Cut-throat Razors: The clue is in the question

Because Mr Gillette hadn't been born yet?

In my salad days, in a burst of irrational puritanism disguised as reason, I bought a cut-throat razor, a strop, and a shaving mug, presumably to avoid the needless creation of trash. I was, I told myself, going back to a simpler day and age, when men were men and we all trod gentler upon the dear earth. (Bollocks, of course, but how was I to know? It was my bollocks!)

Anyway, I learned to use it. The first experiments were rather harrowing. Safety razors tend to nick out small gouges where the corner of the blade meets your face at an awkward angle. Cut-throat razors tend to leave transverse shallow cuts where the blade meets a curved protruberance on your face. You learn to stretch your face without mercy.

In terms of actual damage, the cut-throat razor was marginally worse than the safety razor (which is why Mr. Gillette made a fortune - the better mousetrap!), but the amount of damage was still tolerable. For anyone determined to be clean-shaven, a cut-throat razor will do the job.

actually cut throat razors give a very good shave when you use them properly and have a modern version with good steel. the trick is in sharpening them properly. this takes time and effort somethings people seem to not have enough of these days. I've only been using one for shaving for 18months and won't go back to a safety razor. take the time to learn and you will be rewarded.
William