Patent Publication Number: US-11396107-B2

Title: Razor handle comprising inserts within holes and razor comprising such a razor handle

Description:
This application is a continuation application of U.S. application Ser. No. 15/115,939, filed Aug. 2, 2016, which is a national stage application of International Application No. PCT/EP2014/054008, filed Feb. 28, 2014, the entire contents are hereby incorporated herein by reference. 
    
    
     FIELD OF THE INVENTION 
     The embodiments of the present invention relate to a razor handle. 
     BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 
     In particular, the embodiments of the present invention relate to a razor handle that includes an elongated body extending in a longitudinal direction, the elongated body having an outer surface and being provided with a first hole and a second hole, the first and second holes opening on the outer surface of the elongated body, the razor handle further including a first insert and a second insert. 
     WO2008147133 describes an example of a razor handle in which several inserts are provided on different faces of the razor handle so as to provide a proper weight to the handle assembly and prevent the deformation of the elongated body. 
     However, these inserts consist of several different pieces with complex shapes; therefore, a razor handle provided with such inserts is difficult to assemble and to manufacture. In addition, each of these inserts can inadvertently be detached from the razor handle. 
     SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION 
     One objective of the present invention is to avoid the aforementioned drawbacks. More specifically, one objective of the present invention is to facilitate the manufacture of the razor handle according to the present invention. 
     Another objective is to improve the shaving experience of the user while shaving. 
     Another objective is to avoid any inadvertent separation of the inserts provided on razor handle according to the present invention. 
     This problem is solved by the present invention in that the first and second inserts are respectively partially encapsulated within the first and second holes. 
     By providing the inserts, the razor handle can also have a proper weight ensuring a precise and comfortable shaving while providing an advantage for mass produced shavers. 
     In addition, since the inserts are encapsulated within the elongated body, the inserts cannot be detached from the first and second holes; they especially cannot be detached from the hole by a user. Also, the razor handle has a better hold and an improved resistance. 
     By providing the inserts, the razor handle can also have a proper weight to promote a comfortable shaving experience. The inserts allow the razor handle to have a good balance regardless the shape of the handle. 
     Furthermore, the razor handle according to the present invention can be easily recycled by separating the material of the inserts from the material of the elongated body. 
     In other advantageous embodiments of the razor handle, at least one of the following features may be incorporated: 
     the razor handle extends between a front end and a rear end, the rear end being opposite the front end, the front end being provided with connecting means, the first insert being located proximate to the front end and the first insert being substantially immovable within the first hole, the substantially immovable first insert forming a finger rest area; consequently, the user can position one or several of his fingers on the first insert to grasp the handle; the razor handle thus provides a good shaving experience; 
     the first insert is movable within the first hole; 
     the second insert is substantially immovable within the second hole, the substantially immovable second insert forming a finger rest area; consequently, the user can position one or several of his fingers on the second insert to grasp the handle; the razor handle thus provides a good shaving experience; 
     the elongated body is a unitary element and includes a first material including a plastic or a rubber material; 
     the first and second inserts are made with a rigid material having a density that is different from the density of the first material of the elongated body; when the inserts include a material having a density that is greater than the density of the first material of the elongated body, the presence of the inserts result in an increase in the weight of the razor handle which can improve the user&#39;s perception while shaving; this increase of weight can be achieved by reducing the use of first material and still maintaining a good shaver handle design; the size and shape of the razor handle may be then reduced but may still keep an ergonomic shape; 
     the first and second inserts include a material including a metal, a plastic, or a rubber material; 
     at least one of the first and second inserts is a sphere; each of the first and second inserts can be a sphere; 
     the first and second inserts each has a diameter between about 10 mm and about 20 mm; 
     the elongated body has an upper face and a lower face, the lower face being opposite the upper face, the first and second holes being through-holes extending between the upper and lower faces; 
     the elongated body has an upper face and a lower face, the lower face being opposite the upper face, at least a part of the upper face and at least a part of the lower face being covered with a second material so that the parts respectively form at least an upper gripping area and at least a lower gripping area; 
     the elongated body has two lateral sides opposite to each other and extending in the longitudinal direction between the upper and lower faces, the lateral sides including a plurality of smooth ribs made of the second material, each of the plurality of smooth ribs connecting the upper gripping area and the lower gripping area; 
     the razor handle extends between a front end and a rear end, the rear end being opposite the front end, the front end being provided with connecting means for connection to a shaving cartridge; 
     the first insert is located proximate to the front end, whereas the second insert is located proximate to the rear end; 
     the first insert is centered on a first point which is located at a distance measured along the longitudinal direction about 30 mm from the front end; 
     the second insert is centered on a second point which is located at a distance measured along the longitudinal direction about 20 mm from the rear end; 
     the distance between the first point and the second point measured along the longitudinal direction is between about 70 mm and about 90 mm; 
     each lateral side includes a plurality of spaced protruding pins proximate to the front end of the razor handle; 
     the first hole has an interior lateral wall, a retaining ring protruding from the interior lateral wall and surrounding circumferentially, at least partially, the first insert to maintain the first insert within the first hole; 
     the second hole is divided by an elongated bar extending in the longitudinal direction, the elongated bar that includes a portion that surrounds circumferentially, at least partially, the second insert to maintain the second insert within the second hole; 
     the second hole includes an interior lateral wall, the second hole further includes two projections opposite each other, the two projections protruding from the interior lateral wall and having a shape which is partly complementary to the shape of the second insert to maintain the second insert within the second hole; and 
     each of the first and second holes delimits an interior space inside the elongated body, the first and second inserts having a size which is respectively smaller than the interior spaces of the first and second holes. 
     The present invention also concerns a razor that includes such a razor handle and a shaving cartridge connected to the razor handle. 
     The above and other objects and advantages of the present invention will become apparent from the detailed description of embodiments of the present invention, considered in conjunction with the accompanying drawings. 
    
    
     
       BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS 
         FIG. 1  is a perspective view of a razor according to the present invention that includes a razor handle connected to a shaving cartridge; 
         FIG. 2  is a perspective view of the razor of  FIG. 1 , the shaving cartridge being released from the razor handle; 
         FIGS. 3A and 3B  are respectively an upper and a lower view of the razor handle of  FIG. 1 ; 
         FIG. 4  is a side view of the razor handle of  FIG. 1 ; 
         FIG. 5  is a longitudinal cross-sectional view of the razor handle shown in  FIG. 3A  along line V-V; 
         FIG. 6  is a cross-sectional view of the razor handle shown in  FIG. 5  along line VI-VI; 
         FIG. 7  is a cross-sectional view of the razor handle shown in  FIG. 3A  along line VII-VII; 
         FIG. 8  is a cross-sectional view of the razor handle shown in  FIG. 3A  along line VIII-VIII; and 
         FIG. 9  is a partial upper view of the front end of the razor handle of  FIG. 3A . 
     
    
    
     DETAILED DESCRIPTION 
     In the various figures, the same references can denote identical or similar elements. 
       FIG. 1  illustrates a wet shaving razor  1 . The present invention includes a razor handle  2  and a shaving cartridge  3 . The shaving cartridge  3  is preferably a disposable shaving cartridge that includes one or more blades  3 A, which can be connected to or released from the razor handle  2  as shown respectively on  FIGS. 1 and 2 . 
     The razor handle  2  has a generally curved shape (viewed laterally) and extends in a longitudinal direction C between a front end  2 A and a rear end  2 B, the rear end  2 B being opposite the front end  2 A. The razor handle  2  also has an elongated body  4  for hand grasping the razor handle 
     The elongated body  4  extends longitudinally from the rear end  2 B to a location near the front end  2 A. The razor  1  further includes connecting means  5  in the continuation of the elongated body  4  up to the front end  2 A of the razor handle  2 . In other words, the elongated body  4  extends longitudinally from the rear end  2 B to the beginning of the connecting means  5 . The shaving razor  1  extends longitudinally from the rear end  2 B to the free end of the connecting means  5  (the free end being connected to the shaving cartridge  3 ). 
     Referring to  FIGS. 3A and 3B , the razor handle  2  can be substantially symmetrical with respect to a median plane P 1  and has a length L in the longitudinal direction C which is between about 100 mm and about 150 mm, preferably about 125 mm. The length L 4  of the elongated body  4  is about 100 mm to about 120 mm, whereas the length L 5  of the connecting means  5  is about 15 to about 25 mm. 
     In an embodiment of the present invention, the length L of the razor handle  2  is about 126 mm. The length L 5  of the connecting means  5  is about 17 mm. The length L 4  of the elongated body  4  is about 108 mm. 
     The razor handle  2  may also define a variable height H and a width W along the length L thereof. The height H of the razor handle  2  may vary along the direction C but is preferably between about 15 mm and about 25 mm, preferably about 20 mm. As depicted in  FIG. 4 , the smallest height H 1  of the elongated body  4  is located about the center of the razor handle  2 . 
     It can be seen on the upper and lower views of the razor handle  2 , shown in  FIGS. 3A and 3B , that the razor handle  2  has a first enlarged part Ep 1  proximate to the front end  2 A, having a width W 1  which is maximized. The elongated body also includes a second enlarged part Ep 2  located proximate to the rear end  2 B of the razor handle  2  having a width W 2  which is maximized. The first and second enlarged parts Ep 1 , Ep 2  are connected together by a slim part Sp located about at the center of the razor handle  2 . In particular, the slim part Sp has a width W 3  which is minimized. The first enlarged part Ep 1  extends from the slim part Sp to the connecting means  5 , whereas the second enlarged part Ep 2  extends from the rear end  2 B to the slim part Sp. The first and the second enlarged parts Ep 1 , Ep 2  have a length LEp 1 , LEp 2  along the longitudinal direction C which are respectively chosen such that the connection between the first and second enlarged parts Ep 1 , Ep 2  with the slim part Sp have a smooth curvature. 
     In a preferred embodiment of the present invention, the length LEp 1  of the first enlarged part Ep 1  is about 25 mm. The length LEp 2  of the second enlarged part Ep 2  is about 50 mm. The length LSp of the slim part Sp is about 25 mm. 
     The connecting means  5  are integral with the elongated body  4  and includes two flexible arms  6  extending from the elongated body  4  and protruding toward a free end  6 B at the front end  2 A of the razor handle  2 . In other words, the flexible arms  6  and the elongated body  4  are unitary. 
     As shown in  FIG. 9 , the two arms  6  may be disposed in a V shape, diverging from the longitudinal direction C of the razor handle  2 . Each of the two arms  6  is provided at the free end  6 B with a bearing structure  7  for connection to the shaving cartridge  3 . In the illustrated embodiment of the present invention, the shaving cartridge  3  is of the pivotal type, where the bearing structures  7  allow the pivoting of the shaving cartridge  3  when connected to the razor handle  2 . A longitudinal flexible tongue  8 , extending between the arms  6  and cooperating with a groove  8 A (shown in  FIG. 2 ) formed on the shaving cartridge  3 , provides a spring force which biases the shaving cartridge  3  towards a rest position as illustrated in  FIG. 1 . In other embodiments of the present invention, the shaving cartridge  3  may also be fixed relatively to the razor handle  2 . 
     Each arm  6  has on its upper face a plurality of small cavities  21 , which provides enough structural strength to the connecting means  5  for the purposes of human shaving while saving weight and costs on this part of the razor handle  2 . 
     The elongated body  4  has an outer surface  4 E, and more precisely an upper face  4 A and a lower face  4 B (also shown in  FIGS. 4A and 4B ), the lower face  4 B being opposite the upper face  4 A. The elongated body  4  further has two lateral sides  4 C,  4 D between the upper and lower faces  4 A,  4 B. The two lateral sides  4 C,  4 D are opposite each other and also extend in the longitudinal direction C. 
     The elongated body  4  and the connecting means  5  form a unitary element moulded out of a first material. The first material may be any moldable material. Preferably, the first material is chosen among a plastic or a rubber material. For instance, the elongated body  4  and the connecting means  5  can be moulded in a thermoplastic material, for instance in acrylonitrile butadiene styrene (ABS) or in polypropylene (PP). 
     The elongated body  4  further includes a first hole  9  and a second hole  10 . The first and second holes  9 ,  10  are respectively located in the first enlarged part Ep 1  and in the second enlarged part Ep 2  of the razor handle  2 . 
     The first and second holes  9 ,  10  are preferably through-holes that extend between the upper face  4 A and the lower face  4 B of the elongate body  4 . In other embodiments of the present invention, the first and second holes  9 ,  10  may also be blind holes that open on the outer surface  4 E of the elongated body  4 , and in particular on the upper face  4 A or on the lower face  4 B. 
     As shown in  FIGS. 7 and 8 , each of the first and second holes  9 ,  10  has respectively an interior side wall  9 A,  10 A, each of which are delimiting an interior space  9 B,  10 B inside the elongated body  4  between the upper and the lower faces  4 A,  4 B. The interior side walls  9 A,  10 A of each of the first and second holes  9 ,  10  have a semi-circular portion  9 C,  10 C (shown in  FIG. 3A ) and converge in a V-shape from the semi-circular portions  9 C,  10 C in the longitudinal direction C towards the slim part Sp in the center of the razor handle  2 . Also, both of the first and second holes  9 ,  10  preferably have drop-shapes respectively oriented in opposite directions when seen from an upper or a lower view as illustrated in  FIGS. 3A and 3B . In other words, viewed from the top or lower side, the two holes connected via the slim part Sp, have a general shape similar to a figure eight. 
     As shown in  FIG. 3A , the length L 9  of the first hole  9  along the longitudinal direction is between about 10 mm and about 30 mm, preferably about 20 mm. The length L 10  of the second hole  10  along the longitudinal direction is between about 30 mm and about 50 mm, preferably about 40 mm. Also, as illustrated in  FIG. 3B , the first enlarged part Ep 1  extends from the connecting means  5  to the end of the first hole  9  located towards the center of the razor handle  2 . The slim part Sp extends from the end of the first hole  9  located towards the center of the razor handle  2  to the end of the second hole  10  also located towards the center of the razor handle  2 . The second enlarged part Ep 2  extends from the end of the second hole  10  located towards the center of the razor handle  2  to the rear end  2 B. 
     The razor handle  2  further includes a first insert  11  and a second insert  12  located respectively within the interior space  9 B,  10 B of each of the first and second holes  9 ,  10 . More precisely, the first and second inserts  11 ,  12  are respectively partially encapsulated within the first and second holes  9 ,  10  as illustrated in  FIG. 5 . The surface of the first and second inserts  11 ,  12  can be directly or indirectly, as detailed hereafter, touchable with a finger of a user. The surface of each of the first and second inserts  11 ,  12  can form finger rest areas on the upper face  4 A and/or on the lower face  4 B of the elongated body  4 . Preferably, less than 75%, and preferably less than 50%, of the surfaces of the first and second inserts  11 ,  12  are encapsulated within the first and second holes  9 ,  10 . In other words, the surface of the first and second inserts  11 ,  12  which is encapsulated cannot be directly touched by the user as it is surrounded with the first material of the elongated body  4 . 
     In this manner, when a user wants to shave, he may position his fingers on the location of the first and second holes  9 ,  10 , and preferably on the surfaces of the first and second inserts  11 ,  12  which are not encapsulated. Preferably, the first and second inserts  11 ,  12  enhance hand grasping in certain shaving positions, such as in a position where the razor handle  2  is held between the index and the thumb, the thumb resting on the first insert  11  on the upper face  4 A and the index resting on the first insert  11  on the lower face  4 B of the razor handle  2 . In another shaving position, the thumb and the index of the user can also rest on the second insert  12 . As will be discussed further below, the second insert  12  may not be directly touched with a finger of a user on the upper face  4 A as a rib  14  may cover partially the second insert  12 . The user may therefore position his finger(s) on the rib  14  on the upper face  4 A of the elongated body  4  when shaving. Although covered by the rib  14 , the second insert  12  can form a finger rest area since the second insert  12  supports the rib  14 . In other embodiments of the present invention, the second insert  12  can be covered at least partially with another material (i.e. the material of the rib  14 ). 
     The first and second inserts  11 ,  12  are preferably made with a material chosen among a metal, a plastic, and a rubber material. In particular, the first insert  11  and/or the second insert  12  is preferably made with a rigid material having a density that is significantly different from the density of the first material of the elongated body  4 . 
     For instance, the density of the first and second inserts  11 ,  12  may be greater than the density of the first material of the elongated body  4 . The first and second inserts  11 ,  12  thus contribute to increasing the weight of the razor handle  2  without significantly increasing the volume of the handle  2 . As a consequence, the razor handle  2  can be heavy enough to provide a good shaving and to make sure that a good contact is provided between the blades  3 A of the shaving cartridge  3  and the skin of the user to be shaved. Preferably, each of the first and second inserts  11 ,  12  is only made of metal and does not include any other material. 
     The material chosen for the first insert  11  and/or the second insert  12  can also have an impact on the sensing  5  experience of the user when he positions his fingers on the first and second inserts  11 ,  12 . For example, an insert made of metal provides a pin-point contact with the fingers of the user, thus allowing the communication of all transmitted vibrations from shaving. To the contrary, an insert made of rubber, such as thermoplastics, absorbs most of the vibrations from shaving and does not transmit them to the fingers of the user. 
     In alternative embodiments of the present invention, the first and second inserts  11 ,  12  may not be both necessarily of the same material. For instance, the first insert  11  provided within the first hole  9  may be made of metal and the second insert  12  provided within the second hole  10  may be made of rubber or vice versa. 
     Each of the first and second inserts  11 ,  12  can also be made with several materials. In particular, the first and second inserts  11 ,  12  can be covered with a layer of another material having a smooth surface. For example, the first and second inserts  11 ,  12  may be made of metal and covered by a layer of rubber. The layer can have a surface finish between about 0.5 pm and about 1.6 pm (roughness Ra). 
     The first and second inserts  11 ,  12  may also have an irregular surface, for instance with craters or bumps due to a knurled pattern or a divot pattern. The type of surface of the first and second inserts  11 ,  12  can affect the tactile sensing of the user when he positions his fingers on the first and second inserts  11 . 
     In other alternative embodiments of the present invention, the first insert  11  and/or the second insert  12  may be a sphere of which one hemisphere is made of rubber and the other hemisphere is made of plastic. The first and second inserts  11 ,  12  may thus serve a double purpose by providing different types of finger rest areas. 
     By providing the first and second inserts  11 ,  12 , the elongated body  4  can therefore be made of a material which is lighter and cheaper when compared to the material used in known razor handles. Nevertheless, despite the lightness of the first material, the razor handle  2  still has a good quality appearance and an optimized weight due to the first and second inserts  11 ,  12 . The weight of the razor handle  2  is localized in the front end  2 A and the rear end  2 B of the razor handle  2 , thus ensuring a good balance of the razor handle  2 . 
     The first insert  11  and/or the second insert  12  may have a spherical shape. The first inserts  11  and/or the second insert  12  may have an ovoid shape. More generally, the inserts may have any other shape such as a parallelepipedic, cubical or cylindrical shape. The first and second inserts  11 ,  12  may have the same shape or may have a different one. Similarly, first and second inserts  11 ,  12  may have the same dimensions or may have different ones. The first and second inserts  11 ,  12  may be made of the same material(s) or may be made of a different one(s). 
     Preferably, the inclusion of the first and second inserts  11 ,  12  does not lead to an excessive deformation of the shape of the elongated body  4 . The shape of the elongated body  4  preferably remains similar to the shape of an elongated body that would not include any inserts. As shown in  FIGS. 1-3 and 5-8 , each of the first and second inserts  11 ,  12  is preferably a single sphere. However, each of the first and second inserts  11 ,  12  may not be complete spheres and may only have a partial curved surface, especially a partial spherical surface which serves as a finger rest area. 
     The first and second inserts  11 ,  12  have a size which is respectively inferior to the interior spaces  9 B,  10 B of each first and second hole  9 ,  10 . Also, as illustrated in  FIGS. 3A and 3B , the length of the first and second holes L 9 , L 10  in the longitudinal direction C is greater than the longitudinal size of the first and second inserts  11 ,  12 . In the illustrated embodiment of the present invention in which the inserts are spheres, the spheres have preferably a diameter D which is between about 10 mm and about 20 mm, preferably less than about 15 mm, and more preferably about 12 mm. 
     In one embodiment of the present invention, the first and second inserts  11 ,  12  are preferably maintained, or advantageously secured, respectively within the first and second holes  9 ,  10  and can therefore not be detached from the first and second holes  9 ,  10  by a user. The first and second inserts  11 ,  12  cannot move substantially in any manner in the first and second holes  9 ,  10 . As a consequence, the first and second inserts  11 ,  12  are not substantially movable (i.e. immovable or motionless) respectively relative to the first and second holes  9 ,  10 . The substantially non-movable first and second inserts  11 ,  12  thus form finger rest areas. More precisely, the first and second inserts  11  and  12  cannot substantially slide in their corresponding first and second holes  9 ,  10 . 
     More particularly, as depicted in  FIG. 7 , a retaining ring  13  protrudes from the interior side wall  9 A of the first hole  9  in a plane P 2  perpendicular to the symmetry plane P 1  of razor handle  2  and partially surrounds circumferentially the first insert  11  to maintain the first insert  11  within the first hole  9 . 
     In another embodiment of the present invention, the first insert  11  and/or the second insert  12  may be a sphere that can rotate about its own axis in all directions. Also, a gap may be provided between the first insert  11  and the retaining ring  13  in order to facilitate the rotation of the first insert  11  when the first insert  11  is a sphere. The gap may be between about 0.005 pm and about 0.025 pm depending on the chosen rotational freedom of the first insert  11 . A smaller gap prevents the first insert  11  from rotating easily whereas a bigger gap facilitates the rotation. The surface finish of the first insert  11  and/or the second insert  12  and/or of the first hole  9  and/or the second hole  10  is adapted to allow movability, especially the rotation. 
     One among the first insert  11  and/or the second insert can be substantially immovable. In another embodiment of the present invention, both the first insert  11  and the second insert  12  are movable. The first insert  11  and the second insert  12  can for instance be spheres that are movable, especially in sliding around their own axis within their corresponding first and second holes  9 ,  10 . 
     In the case where the first and/or second inserts  11 ,  12  include two hemispheres made of different materials and thus having different density, the user can switch between the two hemispheres as needed by rotating the first and second inserts  11 ,  12 . 
     A user that positions one of his fingers on a movable first insert  11  and/or second insert  12  may find difficulty shaving as his finger(s) may slip on the first insert  11  and/or the second insert  12 . Shaving may therefore be imprecise and uncomfortable. 
     As a consequence, when the first or second insert  11 ,  12  is movable relative to corresponding first or second holes  9 ,  10 , it cannot form fingers rest areas. More precisely, when the first insert  11  is movable, the first insert  11  cannot be a finger rest area. 
     As illustrated in  FIG. 8 , the second hole  10  can be divided in two parts by an elongated bar  14  extending in the longitudinal direction C and within the second hole  10  in the plane P 1 . The elongated bar  14  includes a portion  14 A that partially surrounds circumferentially the second insert  12  to maintain the second insert  12  within the second hole  10 . The interior side wall  10 A of the second hole  10  also includes two small projections  15 A,  15 B opposite each other that protrude from the interior side wall  10 A and have a shape which is partly complementary to the shape of the second insert  12  to maintain the second insert  12  within the second hole  10 . However, as described above regarding the first insert  11 , a gap may also be provided between the second insert  12  and the portion  14 A in order to facilitate the rotation of the second insert  12  when this second insert  12  is a sphere. 
     By being respectively maintained in the first and second holes  9 ,  10 , the first and second inserts  11 ,  12  are respectively located in the front end  2 A and the rear end  2 B of the razor handle  2 . Preferably, the first insert  11  is centered on a first point  11 A which is located at a distance L 11  measured along the longitudinal direction (C) of about 25 mm from the front end  2 A. The second insert  12  is located proximate to the rear end  1 B. Preferably, the second insert  12  is centered on a second point  12 A which is located at a distance L 12  measured along the longitudinal direction C of about 25 mm from the rear end  2 B. 
     As illustrated in  FIG. 5 , the first and second inserts  11 ,  12  are spheres, and the first point  11 A and the second point  12 A respectively correspond to the center of the first and second inserts  11 ,  12 . 
     The distance L 11 - 12  (shown in  FIG. 6 ) between the first point  11 A and the second point  12 A measured along the longitudinal direction (C) is preferably between about 60 mm and about 100 mm, preferably about 78 mm. The distance L 11 - 12  may vary depending on the length L 4  of the elongated body  4  as well as on the weight balance to be preferred due to the first and second inserts  11 ,  12 . 
     In particular, known razors without inserts usually have a center of balance that is located in the center of the razor handle, or slightly towards the front end toward the razor handle. To this end, the rear part of the razor handle cannot be much larger than its front part, and vice versa, in order to achieve this center of balance. In the present invention, by adding the first and second inserts  11 ,  12  at precise locations from the front end  2 A and the rear end  2 B of the razor handle  2 , it is possible to control the location of this center of balance regardless the shape of the razor handle  2 . For instance, the center of balance may be positioned at the center of the razor handle  2  in the longitudinal direction (C) even though the second enlarged part Ep 2  is significantly larger than the first enlarged part Ep 1 . 
     The elongated body  4  may be made with several different materials. For instance, the elongated body  4  may also be made with a layer of a second material different from the first material, preferably chosen among a plastic or a rubber material. The first material provides structural strength to the razor handle  2 , while the second material provides the softness required for comfortable hand grasping and firm finger gripping in any shaving position. 
     As depicted in  FIGS. 3A and 3B , at least a part  19  of the upper face  4 A and at least a part  20  of the lower face  4 B, and preferably the majority of these faces  4 A,  4 B, can be covered with the second material so that the parts  19 ,  20  respectively form an upper gripping area and a lower gripping area. As depicted in  FIG. 7 , the second material may also overflow, at least partially, on the interior side wall  9 B of the first hole  9  without covering the retaining ring  13  which maintains the first insert  11 . 
     The lateral sides  4 C,  4 D of the elongated body  4  include a plurality of smooth ribs  16  made of the second material. As shown in  FIG. 4 , each lateral side  4 C,  4 D of the elongated body  4  preferably includes a plurality of ribs  16  connecting together the upper and lower gripping areas  19 ,  20 . In the illustrated embodiment shown in  FIG. 4 , each of the lateral sides  4 C,  4 D of the first enlarged part Ep 1  includes two ribs  16  and the lateral sides  4 C,  4 D of the second enlarged part Ep 2  includes four ribs  16 . 
     As shown in  FIGS. 1-4 and 9 , each lateral side  3 C,  4 D may also have a side gripping area  17  that includes a plurality of spaced protruding pins  18  integral with the connecting means  5  and located proximate to the front end  2 A of the razor handle  2  at the junction of the connecting means  5  with the elongated body  4 . The side gripping areas  17  enhance finger gripping of the razor handle  2 , especially in a shaving position where the thumb and the index finger are positioned very close to the front end  2 A, and preferably to the arms  6  for satisfying the need of precise shaving. 
     According to the present invention, the insert (first and/or second) can be movable or substantially immovable in its corresponding hole; the insert (first and/or second) can be a sphere or of any other shape allowing the movability of the insert. The material and/or the surface finish of the insert (first and/or second) and/or of the hole (first and/or second) is adapted to allow this movability, especially by rotation. The insert (first and/or second), even when movable, is not detachable from the handle when inserted in the corresponding hole.