Is Switching to Dollar Shave Club Worth the Savings?

  • Thread starter Thread starter Ivan Seeking
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AI Thread Summary
The discussion centers around the high costs and waste associated with modern razor blades, particularly the frustration over purchasing what is perceived as excessive packaging and inflated prices. A participant shares their experience of buying a pack of blades that turned out to be less than expected, highlighting the cost of $3.50 per blade as outrageous. The conversation shifts to alternatives like straight razors and double-edge safety razors, which are seen as more economical and environmentally friendly options. Users express dissatisfaction with disposable razors and the frequent introduction of new models that render older ones obsolete, forcing consumers to continually buy new handles and cartridges. Some participants mention their struggles with razor burn and irritation, suggesting that finding the right blade and technique is crucial for a comfortable shave. The discussion also touches on the use of shaving creams and soaps, with some advocating for traditional methods over modern conveniences. Overall, there is a strong sentiment against the current razor market practices, with many seeking more sustainable and cost-effective shaving solutions.
Ivan Seeking
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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!
 
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I wouldn't know!
 
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.
 
gravenewworld said:
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:
 
That's surprising. I thought the ministry of plenty had said that due to a surplus in production, the razor ration would be tripled.
 
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
 
  • #10
Not something that I worry about. :biggrin:

Nor shaving cream.
 
  • #11
Ivan Seeking said:
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.
 
  • #12
Can't you get them from Dollar Store? or 50 cents Store?
 
  • #13
DaveC426913 said:
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.
 
  • #14
rootX said:
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.
 
  • #15
gravenewworld said:
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.
 
  • #16
Easy fix

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.jpg
 
  • #17
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:
 
  • #18
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.
 
  • #19
VeeEight said:
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.
 
  • #20
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.
 
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  • #21
Ivan Seeking said:
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.
 
  • #22
GeorginaS said:
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.
 
  • #23
Astronuc said:
Nor shaving cream.

I learned long ago that regular hand soap works just fine.
 
  • #24
Ivan Seeking said:
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.
 
  • #25
DaveC426913 said:
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.
 
  • #26
Ivan Seeking said:
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
 
  • #27
Each fusion blade lasts about a month of shaving morning and night
 
  • #28
I think I found just what you need Ivan.

http://www.classicshaving.com/Safety_Razors.html"
 
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  • #29
MotoH said:
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.

dlgoff said:
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.
 
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  • #30
Funny! The Cobra Classic, at $125 for a razor handle, is backordered.
http://www.classicshaving.com/catalog/item/522941/6873469.htm
 
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  • #31
Ivan Seeking said:
... 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.
 
  • #32
dlgoff said:
Easy fix

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.jpg
I'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.
 
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  • #33
GeorginaS said:
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.
 
  • #35
http://img72.imageshack.us/img72/2153/merkurgenericmt2.jpg

cheap blades, amazing shave.
 
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  • #36
I don't pay anything - my wife buys them.:rolleyes:

Blades are very overpriced.
 
  • #37
cdn88 said:
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?
 
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  • #38
VeeEight said:
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".
 
  • #39
Beard porn:


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.
 
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  • #41
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
 
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  • #42
DaveC426913 said:
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:
 
  • #43
mgb_phys said:
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.
 
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  • #44
GeorginaS said:
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.
 
  • #45
cdn88 said:
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?
 
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  • #46
Amanheis said:
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.
 
  • #48
gravenewworld said:
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 don't know what it's about, but that video is spectacularly homoerotic.
 
  • #49
Amanheis said:
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. there's some shaving soaps I really like and smell/feel amazing.
 
  • #50
cdn88 said:
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?
 

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