Have you ever shaved yourself with a safety razor? Thought about the history of safety razor? How did it evolve into a modern safety razor that we use today?
A modern safety razor comes with a history that is old and storied. It’s something that men have done over 100 years. To shave with a straight razor, razor is something that goes back 260 years. But even then, development began into what would become a modern safety razor. Curious about safety razor history? Of course you are, so are we, so let us tell you about it.
A safety razor was and is a way for both men and women to be able to shave with less risk of cutting themselves while shaving. Not wanting to cut yourself while shaving and using a safety razor is nothing new.
It all started with a comb
The journey to a modern safety razor began just over 250 years ago. As early as the mid-1700s, it was tried to put a protective comb on a razor. This was designed by the Frenchman Jean-Jacques Perret.
The protective comb made of wood would lie between the sensitive skin and the sharp edge. The function of the comb was to protect the sensitive skin from the sharp edge. In addition, raise the beard hairs so that they could be shaved off more easily. This construction with a protective comb between the sharp blade and the skin is still in use today, 250 years later.
Safety razor becomes a threat to the razor!
The next step to what would become a modern safety razor was something that can most easily be compared to a hoe with a flat blade.
The blade was attached to one side of a handle and also had a protective open comb of teeth that protected the skin and helped straighten the beard hairs. This type of razor would be invented in the mid-1800s as a complement to the razor. The patent was registered in 1847 by William S. Henson.
Shaving was still something that was done by a barber mainly but now it became easier for the average person to shave themselves without having to visit a barber. The art of shaving with a razor at barbers was thus threatened.
The word safety razor sees the light of day!
From this development came another similar design towards the end of the 1800s, this one also had a more developed shaver head that is reminiscent of that type of shaver head, the top part of a modern safety razor.
It was also here that the word safety razor was used for the first time. This in a patent application for the development of an existing razor. This was done by Frederic and Otto Kampfe in Brooklyn, New York.
But still the modern safety razor was not fully developed. The journey to a modern safety razor therefore continued!
First came the single-sharpened razor blades!
In the beginning, single-sharpened razor blades were mainly used, i.e. razor blades with only one sharpened side. It was in connection with the patenting of double razor blades and especially the double razor blades that were interchangeable and became popular in the early 1900s that the popularity of using safety razors increased. Wet shaving with a modern safety razor that we know today was getting closer and closer! But there was still a lot to do!
Next came the double-sharpened razor blades!
Another big step came at the turn of the century between the 1800s and the 1900s. Then the replaceable double-sharpened razor blade that is used today was patented. The double-sharpened interchangeable razor blades were patented by King C. Gillette in 1904.
Previously, single-sharpened razor blades had mainly been used. For a long time, both single-sharpened and double-sharpened razor blades were used with safety razors until the double-sharpened ones came to take over. Now our modern safety razor was almost here to stay!
The breakthrough for safety razor!
What we today call a modern safety razor, or at least the first version of it, was popularized in the early 1900s. Back then, there were different types of safety razors with different types of blades. The version that became most popular was the version that still lives on today. A safety razor with a double-edged razor blade where the razor blade can be easily replaced and is not in need of sharpening or other maintenance. This type became especially popular in connection with World War I when American soldiers and sailors were equipped with it as part of their standard equipment. After the war, many chose to continue with it.
The razor blades became stainless steel
A further development that took place was when the double razor blades used in conjunction with the safety razor began to be made of stainless steel instead of carbon steel. A big step closer to the modern safety razor. This gave a much better durability and longevity of the razor blades. Carbon steel was used because of its ability to get a sharp sharpness. But it also rusts easily on contact with water. In razors today, carbon steel is still used. However, virtually all razor blades used with modern safety razors are made of stainless steel.
A Modern Safety Razor History - Summary
- Inspired by a rubank, a tool for planing wood, a wooden comb was put on razors in the mid-1700s.
- A flat razor blade was attached to one side of a handle and came to resemble a pickaxe. This would be a complement to the razor.
- At the end of the 1800s, the word safety razor is mentioned for the first time
- Initially, single-sharpened razor blades were used.
- At the turn of the century, the double-sharpened interchangeable razor blades came to be patented and became popular.
- The big breakthrough came in connection with World War I when American military personnel were equipped with a safety razor.
- In the mid-1900s, the double-sharpened razor blades became rust-free.
A modern safety razor today
After other product developments with cartridge razors, multi-blade systems also known as system planers, the interest and popularity of modern safety razors has increased again. This is due to three reasons in particular. These are advantages especially against cartridge razors.
Classic method of wet shaving
Today, there is a desire to return to traditional classical methods. Safety razors have been used for over 100 years to shave and still work great. A modern safety razor is an excellent option that provides a close and gentle shave.
An inexpensive way to shave
Shaving with a modern safety razor is cheap. Although a safety razor may have a high initial cost, it will last for a very long time. Which means that over time the shave becomes very cheap. Especially the double-sharpened razor blades used are significantly cheaper than modern variants. Another reason to use a modern safety razor.
Climate-smart
In terms of climate and environment, wet shaving with a modern safety razor is a very environmentally friendly alternative. The double razor blades used as consumables are made entirely of metal and can therefore be recycled. The amount of plastic is also very small and more or less negligible in comparison to other ways of shaving.
More information about safety razor | Safety razor
In our blog post “What is a safety razor? We give you the answer” we tell you more about what a Safety Razor is, what parts it consists of and what can be good to consider when buying your first Safety Razor.
Blog post: What is a safety razor? We give you the answer
For those of you who want to buy your first safety razor, we have put together a more detailed guide to what you can think about.
Blog post: What to consider when buying your first safety razor
Want four good reasons why you should use a safety razor? We have written that in this post where we give you four good reasons to use a safety razor.
Blog post: 4 good reasons to use a safety razor
In our guide to safety razor | With a safety razor, we tell you even more about the different parts that make up a modern Safety Razor. Everything from different types of shaving heads to materials in handles.
Guide to safety razor | Safety planer
In our range you will find over 60 different models of modern safety razors. All so that you can find one that suits you.
