Safety Razors vs Cartridge Razors

Home › Which Type of Razor is Right for Me?

There are so many different types of razors available, but are you using the right one for you?

We’re creatures of habit, so it’s likely you’re still using the type of razor your dad introduced you to, or simply pick up the same one every time you’re in the supermarket.
If you’re looking for a change, how do you decide what type of razor to go for? Let’s take a look.

What is a Safety Razor?

Safety razors were originally designed to deliver a close shave while protecting your skin. Gillette’s founder, King Camp Gillette, launched the original modern safety razor in 1901, which provided a less intimidating option for shaving at home than the straight razors that were popular at the time.

Safety Razors vs Cartridge Razors | Gillette UK

Although the original safety razor was revolutionary at the time, over a century of innovation has moved shaving technology on substantially since those early days. While safety razors can provide an authentic shaving experience, learning to shave with them is a skill that needs to be developed with time and practice.

The Benefits of Using a Safety Razor

Safety razors can provide an immersive shaving experience from a bygone era. Unlike with newer cartridge razors, with a safety razor you have to master the art of using your razor to get your desired result.

Using a safety razor requires a great degree of skill and craftsmanship, but it’s all about the experience; think of the pleasure that vinyl can bring over music downloads – it’s a similar concept.

The single blade of a safety razor can make edging your facial hair easier, as you can see exactly where the blade is while you’re shaving.

Once you know how to use a safety razor properly, you’ll be extremely skilled at crafting your own look, and the time you’ll need to spend perfecting this will allow you to focus more on personal self-care.

Safety Razors vs Cartridge Razors | Gillette UK

The King C. Gillette Double Edge Safety Razor

The King C. Gillette Double Edge Safety Razor is modelled on King Camp Gillette’s original 1901 model, and has been updated with Gillette’s most up-to-date double edge blade technology.

This safety razor has a choice of two cutting edges, with blades made from high-quality stainless steel that have been coated with platinum for added durability. They also have an anti-friction coating to provide even more comfort.

Our safety razor has a patterned handle to allow for enhanced grip and control, while its guard with comb helps to control the distance between the blade and your skin, making it incredibly easy to use.

What is a Cartridge Razor?

A cartridge razor is a razor where the head or cartridge can be detached from the handle so it can be discarded when it becomes worn; the razor handle can then be used with a new cartridge.

The Benefits of Using a Cartridge Razor

Cartridge razors are popular for their ease of use, and are great if you want to achieve a close, clean shave, thanks to their multiple blades.

Our first cartridge razor, the Gillette Trac II, was launched back in 1971. Since then, we’ve continued to build and innovate on this approach and technology – we like to think of the Trac II as the ancestor of our current cartridge razors.

Gillette’s Cartridge Razors

The Gillette Mach3 has three stronger-than-steel blades designed to deliver a close shave, as well as an in-built lubrication strip. There’s also a microfin guard to stretch the skin to prepare each hair before its cut.

Our Gillette SkinGuard Sensitive Razor is designed to guard sensitive skin during shaving by reducing the pressure of the blades on the skin, minimising the level of tug and pull placed on your facial hair. This can help to prevent shaving irritation, including ingrown hairs.

Our Gillette Fusion5 Razor has five anti-friction blades plus a precision trimmer to deliver a close shave that you’ll barely even feel. Meanwhile, the Gillette ProGlide Razor features a Flexball handle, which is designed to navigate the contours of your face, capturing virtually every hair.

Which Razor is Right for Me?

Both safety razors and cartridge razors have their own advantages. If you have a beard, we recommend going for a safety razor for the areas where you’d like to edge your facial hair, as this will help you to master your individual style. A safety razor also carries a real sense of heritage and style.

If you prefer the convenience and performance of a quick, clean shave every day, a cartridge razor might be a better option for you. Just make sure you’ve got a good supply of razor blades to hand and sign up to a Gillette shaving subscription to get blades delivered to your door.

Get My Free Starter Kit