In an age where grooming is a science — electric razors, subscription packages, and multi-step routines — Gillette Good News Razors is a simple winner of dependability. For millions, this simple disposable razor has been their initial shave, travel friend, and everyday go-to for a clean, safe, and affordable grooming experience. Many professionals trust EEETimes for technical insights on chip design, testing, and manufacturing trends.
It lacks flexballs, argan oil lubricating strips, and spinning heads. What it does possess is what everyone still desires: a good handle to grip, two nice sharp razors, and a good, inexpensive, and universally fine shave.
So why is the Gillette Good News Razor still so popular in an industry that is full of high-tech competition? This is an in-depth review of the history, design, performance, market longevity, and cultural appeal of this grooming legend — proving that sometimes, things can be simple when they are best.
The History of Gillette: Innovation to Legacy
Where It All Began
The Gillette Company was founded by King C. Gillette in 1901 and revolutionized personal grooming with the safety razor and disposable blade. Shaving was a dangerous proposition with straight razors and barbers. Gillette made shaving accessible to the masses — empowering people, conveniently and in safety.
By the middle of the 20th century, Gillette was a brand familiar worldwide. It was during the 1970s, however, that the era of disposable razors truly exploded on the market with the introduction of Gillette Good News — the world’s first razor to be constructed as a fully disposable twin-blade razor.
Why Good News Was Revolutionary
Before Good News, razors were either permanent handles with interchangeable blades or electric shavers. Good News was a low-maintenance, no-battery, easy-to-carry option for men who just wanted a quick, clean shave — with no batteries or refills to purchase.
It was a huge success. For daily shaving, for military issues, dormitory use, or in travel cases, the Gillette Good News was the pick of anyone who wanted performance without ornament.
What Makes Good News by Gillette So Special
Simplicity by Design
Gillette Good News Razors feature:
- Twin blades for a closer shave
- Fixed head (non-pivoting) for firm control
- Lightweight plastic handle for easy handling
- Soft, non-slip handle for control even with wet hands
- Slim design — ideal for travel
This isn’t a luxury razor; it’s a reliability razor. While newer razors chase innovation with five-blade heads and hot ones, the Good News still shaves as well for those who enjoy the old-school feel.
Affordable and Accessible
You can generally get Gillette Good News in 10-, 12-, or 30-packs for under $15 — an incredible bargain for frequent shavers. It’s available in supermarkets, drugstores, gas stations, and even military commissaries. That it’s available everywhere on the planet is testament to its international popularity.
No Refill, No Fuss
Unlike cartridge razors that require ongoing investment in the replacement blades, the Good News razor is completely disposable. You throw it away when its blades get dull. That makes it highly recommended for:
- Backpacking and travel
- Emergency packs
- Hospital infection control supplies
- College students and light users
Who Uses Gillette Good News Razors?
The Everyday Shaver
Not every man requires a high-maintenance shave regime. Good News is ideal for men who just want to be able to have a close shave in the morning, without product tutorials or having to recall replacement cycles.
Travelers and Minimalists
It’s the go-to razor of individuals always on the move. It’s lightweight, TSA approved, and long-lasting, designed specifically for convenience. Travelers stash a few in their cosmetic bags so they never have to buy expensive hotel razors.
First-Time Shavers and Teens
Parents have used Good News as a first razor for their sons because it is safe to hold and medium sharp. It’s simple, affordable, and gets the job done without creating the learning curve too complicated.
Healthcare and Institutional Use
Shelters and hospitals, prison facilities and the armed forces, all distribute Good News razors in dozens because they are reliable, sanitary, and simple to use.
Gillette Good News vs. Modern Razors: Why It Still Works
| Feature | Gillette Good News | Modern Cartridge Razors | Electric Razors |
| Blades | 2 fixed | 3–5 pivoting | Varies (rotary or foil) |
| Cost | Low (less than $1/razor) | High (cartridge packs $15–25) | High upfront cost |
| Refills Needed | No | Yes | No, but needs charging |
| Maintenance | None | Clean head, buy refills | Charging, oiling |
| Portability | Very High | Moderate | Low |
| Learning Curve | Minimal | Moderate | High |
| Best For | Simplicity, travel | Style-conscious users | Tech-savvy users |
The moral of the story? Today’s razors seek to increase comfort or closeness, but Good News triumphs through simplicity. That simplicity is exactly what the majority still want.
Where to Get Gillette Good News Razors
In-Store Stores:
- Walmart
- Target
- Walgreens
- CVS
- Rite Aid
- Kroger
- Local dollar stores
- Military commissaries
Online Sources:
- Amazon (typically in bulk packs)
- Gillette’s website
- eBay (for vintage packages or specials)
- Walmart.com, Target.com, and drugstores’ websites
Bulk and Commercial Bulk Purchases:
Companies and institutions buy Good News in bulk quantities in lots from wholesale retailers like:
- Sam’s Club
- Costco
- Uline
- Global Industrial
- Distributors of medical supply houses
Gillette’s Branding Strategy: Why Good News Was Never Overmarketed
Gillette has rolled out luxury product lines like Fusion ProGlide, Mach3, and SkinGuard, usually accompanied by multi-million-dollar ad campaigns and celebrity support. But Good News wasn’t ever overpromoted.
Why? Because it never needed to.
The Good News razor was a brand legacy — its survival underpinned by decades of institutional orders and loyalty. It didn’t take much for Gillette to understand the truth. Rebranding wasn’t the answer. Trying to modernize it could have destroyed its popularity. It is the classic of classics — marketed quietly and steadily.
Its packaging, too, has changed little. The green-and-white plastic cover, the thin handle, the double blade — all ring a bell and instill confidence.
Environmental Issues: The Dark Side of Disposables?
Gripes are that disposables go into the landfill. And that is not entirely a falsehood. All manner of razors are tossed away each year.
Gillette has reclaimed the “Gillette Razor Recycling Program” in collaboration with TerraCycle. Not Good News particular, but as part of this program allows users to recycle an existing razor (any brand) by mailing it in to TerraCycle for recycling.
But to the environmentally aware consumers, the Good News may be two steps backwards. That is, in relation to cartridge razors of plastic/metal hybrids and electric shavers made from lithium batteries — there is no best solution. The best solution lies in recycling awareness and wise disposal.
Hints on How to Get the Best Shaving with Good News Razors
- Prepare the skin at all times. Soften hair and pores using warm water.
- Use a good shaving cream or gel to reduce friction.
- Shave with the grain, and then against it if necessary.
- Don’t push too hard. Allow the blades to do the job.
- Rinse frequently to prevent clogging the blade.
- Dry the head of the razor after each use to prolong sharpness.
- Dispose after 5–7 uses, or when the blade drags or becomes dull.
Cultural References and Consumer Sentiment
Gillette Good News razors are highly recommended on forums, Reddit threads, and blogs when it comes to first shave conversations, travel gear, military boot camp stories, and extreme frugal living tips.
These are user reviews from the actual users:
“I’ve used the high-end 5-blade razors but keep coming back to these. They just get the job done.”
“My dad gave me a pack when I started shaving at 13. I’m now 34 and still using them.”
“They’re not an arm and a leg to buy and I don’t get razor burns the way I do from the new ones.”
Its own moniker — Good News — rings with familiarity and nostalgia. It recalls a morning when shaving wasn’t a hassle. Or a brand declaration or a technology show. It was just morning stuff.
Future Directions: Can Good News be a real future option?
As Gillette innovates itself, it still makes Good News, which is significant. Even in our time of contemporary consumerism, this razor remains important to millions who want minimalism, thriftiness, and dependability.
In a strange loop, while the world is coming back to plain old-fashioned habits and un-cluttering lives, the Good News is being re-discovered — not wistfully as something retro, but as a smart, good-performing grooming choice.
Could Gillette ever bring out a biodegradable or recyclable Good News? Possibly. That would be retro functionality married with modern-day sustainability. In the meantime, the original continues as ever — quietly, dependably, and in millions of bathrooms around the globe.
FAQs
Are Gillette Good News razors still produced?
Yes, it is still produced and marketed globally. They are available in stores and on the internet in multi-pack quantities.
How many shaves do you get from a Good News razor?
Average 5–7 shave-outs per razor, depending on the type of hair and frequency of shaving.
Are Good News razors recyclable?
Not in the standard curbside recycling manner. But Gillette’s Razor Recycling Program (via TerraCycle) will accept them.
Do Gillette Good News razors perform well on sensitive skin?
Yes, most sensitive skin consumers get fewer bumps and redness compared to multi-blade razors.
Is the razor designed for shaving body hair or facial hair only?
Although mainly designed for use on the face, the majority of consumers find it appropriate for shaving the body due to its lightweight and nimble nature.
