Cheap razor made after P&G watches Indians shave • Hacker News Board

Re: Cheap razor made after P&G watches Indians shave

#41

Post by patrickg_zill » Sat, Oct 05, 2013, 5:05 PM UTC

DanBC wrote: post #2

This article has some interesting insights about the process of developing a product, and the problems of working in a lab away from the people who are going to use the product. But I can't help feeling disappointed that we have yet another disposable thing, instead of a better handle for double blades. > The takeaway: In the U.S., razor makers spent decades on marketing centered on a close shave, adding blade after…

"You're doing it wrong" ... seriously though, there are a series of steps that will result in a good shave without blood loss.

The most important is to understand that the hairs on your face act like spaghetti - they are so much softer when they have absorbed some water. So the key is, shave after you get out of the shower, or make sure your face has been wet for a few minutes before you apply lotion or gel and start to shave.

Second, go slower!

Third, either move your face muscles around or actually use the fingers on your other hand, to pull your skin taut in the area you shave, this will minimize the chance of a cut.

Re: Cheap razor made after P&G watches Indians shave

#42

Post by maxerickson » Sat, Oct 05, 2013, 5:05 PM UTC

r0h1n wrote: post #28

singlecomment17 wrote: post #10

LOL. Rings true. "Indian men have thicker hair and a higher hair density than their American counterparts. Adding to that, they often shave less frequently than American men, so they wind up shaving longer beards." .. " "... observed men using a cup of water to shave. All the MIT students had running water. Without that, the razor stayed clogged." I live in a first world country now, and still use a bowl of water whe…

> I think they intentionally put bad blades in the cheap razors. Oh I think the likes of Gillette do far more devious things when it comes to the life of razors. For instance, I can almost swear that the blades on my Fusion razor seem to wear out much faster than the blades on my Mach 3, Sensor, Presto etc. (I've been nearly a lifelong Gillette razor user) I think what Gillette does is to ensure that the lubricating…

Has your water changed (perhaps you moved around)? Deposits make the edge rough, some water will make more of them.

It is also somewhat more difficult to get a good lather with harder water.

Re: Cheap razor made after P&G watches Indians shave

#43

Post by npsimons » Sat, Oct 05, 2013, 5:08 PM UTC

avtar wrote: post #9

Everyone's shaving needs are different -- mine require me to spend a considerable amount of time and effort to make sure I don't end up with cuts or ingrown hairs. I used disposable razors for the longest time until I found a thread on a wet shaving forum[0] where someone had shared a quick tutorial video[1] on how to shave with a double edge razor. After committing to wet shaving I now get the closest shaves possibl…

I'd have to concur, and can strongly recommend, if anyone has the interest to go even farther, try straight razor shaving. You might want to get a straight razor shave by a professional first (there's an Art of Shaving in Vegas that will do it), then consider learning to do it yourself. At that point, you're no longer throwing anything away! But of course it takes a bit more time, focus, and attention to detail, plus you have to keep the razor sharp (which can be another ritual in and of itself).

Re: Cheap razor made after P&G watches Indians shave

#44

Post by lnanek2 » Sat, Oct 05, 2013, 5:13 PM UTC

meepmorp wrote: post #16

As an alternative solution to the problem, try growing a long, luxurious, and sexy beard. No unnecessary waste from shaving products, no razor burn, and less time dicking around in the mornings. When it gets too long, take 5 minutes and trim it back.

Not my decision, unfortunately. No girlfriend I've ever had liked beards, and I don't like to sleep alone.

Re: Cheap razor made after P&G watches Indians shave

#45

Post by Moto7451 » Sat, Oct 05, 2013, 5:16 PM UTC

Aloha wrote: post #32

KC8ZKF wrote: post #31

Earlier quoted context omitted.

Buy a safety razor. http://www.amazon.com/Astra-Superior-Premium-Platinum-Double...

Yeah, the product discussed in the article is safer than a safety razor - that was part of the point.

Cartridge razors are safer only when installing the blades. The cutting surfaces of single blade cartridge razors and DE razors are largely the same. Single edge and injector razor designs were answers to the same problem.

More importantly to Gillette, however, is that they control the patents on each new cartridge design they come up with. The patents on DE razors are long expired. As such you must use OEM or licensed blades in your Gillette Fusion but I can use any blade in my Gillette Super Speed.

Re: Cheap razor made after P&G watches Indians shave

#46

Post by mercnet » Sat, Oct 05, 2013, 5:16 PM UTC

madlynormal wrote: post #5

DE Blades are the way to go. http://www.maggardrazors.com/index.php/product/budget-starte...

" In the U.S., razor makers spent decades on marketing centered on a close shave, adding blade after blade to achieve a smoother cheek." I cannot believe the article said this as more blades are worst for your skin. You are right about DE, especially when I purchased 100 razor blades for $19 at http://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B002CE3518/ref=oh_details_o...

Re: Cheap razor made after P&G watches Indians shave

#47

Post by ebiester » Sat, Oct 05, 2013, 5:17 PM UTC

meepmorp wrote: post #16

As an alternative solution to the problem, try growing a long, luxurious, and sexy beard. No unnecessary waste from shaving products, no razor burn, and less time dicking around in the mornings. When it gets too long, take 5 minutes and trim it back.

Eh, I have a beard and I still have to trim around the edges, leaving some work in the morning. And I couldn't grow a proper beard until 30 years old anyway, like many men here.

I'm a fan of the beard as much as anyone, but this is the wrong evangelism point.

Re: Cheap razor made after P&G watches Indians shave

#48

Post by testdrive5 » Sat, Oct 05, 2013, 5:20 PM UTC

I don't see why HN people are so dismissive about this just because it costs less. I'm from a middle class family (considering my pa's income) but I make well more than $2000 a month (which is considered very good here). And I live in a posh area as well. Think about an equivalent of something like the heart of New York. That's where I live in.

Now that we have my financial background clear, to avoid ad hominem attacks, I would easily vouch for this razor. Not only it's really smooth to shave (very good ergonomics), it also lasts longer. Believe me, I have used a single blade for about 6 months (max), with no deterioration and any sort of skin irritations/side effects, on the condition that I take care of preserving my blades by placing them into the air tight bottles to avoid rusting.

However, my average with a single blade of this razor is usually 3 months. It's also really cheap. You can get 5 blades for an equivalent of $1.5 bucks USD (80 Indian rupees). The razor itself is cheap too. So, it's a good product that get's the job done for most of us. It's much better than what my father has - A three blade motorized, vibration enabled Gillete razor whose blades alone would set you back for $10 minimum for a set of 3 or 5.

I hate it when people automatically go into this "if it's cheap in price, it's cheap in quality" mode without giving the product a fair chance.

Just to be clear, my other HN account has 2000+ karma and I'm not a troll/marketer for this product. I'm a genuine customer who just would like to share my experience with it.

Re: Cheap razor made after P&G watches Indians shave

#49

Post by tarr11 » Sat, Oct 05, 2013, 5:20 PM UTC

jblow wrote: post #14

This is a contemptible article. It seems mostly to be a product of PR, and for an American audience it seems intended to perpetuate the cognitive capture regarding razors being things that a lot of thought goes into and that therefore justify high prices. Do the math for how much a razor "should" cost, and ask why you can't buy one for remotely that much at your local Walgreens. Ask why stuff like Dollar Shave Club e…

I don't really think of razors as high priced. I have a 4-blade razor from Gillette and I can shave for several weeks on one blade before it dulls out.

As an american audience member, my takeaway was around "knowing your customer". I also thought that they were focused on cost savings.

I am not sure what exactly you think is contemptible about this. That there is PR involved? That the price of razors is too high?

Re: Cheap razor made after P&G watches Indians shave

#50

Post by tlrobinson » Sat, Oct 05, 2013, 5:21 PM UTC

kemayo wrote: post #36

jblow wrote: post #14

This is a contemptible article. It seems mostly to be a product of PR, and for an American audience it seems intended to perpetuate the cognitive capture regarding razors being things that a lot of thought goes into and that therefore justify high prices. Do the math for how much a razor "should" cost, and ask why you can't buy one for remotely that much at your local Walgreens. Ask why stuff like Dollar Shave Club e…

The bit which really tripped my PR filter was: > To do that, P&G executives would have to attract the nearly 500 million Indians who use double-edged razors, an old fashioned T-shaped razor that has no protective piece of plastic that goes between the blade and the skin when shaving. ...such razors are generally called "safety razors", and unless there's a radically different design in use in India, they're pretty ha…

Maybe I don't know how to use them properly, but I cut myself way more often with safety razors than Gillette style razors.