The Exorbitant Price of Razor Blades

[avro707]

I think the key to electric razors, is that you have to be prepared to drop the big bucks on a quality one. By that, I mean dropping $300+ on one, something that I haven't been able to bring myself to do, even though I might actually save money in the long term. I have tried some of the sub-$100 electrics and found them to be huge disapointments

I've got a few good ones - a Philips one (rotary style heads on it) and a Panasonic with foil/cutter type heads. The Philips was rubbish, worst $500 I ever spent, and the Panasonic was better, but ultimately the BIC disposable razors do a better job, much more quickly.

Both the electric ones don't shave very closely - leaving you with that shadow look. That's why I ultimately gave up on them. Now I can go three days between shaves without looking too feral.

 

[JoeG4]

I bought a pack of sensor 3s that came with a mach 3 disposable... the problem with Gilettes is they just aren't sharp enough! I quickly gave up on them and went back to my trusty old Schick xtreme 3 disposables (well, Wilkensen Sword Tech 3.. YAY WALMART! >>) Schick and Wilkensen Sword are the same company, sooo.. go with that.

http://theshaveden.com/forums/threads/wilkinson-new-tech-3-razor-ongoing-review.20140/

The only reason I'd buy a Gilette is for the vibrating models. I love those!

 

[Big-TDI-Guy]

Make your blades last longer.

Clean / wash your face really well before shaving - good idea to shower first. That'll make shaving smoother, easier on the skin, and likewise to the blade as there's no "grit" to dull it.

One of the big things that helps is to DRY the blade after you finish. Even though they use stainless steel, the edge is still prone to corrosion. Especially with the multi-blade heads, the spacing between the blades is very close - and it traps moisture in. Rinse it, shake the excess, and dab dry with a towel. Since adopting this trick, my blades last at least 3 times longer now.

Also - badger brush FTW!

 

[JoeG4]

I'll just buy a badger. Badger badger badger!

 

[Eidorian]

Growing a beard is cheap and useful in the winter. I will just buzz it off and finish it with a razor later.

 

[Big-TDI-Guy]

Mushroom MUSHROOM!

 

[imahawki]

I'll X10 the DE/safety razor. I switched over and besides the cost savings and better shaves, I don't get nearly as much acne. Wish I'd known about them in high school. I bet half my acne was from tearing up my face shaving.

 

[likemyorbs]

Razor blades are so outrageous. I just roll with the permanent stubble look, a beard trimmer with a very short comb does the trick. Can go years with the same trimmer that costs as much as a pack of blades, and feels nothing like the facial assault that is an electric razor.

I don't really like being clean shaven, but when I must, I've got a Mach 3 and I follow up with this stuff: http://www.amazon.com/LOreal-Paris-...HSEO/ref=sr_1_4?ie=UTF8&qid=1320968349&sr=8-4

Same here!!! I thought i was the only person who did that. I absolutely despise being clean shaven. I'm 22 and it makes me look like a 15 year old boy.

 

[KnightWRX]

I've also started the Dr. House look, using a trimmer instead of my razor to shave, and using no comb at all on it. Gives me that 2-3 day beard look and doesn't irritate my skin as much as the razor does.

Plus it's much quicker to do.

 

[avro707]

I'll X10 the DE/safety razor. I switched over and besides the cost savings and better shaves, I don't get nearly as much acne. Wish I'd known about them in high school. I bet half my acne was from tearing up my face shaving.

I reckon the acne issue is probably to do with keeping the razors clean and sterilised, and also the preparation for the shave (hot towel, or hot shower), good quality pre-shaving cream/oil, good shaving cream or soap and a good post-shave treatment. It seems a lot of work - but it's really so worth it.

Similar stuff applies if you ride bicycles and are obliged to follow the certain sections of the Euro cyclists code-of-conduct. (unless you want to try smelly Elite Ozone mousse to get rid of hair on your legs - it works okay but stinks, but is better than hair and gravel rash mixed together).

 

[SDColorado]

I've got a few good ones - a Philips one (rotary style heads on it) and a Panasonic with foil/cutter type heads. The Philips was rubbish, worst $500 I ever spent, and the Panasonic was better, but ultimately the BIC disposable razors do a better job, much more quickly.

Both the electric ones don't shave very closely - leaving you with that shadow look. That's why I ultimately gave up on them. Now I can go three days between shaves without looking too feral.

I haven't been willing to pull the trigger on trying an expensive one. Maybe I should, they do seem to offer a 30-45 return. Are there any that can be used safely and effectively in the shower? I shave my head as well as my face, and shaving in the shower is just easier

 

[andiwm2003]

I considered using my girlfriends venus 3 blades without paying for them. But then I went electric and once in a while I use a gilette.

 

[avro707]

SDcolorado: I hear that this one is supposedly above average:

http://ctlg.panasonic.jp/product/lineup.do?pg=03&scd=00005886
http://panasonic.com.au/News+and+vi...+Announces+the+Worlds+First+Five+Blade+Shaver
http://forums.whirlpool.net.au/archive/1673504

The whirlpool forum has some reviews of it, seems the shave isn't as close as a traditional razor. my old one was an ES-LA83 Panasonic (4 blade). Dislikes with it are the shave wasn't close enough after a while, and the cleaning unit needs constant emptying/replacing of water in a water tank that is fiddly to refill.

The Panasonic one can apparently be used in the shower, it is a wet/dry one - I used to use it with shaving cream with no trouble and washed the head of it under water no problem.

The problem is that they often work well for a short while, then the foil/cutters go blunt, and then it doesn't work so well. Or your hair grows back in a different way that makes the shaving less effective.

 

[thekev]

Buy a cheaper brand. I've moved from Gilette to Schick myself, save about 1.50$ per blade.

Then there's these bad boys to consider :

In case you're on this thread again, how do you like Schick? I went away from electrics because even with an expensive well reviewed model, I couldn't get a good shave on my neck. I've used Gilette for the past couple years after buying one while traveling.

 

[AlphaDogg]

I use a Gillette Fusion ProGlide. I get about 20ish shaves per blade. They sell replacement blades at costco.

 

[JoeG4]

(unless you want to try smelly Elite Ozone mousse to get rid of hair on your legs - it works okay but stinks, but is better than hair and gravel rash mixed together).

If you're falling off you're bike regularly enough that you decide to shave your legs, you're doing it wrong. I know that cross country biking involves riding in the rain (sometimes) with those very narrow tires with no treads, but... still.....

 

[GoKyu]

I used to use the Mach 3 blades, but 2 years ago I got sick of the price of blades and got a pretty nice Series 3 shaver from Braun - best shave I've ever had, and it doesn't pull and tug the hair out of my face like the crappy $30-40 models. (I think I paid about $80 for it.)

Just like with Apple, pay a little more for quality - you might be surprised at how good the electric razors really are.

 

[avro707]

If you're falling off you're bike regularly enough that you decide to shave your legs, you're doing it wrong. I know that cross country biking involves riding in the rain (sometimes) with those very narrow tires with no treads, but... still.....

No, I'm not falling off regularly at all. In fact, I was being a bit sarcastic. And yes, I did try that stuff once, but not again. And if you don't apply the spray very carefully and evenly, you end up having to get the razor out and get rid of the bits it missed. But when you get it right, the hair just wipes away with a wet towel.

So there you go - that's detail enough, and I'm being honest.

But still, just about every cyclist you see ends up shaving their legs... They all say they won't, but sure enough - they do! Must be peer pressure. The gravel rash is just a convenient excuse every one uses.

 

[thekev]

I used to use the Mach 3 blades, but 2 years ago I got sick of the price of blades and got a pretty nice Series 3 shaver from Braun - best shave I've ever had, and it doesn't pull and tug the hair out of my face like the crappy $30-40 models. (I think I paid about $80 for it.)

Just like with Apple, pay a little more for quality - you might be surprised at how good the electric razors really are.

The last electric I used was norelco. I don't recall the exact price. I do recall it being well over $100, and it still sucked on certain areas. It causes quite a bit of skin irritation if you have to go over them multiple times .

 

[ashman70]

There is no question that shaving with an electric does not produce the same result as a blade, however I have found that if you take a little more time with an electric, and go over those tough to shave areas on the neck, from different angles, you can actually get a good result. When I was in my 20's, my skin was way to sensitive for an electric, I'd actually get hives from using one, but twenty years later, I have no problems using an electric and actually prefer it. Definitely invest in one close to or over $100, otherwise they are cheap and nasty and will only frustrate you. But I agree, the price of blade is disgusting, glad to see there are some alternatives.

 

[SDColorado]

SDcolorado: I hear that this one is supposedly above average:

http://ctlg.panasonic.jp/product/lineup.do?pg=03&scd=00005886
http://panasonic.com.au/News+and+vi...+Announces+the+Worlds+First+Five+Blade+Shaver
http://forums.whirlpool.net.au/archive/1673504

That Panasonic unit does look nice. I do see where it says it is 100% waterproof, but they never go quite as far as saying that they can be used in the shower. That may be more of an effectiveness issue rather than a waterproof one? What you mention about sharpness, has been my biggest concern with trying one of the electric ones. I find the cheaper ones become dull fairly quickly. I would hope that the more expensive ones do a better job, but I have yet to actually try one to know that for a fact. With my luck it will shave beautifully for the 45 days until the return period expires, and it would be downhill from there LOL

 

[avro707]

That Panasonic unit does look nice. I do see where it says it is 100% waterproof, but they never go quite as far as saying that they can be used in the shower. That may be more of an effectiveness issue rather than a waterproof one? What you mention about sharpness, has been my biggest concern with trying one of the electric ones. I find the cheaper ones become dull fairly quickly. I would hope that the more expensive ones do a better job, but I have yet to actually try one to know that for a fact. With my luck it will shave beautifully for the 45 days until the return period expires, and it would be downhill from there LOL

My experience with the ES-LA83 (which was similar to ES-LA93) was that it lost its sharpness quite fast. Or was it that my hair grew back differently and it was then less effective. I'm not sure - but I do know I'm very much happier with a razor and shaving once every three days. My skin is less irritated by that. I haven't tried the new five bladed ones - but would be happy to if someone wants to buy me one!

Fortunately, I have a full head of hair so far and no intention to lose it just yet. I'd recommend sending of a question to Panasonic and seeing what they say about using it in the shower. The other trick might be using it standing out of the shower, and then dipping your head under the water occasionally.

 

[JoeG4]

But still, just about every cyclist you see ends up shaving their legs... They all say they won't, but sure enough - they do! Must be peer pressure. The gravel rash is just a convenient excuse every one uses.

Aye, I forgot to say this - but if you wanna shave your legs and be done with it. I bet it's awesome for the first few days. I wouldn't because I have the idea that if it goes beyond that, it gets really scratchy for a while.

 

[glocke12]

Wow...thought I was the only one that got sticker shock with razor blades.

I make those bad boys last and use them until they can't be used any longer. I'll typically go a month or so without changing them out.

 

[iStudentUK]

I normally buy a new razor. It's simple marketing- sell the razors cheap and the blades expensive (like printers and ink). So the razors are always in offer in some chemist or another, and usually come with a few blades. I'll stock up in the Christmas sales!

I can't stand being unshaven. Don't think I've missed a day in years.