In the world of men’s grooming, cartridge razors are all the rage. Men everywhere are swapping out their old school safety razors for these new fangled contraptions. But what is a cartridge razor? How does it differ from other types of razors?
Are they any good? What are the Pros and Cons of using these razors? In this article we tackle all these questions and more. We will guide you on what to look for when considering buying this razor as well as teach you how to properly shave with a cartridge razor.
Table of Contents
- What is a Cartridge Razor?
- Overview and User Experience
- Pros of Using Cartridge Razor
- Cons of Using Cartridge Razor
- How to Properly Use a Cartridge Razor
- Guidelines For Buying A Cartridge Razor
- FAQ’S
- Verdict
What is a Cartridge Razor?
A cartridge razor is the most popular type of razor blades for men. Cartridges razors look like regular disposable razors except they feature cartridge blades. They are made up of the three main parts: the handle, the cartridge holder and the cartridge blade. While the classic straight razor is the gold standard of shaving, the cartridge razor is a much more convenient option for a quick, effortless shave.
The cartridge razor is a great invention which makes your shaving experience more pleasant and comfortable. The blades of a cartridge razor are changed one by one so the new blade is always sharp and ready for a new shave. This is a modern type of razor that contains multiple blades to really get you the closest shave possible. The idea is to replace the old style of razors that would have one blade.
Overview and User Experience
A cartridge razor is a shaving device, which consists of a handle and a head piece. Head pieces can be either disposable or non-disposable. The cartridge razor system has been revolutionalized in the years 1965 to 1980s. In this period, razor companies found a new way to convince buyers to buy more razors. This is done by replacing the swinging blade with a set of sharpened metallic teeth that cover the blade.
Cartridge razors are typically used for wet shaving, which is another process of using a blade to remove facial hair. Many cartridge razors require lubrication, which is typically a gel, cream, or wax applied to the skin to help the blades glide smoothly over the skin.
The look and feel of a cartridge razor is subjective, but in general, they are considered more ergonomic than safety razors.
The way the razor curves around your hand is very comfortable. Some cartridge razors have packaging and refills designed for more than one blade.
The popularity of cartridge razors has declined significantly in recent decades, but they are still used by some people.
Pros of Using Cartridge Razor
- They are hygienic
- Easy to use and to replace
- Relatively affordable
- Easy cleaning
- Gentle on the skin
- Safe to use
- Smooth qiuck shave
Cons of Using Cartridge Razor
- May irritate the skin
- Its a bit expensive
- The inconvenience of frequent changing of blades
- The handle breaks easily
How to Properly Use a Cartridge Razor
The first step is to remove the cartridge from the razor. Shake the cartridge to make sure the blade is loose. Replace the cartridge with a new one. The sharpest blade is always on the inside – look for the silver dot. Replace the cartridge according to the manufacturer’s recommendations. Once you’ve selected a quality cartridge razor, it’s time to learn how to properly use a cartridge razor.
Proper shaving technique requires a bit of practice, but once you have it down, your shaving experience will be smooth and easy. Rather than using a lot of force to push the razor along the skin, gently swipe the razor in a back-and-forth motion. Start by shaving the chin and then move upward toward your neck, and after shaving down your face, continue along your jawline and up toward your temple.
Repeat the process for the neck. Use short strokes. The biggest mistake men make is shaving with the grain. Grain is the direction of your hair, which grows in tight, parallel lines. Shaving with the grain causes you to tug and stretch your skin, which can cause nicks, cuts, and other skin trauma. Instead, shave across your grain. Brush up the residue. After shaving, rinse your face with warm water and a gentle facial cleanser.
Then gently press your face up against a sink or in the shower, and brush up any stray hairs. This removes any residue left behind by the lather so your face feels clean and refreshed after shaving. If you’re not sure how to use a cartridge razor, you may want to try a disposable razor first. These disposable razors have blades that pop out and can be thrown away after each shave.
Guidelines For Buying A Cartridge Razor
The razor market is incredibly competitive. There are so many razor manufacturers, and their products vary so much in price and quality. It’s often difficult for consumers to decide which is best. So, if you’re in the market for a new razor, what factors should you take into consideration?
Price. This is probably the first thing that comes to mind for many consumers. While price is certainly important, it’s certainly not the only thing to look for in a razor. In most cases it is expected that the more expensive the razor the better the quality. But this is not always the case. The price of a razor can vary wildly, depending on its features. For example, a multi-blade razor may be slightly more expensive than a disposable razor, but it will last much longer.
Brand. Razors manufactured by well-known brands — such as Gillette, Schick, and Wilkinson Sword — generally cost more than those manufactured by lesser-known manufacturers, but the differences between them aren’t always that pronounced. Brand names also tend to offer a greater variety of shavers.
For example, Gillette and Schick both offer disposable razors, as well as replaceable-blade razors and “multi-blade” razors. Wilkinson Sword also offers replaceable-blade razors, but it’s best known for its multi-blade razors. Disposable razors aren’t the best choice for everybody. They’re often ineffective on thicker beards, and they require more frequent replacement.
Quality. A poorly made razor will cause you more discomfort, cut you more often, and rip the skin of your face. It can also cause cuts or nicks on other parts of your body, such as your arms and legs. Quality also varies widely between different brands. Some manufacturers pay close attention to small details, such as the way the razor is packaged. Others don’t bother.
FAQ’S
Can you cut yourself with a cartridge razor?
It is possible to cut yourself with a cartridge razor. Out of the cartridge razors available in the market, Gillette is the best. It comes with a lubricating strip that protects the skin from any damage. Also, the cartridge razors have a fixed head that ensures a safe shave, unlike a double-edged razor. However, you must follow a few safety rules for a safe shave:
How many shaves can you get from a cartridge razor?
This depends on many factors like speed and angle of the blade and the thickness and length of the hair. The amount of shaves you can get from a cartridge razors is really more of a function of the sharpness of the blades than the type of cartridge razor you use.
Theoretically, a more expensive cartridge razor with sharp blades will give you a better shave than a cheaper cartridge razor with dull blades. Many manufacturers claim that you can get as many as 15- 20 shaves from a new cartridge razor.
Why are cartridge razors better?
Cartridge razors are better because they come pre-loaded with blades. They are easy to use and are easily available online or in any drugstore. You do not have to lather up the soap to shave the hair, just place the razor against the skin and move it back and forth. Some of these razors have lubricating strips, so there is no need for the gel.
Verdict
These razors are not for everyone, though. If you have sensitive skin, then these razors may not be for you. They are not the best because they do not give you that close shave. The blades are also known to be too thin, which can damage your skin.
