Razors pose a fairly large eco problem. Most are not recyclable. Most are not long life. Most are made of toxic icky junk.

That said, if smooth is your game, you’ve got limited choices.

• There’s the reusable straight edge razor, which can cut you up like no one’s business, but if sharpened can last a long time.
• There’s not shaving.
• And now, for a while, there’s been the recyclable Preserve Razor. It’s available in a triple blade and a double blade. Preserve Razors are cool because the handles are made from 100% recycled plastic. The Preserve Triple Razor package doubles as a reusable travel case and can be returned for recycling. 

Personally, I actually refrained from shaving for years, thus cutting my waste considerably. However, after moving to New Mexico, where heat is king, I couldn’t take any extra anything; body hair included. I started shaving again.

This was before the Preserve days, so I bought an old school Gillette Sensor Excel Razor. I don’t think you can even get these anymore. You can barely find the cartridges, so I’ve one, been in a fix, and two, never liked the fact that this razor is made from non-recycled plastic.

Since it’s getting harder to find my cartridge replacements, and because I’d like a lower footprint, I recently bought a Preserve razor – the triple blade version – to try.  And now, the face off. Which razor is better? The Gillette or the Preserve?

The contestants: One Gillette Sensor Excel in pink (that I’ve had for maybe three years – yes I clean it!) and one Preserve Triple Blade in the lovely sea green (brand new).

Smack down stats:

• I did four leg shaving sessions. Two each with each razor.
• I used a new razor blade in each razor, and shaved twice (four shaves total). I did not change out the blades for the second round.
• On the oddball chance that shave cream might make a difference I used two different types – the awesome vedaDUDE Glide Organic Shave Gel that I reviewed here (and loved) and Kiss My Face Key Lime Moisture Shave.

It’s important to remember: As previously noted I have sharp object issues. I always tend to cut myself. So I’m a hard case for razor reviews.

SMACK DOWN SHAVE TESTS:

The Gillette razor – When I used the Gillette with the vedaDUDE gel I didn’t cut myself once. I got a clean, close, smooth shave. While the Gillette didn’t fare as well with the Kiss My Face shave cream, it still performed ok. Not too many cuts and a decent smooth shave.

The Preserve razor – When I use the Preserve razor with the Kiss My Face cream, I got more cuts than normal. When I used the Preserve with the vedaDUDE gel, it was better, but unlike the Gillette, I walked away with some nicks. The shave overall was smooth, although, not in my opinion, as smooth as the Gillette, and the cuts were annoying.

SMACK DOWN WINNER:

Clearly my old school Gillette. This was much to my dismay I might add. Preserve toothbrushes are the only toothbrushes I’ll use, and I’m a huge Preserve company fan, so this was a major disappointment to me. I wanted the Preserve to win going in, but it just couldn’t cut it.

My thoughts and ideas: First of all, I’m so used to my old Gillette, that I’m thinking the Preserve handle threw me. It’s longer, thinner, and harder to hold on to. Also, Preserve razor handles can be used with Personna, Acti-Flexx, and Gillette Sensor blades so using a Preserve handle with another blade is an option. Overall I like the look and colors of the Preserve better, but I also like not being cut.

My best choice is to go with hanging on to the Preserve handle and using different blades. What I’d really like is one eco-razor that totally works though. I’ll keep looking.

What you think…

All this said, I’m just one girl (with sharp object issues I might add) SO I’m interested in your thoughts. Have you used the Preserve razor? If so, what do you think?