The Advent of Safety Razors

 

Before the 1900s, men shaved their beards with a straight razor. This type of razor requires proper maintenance and experience. Cuts or scratches with this type of razor are inevitable for those who were less experienced. In addition, the maintenance of such a kind of razor can be quite expensive for some. To remedy this problem, the giant Gillette made it's apparition on the razors market in 1904, by offering the first disposable razor model at low cost. This first disposable razor model had a double-edged blade which can be attached to a handle.
 
When this blade wasn't sharp enough, you had to throw it and then replace it. This was the first ''safety'' razor model which saw the day. Since that time, although the materials and manufacturing techniques of safety razors models vary greatly, their operating principle remains the same. Some of these safety razors are even provided with a closed comb while other are provided with an open comb. This blog post is intended to introduce the three different types of safety double-edged razors with a closed or open comb and their advantages and disadvantages. The one piece, the two pieces, and the three pieces safety razors will be covered under these different aspects.

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Does the comb of my safety double-edged razor has an influence on my shave?

When you are looking for a safety double-edged razor, often they are equipped with an open or a closed comb. This design has a direct impact on the result of your shaving. You should take the time to read the next few lines to determine what type of comb is suitable for your beard style. The hardness and thickness of your beard, the design of the razor and the length and separation of razor comb teeth should be taken into consideration when you are buying a safety razor with a comb.

Safety razor with open combs

A razor with an open comb usually has big spaced teeth that allow greater exposure of the blade with the face. So, this type of comb is dedicated to those who have a beard that is not too thick since it is considered quite aggressive. With this type of comb, you have to be cautious. The single pressure of the razor allows a smooth shave.

 

Safety razor with closed combs

A razor with a closed comb is less likely to cause scratches or cuts. Most people who use this type of comb qualifies their shaving as milder and less irritating. The bearded having a thick beard or mustache should opt for this type of comb as it is less aggressive.

 

Choose the type of comb of your razor according to your beard

Some bearded know the trends and whims of their beard while for another they are still unknown. However, if you're not able to establish the specific needs of your beard, we suggest to starting with a closed comb as it leaves you with a less aggressive shaving.

The one piece safety razor

These one piece safety razors are also known as TTO (twist to open), butterfly or silo razors. This type of razor has a mechanism that allows them to open their cutting head in two hinges when it comes time to change the blade. Generally, the lower part of the handle of a razor is equipped with a screw that let opening or closing their cutting head while on others one piece razor models it is their full handle that is screwable or unscrewable to open or close their cutting head.

 

Advantages

The butterfly style razors have quickly gained in popularity given to their simple mechanism that allows them to change the blade with ease. To change the blade on this type of razor, you simply have to unscrew the screw or the razor handle to open the cutting head, remove the used blade and replace it with a new one.

Disadvantages

This type of razor also has his drawbacks. First, the moving parts of the hinged section of the head mechanism are liable to break more easily. Finally, the interior of the cutting head of the TTO style razors can be quite difficult to clean. So, it may happen that accumulation of soap or shave cream residue occurs.

Most popular

Many one piece safety razors are available for you as the integrally Parker safety razor range for example. These are currently the trend. The high-quality Parker 99R razor of this range is certainly one of the most popular.

The two pieces safety razor

The two piece safety razors are one of the most popular today. These razor types are designed to be taken apart into two pieces when you want to change the blade. In other-words, the upper plate of the cutting head of the razor can be removed. The top plate has a long screw which is inserted into the handle of the razor. To remove the top plate, as with one piece razors, you must unscrew the screws at the bottom of the handle or the handle itself to open the cutting head in half and then reverse the razor to bring down the used blade. Once dropped, replace the old blade by a new one and tighten the handle of your razor to close the cutting head.

 

Advantages

The two pieces safety razors are very popular because of their simplicity. When you change the blade on this type of razor, you have no adjustment or alignment to do to fix it. So, it is very easy and quick to do the blade change on this type of razor.

Disadvantages

Just as the one piece safety razors, the two pieces safety razors are quite difficult to clean between each shave. Since the base of the cutting head is permanently attached to the handle of the razor, it can sometimes be very difficult to clean the shaving cream or soap residues that lie at his base. Some parts of these razors such as their threading are impossible to reach and so to clean. Finally, in order to preserve this type of razor, it is important to not tighten to much the screw or the handle when you want to open or close the cutting head to avoid damaging the threads.

Most popular

A wide range of two pieces safety razor is available to you. The most popular two pieces safety razors are the Merkur. The high-quality Merkur Heavy Duty 34C and Merkur Progress 500 razors are certainly the most popular of this brand.

The three pieces safety razor

Unlike the two pieces safety razors with a handle and a fixed cutting head, the three pieces safety razors have a cutting head that can be removed from their handle. This kind of razor can be taken apart in three pieces, the handle, the base of the cutting head and the upper part of the cutting head.

 

Advantages

The advantage with the three pieces safety razors is that they can be cleaned very well. Since each part of this type of razor are removable, you can clean all parts thoroughly without leaving any shave cream or soap residues. Merely thoroughly clean his razor allows it to have a longer life span.

Disadvantages

Unlike one piece and two pieces safety razors, the blade change on a three pieces safety razor requires more handling and adjustment. You must ensure that the base of the cutting head, blade and the upper part of the cutting base are perfectly aligned. If these three parts are not aligned, the blade cutting area could be distributed unevenly. During the assembly, you should hold the base of the cutting head and the upper part of the cutting base with one hand and the handle with the other while avoiding to touch the blade with your fingertips. Although this process may at first seem complex and difficult, experience and practice will make you a three pieces safety razor experts.

Most popular

Several three pieces safety razors are available for you. The most popular three pieces safety razors are the Edwin Jagger 89 lbl and the Muhle R89.

Conclusion

Although the three types of double-edged safety razors differ in their method of assembly, their basic functions are still the same. They are all provided with a double-edged blade which provides a close smooth shave. Whatever the type of razor you will get the shaving will be the same. The choice of a particular type of razor or another is simply a matter of personal preference as regards the material of it or his method of assembly. When you make your razor choice, you should consider the advantages and disadvantages of each type of razors. Some of you will prefer the simple and easy to use models (blade change) such as the one-piece and two-piece safety razors while others will prefer razor models that are more suitable for cleaning such as the three pieces razors.

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