We’ve talked here before about Gillette’s secret shaving lab located in Reading in Britain.

Recently they released a study on men’s shaving that was picked up by the Wall Street Journal.

Unsurprisingly, 24% of men surveyed said their biggest shaving pet peeve was ‘not getting a close enough shave’.

What? After all the research and millions of dollars that have been poured into shaving technology over the past thirty years? Yep.

You see, multi-blade cartridges, battery vibration and lubricating strips aren’t about helping men get a better shave. That’s all about moving shaving back along the product life-cycle curve. The shaving product companies want you to think there is something new about shaving again.

Fact is, shaving technology was dialed in about sixty years ago. Once the twist-to-open double edge razor was introduced, there wasn’t any more improvement to be had.

But that would keep Gillette et al from reaping the enormous profits to be had getting you to buy five-blade cartridges at a price that could make a down payment on a decent used car.

Giving credit where it’s due, the article does admit that the most superior shave results will be had by using a straight, or cutthroat, razor. I heartily agree.

Link love:

WSJ: In Search of a Perfect Shave