Is Swapping to a Safety Razor Cheaper?
The simple answer is yes, yes it is: and to prove it we’ve done the math. If you’re ready to get into the nitty gritty, see our conclusion explained in full below- Afterall, no answer is complete without its full written workings!
Cartridge Heads
Gillette recommends that their cartridge blades are replaced every 5-7 shaves. Now, assuming you shave every other day, you’d ideally be looking to replace your blades every 2 weeks. Therefore, in a year, you'll likely go through 26 cartridge heads in total.
Currently, you can buy a pack of 4 fusion ProGlide heads from Gillette for $20. Based on the previous workings, you’ll therefore need a total of 6 and a half packs of these to see you through to 2024.
Cost of Blades Total: $140
Safety Razors
Compare this then to the safety razor….
Here at MÜHLE, we recommend that blades are generally replaced every 3-5 shaves. Assuming you shave every other day, you’d ideally be looking to replace your blades every week. Therefore, over the course of the year, you'll likely go through 52 blades in total.
MÜHLE razor blades are sold in packs of 10 and cost $9 per pack. Based on the previous workings, you’ll therefore need a total of 5 or so of these to see you through to 2024.
Cost of Blades Total: $54
This gives an impressive saving of $86
Even accounting for the purchase of a new R89, swapping still comes in $42 cheaper. In fact, to even come remotely close to the price of using a cartridge razor you'd need to shave every single day with a brand-new blade. And it's still cheaper.
A worthy investment, these well-crafted products are built to stand the test of time (and look great while they’re doing it). Becoming better value for money with every year they sit pride of place on your bathroom shelf, they’re also fantastic for the environment. In fact, the environmental protection agency has reported that about 80 million disposable cartridge heads are thrown away each year, with most of them ending up in landfills - with our safety razors the only waste is the small blade, made from metal (a recyclable material).
Like what you’re reading? Here are some MÜHLE USA blog recommendations for you:
The MÜHLE R89: An Everyday Hero