The big lie? For years, the shaving industry has told men that more blades mean a better shave. Each new generation of cartridge promised smoother results and fewer nicks, along with a bloated price tag.
And to be fair, stacking blades does make the razor cut closer. The problem is how it achieves that closeness: by pulling the hair above the skin’s surface, then slicing it again as it retracts. That extra friction and pressure cause irritation, redness, and the ingrown hairs most men have learned to accept as normal.
Adding blades isn’t innovation; it’s a business model. Each redesign locks you into a proprietary system that keeps you buying new cartridges instead of using a tool built to last.
What is the best alternative to cartridge razors?
For many men, switching from cartridges means trying a traditional safety razor. However, that comes with having to practice shaving at specific angles and pressure, or else you end up with nicks and cuts.
It’s a solid option — one blade, less plastic waste, and a lower long-term cost. But if you want to find a solution that cuts as well as a safety razor, but has a similar easy learning curve as shusing a cartridge, then the Henson razor stands apart.
Coming from an aerospace engineering background, the team behind Henson makes their razors with extreme tolerances not seen anywhere else in the industry. It’s like CNC machining a spacecraft part that’s meant to last for years on Mars, instead of stamping a plastic toy. That means every razor comes out exactly the same, so the blade sits precisely in a specified range that’s thinner than a human hair.
The punchline is that you don’t have to think about angles, pressure, or technique — the razor does the precision work for you. So, you get the benefits of a safety razor, without the learning curve.
How much money do you actually save with a Henson Razor
Let’s break it down.
A standard cartridge razor might cost about $15 for the handle, and the refill packs typically run $8 to $13 each. Most people go through one pack every month, which adds up to somewhere between $60 and $150 a year.
Stretch that over five years, and you’ve spent thousands of dollars on plastic and packaging designed to be tossed out.
The Henson Razor flips that equation. The handle is a single, lasting purchase — machined from solid aluminum or titanium — and the blades cost only around ten cents apiece. Even if you change the blade every week, your annual cost is between $4-$5.
After five years, the difference speaks for itself: thousands of dollars on cartridges vs ~$100 total for a Henson setup, razor included. It’s not just a cheaper way to shave — it’s a permanent end to refill spending. You buy it once, and the savings compound every month.
Does the Henson actually reduce razor burn?
Most irritation comes from the way cartridge razors lift and cut hair. When multiple blades pass over the same area, the first blade pulls the hair upward, and the following blades slice it again as it retracts. That repeated friction disrupts the top layer of skin and causes inflammation.
The Henson’s single-blade design eliminates that motion entirely. Because the blade exposure and angle are tightly controlled (Remember the tight tolerances in how it’s built?), each stroke cuts hair cleanly at the surface. The way the head clamps on the blade prevents flex, ensuring that every pass is consistent across the face.
Testing by MIMOSA Diagnostics confirmed what users report: reduced redness immediately after shaving and significantly less visible irritation ten minutes later.
It’s not about coatings or extra blades — by eliminating movement at the blade, the Henson eliminates the main cause of razor burn.
How long will the Henson last?
Disposable razors and cartridges are made for convenience, not longevity. Most combine several materials — plastics, rubber, and steel — that can’t be separated for recycling. Once dull, they end up in landfills, where billions of them remain today.
The Henson razor was built from the opposite philosophy. Each model is milled from aerospace-grade aluminum or titanium using CNC machining, with no plastic housing. It’s designed to last forever.
The blades are the only part you’ll replace — small steel inserts that cost 10 cents each and are fully recyclable.
Because it’s made from solid metal and contains no coatings or moving parts, there’s nothing to degrade over time. The tolerances that make it precise also make it durable. Ten or twenty years from now, it will shave exactly as it does today. It’ll be something you can gift to your children and grandchildren.
See the full lineup of Henson razors and finishes here.
