The Gillette Myth

Despite apparent technical advances in mens’ grooming implements over the last 40 years, most men in the world still use old school safety razors like the one represented in the schematic above. Jennifer reminds me of the research she did before buying me my last birthday present: it’s pretty much just America and Western Europe that use multiple blade “shaving systems” not because they are any better, or any cheaper, but purely because of more effective marketing.

Indeed, my first razor was a dual-blade cartridge model; I never knew anything else. And it was an exciting day for me when, around the turn of the century, I upgraded to the Mach3. Still caught up in the hype (and gross expense!) of all the benefits of multi-blade systems — fewer strokes means less irritation blah blah moisturizing strip lifts the follicle for a closer shave blah — I upgraded in 2005 to the five-blade Gillette Fusion, a self-described “phenom” of grooming. Okay…

But something always bothered me about my face. It never felt quite right. I started to realize that it wasn’t normal be in constant pain. So when I got my first old school kit, I was open to the challenge of learning a new technique as it promised huge rewards. Now, I’m addicted. I love my safety razor.