The MicroTouch One Razor is an retro styled safety razor that takes shaving back to its old school roots, eschewing the current multiple blade standard in favor of a classic, simple single blade. Heavily advertised on late night television infomercials, the MicroTouch One Razor is not as clumsy or random as a disposable- a throwback to more elegant razors, from a more civilised age.
The creators of the MicroTouch One Razor loudly claim that the reason there are so many blades and gimmicks with the razors of today is solely to inflate price and lower reusability, presenting safety razors as the ‘best way to shave for over 100 years’- and we’re inclined to agree with them.
Does the MicroTouch One Razor live up to its claims? Is it really as fine as a barber shop shave? We’ll dispense with the hype in this review and present a hard analysis of the benefits of shaving just like your grandpa did, back in the day.
One Razor to Rule Them All
The MicroTouch One Razor is endorsed by such reputable celebrities as Rick Harrison- you may remember him from such television programs as Pawn Stars- whose shiny bald dome evidently places him as a strong authority on the best shaving paraphernalia. Harrison claims the MicroTouch One delivers “The Best Shave of your life”.
The MicroTouch One Razor is a modern twist on what is actually a very old design, following the ‘if it ain’t broke, don’t fix it’ method. Emulating the pattern of the standard safety razor, MicroTouch have left the design largely unchanged. The first patent for the safety razor was filed in May 1880 in Brooklyn, New York. This pattern was subsequently refined and re-patented by worldwide razor juggernaut Gillette in 1904. The Gillette pattern safety razor gained global traction as a direct result of WWI, in which Gillette was awarded a US Government contract to supply troops with shaving materials as part of their standard field kits. Returning soldiers were permitted to keep their kits, and the subsequent consumer demand for replacement blades put the shaving industry on course toward its present form with Gillette as a dominant force.
Over the following years the basic design for the traditional safety razor changed very little, with minor innovations such as incorporating stainless steel in the blade, or safety features in blade packaging. It wasn’t until Bic released the disposable plastic razor in 1974 that traditional replaceable blade safety razors became less common, leading to the current state of the razor industry being dominated by disposable and semi disposable razors.
The MicroTouch One takes advantage of the current enthusiasm for all things vintage and “old school”, and offers a compelling argument for hirsute individuals to stop overspending on expensive multi blade refills.
Sharp Design
The MicroTouch One Razor has a robust feel in hand and is pleasantly weighty, unlike it’s flimsy plastic new-age disposable cousins. With a robust solid brass core and shiny chrome plating, the MicroTouch certainly looks the part. The design of the MicroTouch one incorporates an innovative blade release mechanism which involves twisting the bottom of the handle to open the top of the razor. Once the top is open the blade is inserted, which is a huge advantage over other patterns of traditional safety razors that require the entire head of the razor to be removed before replacing the blade, then screwing the entire assembly back on. The MicroTouch One also has a smaller blade exposure area than more traditional safety razors, making for a much more forgiving razor you’re less likely to filet your face with.
Cut Down to the Basics
Shaving with a traditional safety razor is wildly different from shaving with a standard disposable razor- like anything else originating from the prehistoric ages before the internet shaving properly (and ironically, safely) with a traditional safety razor requires time, effort, and patient practice. Most modern males that have grown up using plastic disposable razors will need to unlearn some bad habits, but the learning curve is usually quite short. Following are some quick tips for using an old school double edge safety razor like the MicroTouch One:
-Number one: Prep your beard. Softening your facial hair with warm water is a key factor in reducing irritation from shaving with a DE (double edge) razor. Usually the best time to shave is right after a shower. Also make sure to apply an even lather of shaving cream liberally to your face, using your brush in swirling motions. Once you’ve lathered your beard, smooth the lather out with a few swipes of your brush.
-Number two: Wet your razor, and shave with your razor at an angle between 30 and 45 degrees away from your face. Modern disposable razors are generally set close to this angle for you, but with a traditional DE razor you’ll need to discover your own optimum angle. To find the correct angle, hold the DE razor parallel to the floor and rotate it toward the vertical until you feel it start to cut- at this point, lock your arm and move your arm in a single smooth movement, using as little pressure as possible.
-Number three: Shave with the grain and try not to shave around corners if possible. It helps to divide the planes of your face into the flattest part. Shave in multiple passes, relathering your beard each time, until you reach the desired level of closeness.
The Verdict
The MicroTouch One Razor is an excellent first foray into the world of traditional double edge shaving, and has an excellent price point at just $19.99 USD for the MicroTouch One Razor, twelve replacement blades (with an additional 12 bonus blades) and an attractive travel case complete with in-built mirror. If you’re looking for a way to cut down on shaving expenses, or simply looking to bring a little more of the old school into your daily shave, the MicroTouch One Razor is a solid buy.
