# Safety Razor - The perfect razor

The safety razor was invented in 1901 by King Camp Gillette. This 
simple design has stood the test of time well and modern equivalents 
are readily available.

Waste from using a safety razor is limited to the single steel blade, 
which can be recycled. There is no plastic involved (unless the 
packaging contains plastic, and a number of brands do not).


## Cost comparison

Let us do some quick maths (I'm awful at maths so please verify!):

Blades                     | Price | Unit | Yearly | Lifetime 
---------------------------+-------+------+--------+---------
8x Gillette Fusion 5 blades| 14.98 | 1.87 |  22.44 |  1460.55 
8x Gillette Mach 3 blades  | 10.59 | 1.33 |  15.96 |  1032.52
8x Wilkinson Sword Hyd. 5  | 13.69 | 1.71 |  20.52 |  1334.77
100 x Derby Tokai Premium  |  9.90 |  .10 |   1.18 |    77.22
100 x Astra Superior       |  8.59 |  .08 |   1.03 |    67.00
100 x Derby Extra          |  8.07 |  .08 |    .96 |    62.94

Yearly  : Assumes you use one blade per month.
Lifetime: Assumes you shave from age 16 and live until 80 (65 yrs).

At one blade per month 100 blades would last a little over 8 years.

Yearly formula  : 
  ((pack price / pack qty) * month qty) * 12 months
Lifetime formula: 
  (((pack price / pack qty) * month qty) * 12 months) * years shaving

**Prices in GBP correct at time of writing (30/10/2020)**


## Conclusion

Don't get caught up in the more-is-better advertising, encouraging 
you to buy extortionately priced multi-bladed razors. 
Shaving with a traditional safety razor, soap and brush has a 
luxurious feel about it and will save you money too.

[1901 safety razor patent drawing](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Safety_razor#/media/File:US_Patent_775134.PNG)