I've used a straight razor for almost 20 years. Vindicating to read that the price of a Dovo pays for itself. I think my bar of shaving soap is probably the better part of decade old as well. In the interim, a whole peculiar subculture around shaving has developed, but you don't have to be a part of it to just use a razor. Makes you unreachable by corporate marketing as well, which is itself its own reward.
Shaving is an example of how consumer products extract more money
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Re: Shaving is an example of how consumer products extract more money
#12Maybe this is why beards are popular again?
Anyhow, as a bearded man, only trimming/shaving the edges with a razor, a pack of razor blades lasts me probably 3 months.
Also on the double edge vs cartridge, as another poster mentioned, cartridges are foolproof and give a good shave.
Re: Shaving is an example of how consumer products extract more money
#13There is maybe another reason why cartridge razors are standard now, apart from the lower upfront cost: They are foolproof. It's more or less impossible to hurt yourself with it. On the other hand, it's absolutly possible to cut yourself with a double edge / safety razor, as you have to handle a razor blade and you can scratch yourself quite badly if you don't hold it at the right angle. But IMO, as with many of the…
I bought a double edged saftey razor in my local Muller store (similar to cvs), it's a cheap King C. Gillette razor, I think DM also has them. Maybe a sign of a comeback, although certainly niche. I nick my self all the time, but I don't mind. Ordered a variety pack of blades on amazon as well, it will last for a while.
Re: Shaving is an example of how consumer products extract more money
#14shaving with a double edged razor is virtually free after the initial small investment.
Re: Shaving is an example of how consumer products extract more money
#15The Gillette cartrdiges last quite a while and, for me, 15 shaves would be a conservative guess. I don't recall ever cutting myself either, unlike with old style razors and cheap disposables where it was pretty much a daily hazard. Nonetheless, I often go a week between shaves nowadays and this seems to be much more socially acceptable than used to be the case.
As I recall from a long ago experiment in school, a lot of the "wear" on a razor blade is actually corrosion. So it may actually be possible to extend the life in various ways.
Re: Shaving is an example of how consumer products extract more money
#16My facial hair is very thick and realistically I can use any type of blade at most once. I used to use Gillette blades, but at the advice of the Internet I switched to double edge razors.
The Internet claims this type of shaving is best, not just in terms of cost and enviromental impact, but that it reduces irritation and produces a closer shave.
After using a double edge razor for over five tears now, let me dubunk these claims. They are 100% grade bullshit. They don't produce a closer shave, not even close, and they are way, way, harsher on my skin than Gillette disposables. Maybe my skill in using them just sucks, and for other people these claims are true, but here's the thing, the Gillette cartridges are foolproof. They are more convenient in every way, you can actually fly with them, and you can use cheap shaving foams instead of hard to get shaving soap. And of course, they are much, much quicker to use. I can shave with disposables in less than five minutes, but using my double edge razor takes me around 20 minutes.
I still use my double edge razor because I like the feeling of accomplishement I get after I manage to get a decent shave with such a primitive technology, but anyone who claims double edge razors are "better" is simply insane.
Re: Shaving is an example of how consumer products extract more money
#17These shavers are why I now grow a goatee. Even a goatee will cut your shaving costs in half, beards much more.
Obligatory Onion satire on the subject:
https://www.theonion.com/fuck-everything-were-doing-five-bla...
Re: Shaving is an example of how consumer products extract more money
#18There is maybe another reason why cartridge razors are standard now, apart from the lower upfront cost: They are foolproof. It's more or less impossible to hurt yourself with it. On the other hand, it's absolutly possible to cut yourself with a double edge / safety razor, as you have to handle a razor blade and you can scratch yourself quite badly if you don't hold it at the right angle. But IMO, as with many of the…
Non reusable 'cartridge' razors (not sure if this is the right term), seem to be cheaper than the reusable ones, at least here.
Re: Shaving is an example of how consumer products extract more money
#19Disposable Gillettes have lasted me the longest with the least headache. more than 3 blades is insanity. I bet I get 25 shaves on a razor. not eco friendly but the plastic handle waste is minimal for 12 a year.
Re: Shaving is an example of how consumer products extract more money
#20Question: Why aren't there ceramic blades razors. You know, the knife blades that will chip before they get dull?