Budget setup for beginner give always.

I'm a barber in a rural area with low income and a high rate of addiction/incarceration. As such I regularly get teenagers in the chair who have one or both parents out of the picture. I get told quite often that they're having problems shaving.

Currently I've been offering free shaving lessons, having them bring in their current shaving gear and walking them through how to get the most comfortable shave possible. However there's only so much I can do when most of them are stuck with a dollar store bic and canned goo. Because of this I've been giving out samples sized tubs of proraso cream and thayers witch hazel.

I'd like to be able to provide some of them with a decent budget DE but it has been years since I've baught a razor and I've already given out my spares. Any recommendations for finding budget DE razors and shaving cream? I've already hit the local antique and second hand shops, and left them my info in case they get something in.

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Originally Posted by GrimClippers11

I'm a barber in a rural area with low income and a high rate of addiction/incarceration. As such I regularly get teenagers in the chair who have one or both parents out of the picture. I get told quite often that they're having problems shaving.

Currently I've been offering free shaving lessons, having them bring in their current shaving gear and walking them through how to get the most comfortable shave possible. However there's only so much I can do when most of them are stuck with a dollar store bic and canned goo. Because of this I've been giving out samples sized tubs of proraso cream and thayers witch hazel.

I'd like to be able to provide some of them with a decent budget DE but it has been years since I've baught a razor and I've already given out my spares. Any recommendations for finding budget DE razors and shaving cream? I've already hit the local antique and second hand shops, and left them my info in case they get something in.

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You sound like a very decent and caring guy.

Maybe this would work for you, I doubt it's the best but hey, it's cheap and might allow you to keeping helping the lads.

https://www.aliexpress.com/item/3304...9-9b7065f77733

The page will redirect after a couple of seconds so just hit the back button when it happens.

There are other DE razors to choose from on the site too.

I applaud your effort to help these kids.

Possibly contact on line suppliers of shave gear or the manufacturers directly to see if they will donate to a very worthwhile endeavour.

Bob

Flea markets are good places to look. Or sometimes they'll show up in out BST thread. (Buy/sel/ trade )

There is also other forums that are more dedicated to safety razors. Were mostly about straight razors.

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Originally Posted by STF

You sound like a very decent and caring guy.

Maybe this would work for you, I doubt it's the best but hey, it's cheap and might allow you to keeping helping the lads.

https://www.aliexpress.com/item/3304...9-9b7065f77733

The page will redirect after a couple of seconds so just hit the back button when it happens.

There are other DE razors to choose from on the site too.

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This looks perfect! They dont look the fanciest but definitely functioning. I took a gamble and ordered 5. It will take about a month to get here but I'll report back when they come in. I'm in the middle of starting another charity that this may work well for it too.

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Originally Posted by GrimClippers11

I'm a barber in a rural area with low income and a high rate of addiction/incarceration. As such I regularly get teenagers in the chair who have one or both parents out of the picture. I get told quite often that they're having problems shaving.

Currently I've been offering free shaving lessons, having them bring in their current shaving gear and walking them through how to get the most comfortable shave possible. However there's only so much I can do when most of them are stuck with a dollar store bic and canned goo. Because of this I've been giving out samples sized tubs of proraso cream and thayers witch hazel.

I'd like to be able to provide some of them with a decent budget DE but it has been years since I've baught a razor and I've already given out my spares. Any recommendations for finding budget DE razors and shaving cream? I've already hit the local antique and second hand shops, and left them my info in case they get something in.

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https://www.dhgate.com/product/tradi...hoCRC8QAvD_BwE

Less than two bucks each, shipped free.

https://usa.banggood.com/Traditional...r_warehouse=CN
No Minimum Order Quantity. $4.99 + $2.70 shipping.

AliExpress is a good source for bottom of the barrel prices on stuff when you just want one or a few pieces. Alibaba for when you want even lower prices but with typically a minimum order of 100pcs. Often with alibaba you are buying directly from the factory. Buyer beware. Sometimes low quality makes an item impractical to use.

How many razors do you think you would donate in a month? If it is just like 3 or 4, you can probably watch ebay. A good soak in detergent, toothbrush scrubbing, and a soak in the barbicide and you are good to go.

Speaking of fleabay, https://www.ebay.com/i/133244441867?...BoCuQEQAvD_BwE
$4.95 + $1.70 shipping for a TTO razor? That's pretty cheap if it isn't too shoddy.

Wow looks like several brands for under $3 with free shipping. Nice. Buy one, and if it doesn't suck, buy a bunch.

CHEAPEST DE razor I ever saw was made out of PVC pipe, a bolt, a couple of nuts, a piece of bamboo, and some gorilla glue. The PVC is cut into sections for the head pieces, cap and base plate. Both pieces are drilled for the bolt, then the bolt head is glued to the cap. The bolt threads are oiled to prevent sticking, nuts applied, and the bamboo is filled with glue. Stick the bolt with nuts into the bamboo and let glue set. Unscrew and load a blade! You can refine this all you like. Let your young shavers build their own! Feel free to substitute epoxy or polyester resin or JBWeld for the gorilla glue. Or make a nicer handle. Whatevah.

Gonna ask me about the cheapest shavette? There are plenty online for around a buck, but I got that beat.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=mxQ_H3D6-5k

I think that I saw a post about the dollar store selling DE's now. Not sure but that may be something to look into....

Good Luck with your efforts!

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Originally Posted by Johntoad57

I think that I saw a post about the dollar store selling DE's now. Not sure but that may be something to look into....

Good Luck with your efforts!

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Yeah, check Target, too. They might have the VDH kits heavily discounted.

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Originally Posted by CrescentCityRazors

How many razors do you think you would donate in a month? If it is just like 3 or 4, you can probably watch ebay. A good soak in detergent, toothbrush scrubbing, and a soak in the barbicide and you are good to go.

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For now it will probably stay under 5 a month. However I'm working on the legal side of opening a charity to provide haircuts for Vets in need, and would love to be able to give out wet shaving care packages. Most of the kids I've encountered were amazed by the shavette but showed little interest in actually learning to use them. I would love to hear about some budget shavette options so the veterans could have their choice. Both will be a semi-slow process because funds are tight after after the move and I'm still trying to build a clientele in the new shop.

That's a very nice thing to do for your community.
I've tried the twist to open DEs and shavettes from China like these https://m.aliexpress.com/item/330372...0Q90.jpg_.webp and they give a fine shave.

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Originally Posted by STF

You sound like a very decent and caring guy.

Maybe this would work for you, I doubt it's the best but hey, it's cheap and might allow you to keeping helping the lads.

https://www.aliexpress.com/item/3304...9-9b7065f77733

The page will redirect after a couple of seconds so just hit the back button when it happens.

There are other DE razors to choose from on the site too.

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After about a month I've given away 9/10 of these razors, keeping one for myself to test for now. So far they perform as expected. Fit and finish aren't the greatest, and they seem to be a little on the aggressive side but they do an acceptable job. Overall I think they are an acceptable beginner razor, and considerably better than multi-blade. I plan to order a few more, while trying a few of the TTO posted in this thread too.