A safety razor looks intimidating.

On the one hand, it looks antiquated, like something your grandfather would use.

We’ve got all this razor science selling us 3- and 5-blade options now.

It’s crazy that they used to only use a single blade, isn’t it? Not to mention, those blades are sharp!

So why would you want to put down your cartridge razor and switch to a safety razor? We can think of at least five reasons:

A closer shave: That sharp blade is flush against your skin. So, be careful, but if you master the craft, you’ll never look back.

Less drag, less irritation: While other razors advertise 3-5 razors in a single cartridge, the safety razor stands strong at a single strong blade. This means there is less dragging across the face, less chance that your top layer of skin will come off with the hairs, and less bulk building up between blades, while being dragged across your opened pores. All that to say, a safety razor promises a safer, healthier shave when done correctly.

Better for coarse hair: If you have thick hair that just doesn’t budge under the lightness of a standard cartridge shave (or if the hairs are too thick and lead to dragging, clogging, and irritation), then a safety razor is the obvious fix. Plus, since you’ll replace the blade after each use, it’ll never give you a dull shave.

Cheap replacement blades: They’re maybe 10-25 cents each, when you buy in bulk. You’ll never hesitate to toss them after a single use, which means you only use the sharpest, cleanest blades every time.

You’re in charge: The shave requires more attention and precision, but it puts you in more control over the process. You have to think about each stroke, and the amount of pressure (ideally none) that you’re applying, plus the angle. Yes, it’s a process, but your skin shouldn’t be something you manage and manicure on autopilot. Take your time, make it a ceremony, and you’ll look forward to the safety-razor regimen every couple days.