Since being introduced to the experts at Stoddard’s, I can honestly say that my life has changed for the better simply because I learned how to shave. As a 39 year old man who has shaved with every configuration of disposable and electric razor I’ve never been comfortable with shaving daily. It only stands to reason that my ears perked up when upon two consecutive visits to Stoddard’s retail store I witnessed grown men coming in to get shaving tips for their daily shave with Safety Razors. I decided to ask one of the owners Jeff, just what safety razors are all about and what I learned really did make my life better every single say since. So, what better gift for a man that daily happiness?

For those who don’t have time to read, let’s jump to the conclusion: Using a safety razor will save money, do less damage to the environment, give the closest most comfortable shave and make daily shaving an enjoyable and comfortable experience!

What you, or your gift recipient needs:

These 4 items are the basics and at a total cost: $143.90 are less expensive than whatever is currently being used- see the breakdown below! In the future he only need replace the blades and the cream and they last A LONG time.

1. Safety Razor: Merkur 163 Safety Razor
2. Replacement Blades: Merkur Double-Edge Razor Blades
3. Shaving Cream: eShave Shaving Cream – Verbena
4. Shaving Brush: Best Badger Shaving Brush w/Stand – Lg Handle

Let’s Begin with a Brief History of Razors

People have been shaving with razors since the Bronze Age, over 6,000 years ago. Early blades evolved into the modern straight razor which was developed in 1740 and has not changed since it’s initial creation. The straight razor is still the favorite of barbers worldwide and that’s partly because very few could (or should) shave with them.

In the late 1700′s the modern Safety Razor was invented to eliminate the need to visit the barber for a shave. The safety razor essentially covered up the blade all except the very edge creating a fine sharp edge to sheer stubble.The only problem with the product was that the blade needed to be sharpened and hold an edge and so the manufacturing cost of blades was great.

In the early 1800′s King Camp Gillette and partner William Emery Nickerson started the American Safety Razor Company and they started selling mass produced blades which could be disposed of. The idea was to sell the handle at a loss and to profit on the blades over the lifetime of the customer. This is the modern Safety Razor setup.

In the midst of encroaching competition, Gillette introduced a blade cartridge concept in 1965 that could be attached to a plastic handle. This enabled Gillette to ensure that customers that purchased their handles had to purchase their blades. The race was then on to “market” the best performing cartridge. Later in 1971 Gillette introduced an even cheaper model, the Trac II with an all plastic handle that was completely disposable.

How Does the All Plastic Razor Stack Up vs. the Safety Razor?

So here we are with the all plastic razor being the dominant razor and some how lost in all this is the shave. The forces that brought us from the safety razor to the all plastic razor were marketing, competition blocking and mass production. Today the options for a better shave for most men start at the all plastic razor and move forward – electric razors, 3 blades, 4 blades, 5 blades, more lubricating shaving cream, etc.

However, the Safety Razor has silently evolved as well. Today there are fabulous handles of all weights and sizes, even those that break down for travel. The blades, though mass produced as extremely affordable and extremely sharp. If you think you really need 5 blades to slice a whisker, just ask yourself why surgeons use a single blade to handle much more precise operations than your morning shave.

Comfort and Effectiveness Comparison

The All Plastic Razor achieves its shave by sliding two or more low quality blades across the skin. The first blade grabs the whisker and yanks it out of the pore and the next slices it. Then the stub of whisker goes back into the pore taking soap residue and bacteria under the skin with it. For a closer shave even more blades have been added for more tugging and slicing but its more of the same.

The Safety Razor slides one super sharp surgical quality razor across the skin cleanly slicing the whisker that is above the skin. It is hard to believe if like me you’ve grown up with the All Plastic Razor but if the All Plastic Razor blades were nearly as sharp, the first one would not “tug”, it would be all you needed. That makes sense right?

I’ve found that using a Safety Razor daily with a gentle vertical pull down the cheek and then sometimes a second horizontal pass gives me a closer shave than I’ve ever had before. Also there is no irritation so I can shave every day. Add a good pre-shave oil, shaving cream and brush and the whole thing is just a great experience and for something I do every day, a little bit of comfort really adds up.

Financial Comparison

Environmental Comparison

Conclusion

Using a safety razor, shaving oil, cream and a shaving brush will save you money, do less damage to the environment, give you the closest most comfortable shave you’ve ever had, make daily shaving an enjoyable and comfortable experience and yes, help you shave like a man!