Shaving can be a pain. Literally.
Whether for uniform compliance or personal preferences, a lot of guys shave regularly. Most of us get handed a multi-blade razor– your standard, multi-bladed razor you can find at the drug store– as a teen and are expected to figure it out from there.
While multi-blade razors are great and generally get the job done, they aren’t the only option for shaving. Along with the standard multi-blade razor, straight razors and electric razors are both currently having an uptick in popularity.
Let’s chat briefly about each option and what they’re best used for.
Multi-Blade Razors– Quick, Close Shaves
Multi-blade razors are often the go-to for a reason. They’re easy to use, allow for a fairly close shave, and allow you to remove stubble and short growth quickly.
Within a multi-blade razor, the blades are in a fixed position behind a guard, which pushes down the skin while allowing the blades to cut through hairs. This reduces your risk of nicks and cuts while shaving, which is one of the main reasons they’re such a popular choice.
Multi-blade razors can also be used to shave body hair and pubic hair. However, they do not do well with thick, bushy hair, so if you use them for body grooming, you may need to trim them with scissors or an electric trimmer first. Plus, they do best when your skin is taught, so certain body parts must be stretched and approached with caution if you use a multi-blade razor.
Cons of Multi-Blade Razors
Multi-blade razors are quick and easy, but they have several significant drawbacks. First and foremost is the cost. Blades for these razors are notoriously expensive. Companies like Dollar Shave Club and Harry’s have popped up specifically because of the cost of razor blades. If you end up liking a brand that isn’t a budget razor brand, you can expect to pay a ton each time you need to replace your blades, which can get very expensive very fast for hairy guys.
Plus, multi-blade razors can cause razor bumps and ingrown hairs for many guys. If you have sensitive skin, dealing with ingrown hairs can be a nightmare. Exfoliating before shaving and using a good aftershave can help, but it’s not a perfect system. I’m not a hairy guy, so my razors don’t have to work too hard to get the job done, and I still get razor bumps and ingrown hairs each time I shave with a multi-blade razor.
Straight Razors– Slow, Indulgent, and Incredibly Close Shaves
For a long time, I assumed that straight razors were a thing of the past. I associated them with my great-grandfather and his generation.
In recent months, though, I was delighted to learn that not only are straight razors still around and an option for shaving, but they can be a great option at that. Straight razors provide for an incredibly close shave. For me, shaving with a straight razor has also prevented me from developing razor bumps and ingrown hairs after shaving, which is phenomenal.
Cons of Straight Razors
Why aren’t straight razors more popular? Well… they’re hard to use. Shaving with a straight razor takes time. You have to go slow or you will slice your face open. Plus, you have to learn how to shave all over again if you’re not used to shaving with a straight razor. I had planned on recording a video of my first time shaving with a straight razor to use in this blog post, but I ended up slicing my cheek and didn’t think seeing me drip blood would be very appealing.
There’s a reason that, for a long time, barbers were the ones who used straight razors, and you would go to the barber for your shave. Using them on yourself is awkward initially, and they have a steep learning curve. Plus, you should NOT use a straight razor on your body or pubic hair. That is an embarrassing trip to the ER waiting to happen.
Electric Razors or Trimmers- Fast Shaves, Visible Stubble or Hair
The easiest method of shaving is with an electric razor or trimmers. Once you turn on a pair of trimmers, they quickly cut through your hair. If you have particularly thick or bushy hair, they’re often the only way to get through your forest– though you may have to invest in a decent quality trimmer without nicking or pulling.
When you shave with an electric razor, you’re typically not going to get a perfectly smooth shave. They are going to preserve stubble. If you’re using a trimmer with a guard attachment, they can even leave your hair at a uniform length.
This makes electric trimmers the perfect shaving option if you want to keep your facial hair or body hair intact while still grooming it and keeping it neat. They’re also great for trimming pubic hair; using a short guard will protect your skin and delicates while trimming the hair back so it isn’t too bushy or scratchy.
Cons of Electric Razors
Electric razors represent a really broad spectrum of products. Cheaper ones are readily available at drug stores and places like Wal-Mart or Target. If you don’t have particularly thick hair, they can be great. However, if you have thick hair to trim, cheaper trimmers will snag and pull the hair, making for a really uncomfortable shave.
On top of that, electric razors require some power source. If you forget to charge your trimmers or if the batteries run out, you can be left scruffy (or half-shaved) and have to wait until it recharges to finish the job.
Don’t Put Square Pegs in Round Holes
You have to pick your razor based on your needs and preferences. Use the right tool for the job.
Personally, I own all three– a multi-blade razor, a straight razor, and electric trimmers. I mainly use the straight razor on my face because of their effectiveness at getting a close shave without razor bumps, but if I’m in a hurry and need to shave before work or a date, I reach for the multi-blade razor since it’s quicker. When I want to let my facial hair grow out, I use electric trimmers to keep it groomed and neat while still getting some length. I also use electric trimmers for personal grooming… wink, nudge nudge.
Using the right razor for your skin and shaving needs can change your thoughts about shaving. Shaving may never be your favorite grooming task, but it doesn’t have to be inconvenient either.
