View Full Version : The price of disposable razors
Ivan Seeking
Mar7-10, 01:02 AM
Wow! I bought what I thought was sixteen blades, for $28. But instead of four cartridges having four blades each, there were only two cartridges. The rest of the bulk was wasteful packaging.
That is about $3.50 for each blade. Incredible!!!
Integral
Mar7-10, 02:37 AM
I wouldn't know!
gravenewworld
Mar7-10, 02:43 AM
It is a lot more work and takes some practice, but a straight razor is a lot less wasteful, can save money, and gives a better shave once you get good at it.
Ivan Seeking
Mar7-10, 02:58 AM
It is a lot more work and takes some practice, but a straight razor is a lot less wasteful, can save money, and gives a better shave once you get good at it.
You can also slit your throat. :biggrin:
Is it even possible anymore to get the old style single-blade safety razors? I remember getting a pack of 10 blades for something like a buck or two. Granted, that was a long time ago, but inflation can't account for that big of a difference.
ZZ Top is [are] looking better every day.
This is why tramps have beards (no offence, Integral). :smile:
Galteeth
Mar7-10, 03:53 AM
That's surprising. I thought the ministry of plenty had said that due to a surplus in production, the razor ration would be tripled.
http://www.walgreens.com/store/catalog/Razors-and-Blades/Single-Blade-Disposable-Razors-12-Pack/ID=prod6002631&navCount=1&navAction=push-product?V=G&ec=frgl_&ci_src=14110944&ci_sku=sku6001905
leroyjenkens
Mar7-10, 07:29 AM
I got 15 single blade disposable razors for like 2 dollars at Wal-Mart. I use each one like 6 times and I only shave about once a week.
Do you have a Gillette Fusion? They rape you on replacement blades, but you can get whole boxes on ebay for the cheap! Something like 100 packages for 50 bucks
Astronuc
Mar7-10, 10:06 AM
Not something that I worry about. :biggrin:
Nor shaving cream.
DaveC426913
Mar7-10, 10:45 AM
Wow! I bought what I thought was sixteen blades, for $28. But instead of four cartridges having four blades each, there were only two cartridges. The rest of the bulk was wasteful packaging.
That is about $3.50 for each blade. Incredible!!!
I am in full agreement. The price of replacement blades is tantamount to highway robbery.
And to add insult to injury, your razor will go obsolete in a year, and blades will no longer be available. You wil be forced to buy a new razor and forced to buy their new blades.
Can't you get them from Dollar Store? or 50 cents Store?
The price of replacement blades is tantamount to highway robbery.
Likewise with printer ink cartridges. I recently bought a new Canon MP560 combination inkjet printer / scanner / copier for about $100. It came with a set of ink cartridges, of course. To prepare myself for when those run out, I ordered another set from amazon.com... for about $54. Either the printer is actually worth $46, or the cost of the cartridges contains a subsidy for the price of the printer. I suspect the latter.
It's a very nice printer for light-duty use such as I have at home, by the way. It runs rings around my old HP Deskjet and Canon flatbed scanner that I bought about ten years ago for $200 and $150 respectively. And it has wireless connectivity which neither of the old units had.
gravenewworld
Mar7-10, 11:39 AM
Can't you get them from Dollar Store? or 50 cents Store?
Absolutely NOT. I bought a pack of razors from a dollar store once before I started using a straight razor. Absolutely terrible. You get what you pay for. The blades were not sharp at all and I was almost crying while trying to shave with them because the blades would simply pull at each individual hair on my face rather than cut it.
Absolutely NOT. I bought a pack of razors from a dollar store once before I started using a straight razor. Absolutely terrible. You get what you pay for. The blades were not sharp at all and I was almost crying while trying to shave with them because the blades would simply pull at each individual hair on my face rather than cut it.
Black ones work perfect for me. Blue ones don't. (I don't know their names but just remember them by color). For 1$, I get 1 razor and 5 blades.
Easy fix
http://slimages.macys.com/is/image/MCY/products/1/optimized/470541_fpx.tif?bgc=255,255,255&wid=327&qlt=90,0&layer=comp&op_sharpen=0&resMode=bicub&op_usm=0.7,1.0,0.5,0&fmt=jpeg
I usually buy blades at Costco. They are still too blasted expensive considering how cheap they are to manufacture.
I went into a Walgreen's the other day to pick up a prescription. While I was there I decided to buy a small carton of blades to tide me over.
They blades were kept in a locked cabinet and I had to find a clerk to open it.:rolleyes:
VeeEight
Mar7-10, 01:12 PM
Do you get a close shave with that? I've only ever used electric razors for a quick touch up, but I would like to own one if you can get a close shave with it.
Do you get a close shave with that? I've only ever used electric razors for a quick touch up, but I would like to own one if you can get a close shave with it.
Works good for me.
Ivan Seeking
Mar7-10, 03:31 PM
I can't use electric razors. For some reason they just don't get along with my face. It is almost impossible to get a clean shave.
I have been using the Gillette Atra for decades. I hate to use the disposable types where the entire handle and blade are discarded, but maybe that't all that's left. No way will I continue to pay $3.50 per blade. As Dave mentioned, that IS highway robbery.
Hypatia, have you tried those? Note the complaints about "pulling hair". I too have used cheap ones that left my face feeling like a piece of hamburger. [I assume that legs and pits are just as tender as faces when it comes to shaving]
What I was thinking of was the old metal handle and blade holder that took a simple two-edge razor blade. Those were the standard when I was young and they had very little throw-away material. I don't think I've seen one like that for at least 20 years.
GeorginaS
Mar7-10, 04:24 PM
I can't use electric razors. For some reason they just don't get along with my face. It is almost impossible to get a clean shave.
I have been using the Gillette Atra for decades. I hate to use the disposable types where the entire handle and blade are discarded, but maybe that't all that's left. No way will I continue to pay $3.50 per blade. As Dave mentioned, that IS highway robbery.
Hypatia, have you tried those? Note the complaints about "pulling hair". I too have used cheap ones that left my face feeling like a piece of hamburger. [I assume that legs and pits are just as tender as faces when it comes to shaving]
What I was thinking of was the old metal handle and blade holder that took a simple two-edge razor blade. Those were the standard when I was young and they had very little throw-away material. I don't think I've seen one like that for at least 20 years.
The cost of replacement blades is obscene. And, yes, they keep introducing new models of razor handles with more and more blades per cartridge and discontinuing previous models that you may well like. It's really frustrating and there's nothing to justify the cost of the blade cartridges. And the waste drives me insane. I don't want to throw away a perfectly good handle and start all over again in a few months. Sure, it doesn't look like much waste, but multiply it by millions of people shaving and it adds up.
This hyperactive razorblade upgrades has only taken hold over the past few years, though. I recall having the identical razor handle from some time in the early 90s until the early 2000s. Then they stopped making that model, and I couldn't get replacement blades, and it's been annoying me ever since.
Electric razors don't work at all for me.
I've not found that my legs were especially sensitive to what sort of blade I'm using, but yes, underarms and bikini lines are sensitive bits of skin to dull blades. I've also found they're super sensitive to too many blades, too. Two sharp blades is good. Three or four and I've got a whole bunch of irritation going on.
DaveC426913
Mar7-10, 04:38 PM
I've not found that my legs were especially sensitive to what sort of blade I'm using, but yes, underarms and bikini lines are sensitive bits of skin to dull blades. I've also found they're super sensitive to too many blades, too. Two sharp blades is good. Three or four and I've got a whole bunch of irritation going on.
I will come over and show you how it's done properly. I will do it for you the first sixty or seventy times, but after that, it's up to you.
Ivan Seeking
Mar7-10, 04:45 PM
Nor shaving cream.
I learned long ago that regular hand soap works just fine.
VeeEight
Mar7-10, 04:54 PM
I learned long ago that regular hand soap works just fine.
I always use shaving cream but haven't bought a can in years - I've always lived with people who had lots to spare. I find that using just water leaves my skin rough, although I'll have to give soap a try. It seems reasonable that it will work well, and I always end up getting shaving cream in my hair.
GeorginaS
Mar7-10, 05:03 PM
I will come over and show you how it's done properly. I will do it for you the first sixty or seventy times, but after that, it's up to you.
Your generosity is overwhelming. Truly.
magnusrobot12
Mar7-10, 05:06 PM
Wow! I bought what I thought was sixteen blades, for $28. But instead of four cartridges having four blades each, there were only two cartridges. The rest of the bulk was wasteful packaging.
That is about $3.50 for each blade. Incredible!!!
Your lucky Ivan, I use the "power' version (vibrates) and it costs about twice the price that you quoted. I shave only twice a week, and each razor is good for 2 shaves thus its one razor a week. that is all i can afford.
Thank you, Magnus
Each fusion blade lasts about a month of shaving morning and night
I think I found just what you need Ivan.
http://www.classicshaving.com/Safety_Razors.html
Ivan Seeking
Mar8-10, 01:12 AM
Each fusion blade lasts about a month of shaving morning and night
I think that's the same model that I use now [a late generation Atra], but, at best, blades only last about a week to ten days for me. Tough beard. I can make them last, but the numerous passes required for a clean shave results in some pretty annoying irritation.
I think I found just what you need Ivan.
http://www.classicshaving.com/Safety_Razors.html
Hey, they do still exist. I guess the trick is to quit limiting my options to what's found at Safeway and buy online. Thanks.
Ivan Seeking
Mar8-10, 02:45 AM
Funny! The Cobra Classic, at $125 for a razor handle, is backordered.
http://www.classicshaving.com/catalog/item/522941/6873469.htm
DaveC426913
Mar8-10, 10:54 AM
... the numerous passes required for a clean shave results in some pretty annoying irritation. I don't understand getting a clean shave. If I shave under my chin and neck closely, it will erupt with ingrown hairs.
Easy fix
http://slimages.macys.com/is/image/MCY/products/1/optimized/470541_fpx.tif?bgc=255,255,255&wid=327&qlt=90,0&layer=comp&op_sharpen=0&resMode=bicub&op_usm=0.7,1.0,0.5,0&fmt=jpegI've got one, too. They work well, and you can flip the head open and rinse it out. Like all electric shavers, it didn't give a close comfortable cut until the blades had "worn in" to match the guides. The manufacturers always say that you'll need to give your skin and beard a week or two to become accustomed to the shaver. Bull! It takes that long for the blades to sharpen themselves against the guides. If you take the head apart for a thorough cleaning, don't mix up the blades or you'll be back to square one or worse with the crappy cut and pulling.
DaveC426913
Mar8-10, 11:40 AM
I will come over and show you how it's done properly. I will do it for you the first sixty or seventy times, but after that, it's up to you.Your generosity is overwhelming. Truly.
Hm. Refining my humour.
"Showing" someone is ambiguous and not funny. This would have read better as:
"I will come over and demonstrate on you. I will do it for you the first sixty or seventy times, but after that, it's up to you."
OK, now the rofls can flood in.
Ygggdrasil
Mar8-10, 12:30 PM
http://codeforfood.org/wp-content/uploads/2006/03/CST393.gif
http://img72.imageshack.us/img72/2153/merkurgenericmt2.jpg
cheap blades, amazing shave.
I don't pay anything - my wife buys them.:rolleyes:
Blades are very overpriced.
Ivan Seeking
Mar8-10, 02:31 PM
http://img72.imageshack.us/img72/2153/merkurgenericmt2.jpg
cheap blades, amazing shave.
Yep, I going back to those. The blades at the link are 60 cents each. How much do you want to bet that the blades last just as long as the ones selling for $3.50 each?
Ivan Seeking
Mar8-10, 04:18 PM
I always use shaving cream but haven't bought a can in years - I've always lived with people who had lots to spare. I find that using just water leaves my skin rough, although I'll have to give soap a try. It seems reasonable that it will work well, and I always end up getting shaving cream in my hair.
Aside from the rusty can sitting in the cabinet, I didn't have any particular reason to abandon shaving soaps, but I ran out and found that regular hand soap works just as well.
It reminds me a bit of the new married couple. The young wife was preparing a roast and cut the ends off. When the husband asked why she cut the ends, she said that she didn't really know, but her mom had always cooked roasts that way. Later the husband asked her mother about it. Mom said that her mother had always done it that way. When he asked Grandma why she cut the ends off the roast, she seemed puzzled and thought about it awhile. After the memory kicked in, she said, "I do recall doing that. We didn't have a pan big enough for the roasts".
gravenewworld
Mar8-10, 04:29 PM
Beard porn:
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=aI4ak1lJgY4
Like I said, it just takes some practice. The only thing to really worry about in the beginning is just getting some knicks or accidently dropping it and having it land on the top of a barefoot or reflexively trying to grab it. You won't slash your throat open or cut a jugular unless you are absolutely trying to. A good blade like the guy has in the video can last for decades with proper care, save you money in the long run, and can give you a quicker (better and closer too) shave once you know what you are doing since the area covered by the blade is much bigger than the typical saftey razor. Hey you are helping out the environment by being less wasteful too! I can't shave as good as the guy in that video yet though. It takes me a little bit longer.
Want the best? At least you won't have to buy disposable blades...
http://www.classicshaving.com/Thiers_Issard_Straight_Razors.html
mgb_phys
Mar8-10, 07:17 PM
It started out as a parody http://www.theonion.com/content/node/33930
So they built it Gillette's Five-Blade Wonder
http://www.businessweek.com/bwdaily/dnflash/sep2005/nf20050915_1654_db035.htm
GeorginaS
Mar8-10, 08:36 PM
Hm. Refining my humour.
"Showing" someone is ambiguous and not funny. This would have read better as:
"I will come over and demonstrate on you. I will do it for you the first sixty or seventy times, but after that, it's up to you."
OK, now the rofls can flood in.
I'm going to rofl because I'm beginning to suspect we may forever be ships in the night on the humour front.
You had me laughing the first go 'round; I was trying to make you laugh back. :biggrin:
GeorginaS
Mar8-10, 08:37 PM
It started out as a parody http://www.theonion.com/content/node/33930
So they built it Gillette's Five-Blade Wonder
http://www.businessweek.com/bwdaily/dnflash/sep2005/nf20050915_1654_db035.htm
Wow. The Onion certainly called that one, albeit unintentionally.
DaveC426913
Mar8-10, 09:24 PM
I'm going to rofl because I'm beginning to suspect we may forever be ships in the night on the humour front.
You had me laughing the first go 'round; I was trying to make you laugh back. :biggrin:i
I laughed. I knew you got it. We have that special bond.
That was directed at everyone else who did not show the customary appreciation. I may have to raise the tithe.
Amanheis
Mar8-10, 09:40 PM
http://img72.imageshack.us/img72/2153/merkurgenericmt2.jpg
cheap blades, amazing shave.Amazing shave? I wish. My throat always looks like it's been slit afterwards. Despite soaking the skin with hot water and everything. I tried for 6 months now and it doesn't get better.
BTW: 3 disposable mach 3 razors: 6$
8 of the exact same blades: 18$
Crazy isn't it?
DaveC426913
Mar8-10, 09:54 PM
I tried for 6 months now and it doesn't get better.
6 months eh. That might explain the rashes. If it isn`t working after about ten minutes, try taking a break from it.
gravenewworld
Mar9-10, 09:30 PM
I'm pretty sure if you took care of a blade to get it like this guy, you could get a shave with little irritation:
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=VXBuiQ9EFzI&feature=related
(watch at 4:40)
DaveC426913
Mar9-10, 09:43 PM
I'm pretty sure if you took care of a blade to get it like this guy, you could get a shave with little irritation:
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=VXBuiQ9EFzI&feature=related
(watch at 4:40)
Well, with the audio off I dunno what it's about, but that video is spectacularly homoerotic.
Amazing shave? I wish. My throat always looks like it's been slit afterwards. Despite soaking the skin with hot water and everything. I tried for 6 months now and it doesn't get better.
BTW: 3 disposable mach 3 razors: 6$
8 of the exact same blades: 18$
Crazy isn't it?
Have you tried different brands of blades? You might not think it but once you find the right blade you'll find it becomes a whole lot easier.
Don't try to finish your shave in one go, and don't do a pass without cream on your face!
I know the point of this thread is to reduce costs but some proraso shaving cream with menthol feels so good. theres some shaving soaps I really like and smell/feel amazing.
DaveC426913
Apr27-10, 10:23 PM
Don't try to finish your shave in one go,
What?
You mean like: do one cheek, have a rest on your fainting couch, go back for the other cheek?
I can grow the greatest neck beard in the world. Now I shave with the fusion 3 times a day. I like to have smooth skin during the week. On the weekends I will let it grow out again for man-factor.
Amanheis
Apr28-10, 12:53 AM
Have you tried different brands of blades? You might not think it but once you find the right blade you'll find it becomes a whole lot easier.
Don't try to finish your shave in one go, and don't do a pass without cream on your face!
I know the point of this thread is to reduce costs but some proraso shaving cream with menthol feels so good. theres some shaving soaps I really like and smell/feel amazing.
Funny, just last week I bought some proraso shaving soap, and I think it's amazing. I mean it was 5€ and it I only need a tiny bit, so I expect it to last a long time, that's not expensive to me. And also got anew razor from Mühle. I still get razor burn though, no matter what I do. But it already feels a lot different, for the first time it felt like the blade was actually cutting than just scraping off the hair. Last night I read this (http://leisureguy.wordpress.com/2006/07/10/a-guide-to-the-gourmet-shaving-experience/) and I'm anxious to try it out. Also I'm not gonna go against the grain for the next few weeks or so. This guy also says: always have at least two, better three or even four passes.
So I keep trying. All I want is to have a clean, close shave everyday that I can do in about 10 minutes.
Greg Bernhardt
Apr28-10, 01:02 AM
I just bought 8 Fusion blades for $30 :cry:
Born2bwire
Apr28-10, 02:05 AM
I use double edged razor blades. I got an old Gillette adjustable razor (one of them free from my grandmother's medicine cabinet, no it was not HERS) and I can get two years worth of blades (100 blades, one a week) for around $20 USD shipped. Instead of using a styptic pencil, I use an alum block, http://www.classicshaving.com/catalog/item/522960/1256432.htm . They no longer carry the one I bought last time but I think it is about the same size and it looks like it will last me two years at least. So the razor blades and styptic are dirt cheap but I use up all the money I save on shaving creams. I probably could save a bundle by using shaving soaps. I have heard good things about Col. Conk and that is only a couple bucks a puck but I do not think a shaving soap will last long in my humidity. Even my creams are basically water near the end.
I have found I can get a baby butt smooth shave every single day if I do a single pass with the double edge and then afterwards do a final cleanup with an electric razor. The electric razor by itself does a mediocre job but with the manual shave I can use it to get in at the hard to reach places without any worry of nicks and burn. In the end, I get shaves as good as I ever got with a cartridge razor but in a way that I can shave like this every day.
What?
You mean like: do one cheek, have a rest on your fainting couch, go back for the other cheek?
Good heavens, just the mere threat of nicking myself and extricating a tiny bit of claret is enough to make me swoon.
What?
You mean like: do one cheek, have a rest on your fainting couch, go back for the other cheek?
haha of course not, I meant go over it once lightly and then cover your face in lather again and do it again. and don't try to get a baby bottom smooth shave on your first pass.
http://badgerandblade.com/ has tons of information and I think a lot of people find when they start traditionally wet shaving it becomes addictive and you can end up spending a lot more than you intended too. Such as collecting older razors, etc.
I would love to eventually move up to a straight razor but I need some income first :(
Oh, and if you're hesitant to try a DE razor because of deep cuts or something, try not to get too hung up on it because once you try it out you'll realize that isn't really an issue. The right blade for YOU is important though as I didn't have great shaves until I used an Astra blade, there are lots out there and it's good to experiment. Give it a chance, it's really enjoyable!
Funny, just last week I bought some proraso shaving soap, and I think it's amazing. I mean it was 5€ and it I only need a tiny bit, so I expect it to last a long time, that's not expensive to me. And also got anew razor from Mühle. I still get razor burn though, no matter what I do. But it already feels a lot different, for the first time it felt like the blade was actually cutting than just scraping off the hair. Last night I read this (http://leisureguy.wordpress.com/2006/07/10/a-guide-to-the-gourmet-shaving-experience/) and I'm anxious to try it out. Also I'm not gonna go against the grain for the next few weeks or so. This guy also says: always have at least two, better three or even four passes.
So I keep trying. All I want is to have a clean, close shave everyday that I can do in about 10 minutes.
any of this guys videos is a great resource as well! http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=xjhIy9rgWQU
Boogeyman
Apr28-10, 05:50 PM
What I was thinking of was the old metal handle and blade holder that took a simple two-edge razor blade. Those were the standard when I was young and they had very little throw-away material. I don't think I've seen one like that for at least 20 years.
lol i use that one. but i dont live in america though.
Shalashaska
Apr28-10, 06:02 PM
I've got a rapidly growing beard, so for me, I go with an electric finished with a straight-razor and lather. I know, archaic, but it really works. The first is more than enough to deal with most days, and the latter is perfect for an ultra-close shave. Either way, I've found the razor you use is secondary to what lather you use. A good shaving soap and badger brush with some warm water with even a halfway decent razor will do the job better than a lightsaber with some gel crap.
Oh yeah, Ivan Seeking, if you want a set like the one you're talking about, Caswell Massey makes them (but they take gillette heads!), but more importantly they have the stand, mugs for foam, and GREAT brushes and soaps.
May I also suggest this site: http://badgerandblade.com/ Which is a sort of like this place, if everyone where talking about shaving instead of physics.
xxChrisxx
Apr29-10, 02:32 AM
And to add insult to injury, your razor will go obsolete in a year, and blades will no longer be available. You wil be forced to buy a new razor and forced to buy their new blades.
You say that but in my experience it just isn't so. In fact in many places they have deals on new razors (not just new models), it's often acutally cheaper to buy a new one with the free blades than to acutally buy the replacement blades. This is the reason I have 4 wilkinson sword quattros at home.
I'm just waiting for the inevitable 6 blade razor to combat the 5 blade fusion that gives "the closest shave ever". Surely any closer, and you would acutally be shaving your face off.
DaveC426913
Apr29-10, 04:04 PM
You say that but in my experience it just isn't so. In fact in many places they have deals on new razors (not just new models), it's often acutally cheaper to buy a new one with the free blades than to acutally buy the replacement blades.
All I'm really saying is that they change models so often that you cannot simply keep buying the same blades for your perfectly-working five-year-old razor.
VeeEight
Apr30-10, 02:32 PM
This thread inspired me to buy a double edge razor about a month ago. At 16 bucks for 100 blades, cartridges don't even come close. Some blades even have cool packages like this one: http://www.amazon.com/dp/B002AYOAE6?tag=savechea-20
I've been using JM Fraser shaving cream - it is about 10 bucks for a tub that looks like it will last a year and it can hold a lot of water and get a good lather.
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