Look sharp, litter less

After years of frustration with throwaway razors, disposable cartridge blades, and sensitive skin, the non-disposable shave is making its way back. Photo / Getty Images

The resurgence in non-disposable men's razors.

Non-disposable razors used for traditional wet shaving, once labeled a relic of the past alongside badger hair brushes, are making a comeback after years of confinement in the cabinet behind your grandfather's bathroom mirror.

In fact, that's exactly where Andrew James, founder of New Zealand's leading online retailer of shaving products for men Goodfella, found his inspiration.

After years of frustration with throwaway razors, disposable cartridge blades, and sensitive skin prone to the rash that generally comes along with the use of low-quality shavers, James created Goodfella by perfecting a safety razor passed down to him from a previous generation.

"What I've done is look at the really old original razor I've had that was my grandad's and modernized it," James says.

James, whose razors are now sold around the world, has since noticed a resurgence in traditional wet shaving methods for men, which includes both single and double-sided safety razors as well as straight, or "cutthroat", razors.

"At the moment I just can't meet the demand from America, the UK and the orders I've got, so it's quite a challenge for me to keep producing more," says James.

Aside from the nostalgic appeal offered by Goodfella's metal safety razors, the product also provides consumers with an environmentally conscious and cost-effective solution to disposable razors. Although non-disposable razors require a higher initial investment, men can save heaps of cash over time on low-quality blade replacements and plastic cartridge handle upgrades that have to be tossed in the rubbish bin on a regular basis, such as razor systems sold by big-name shaving brands like Schick and Gillette.

"You buy a pack of those blades and they cost you maybe 25 or 30 dollars," James says. "They last you maybe a month, two months if you're lucky. The blades for the safety razor-you can spend 25 to 30 dollars, and that would probably buy you enough to last two years."

Furthermore-and perhaps the main reason why safety razors and straight razors no longer cater solely to a niche market of hobbyists-is that non-disposable razors offer men a better shave.

"With the disposable ones you buy in the supermarket, there's actually more of a gap between the blade and the skin, so you just can't get as close," says Simon Gregory-Hunt, director of Auckland-based straight razor reseller Gentlemans Blade. "It's not physically possible."

In addition to a closer shave and lower cost, a 2013 survey from Straight Razor Magazine cites environmental concerns as a leading reason behind the growing demand for products used for traditional wet shaving.

There's certainly an environmental consciousness involved with a lot of people buying these razors," Gregory-Hunt says.

Yet another benefit offered by safety razors is the meditative practice that results from regular use, according to the survey.

"It's more of a routine or a ritual that you can turn shaving into, as opposed to a quick drag-the-blade-over-your-face, get-rid-of-the-hair and go," says Gregory-Hunt.
So what's not to like about traditional wet shaving?

Men are often hesitant to try using straight razors and safety razors because they don't know how to shave with them, according to Straight Razor Magazine's report.
But you have one thing that your grandfather didn't.

Thanks to the digital age, online communities have sprouted up across the internet offering tips and tutorials on traditional wet shaving practices. Popular sources include Straight Razor Place, Badger & Blade, Shaving 101, and even Reddit's r/wickededge.
"This way of shaving does have a bit of a learning curve," says Mark Herro, founder of the online forum Sharpologist, devoted to providing information and product reviews to men interested in traditional wet shaving. "It's a skill-like learning to swim or to play a musical instrument-but a simple skill to master. Most people quickly find the results far outweigh the challenges."

For men fed up with razor burn, second-rate blades, and excessive spending on plastics and packaging that ultimately end up in landfills, the answer is easy.
As James says, "It's back to the old school method of shaving."

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