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Shaving is an example of how consumer products extract more money

johnwhiles.com

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Re: Shaving is an example of how consumer products extract more money

#51

Post by i_like_waiting »

yial wrote: post #38
chongli wrote: post #26

The key thing to recognize with modern Gillette cartridges is that the blades last a lot longer than the lubricating strips. For me, those lubricating strips last a couple of shaves at most but I get 15-20 shaves out of the blades. When the strip wears off the shaves get a bit uncomfortable while that stuff peels off but then they start to feel better again after that. A friend of mine actually hates the strip so muc…

I don’t want to risk sounding disgusting, I use a Mach III to shave my face…daily. Now I have a beard, so I don’t shave my whole face. Neck, cheeks … but I get 6 months to a year out of one cartridge on these. Having just replaced, I agree 100% about the lubrication strip.

I think as long as you find good blades (the ones that you can properly clean afterwards) it will last incredibly long.

On the other hand I experienced blades that were unusable or even oxidized after 2-3 uses.

Re: Shaving is an example of how consumer products extract more money

#52

Post by the_third_wave »

Why shave? Just grow a beard. Get one of those mechanical clippers [1] to keep it at the length you prefer and you're done. Your can also let it grow to $legnth, cut it to a stubble and let it grow out again. Whatever you do you'll be doing your skin a favour by not pulling a blade over it every day.

[1] https://i.etsystatic.com/21375310/r/il/668221/3688482515/il_...

Re: Shaving is an example of how consumer products extract more money

#53

Post by ascar »

kvakvs wrote: post #41

Hair trimmer set to shortest length will make your face like shaven 2 days ago. Costs nothing. Needs no foam, no aftershave gel, creates no irritation or red skin, just splash of water and optional facial creme. My condolences to those who must have a clean shave every day of their life.

The issue with that is when wearing a 3-14 day beard you should still shave the neckline clean every few days. It just looks so much better.

Re: Shaving is an example of how consumer products extract more money

#55

Post by yial »

contingencies wrote: post #30
dazc wrote: post #4

The 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.

Shaved head for 20+ years here. I use Gillette and get at least 8 weeks shaving daily without issue (ie. 8x7 = 56 shaves or 350% of your reported longevity). The trick is wet shaving (in the shower) with good lather (I use soap). Dry shaving is an anachronism in this day and age, save for water-scarce or highly unsanitary environments, where I prefer to just not bother. As an aside, I'm pretty sure they are increment…

I had commented above about how long Mach III blades last me, and I do wet shave.

However, reading your comment, I wonder if my Mach III blades (purchased in India) are different in the metal composition from what I would purchase now in the USA.

Re: Shaving is an example of how consumer products extract more money

#57

Post by Etheryte »

swayvil wrote: post #25

Shoes with white along the bottom. What a scam. What putty the mind of the fashion hive is.

I'm not sure if I see what you mean. My go-to sneakers have a white trim along the bottom edge and it's just... there? Yes, over time it gets dirty, but then again, so do all shoes in general. Perhaps I simply don't understand what problem you're trying to highlight?

Re: Shaving is an example of how consumer products extract more money

#58

Post by tehwebguy »

kstenerud wrote: post #49

Yes, modern razors are a scam; they have AMAZING marketing teams. You still can buy old-style razors and blades cheap from Amazon because there's still a healthy demand. As for the rest of the article: > Cooking equipment: essentially indestructible Cast Iron skillets transition into teflon pans. The newer pans perform worse, and must be replaced on a shockingly regular basis. They also seem to be poisonous. No, no,…

> > In many inner city shops it is now hard to buy an individual piece of fruit.

> For some fruit maybe, but if the point is saving money, why are you buying individually?

Because fruit rots.

Re: Shaving is an example of how consumer products extract more money

#59

Post by seanwilson »

> Cooking equipment: essentially indestructible Cast Iron skillets transition into teflon pans. The newer pans perform worse, and must be replaced on a shockingly regular basis.

I fell for this marketing thinking non-stick was the best out of everything always and kept having to buy new pans and trays when the teflon would eventually flake off thinking it was my fault. Stainless steel is fine: works without a lot of food sticking for most things, comes out clean from the dishwasher, doesn't require much care, and there's no easily damaged coating so should last decades.

Related but more because of recipes writers repeating tips without considering waste, but I find there's almost zero need for tinfoil, wax paper or plastic wrap either. A reusable silicone mat works if you need a non-stick surface or to cover a dish or bowl, and you can reuse food plastic containers to store things in the fridge. Most e.g. bread recipes insist on putting plastic wrap over the bowl of dough when proving when you can just use a plate, silicone mat or dish towel.

Re: Shaving is an example of how consumer products extract more money

#60

Post by [deleted] »

CaptainPotatoe wrote: post #27
o_1 wrote: post #19

Disposable 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.

I'm in your club. I tried a few other ways to shave, always came back to the good ol' 3 blades (that seems to be more and more difficult to find in shops around my home)

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