7ate9Jan 22 2010 9:48 AM
I also don\'t understand why they now design these things to look just like tooth brushes; bright colors and all. You don\'t know how many times I\'ve cut my tongue in the morning.
SuhailJan 22 2010 10:10 AM
I don\'t find the purpose of having 5 miniature blades to shave. I believe there\'s one with a vibrator in it. I... don\'t what to say. In my opinion these companies need to keep evolving with their product in order to sustain their hold in the market share, even if that means adding a blade or two every couple of years. Do we really need to fix something thats not broken?
@7ate9 :) that\'s hilarious.Michael FaberJan 22 2010 10:16 AM
Ever since @jasonsantamaria tweeted this article: http://today.msnbc.msn.com/id/6886845/ I\'ve been on the lookout to switch to classic razors... I may resume my search again... thanks for the article!
SvenJan 22 2010 10:18 AM
Thanks for the insight! But you posted the wrong link to objectify - it is the idsgn-preview link ;-)
Greetings from GermanySkylarJan 22 2010 10:22 AM
Thanks for letting me know Sven, fixed now.
João MorenoJan 22 2010 10:38 AM
The thing with Gillette is purely business strategy.
\"How to keep customers buying our product, when no innovation happens?\"
They plunge their own products when they are still hot in the market, in order to make way to newer products. And each new product brings a new, appealing design. But since innovation in the domesting razoring field has stagnated, a new product isn\'t necessarily better than the previous one. Just as you\'ve shown in your post.Andy MacDonaldJan 22 2010 10:41 AM
I swear by the 1901 style safety razor, been using one for the last three years. Much more cost effective and a much better shave. I don\'t even use foam/gel/soap anymore, just a small amount of oil http://www.cromwell-cruthers.com/cromwell-cruthers/about_shaving.asp.
Nice article!Matt SteelJan 22 2010 10:44 AM
Great insights! There\'s a similar old-school shaving store near where I live. You\'ve inspired me to check it out. :)
RyanJan 22 2010 10:58 AM
Interesting that you say on your first go you didn\'t cut yourself or have any problems. Josh could you let us know what you bought exactly?
The reason I ask this is because I considered switching a year or two ago but after plenty research decided against it. Many experienced users said that on your first few goes you\'re going to cut yourself, there are very specific ways to shave properly with this type of razor. I have very sensitive skin so didn\'t want to risk it and went for the Mach 3 which has been great.
However I\'m still intrigued and may give it consideration again.Ryan,
I read the same warnings about cuts and scratches, but didn\'t experience the learning curve or deep cuts I\'d expected (perhaps because I was so cautious at first).
The few times that I have nicked myself, it has never been more intense than shaving cuts from a cartridge razor (and definitely less frequent). Tip: use the pre-shave oil, too.
The big difference in technique is pretty much that your hand controls the angle (rather than rely on the pivoting head of a cartridge). Most of the stores that sell this type of razor should be able to give you a quick demo. I bought one that looks exactly like the one shown in the 1901 example (and again in the 1960\'s image).
I found that it required far less skill and caution than I expected, hopefully the same will be true for you!pdenayerJan 22 2010 5:57 PM
Although I was not convinced by the number of blades in the beginning, I must admit that a well operated 5 blades razors can give good results.In a new patent (for the \"next\" razor, following fusion), (USP 2005/0198882 A1 see free patents online), I saw that they finally identified the link between \"confort of shaving\" and \"number of blades\".
But this should not overcome the fact that more blades is more a marketing stuff, for having customers paying more...
You can escape this by visiting the web site razwar.com. http://www.razwar.com.TobiasJan 22 2010 7:03 PM
I love this post. I\'ve been eying a classic razor to replace my rechargeable one for some time now. My search has led me to Merkur razors and Derby blades (just as good as Merkur blades but considerably cheaper).
The reason why so many people cut themselves is because they haven\'t learned the proper technique and apply far too much pressure, which you can get a away with or is even required with the multi-blade or electric razors.Plenty of good articles and videos online about the subject.
What\'s next for razors? At some point adding blades just won\'t be feasible anymore so they\'re going to have to come up with some other marketing angle. Or maybe they\'ll just go retro like so many other products.andré felipeJan 23 2010 3:48 AM
thanks for the post Josh. Great one!
DavidJan 23 2010 6:56 AM
Super Post. Watch out in 2010 for freedom of blades movement initiated by players like Raz*War.
Ok we are also commercially focused but we want people to be able to pay a fair price to get quality shaving.
I am sorry for being a little commercially oriented here but when you look at the giants of the industry there is some questionning for you and your wallets isn\'t it?
Best of luck and keep on doing what you do best!
Keep on shavin\'Marc DesbiensJan 23 2010 4:32 PM
1 blade. 5 blades. Pfft. Such a ridiculous lack of blades. I\'m remaining bearded until the Gilette Decadence arrives. That\'s right. 10 friggin\' blades.
greyJan 24 2010 3:56 PM
I was forwarded this article by a friend as I switched to straight razors a couple years ago for similar reasons (I currently shave with one of these, one of the last hand forged straight razors still being made: http://japanwoodworker.com/product.asp?s=JapanWoodworker&pf_id=05.001&dept_id=22924 ).Unlike a safety razor, using a straight razor requires a bit of skill, but it\'s been worth developing.Honing a blade is also worthwhile, the only thing \'disposable\' is the shaving soap I slowly go through every few months, and even that costs me maybe a dollar or two a cake.
That said, as a bit of humour, I always enjoyed this: http://www.asofterworld.com/oq-display.php?id=59MickJan 24 2010 6:48 PM
BRILLIANT ARTICLE!
Marketing 101 loves to put forward the example of Gillette and how they created a return market. It\'s something that has always been in my mind. The Mach 3 really is rather average, and at $2.50AUD per blade it\'s really beyond the joke.
I\'d love to give the safety razor a go (that Japanese Iwasaki straight razor looks brilliant, but I don\'t have a death wish). This has been quite an inspiring article, thankyou!DavidJan 24 2010 8:42 PM
Who needs blades? Grow the beard with pride!
acreeJan 25 2010 12:30 PM
Actually the guy who directed Objectified is Gary Hustwit. Now I\'m off to read the rest of the post...
Love the blog!Thanks for catching the typo acree, sorry Gary!
James B.Jan 25 2010 4:45 PM
What I would like to know is why everything related to male personal hygiene is marketed as super space aged sci-fi crap? I don\'t need an aerodynamic bodywash with a spoiler and 3d technology (I\'m not making that up! http://bit.ly/6iBXS0 - well maybe the spoiler).
I would love to go buy some soap or a razor with a simple good design (product & package) that wouldn\'t make me look like I\'m the ultimate matrix fan.Dr. Hamid RaihanJan 26 2010 8:21 AM
After trying all the multistoreyed blade designs I tried the retro and ultra combination. A single blade open razor and the modern foam. Its working great. If you want to have a look at the combination, you can check the link.
http://dr-hamid-raihan.blogspot.com/2010/01/retro-ultra-shaving-kit.htmlBobby DragulescuJan 26 2010 6:05 PM
\"Michael Faber:
Ever since @jasonsantamaria tweeted this article: http://today.msnbc.msn.com/id/6886845/ I\'ve been on the lookout to switch to classic razors... I may resume my search again... thanks for the article!\"
Michael, that\'s exactly the same article that got ME hooked. My wife bought me a Merkur this Christmas and a nice shaving kit from the Art of Shaving. I haven\'t looked back since.LuvmysuperJan 26 2010 8:50 PM
I used to just absolutely hate shaving every day. Since I have gone back to the roots of proper wet shaving with a brush, a nice soap and a Double Edge Razor I now actually look forward to my shave. It is that much of a difference.
There is an incredibly large number of people who feel the same way that I do. Have a look here if you need proof -http://badgerandblade.com/vb/the razors edgeJan 28 2010 4:33 PM
I tend to think its a kind of \"bigger better faster\" marketing only, if more people would knew that one blade razors can be used for about 3 weeks with just using \"head and shoulders\" instead of proper soup, no one would buy a 5 edge razor anymore, if 10 blades serve a man for thirty weeks this industry would not survive...
btw, i havn´t cut one single time in ten years with a one blader, so why change?KirkJan 28 2010 6:31 PM
Every few months I haul out a Merkur, insert a fresh new blade and with a cautious hand proceed to butcher my face. I\'ve read the articles so I know what the steps are supposed to be. I know it\'s supposed to result in a better shave and I know I love the look and feel of a proper razor and badger hair brush. Despite knowing all this I simply can\'t use them. Still, I know it must be possible so I suppose I\'ll keep trying.
mantic59Jan 29 2010 4:29 PM
Good article! But you also need to consider the other side of the shaving equation, the lather!Goo out of a can is also hype and economically evil.Better to use a shaving brush and traditional lather soap or cream.I\'ve got a youtube channel (at website link) all about traditional shaving (not sponsored!).
mattFeb 1 2010 2:56 PM
it\'s the design to fail mentality that corporations have employed since the 50s.
the concept is simple: everything is pre-packaged and disposable.
unfortunately there is now a huge void of objects able to be fixed or people who know how to fix them. (i.e. a car, a mac computer, dvd player, etc).
here\'s a call to quality craftsmenship!!!Harry StyrisFeb 3 2010 6:46 AM
Biggest difference between the Mach 3 and the Schick Quattro I found was the tiny threads on the face of the Quattro. Apparently they were to keep the blades inline, but boy did they clog. I can shave a 7-day beard off my face with a Mach 3 and normal strokes, but the Schick was like a lawnmower with a small bag trying to tackle an overgrown yard; get used to short strokes.So it’s not just blades, as far as I’m concerned. It’s design flaws. The Schick Quattro was a better, closer shave than even a Mach 3 Turbo for me, and I have pretty thick hair. But shaving took too long because of a design flaw. Even on stubble.
Dr. Azrael TodFeb 3 2010 10:11 AM
The Reason for all this? KAIZEN!
It\'s really that simple... the bigger the number, the more people buy it.Stewart McCoyFeb 4 2010 12:01 AM
Maybe I\'m doing it wrong, but I shaved with a Merkur Classic Safety Razor for 2 years before recently using a Mach 3 for the first time since I switched. My shave with the Mach 3 was quicker, smoother, and generally more pleasant. The vertical guards on the cartridge blades made it easier to make broad swipes more quickly without fear of cutting myself. When I shave every day, I don\'t want to spend 10 minutes shaving. I much prefer to shave up in 2 minutes and be out the door. On the other hand, the steel blades are less expensive and last longer than the more expensive plastic-cartridge counterparts.
Jeremy BuntingFeb 5 2010 4:51 PM
I\'ve been using a 1901 style safety razor for five years or so, I will never switch back to anything with more than 1 blade. I talk about the craziness that is the 5 bladed razor all the time, and it\'s definitely become more popular over the last few years. I hope the heads at Gillette and Schick/Wilkinson-Sword take notice to the increasing trend. Fantastic well written article, super well done. Keep it up!
Jon NewmanFeb 11 2010 5:43 AM
I was a faithful user of the Gillette Mach 3 for years until I was given a Gillette Fusion by a friend.It is by far the best razor I have ever used. Whether is the style of the razor-head or the fact that the blades are closer together, the shaving experience is definately a lot nicer/smoother. However I have never used the \"trimming\" blade situated on the top of the blade.If any Gillette employees are reading; please sell optional replacement blades without the annoying trimming blade (which will hopefully reduce the price slightly too!!!).
yinkababsFeb 11 2010 7:09 PM
i thought as the year goes by, technology improves... but with this 5blade gillette invention, what has happened to creativity. are we going forward , backward or stagnant?
JonFeb 16 2010 1:59 AM
Like some others who have left comments before me, my interest in these razors was rekindled after reading this article. Hands down the best shave I have ever had. I will admit, however, I suffered some (minor) nasty (looking) cuts (slices). The design of these razors are great! They are a much more economic decision;the related goods - i.e. the shaving cream, blades, etc - are much cheaper. Using the badger brush also means I do not need near as much cream as I would using the common shaving systems found today.
AustinFeb 16 2010 6:06 PM
Oh my goodness, I could never get myself to put a blade to my face. I\'ve been using an electric razor since day one. I just don\'t trust myself.
JJFeb 21 2010 9:53 AM
This is the problem with a society that looks for self-profit instead of added value. I once saw an invention of a blade that didn\'t need any soap, and didn\'t need any replacement of blades, because it used something else (can\'t remember what). But that\'s not in a company\'s interest; it\'s better for them to sell you something that does not really work, but forces you to pay them once every few weeks or months.
WesMar 26 2010 1:39 PM
Great article, you should check out Brooklyn based Mancino for their take on this topic.
Mancino - \"Five Blades\"
http://popup.lala.com/popup/2810527668256797782Harry PujolsJun 14 2010 1:23 PM
That reminds me of this article Dave Barry wrote in 2003 before the inevitable introduction of the five-blade razor http://bit.ly/arU1Ic
However, many of you may be inspired, but remember a double-edge blade safety razor is a precision instrument. On the wrong hands is a weapon you normally use against yourself.joshAug 19 2010 12:49 PM
this was great i used it for school!!!!!