Remember when men used to treat their beards like women treat their hairdos by going to a professional barber? Well, some men still choose to do this, but many prefer the cheap convenience of shaving at home using safety razors or disposable blades. Other men combine the old fashioned simplicity of a straight edge razor with the convenience of shaving at home. So why doesn’t everyone choose this compromise?

There is a lot of discussion surrounding whether newer technologies are better than old, and this can be applied to everything right down to how you shave. Let’s compare the benefits of using a straight edge razor with using a newer safety razor.

Cost: First of all, a disposable razor can be extremely inexpensive compared to purchasing a straight razor. But this type of razor is not designed to have a long product life. A good safety razor can be somewhat expensive depending on the quality and price markup. Also, the blades need to be replaced often to provide the best shave and to prevent razor burn. That being said, a straight razor is a one-time investment that will last for several years.

Usability: For a beginner shaver or someone who has never tried out a straight edge razor before, safety razors are great because they are extremely easy to use. And as the name suggests, they are fairly safe if used properly. A straight edge razor, on the other hand, requires a certain level of practice and precision. When you first make the switch you are bound to cut yourself a few times, but once you get the hang of it cuts will be minimal.

Environment Impact: There is a clear winner in this category, as a straight edge razor lasts much longer than a safety razor and does not have parts that need to be replaced. The fewer blades that get tossed into a landfill, the smaller your environmental footprint is from shaving.

Shave Quality: A straight edge can provide a closer shave than a safety razor, which means less razor burn for you because you won’t have to re-shave the same area multiple times. In fact, the single blade is actually beneficial and results in fewer bumps than shaving with a safety razor that has multiple blades. Although you are more likely to nick yourself if you’re not used to using a straight edge, the straight edge can provide a much nicer shave in the long run once you’ve mastered the art.