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Man it's expensive to shave.
- Thread starter Frisco
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I have a Braun Pulsonic with the cleaning, docking station. It's the best electric shaver I've ever used. The dock takes cartridges filled with an alcohol solution which prevents premature blade wear. But, the carts don't last very long and are expensive to replace.
I tried a straightrazor once. The plus size is the upkeep on them is both easy and cheap, and you can't ask for a closer shave.
The downside is I've only now finished growing back all my blood.
The downside is I've only now finished growing back all my blood.
Yeah if I tried that I'd wind up slicing my jugular
But I guess that would reduce the costs, as it would be my last shave
Yeah if I tried that I'd wind up slicing my jugular
But just before you bled out...you would look super cool using a straight razor!
Yeah if I tried that I'd wind up slicing my jugular
The thing is, the flat places aren't all that bad to shave with one. Unless you happen to have an epileptic fit or sneeze right while you're over your jugular, you'd probably be alright.
The problem is getting into those tender, angular areas. Where I cut myself, and yeah, I cut myself bad, was right behind my jawbone. I was trying to get in there close with it, and I guess I got the blade caught behind the bone on the upswing, cuz...
...ssslllliiikkkk
It was godawful, man. God. Awful.
No.
Its NOT expensive to shave. In fact, (male face) shaving is one of those rare activities where there is an inverse relationship between the amount spent and the quality of the end product.
Several years ago I became alarmed at the number of rusty cans of shave-gel ending up in my trash. And the fact that the Gillette Mach 3 cartridges I was buying cost me $20 or more.
Truly great shaving requires four things: A decent double-edged shaving razor. A good badger-hair brush. A cake of good quality shaving soap. And decent double-edged blades.
Of these four things, only the latter two are "consumables" - and they are both cheap. A cake of Sandalwood-scented shaving soap (that lasts a year) costs under $10. And bought in bulk, decent disposable double-edged razor blades cost less than $0.50 each - or about 7 cents per day.
Spend $100 or so on a good badger-hair shaving brush and a decent double-edge razor (I'd recommend Vulfix for the brush, Merkur for the razor) - and you'll have a lifetime of the best shaves imaginable, while spending a tiny fraction of what you currently do.
Its NOT expensive to shave. In fact, (male face) shaving is one of those rare activities where there is an inverse relationship between the amount spent and the quality of the end product.
Several years ago I became alarmed at the number of rusty cans of shave-gel ending up in my trash. And the fact that the Gillette Mach 3 cartridges I was buying cost me $20 or more.
Truly great shaving requires four things: A decent double-edged shaving razor. A good badger-hair brush. A cake of good quality shaving soap. And decent double-edged blades.
Of these four things, only the latter two are "consumables" - and they are both cheap. A cake of Sandalwood-scented shaving soap (that lasts a year) costs under $10. And bought in bulk, decent disposable double-edged razor blades cost less than $0.50 each - or about 7 cents per day.
Spend $100 or so on a good badger-hair shaving brush and a decent double-edge razor (I'd recommend Vulfix for the brush, Merkur for the razor) - and you'll have a lifetime of the best shaves imaginable, while spending a tiny fraction of what you currently do.
I have a Gillette Fusion ProGlide. I had to look it up to remember the whole name. Got it for free for some promo to replace by old Gillette that I got when I was about 18.
The blades are expensive, but I only buy them on sale or with a CVS coupon. I think they were $16 for a 4 pack. I last bought a 4 pack over a year ago. I think I have one untouched blade left in said year old set.
Just dry off the blades after use and you'll be fine. There's no reason they can't last at least a month per blade (on the low end) or a few months on the high end.
Worst case scenario near the end of life (after a few months) is I have to double back and shave the opposite direction in some spots to ensure a smooth shave.
The blades are expensive, but I only buy them on sale or with a CVS coupon. I think they were $16 for a 4 pack. I last bought a 4 pack over a year ago. I think I have one untouched blade left in said year old set.
Just dry off the blades after use and you'll be fine. There's no reason they can't last at least a month per blade (on the low end) or a few months on the high end.
Worst case scenario near the end of life (after a few months) is I have to double back and shave the opposite direction in some spots to ensure a smooth shave.
Hey, I would if I could. I look alright with a 5 o'clock shadow, but if I go any farther than that, I start looking like I've got the scurvy.
But even if I could grow a full beard, I'd still have to shave my neck. And the neck is where all the blood is.
The family.
Left to right
1918 Gillette Old Type, the style itself is 'open comb'
1940's Gillette Superspeed, TTO (twist to open)
1965 Gillette Slim TTO
1959 Gillette Fatboy TTO
all older than me.
Blade of choice: Personna Med Prep. A 250ct is essentially a two year supply.
I also have a Gillette Fusion. But that is for carry on travel.
.
Left to right
1918 Gillette Old Type, the style itself is 'open comb'
1940's Gillette Superspeed, TTO (twist to open)
1965 Gillette Slim TTO
1959 Gillette Fatboy TTO
all older than me.
Blade of choice: Personna Med Prep. A 250ct is essentially a two year supply.
I also have a Gillette Fusion. But that is for carry on travel.
.
The only cartridge razor I use is in my travel bag.
I use a double blade safety razor now and much prefer it to cartridge stuff. The razor is a merkur and I use feather blades in it. It is way cheaper in the long run and I get a much better shave overall. It takes some getting use to but once you learn the technique it is smooth sailing.
I use a double blade safety razor now and much prefer it to cartridge stuff. The razor is a merkur and I use feather blades in it. It is way cheaper in the long run and I get a much better shave overall. It takes some getting use to but once you learn the technique it is smooth sailing.
Woo Hoo! Someone who knows how to shave.
Right now I have about 12 razors and 8 brushes and a bunch of blades stockpiled. But, if I had to do it as inexpensively as possible,I would go with:
Gillette Black Beauty Super Adjustable Razor
Gillette Silver Blue Blades
Badger Brush
Cella Soap
The razor and brush are one time expenses for probably about $60
1 year's worth of blades $15
1 year's worth of soap $15
First year cost $90 or $7.50/month
Subsequent years cost $2.50/month
Plus you get a better shave than with cartridges and there is ridiculously less waste. 1 completely recyclable tiny blade every week or so (I get such a close shave, I can shave every other day)
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I have the same razor. I don't shave more than twice a week at most, and my facial hair doesn't grow in much (seriously, despite being 27, I look like a teenage boy going through puberty with peach fuzz no matter how long I wait between shaves) so I'll admit, my usage is certainly below average, but one blade lasts me 2 months easily. So I'm spending about 20 bucks on blades every 8 months or so. Pretty cheap if you ask me.
I just recently went "old school" again.
Picked up 2 Merkur Model 180's w/ Derby Extra DoubleEdge Razors, Taylor of Old Bond St Sandalwood Shaving Cream, Clubman Pinaud After Shave.
I still have a few Gillete Fusion Power Razors, kept 1 in our RV, 1 at home and 1 in my bathroom.
It was getting to where it was almost cheaper to buy a new handle with blades than it was to just buy replacement blades.
Now I pay about $3-4 for a 25pack of razors and I get a closer shave + the safety razor washes clean easier than any other multi-blade razor I've used.
Picked up 2 Merkur Model 180's w/ Derby Extra DoubleEdge Razors, Taylor of Old Bond St Sandalwood Shaving Cream, Clubman Pinaud After Shave.
I still have a few Gillete Fusion Power Razors, kept 1 in our RV, 1 at home and 1 in my bathroom.
It was getting to where it was almost cheaper to buy a new handle with blades than it was to just buy replacement blades.
Now I pay about $3-4 for a 25pack of razors and I get a closer shave + the safety razor washes clean easier than any other multi-blade razor I've used.
I'm another double-edge shaver. I alternate between a 1954 Gillette Superspeed (Flair Tip), a 1920s Gillette Pocket OC, and a newer EJ 89bl.
Blades = Astra SP which are $10 for 100 on Amazon. Still working on the pack that I bought September 2012. And I've been sharing the stock with my wife who uses a 1960s Gillette DE.
Soap = Geo F Trumper Violets (for all of you B&B members out there I'm 3017ing this puck and it's lasting forever)
All told, I've spent about $150 in shaving supplies since I started DE shaving last year. I have enough soaps to last a few years, my blades will last another 3 months, and my razors will last forever.
Blades = Astra SP which are $10 for 100 on Amazon. Still working on the pack that I bought September 2012. And I've been sharing the stock with my wife who uses a 1960s Gillette DE.
Soap = Geo F Trumper Violets (for all of you B&B members out there I'm 3017ing this puck and it's lasting forever)
All told, I've spent about $150 in shaving supplies since I started DE shaving last year. I have enough soaps to last a few years, my blades will last another 3 months, and my razors will last forever.
Nice!
As for me I use an Edwin Jagger one w red personnas blades made in israel.
TS after the initial investment every blade change costs around $0.10 and each blade I use three shaving sessions of 3-4 passes. The best thing of safety razor shaving is the skin feels better, muchhh better and closer shave and less irritation if any.
Wow - it's great to see so many traditional wetshavers here.
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TOBS Sandalwood and Clubman - one of my favorite combos!
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TOBS Sandalwood and Clubman - one of my favorite combos!
Another one for Gillet Sensor Excel. Have used this one since they first came out on the market. Quite a bit cheaper than the current ones. Use it daily and has always served well.
Razor companies have our hands tied. We have to shave or go with beard.
Razor companies have our hands tied. We have to shave or go with beard.
