The Defender is a relatively new entrant in the cartridge razor shaving space. According to the vendor’s web site (defenderrazor.com):
“With Defender we seek nothing less than to revolutionize the shaving industry, by offering a real alternative to high cost razors without sacrificing quality. A 100-year razor monopoly has driven prices up while keeping innovation down, as companies continue to pack more blades onto an already crowded cartridge and call it progress. We aim to break that cycle.”
Defender manufactures its handles and blades in Israel and other shaving products in the US, which may appeal to some consumers. Defender offers a subscription service for their cartridges, but this is not mandatory. They also sell their products outside the US under the Boldking name.
Blades and Handles
Defender offers three types of three-blade cartridges: Regular, Sensitive, and Extra Sensitive. They recommend the Regular blades as suitable for most shavers, the Sensitive for those who experience mild razor burn and for head shaving, and the Extra Sensitive for those who experience more severe razor burn, ingrown hairs, and bumps. The different cartridge types are helpfully color-coded for quick identification: Black for Regular, gray for Sensitive, and white for Extra Sensitive.
The company offers two handle styles: SoftGrip (currently US $9) and Chrome Series (currently US $15). The SoftGrip handle (plastic) and the Chrome Series handle (metal) both use a rubberized grip. The SoftGrip handle includes a suction cup mount, a feature not shared by the Chrome Series handle. Defender offers both handle styles in multiple colors, and they both include a single Regular cartridge and a cartridge blade cover. They also sell razor stands in multiple colors that work with both handle styles.
Defender vs. the Competition
Defender makes a number of claims that their cartridge design has advantages over its competition. Here are some of the claims and my assessment of each:
Rinses more easily with less clogging: In my testing, this claim is accurate. Rinsing the Defender cartridge is easier than other multi-blade cartridges due to the wider spacing of the blades. In contrast, other multi-blade cartridges clog more easily, and are more difficult to rinse clean, due to the very tight blade spacing, particularly when using a thick or viscous shaving cream or gel.
Wider blade spacing reduces tugging: This claim is harder for me to evaluate, as I don’t typically feel a “pulling” or “tugging” sensation with cartridge razors if the blades are sufficiently sharp. I don’t know of a way to objectively evaluate this claim as each shaver’s experience is different and individual.
Razor head pivots more than the competition: The Defender head does support a fairly wide pivoting range, but I’m not really sure how much value this contributes to my shave experience with the razor, because, as a double edge (DE) razor user, I’m accustomed to adjusting the razor’s angle manually. For an inexperienced shaver, though, the extra pivoting range might be helpful.
Cartridge flexes to facilitate greater blade contact: In their marketing, Defender refers to this as “adaptive suspension.” In my opinion, the amount of pressure needed to cause the cartridge to flex is likely to increase chances of nicks, cuts, or irritation. In my testing, the razor shaves quite well with minimal pressure, so I’m not sure I would say this feature confers a significant advantage.
The top blade is close to the cartridge edge: In my testing, the top blade on the Defender cartridge does work well for shaving directly under the nose and for edging. This isn’t unique, as some competitor cartridges also have edging features; for example, Schick’s Hydro Sensitive five-blade cartridge has a flip-back precision trimmer. However, I’m not aware of any other three-blade cartridges that have blades as close to the edge as the Defender. The Defender doesn’t have a flip-back precision trimmer because it doesn’t need one.Cost Comparison
I’ll compare the cost of Defender cartridges with two major vendors’ three-blade cartridges currently on the market: Gillette’s Mach 3 and Schick’s Hydro Ultra Sensitive. Prices are from each vendor’s web site.
* Defender: US $31.80 for 16 ($1.99 ea)
* Mach 3: US $40.00 for 16 ($2.50 ea)
* Hydro Ultra Sensitive: US $9.89 for 5 ($1.98 ea)
The Defender and Gillette prices reflect discounts for buying at least 16 cartridges; Schick doesn’t offer a similar discount on Hydro Ultra Sensitive 3-blade cartridges.
If each cartridge provides the same number of shaves, Gillette Mach 3 cartridges cost about 26% more per shave at these prices than Defender or Schick three-blade cartridges. In my testing with the Defender, I can get approximately 14 high quality shaves from each cartridge. (Of course, shaving with a double edge razor is usually going to be less expensive in terms of per-shave blade cost than virtually any cartridge razor. The goal here is to compare the Defender with other three-blade cartridge razors.)
How Does It Shave?
I tested the Defender with the Chrome Series handle and Regular blades. The wide blade spacing makes it easy to rinse clean, and it shaves quite efficiently with a light touch. My shaves with it have been close, comfortable, and irritation-free. I find that the Defender is very easy to use and gives me very good results.
A Travel Alternative
In the US, it’s well known that the TSA gives individual agents wide latitude to confiscate double edge and single edge razors, even without blades. Accordingly, the Defender is my choice when I fly with only carry-on luggage.
The Bottom Line
I have always disliked how multi-blade cartridges clog and are difficult to rinse clean, and Defender has essentially solved this annoyance. In my opinion, the Defender distinguishes itself from all other multi-blade cartridge razors for this reason alone. Price-wise, the Defender is very competitive in the cartridge razor market and, for me, shaves at least as well, if not better, than other cartridge razors. For those looking for a cartridge razor, the Defender might be a good fit. For travel and for the occasional quick and mindless shave, the Defender has earned a spot in my shave den.
