Gillette's new razor eschews additional blades in favor of heat

[Shawn Knight]

In context: Razor manufacturers – and ultimately, consumers – over the past several years got caught up in the equivalent of the photography industry’s race of “more is better” (except in this case, it was blades instead of megapixels).

While two blades may be better than one and three may trump two, eventually, you’re going to reach the point of diminishing returns. Manufacturers aren’t interested in improving durability as that’d cut into profits (no pun intended), so how else can they continue to innovate?

Affordability and subscription models are one way but Gillette is taking a different approach.

At its first-ever appearance at CES, the razor maker is peddling a heated razor. Inside is a heating element that can reach up to 122 Fahrenheit. The heat is passed through the cartridge and onto your shave gel / skin; the idea is to mimic the feeling of getting a hot towel shave without the towel or having to constantly run the blade under hot water (although you’ll still probably be doing that to rinse out the cut hair, no?).

The downside, as you’ve probably already guessed, is cost. Gillette’s heated razor will reportedly command $160 when it eventually arrives in stores. An Indiegogo campaign from late last year completely sold out, indicating there is a market for this sort of thing.

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https://www.techspot.com/news/78154-gillette-new-razor-eschews-additional-blades-favor-heat.html

 

[MilwaukeeMike]

I kinda feel sorry for the people whose job it is to make shaving interesting. Anyone who can grows a beard now. Dollar shave club sells 'Shave Butter' and brushes, and ties it all up with manly style marketing... Gillette has a computer graphics robot-ninja dude to show off their gel strip on their razor.

At the end of the day they're still trying to sell a shaving experience, which most people don't really care about. It's like making better ice for your drink - who cares?

 

[OutlawCecil]

$160 bahahaha! I needed that today. Thank you.

 

[Vrmithrax]

If only that Skarp Laser Razor hadn't ended up such a fiasco - I had high hopes for being able to laser blast all of the stubble off my face. With a "pew pew pew" sound effect as it was happening, if possible.

 

[Evernessince]

$160 for a heated razor? That's ridiculous, beyond ridiculous. I think I'll keep using my double edged saftey razor I bought 20 years ago for $30 and it's blades at 3 pennies each. Not even counting gillette's ridiculous replacement head costs, I'll likely spend less in my whole life on shaving then you'd spend on just this razor.

 

[BadThad]

Much cheaper.....use a regular electric razor! The one I'm currently using is about 8 years old and it works GREAT!

 

[p51d007]

LOL, my cheap 40 dollar electric is "good enough"

 

[Uncle Al]

What a laugh ..... I've shaved with a straight razor for 45 years and was never tempted to go any other way. The biggest improvement I've ever seen is Kings gel, now that was a notable improvement over the old shaving soap and while a bit expensive, definitely worth it. The old straight razor has served me well, and I certainly wouldn't have ever carried a "twin blade" in my boot in combat ....... LOL

 

[Squid Surprise]

I kinda feel sorry for the people whose job it is to make shaving interesting. Anyone who can grows a beard now. Dollar shave club sells 'Shave Butter' and brushes, and ties it all up with manly style marketing... Gillette has a computer graphics robot-ninja dude to show off their gel strip on their razor.

At the end of the day they're still trying to sell a shaving experience, which most people don't really care about. It's like making better ice for your drink - who cares?

Um.... even people who grow a beard still need to shave... if only to trim... and I highly doubt that "most people who can, grow a beard".

I bought a Philips Electric Razor after my old one finally died after 25 years... (It had been a twin razor philips shaver). Now I have THREE spinning razors... I guess it's a bit better than the old one - but I doubt it will last 25 years.... The extra 30 seconds I save shaving now will come in SO handy

 

[misor]

I rarely shave. with my good looks and fat body, I don't need no shaving...

 

[MilwaukeeMike]

Um.... even people who grow a beard still need to shave... if only to trim... and I highly doubt that "most people who can, grow a beard".

I bought a Philips Electric Razor after my old one finally died after 25 years... (It had been a twin razor philips shaver). Now I have THREE spinning razors... I guess it's a bit better than the old one - but I doubt it will last 25 years.... The extra 30 seconds I save shaving now will come in SO handy

You're right, I exaggerate about how many people have beards. But they are in fashion, and shaving only your neck won't go through your blades as fast, and that's where they make their money. I suppose I shouldn't criticize all these new shaving 'innovations' either since I haven't tried them.

 

[Kibaruk]

For anyone who shaves regularly, INVEST IN SOMETHING GOOD, it will change your life. With that said, I don't see this new razor being that investment.

It's like when you've used the same pillow for many years and then you get a good one and you can't think of how you slept all those years with that crappy pillow...