It isn’t difficult to find articles online suggesting matter-of-factly that using a double edge (DE) razor is better than a regular cartridge or disposable razor. At age 50, I decided to buy a DE razor and use it to see what all the fuss was about. You can read about my first few experiences here and here.
When I started this website Bald Guy Beard, I wanted to write articles regarding my various experiences with shaving my face and head to help guys learn about various options and products but without the standard here’s why this product is better stuff that is so prevalent online.
Because I have experience with hair removal as well, I started up a related website called Permanent Hair Removal Tips which describes many aspects of hair removal and my experience with many of them. Again, the purpose is to help people separate fact from fiction and figure out what’s true and what’s just marketing fluff which is very prevalent in the hair removal business.
Here are the main so-called benefits you read about regarding DE razors and my thoughts on which ones are accurate and which aren’t necessarily as cut and dry, no pun intended.
Closer shaver
One of the main benefits you often read about is how a double edge razor provides a very close shave with some men suggesting without proof that it cuts closer than their old disposable. Unless you’re actually measuring whiskers with each shaving method, how would you know?
And if it’s already admitted that multi blade razors lift and cut whiskers which can lead to ingrown hairs (more on that below) we’re basically admitting this isn’t true. DE razors can’t possibly give you a “closer” shave if they shave whiskers at skin level when multi blade razors lift and cut whiskers below the skin which is clearly closer. It doesn’t add up.
DE razors may give a closer shave than your electric shaver but even they often use a lift and cut system too so again, the claim doesn’t add up.
And how close are we talking about anyways? Does this mean you only have to shave every 2 days with a DE razor? I don’t think so.
Less skin irritation
The theory is that since a DE razor uses one single blade (it’s sharp on both sides, hence the name double edge) but you only shave your skin with one blade at a time.
I haven’t noticed less skin irritation because I generally don’t get skin irritation when shaving my face to begin with. In fact the first few times I shaved with my DE razor, I cut myself numerous time including on the cheek around the sideburns area which I’ve never done once with a disposable. Ever.
And I actually gave myself really bad skin irritation on my neck the first several times I used a DE razor so in my experience the opposite happened.
Granted I was new to the DE razor and it is different than using a disposable as the DE razor handle is quite heavy and it requires shaving slower at least to start with as you’re getting used to it. Since then I have used the DE razor from time to time and generally no longer give myself skin irritation and I usually don’t cut myself either but cuts do occasionally occur.
I also found it difficult to shave my Adam’s Apple area with the double edge blade as the skin is thin and I cut myself there every time. Although I don’t recommend it, I can dry shave my Adam’s Apple with my disposable razors and never cut myself.
Fewer ingrown hairs
With a DE razor there is only one blade touching your skin so it may decrease the chance of ingrown hairs. With multi blade razors that are common today, the first blade lifts each whisker and enables the subsequent blade(s) to shave it closer than a single blade so that the whisker drops below the surface of the skin.
While it leaves you with a closer shave, the side effect for some men is that ingrown hairs can occur when the whiskers start growing back again. Whiskers may get blocked by dead skin or skin oil and curl downwards rather than growing back out above the skin. This often results in a bump or zit which tends to go away in several days but still makes a mess of your face.
I generally don’t get ingrown hairs so I don’t notice any difference here either. If you do suffer from ingrown hairs however, a DE razor in theory may help to decrease the chance that it occurs.
Cheaper than disposables
This is mostly true. While you can spend $10 – $50 or more on a nice DE razor handle, you only have to buy it once and it should last for many years. Then the blades themselves are pretty cheap since the patent on DE razor technology ended decades ago. You can pick up a pack of 100 DE blades for as little as $10 online so they’re very cost effective.
Since the blades are simple, thin metal strips they aren’t expensive to make and since DE razors aren’t as popular as disposables, they sell very cheap. They’re basically a commodity at this point although some brands are known to be more aggressive on the skin than others.
So this benefit is true: DE razor blade replacements do tend to be very cost effective especially when compared to multi-blade disposable razors.
How to get a better shaving experience with a DE razor
After shaving a number of times with my DE razor, I did find that the experience improved but only to the point where I wasn’t cutting myself as much and didn’t get skin irritation. But since I already get that experience with every multi blade razor I buy, what’s the advantage?
I shave very quickly with disposables but I can’t do the same with the double edge razor. I’m too afraid of cutting myself. While I feel very comfortable shaving with any disposable I buy, I don’t feel the same level of confidence with the DE razor.
All in all, I really don’t see the advantage(s) except for the lower price.
But here’s what I have noted is important to help you get the best shave possible with the fewest amount of cuts and skin irritation as I initially experienced.
- Hold the razor at a 30 degree angle as is generally suggested. Watch videos of experienced shavers to see exactly what this means and looks like.
- Use a good quality shaving cream to protect your skin. Try different ones and experiment to find one that works best for you. Foam, soap, from a tube. You might need to try different ones before you find one that does the trick.
- Go slowly. If you’re a quick shaver like I am, you may have to fight the urge to shave quickly.
- Shave only with the grain. I learned the hard way when I tried shaving against the grain on my neck that this wasn’t a great idea. I can do this no problem with any disposable, however.
- Try different brands of DE blades as some are known to be a bit harsher on your skin than others especially as you’re starting out.
