REsearch
Current Designs
There are a wide range of different shaving razors available on the market today. These razors offer customers a wide range of shaving experiences; however this experience is often dictated by cost. A top end razor such as the Gillette fusion Proshield Flexball with additional 9 blades can cost around £30. Additional blades for this razor can also be costly, costing around £15 - £20 for 4 blades. This can be costly for those who shave regularly resulting in the choice between Cost or Comfort.
Some customers, those who maybe do no shave regularly, often stick with the disposable razor. These razors offer users with an average shaving experience, with less blades and motorising strips. This results in a less comfortable shave and would not be recommended for those with sensitive skin. You can expect to pay in and around £1 to £10 pound for a multi-Pack of disposable razors. A simple pack of 10 Bic single blade razors will cost around £1.50 and often last for only 1 or 2 uses. This is a cost effective option, however if you are expecting a close and comfortable shave, this option would not be recommended.
On the other hand, you can buy disposable razors at a slightly dearer price. The Gillette Mach 3 Disposable Razor, a reputable brand, offers customers 3 disposable razors for around £8 - £9. At a somewhat dearer price for a disposable razor it offers 3 blades, providing customers with a closer and more comfortable shave in comparison to the cheaper Bic razors.
Problem
Currently on the market there are a range of different Razor designs that offer users a comfortable shave. This is the focus of most Razor companies, wanting to provide buyers with a smooth and comfortable shaving experience. However to achieve this, customers have to pay quite a lot of money in order to firstly buy a razor, costing anywhere between £15 - £20 for a single razor with one blade and if additional blades are required customers can expect to pay up to £30 + for this. (Prices sourced from - http://www.boots.com/ & http://www.superdrug.com/). These prices can be costly for those who shave regularly with razor blades needing to be changed around every 10 days in order to provide a consistent, comfortable shave.
One of the main reasons for these high prices is the complex design and materials used in the manufacturing of the razor. Top of the line razors often settle for a steel alloy for the creation of the blades offering a corrosion resistant feature, increasing the lifespan of the razor blade. Also the handle is usually manufactured from aluminium or some sort of alloyed steel that is corrosion resistant. The use of a metal handle offers the customer’s with a strong and weighted product that feels good to hold and use.
However, looking at these features, it is not clear how the material used for the handle effects the shaving experience. Yes holding a product that feels solid and not flimsy will give the customer confidence in using it, however the focus should be on the blades and the design of the razor head as this is the area that will mostly affect the customers shaving experience. If this is manufactured correctly and to a high standard then the focus of the razor handle can be on the ergonomics and comfort and not so much the material the use of an expensive material.
As a result of this research the aim and focus of designing this product is to create a product that provides the user with a comfortable shave as well as a comfortable use. The overall aim of the product is to look at the possible materials that could be used when manufacturing in order to reduce the cost of this razor so that it is affordable to buy and maintain.
