Why are Razor Blades So Expensive?

Do you ever wonder why razor blades are so expensive? High-quality razors are carefully crafted with precision and premium materials, which leads to a higher cost. The design and manufacturing process requires attention to detail to ensure long-lasting durability, sharpness, and performance. It is the reason for its high value, other than the craftsmanship of skilled die makers and artisans who are experts in shaping a blade and putting a refined edge to it. 

When you invest in a high-end razor, you’re paying for a grooming¹ tool that delivers superior results and will serve you well for years, unlike cheaper alternatives that wear out quickly.

In this article, you will learn:

• Why Quality Razors are Worth the Investment
• What Makes a Good Razor Blade?
• How are Razor Blades Made?
• Straight Razor Blades
• Naked Armor Straight Razor

Why Quality Razors are Worth the Investment

Dr. Kristina Vanoosthuyze, a scientist at the Gillette Innovation Centre, told Boston magazine² “The complexity, length of time, and the cost of the research and development process³ is what factors into the cost. It looks simple and intuitive, yet it is so complex in its design and development process. The small details and dimensions go far beyond what the naked eye can see.”

The exceptional craft costs by the hour. As far as we are concerned, the less work invested in making a product, the cheaper it will cost. Thus, you will get an inferior quality blade and razor. You do not want a razor with an edge that will not last long. You aim to have one that remains functional for a long time—even for generations and to be frank, you can’t expect much from one at an overly low price.

When you choose the best blades for your shaving routine, one of the points you must consider is the price. The higher-quality edges are even five times more expensive than the other low-priced ones. It’s a no-brainer to point, which can last longer, and has the correct sharpness that is efficient to use.

So, if you can afford one, there’s no reason not to go for a luxurious razor with a fine blade. Besides, no money is ever wasted for good grooming.

What Makes a Good Razor Blade?

Essential aspects must be considered in manufacturing strips for razor blades, such as close dimensional tolerances, high accuracy on straightness and flatness, and the exactness of metallurgical compositions.

Even slight non-metallic inclusions will affect one’s shaving experience, so the strip must be cleaned of impurities. To ensure a smooth cut, the razor manufacturer cuts, dies, hardens, grinds, and coats the strip with Teflon⁴.

The whole production chain, from melting steel to the finished product, must be controlled precisely and accurately. The entire process demands cutting-edge metallurgical expertise and in-house strip production.

How are Razor Blades Made?

Razor blades are costly due to a precise manufacturing process involving shaping, hardening, grinding, polishing, and coating for durability and sharpness.
Photo by Varnava_photo on Depositphotos

“Razor blades are really, really difficult to make,” said Jeff Raider⁵, co-founder of Harry’s, an online shaving company. “It actually starts with buying really fine razor steel. You have to grind steel so that it’s very sharp at its tip and very strong at its base. That gives it both stability and a really crisp cutting surface.”

Had consumers known the process of making the blades, many would not have complained about their high market value. The steps listed below explain why razor blades are tagged with a high cost.

• Shaping
  
  The stainless steel used for razors is challenging to rust as it contains chrome. Chromium is a powerful alloying element in steel. It is an indispensable industrial metal because of its hardness and resistance to corrosion. A few percent of carbon is also present, which hardens the blade. This stainless steel material will be rolled up after a pressing machine cuts holes. More than hundreds of razor blade pieces are stamped out.
  
  
• Hardening
  
  Using an electric furnace, stainless steel is hardened by heating and cooling it rapidly. It is then cooled again at a lower temperature, which makes the material harder. Heating the stainless steel again makes it more difficult to break, and its elasticity increases, all while maintaining its initial appearance.
  
  
• Edging the blade
  
  The next step is the blade edging process. This process includes grinding the material with a coarse whetstone, then grinding it at an acute angle using a medium whetstone, and finally grinding the blade’s tip using a finer whetstone. This sharp, thin, flat material technique contains the know-how that KAI’s factories have gathered for years.
  
  
• Polishing
  
  At this point, burrs can be seen on the ground blade tips. In metal manufacturing, a burr is the formation of rough edges on a metal piece. These burrs will be polished using special strops. This step makes it possible to produce blade tips with refined shapes for shaving and correct sharpness⁶.
  
  
• Inspection
  
  It does not end after polishing; it will be separated into pieces and skewered. The blade’s tip appears black and does not reflect light, but the blade’s back has evident luster. If the tips reflect light, the product is defective and does not have enough sharp angles. The razor blades are individually inspected this way.
  
  
• Coating/Burning
  
  Coating or burning is the final step of making razor blades. The layer is done to make them difficult to wear away, and the blade tips difficult to rust. Fluorine resin⁷ is used for the coating to make them glide smoothly across the skin. This has been used in various applications, such as a non-stick frying pan, semiconductors, OA equipment, automobiles, and general industrial machinery.

Straight Razor Blades

Traditional straight razors have blades that are never replaced and only sharpened. This is fine for personal use but is not a good option for a professional setting where more than one person uses it during a single day. For that, a shavette straight razor is more appropriate, as it uses replaceable blades.

Another good thing about straight razors besides their blades is that they are earth-friendly.

Of course, stainless steel is the most prevalent metal for razor construction. You can find single-blade razors and those with more than one blade. Straight razor blades are even used for thinning.

Naked Armor Straight Razor

The Naked Armor Meliant Straight Razor features a 7/8" ACRO Japanese stainless steel blade and olive wood scales, offering durability, precision, and a comfortable, close shaving experience.

Naked Armor straight razors come with Japanese steel⁸ or Japanese stainless steel. Why Japan? Are you familiar with Samurai and the power of katana? Japan makes the best steel in the world, and it provides the sharpest blades on the market. Naked Armor’s straight razor legendary blades are perfect for thick stubble and expert shavers and will provide the cleanest shave possible. We guarantee an excellent and luxurious shaving experience with our straight razors.

Purchase one from any of our straight razor line-ups here:

• Straight Razor Complete Kits
• Stainless Steel Straight Razors
• Straight Razors

Naked Armor Reads

What is a Straight Razor: Grinds Guide & Importance
Best Steel for Straight Razors: Carbon Vs. Stainless Blades
Why Straight Razors Are Earth-friendly

References

1. THE IMPORTANCE OF MALE GROOMING. (2018, September 27). Menswear Style. https://www.menswearstyle.co.uk/2018/09/27/the-importance-of-male-grooming/8299
2. Malamut, M. (2013, August 9). Why Are Razors So Darn Expensive? Boston Magazine. https://www.bostonmagazine.com/2013/08/09/why-are-razors-so-expensive/
3. Wood, L. (2020, August 7). Global Razor Market Research Report to 2030 - by Type, Segment, Distribution Channel, Razor Blade Type & Consumer - ResearchAndMarkets.com. Business Wire. https://www.businesswire.com/news/home/20200807005475/en/Global-Razor-Market-Research-Report-to-2030---by-Type-Segment-Distribution-Channel-Razor-Blade-Type-Consumer---ResearchAndMarkets.com
4. tefloncoat. (2019, November 12). What Is Teflon, and What Are the Benefits of Using It? Performance Engineered Components. https://www.industrialcoat.com/what-is-teflon/
5. Samuelson, T. (2015, March 16). Why are razor blades so expensive? Marketplace. https://www.marketplace.org/2015/03/16/why-are-razor-blades-so-expensive/
6. The Importance of Shaving with a Sharp Razor. (n.d). StudioSuits. https://www.studiosuits.com/blogs/articles/the-importance-of-shaving-with-a-sharp-razor
7. What is fluorine resin. (n.d). GUNZE Limited Engineering Plastics Division. https://www.gunze.co.jp/e/epd/aboutfluoride/
8. Types of Japanese steel. (n.d). Viento Knives. https://japanese-knife-store.com/top/steel.html#:~:text=Finally%2C%20we%20think%20that%20the,VG10%20Damascus%20steel%20is%20recommended.