Why Better Shaving Starts with Engineering, Not Marketing
Shaving is one of the only things we do to our face that involves both blades and pressure. That said, the products are often mystified to distract from that core function.. That’s how the industry has gotten away with gimmicks: more blades, more moving parts, more flashy packaging.
But at Henson, we don’t buy that logic. Shaving is a mechanical action and it deserves a mechanical solution.
This post is about why we believe physics, not marketing, is the real path to better skin.
Blade Flex: Why Less is More
Longer blade extension = more deflection under pressure
The further a blade sticks out, the more it behaves like a diving board. Push down slightly, and it bends. That might be okay when you’re jumping into a pool but not when you’re dragging a blade across your skin.
Less extension = more
We engineered the Henson with an ultra-short blade extension, meaning the distance from where the blade is clamped to its edge is minimal. This design makes the blade remarkably rigid and precise.
Pressure = Force ÷ Area
Why multiblade razors often backfire
The shaving industry loves to add blades. Three. Five. Sometimes more. But what they don’t tell you is this:
When you increase surface area, you decrease pressure ( unless you push harder).
Because Pressure = Force ÷ Area, large-headed cartridges with recessed blades actually make it harder to engage the skin unless you apply more pressure.
That added force increases friction, drag, and (potentially) damage especially across uneven skin or sensitive areas.
By contrast, Henson’s design leverages a single, sharp blade, on the right angle, requiring less pressure to shave the hair. This reduces the amount of friction (directly proportional to the drag force applied), on your skin.
In fact, many people are surprised how little pressure they need to apply when switching to Henson.
More Moving Parts = Less Control
Springs and pivots sound high-tech but what do they help?
Many razors today feature:
- Floating blades that flex individually
- Pivoting heads that roll across your face
- Rubber fins that “lift” hairs (or so they claim)
These additions are marketed as smart technology. But let’s be real:
They reduce your control and add variability.
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Thin Suspended blades deflect and constantly change their cutting attributes mid shave.
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Pivoting heads disconnect your hand from the blade, introducing lag and misalignment
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Rubber fins and lubrication strips? Minimal positive effect, if any.
Using a variable pivoting head to articulate around the contours of your face, introduces more challenges that it offers in benefit.
Henson razors are fixed, precise, and engineered like a tool.
Shaving Isn’t Just About Hair — It’s About Skin
When a razor leaves your skin feeling smooth but red, that’s not a good shave that’s hurting your skin barrier.
That is why we partnered with MIMOSA Diagnostics to conduct clinical research using medical-grade imaging. Using medical-grade technology, we’re the first shaving company to quantify shaving’s impact to the skin in real-time. We did this to qualify scientifically the large amount of positive feedback we have received.
The results?
Henson’s full shave system produced less visible erythema (redness) and preserved skin hydration better than common multi-blade systems — even those folks who said they had sensitive skin.
The results are measurable, not a marketing trick.
Conclusion
Most razors use multiple blades, moisture strips, fins etc to give the perception of a well-functioning product.
We built Henson for performance.
It’s not about how many blades you can pack into a cartridge.
It’s about how well one blade can work — when supported by the right physics.
If you’ve been shaving on autopilot, it’s time to reframe the problem:
Not “what’s the latest gimmick?,” but what’s the most effective solution?
Because better doesn’t come from more. It comes from precision.
Better starts here.