette SkinGuard is one of the few cartridge razors specifically designed to reduce shaving irritation. It uses two blades that are positioned to help minimize ingrown hairs, razor bumps, and skin irritation while still providing a close shave.

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