Engineering Product Review: The Henson Razor

Or: The Engineer’s Razor

This is the first engineering product review article I have done for this series. It’s a bit like the retro engineering articles, where we look at a previous engineering system to find examples of engineering expertise, but this time we take a look at a current product.
In this article it is the Henson Razor.
Summary of the Henson Razor
The Henson razor is designed around the precision mounting of a standard flexible blade. Further, the head is designed to create an intuitive alignment to guide the user. By mounting the blade precisely and guiding the user with alignment, the razor will shave the hair away without excessively scraping the skin.
I have used this razor myself, after being impressed by their explanations of the design and demonstrations, and agree with others who have reviewed it highly – it is an excellent razor.
So how did they create such a razor?
When you read over their website and watch their videos, you see numerous examples of great engineering practice.
Outcome-Driven Innovation
They definitely showed a Jobs To Be Done perspective and started with the user. They were able to pick their design goals:

• Minimise cuts on the skin
• Minimise the length of hair left after a pass of the razor
• Minimise waste and cost – not like plastic razors
• Minimise build-up of lather and hair to minimise the need to clean the razor while shaving

First principles
To minimise cuts and minimise the length of hair left after a pass of the razor, the designers knew that a well-controlled blade gap (the space between the blade edge and the leading surface of the head) and well-controlled blade exposure (how much the blade protrudes from the surface of the head that contacts the face) were essential. Not just nominally, but along the length of the blade.
Good control of location of the blade means precise manufacturing methods like machining.
Further, a bent blade is more rigid than a flat one. Therefore, if the blade is bent, then it will have more inherent rigidity.
In addition, a 30° cutting angle has been found to be the most comfortable for use.
Skin is more compliant than metal so it can be expected that the skin being shaved can align, at least to some extent, with the shaver surface.
Framing
In this instance, the framing became apparent given the above: design well-controlled machined parts that securely connect, and control the blade location so that it is bent to 30° at the cutting edge.
This does not make for a stereotypically ideal product – it is not well aligned with mass production methods for low cost – but it is well aligned with reality. Both commercial (what users want) and physical (how razors perform).
Systemic thinking
The designers noted that standard razor blades are ubiquitous and well controlled in their dimensions. Thus, there is an opportunity to leverage these in the design and there is no need to design or produce the actual cutting edge.
The head of the razor was designed to mount the blade as well as let the hair and lather flow through – achieving two goals with the one part.
Goal analysis
The above shows the core attributes of the expert engineer (first principles, framing and systemic thinking) at play. However, as the product (including the commercial aspects) was developed, other opportunities presented:

1. There was the chance to augment the prestige of the product by noting it is made to the same standards as aeronautical parts.
2. Anodization allows for a range of colours, which suits a market that likes customisation.
3. While the razor is expensive, it will last longer and uses cheaper blades so the lower long-term cost is now a feature.
4. This also allows for the eco-friendly nature of the product to be a feature as well – less waste (especially plastic).

Things to note
While I would argue that the Outcome-Driven Innovation was the start of the journey here (even if the engineers themselves do not know this term), I would not argue that the first principles, framing, and systemic thinking occurred in the order I covered them. It is more likely that these actions coalesced – along with the goal analysis.
Because the process started with the needs of the user, it became very easy to sell the product based on its features. This is a lesson for all engineers. If you are clear on what needs to be done, then it is very easy to explain the benefits of your proposed solution.
I have covered this product because I think it is a great piece of engineering. I have no links to the company – apart from being a customer – and I received no income for writing this article. I would recommend the product, but I would first recommend that you take a look at their website yourself to see how they developed this razor.