3 Cynical Practices Of “Big Razor”

Shaving can be a real hassle when razors wear out too fast and hit your wallet hard. The shaving industry’s hidden practices pull in over $18 billion globally each year.

Shaving companies purposefully design razors for short-term use and require frequent cartridge replacements, contributing to unnecessary waste and environmental harm.

Here are three cynical practices from “big razor.”

1. Planned Obsolescence And Cartridge Replacement

Companies design razors with a limited lifespan, pushing you to toss them aside for new ones on a regular basis. This tactic, known as planned obsolescence, leaves your wallet thin and trash bins full as you’re forced to buy replacement cartridges more often than necessary.

These replacements aren’t cheap either; the price of brand-name cartridges can be wildly inflated—sometimes up to 40 times their production cost.

The waste from tossed-out razors and spent cartridges is staggering. With billions of throwaways each year, our planet takes a hit alongside our bank accounts. To make matters worse, recycling these shaving tools isn’t straightforward due to the mix of materials they contain.

Companies continue this cycle by churning out products that seem eco-friendly but fail to significantly reduce environmental impact or waste.

Environmental Impact Of Disposable Razors

Every year, billions of single-use disposable razors end up in landfills. These razors are notorious for their non-recyclable waste due to the blend of plastics and metal parts. The result is a significant addition to the growing problem of plastic pollution, impacting wildlife and ecosystems around the globe.

Sustainable shaving practices are increasingly necessary as we face this mounting environmental challenge.

Attempts to introduce recyclable razors have largely fallen short. Most disposed-of razors never make it through the recycling process because they’re too complex to dismantle, making eco-friendly alternatives more appealing.

Additionally, misleading green marketing often suggests products are kinder to the planet without substantial evidence or changes in design—this practice is known as greenwashing—and it adds confusion for consumers trying to make environmentally responsible choices.

Greenwashing In The Industry

Many companies in the shaving industry engage in greenwashing, misleading consumers with eco-friendly marketing claims while making minimal changes to their products. This deceptive practice takes advantage of consumer awareness and concern for environmental sustainability.

As a result, many people are unaware of the negative environmental impact and health effects associated with the materials used in shaving products. Additionally, these companies charge exorbitant prices for brand-name cartridges, sometimes marking up costs by an astonishing 4000% from production expenses.

2. Health Concerns Over Razors (And Other Shaving Products)

Disposable razors don’t just clutter landfills but also pose health risks with their coatings of chrome and PTFE—substances known for environmental hazards now linked to negative effects in humans.

Most users are unaware of the potential exposure to such harmful components during their daily shaving routine. As billions of disposable razors end up being thrown away each year, we continue to put both our planet’s well-being and our own at risk without realizing it.

Plus, shaving creams and gels might feel smooth on your skin, but they can carry hidden dangers. Many of these products contain chemicals that could harm your health over time. For example, certain ingredients may cause allergic reactions or long-term skin irritation for some people.

You’re not just putting these substances on your face or legs; you’re absorbing them into your body where they can build up and potentially lead to more significant issues.

3. Manipulation Of Public Opinion

Shaving industry uses aggressive pricing strategies and fear-mongering to dictate consumer choice. Read on to uncover the hidden truths behind shaving practices.

Aggressive Pricing Strategies

Companies like Gillette, P&G, and Dollar Shave Club employ aggressive pricing strategies to perpetuate consumer fear over safety razors. By promoting expensive cartridge replacements as the standard for a close shave, they manipulate consumer perception and maintain market dominance.

These marketing tactics create a false sense of necessity, leading consumers to overspend on grooming products while disregarding more affordable and sustainable alternatives such as safety razors.

This tactic mirrors historical marketing trends that capitalized on fear-mongering to drive sales, ultimately impacting consumer behavior in favor of costly disposable options.

The shaving industry’s aggressive pricing strategies resemble those seen in the cable TV industry, where initially low costs eventually result in significant expenses over time. Similarly, these companies – including Schick and Harry’s – lure consumers with affordable initial purchases only to lock them into repetitive high-cost payments for replacement cartridges.

Fear-Mongering Over Safety Razors

The shaving industry’s aggressive pricing resembles that of the cable television industry, where initial low costs eventually escalate due to replacement blade purchases. Blue Bic razors were widely used by soldiers during the Vietnam War era but have now evolved into part of a problematic marketing culture that feeds on fear-mongering tactics to drive sales of disposable alternatives.

Historical Context And Change In Marketing

Significant changes in marketing occurred during the 1960s, parallel to the Vietnam War era when blue Bic razors gained popularity among soldiers. Companies have effectively manipulated public opinion, using aggressive pricing and fear-mongering tactics to make safety razors appear dangerous – a stark departure from the products’ namesake for their safety.

During this time, consumer behavior was heavily influenced by advertising and persuasion tactics, as companies worked on leveraging consumer trust through branding and public relations.

This historical context has contributed to shaping the modern-day perception of shaving tools and their associated risks.

Benefits Of Safety Razors Over Cartridge Razors

Razor companies perpetuate fear over safety razors, promoting them as dangerous and expensive. These manipulative marketing tactics sway consumer perception, making safety razors seem risky and impractical.  But consider this:

• Safety razors provide a closer and smoother shave due to the single, sharp blade design compared to the multiple blades in cartridge razors.
• The cost – effectiveness of safety razors is evident as they can last for years with only inexpensive blade replacements, saving money in the long run.
• Personalized shaving experience with safety razors allows for adjustments in blade angle and pressure, catering to individual skin sensitivity and beard type.
• Safety razors contribute to reduced skin irritation and fewer ingrown hairs due to the single, sharp blade design that minimizes tugging and pulling on the skin. 
• Eco – friendly aspect of safety razors lies in the minimal waste produced from recyclable metal blades versus disposable plastic cartridges, benefiting the environment.

Financial comparison after switching to safety razors

Switching to safety razors often results in lower annual expenses, even factoring in the initial setup costs equivalent to one year’s worth of cartridge razor expenses. Additionally, while soaps and aftershaves can be purchased, they are not essential, and budget-friendly alternatives are readily available.

Switching to safety razors led to a notable financial impact over the long term. Here’s a breakdown of the costs involved:

Item	Initial Cost	Annual Cost
Gillette Fusion Cartridges	N/A	$130
Safety Razor (One-time Purchase)	$30	$0
Blades for Safety Razor	$10	$20
Shaving Soap	$6	$12
Brush	$10	$0
Alum Block	$5	$5
Aftershave	$10	$10
Total Initial Investment	$71
Total Annual Cost After Switch		$47
Savings First Year		$83
Savings Subsequent Years		$110

Initial setup costs mirrored what I used to spend annually on cartridge razors. After the switch, yearly savings started accumulating.

Conclusion

The practices of Big Razor reveal a troubling pattern of cynicism and exploitation. By introducing unnecessary features and marketing gimmicks, they have shown a willingness to prioritize profit over customer needs. Their aggressive pricing strategies and planned obsolescence tactics further demonstrate their lack of regard for consumer interests. As informed consumers, we must push back against these cynical practices by demanding transparency, supporting smaller businesses, and seeking out alternative shaving options. It’s time to hold Big Razor accountable and make choices that align with our values and well-being. Choose razor products that prioritize quality, sustainability, and consumer satisfaction.