Earlier last year, I decided I was done with my electric razor. As someone with sensitive skin, I was fed up with rashes, the ever-present feeling that the shave wasn’t close enough, and waiting for my razor to charge 15 minutes before a meeting. Disposable razors didn’t seem to provide any solace; they dulled quickly, and I had a hard time consistently buying the same design between product cycles.
Enter the safety razor. While the design dates back about a century, safety razors have seen somewhat of a renaissance as more men are dissatisfied with irritating, electric and expensive, disposable razors[1, 2]. The Merkur safety razor tackles these problems while trying to balance functionality with aesthetics. The angled head and cross-hatch pattern provide users with greater control than bulkier electric and disposable razor counterparts. The razor is designed to house single-use razor blades, guaranteeing a close shave each time without having to replace the entire razor. And the stainless steel design seems to communicate durability. Interestingly, unlike many disposable razors, the Merkur razor handle does not have finger grooves to make it more ergonomic; this is most likely an attempt to connect the contemporary product with nostalgia as well as its historical design.
Sources:
[1] http://www.shaveworld.org/home/images/PerrettKampfe-rev2.html
[2] https://www.nytimes.com/2014/11/20/style/safety-razors-regain-popularity-for-men.html
