There are lots of reasons one might want to shave. Shaving is not inherently a scam, by any measure. There are not lots of benefits to multi-blade razors, but there are some drawbacks. They generally seem to be a scam.
I don't think the modern shaving industry and those historical examples are exactly comparable. But I should have been more specific.
Well of course the modern shaving industry wants more customers, like every industry. Doesn't mean that there's no reason for shaving, then or now.
It's true, the modern industry is all about money. LOL, I'm sure few of us would have the skill to make that Roman razor sharp enough to actually shave with. There's obviously more hype than fact about the difference more than two blades can make, however quality modern razors with consistently sharp blades from the factory are pretty dang expensive. IMO they can be a real pleasure to use though, compared to the cheap single edge razors I usually buy. I just hate the 'lubricating' snot strip that seems to be on most disposable razors these days. You don't shave, YouFreeMe?