A possible convert

[jbcohen]

I use a double edge at the moment and the replacement blades are costing me approximatly $.008, eight tenths of a penny. The lowest cost I can get a straight in the Washington, DC metro area is approximatly $130. At these prices the straight is just not cost effective. Unless someone has a trick or something they can point out that can drop the straight's cost to a point where it becomes more cost effective.

[jnich67]

Check the buy/sell forums. There are a lot of good quality razors around for less than $100. Also, check the Vendors Corner. Jim at Vintage Blades has a heck of a deal on a Dovo Best Quality razor. Look for the "razor of the month" thread. Not paying sales tax does offset some of the shipping costs.

Jordan

[SteveS]

If you can buy DE blades for $.008 (which is hard to believe) and each blade lasts you a week, you'll only need to spend 42 cents a year on DE blades. Hell, if you're only going to live another 50 years, you could buy a lifetime supply of blades for less than 21 bucks!

There's no way you could buy a straight, a strop, and a hone to keep it functional for 50 years for 21 bucks. If you want to use a straight, you're going to have to find a non-economic reason to switch to a straight. Happily, there are many such reasons: straights are more fun, they give better shaves, they're cooler . . .

[mhailey]

HOW, WHERE, and from WHO are you getting these blades for only 8/10'th of a penny?

[jbcohen]

Razor and Brush. I pay $.75 for a pack of five for a total of $.15 each. Divide that by the number of days I can get out of each which is 18 as of today which comes out to be approximatly .0083.

[jnich67]

In theory, you could buy a $10 ebay str8 and restore it and then spend $10-$15 on a couple barber hones and maybe $25 for a decent strop. This could be all you need for the rest of your life.

The reality, to me anyway, is if all you are interested in is a good cost effective shave then stick with the DE.

The satisfaction/enjoyment of shaving with and caring for a str8 is what makes it for me and I suspect many others - not to mention the outright cool factor.

Jordan

[jbcohen]

How about how close the shave is? I understand that the double edge can't touch the straight when it comes to a close shave.

[Amyn]

If you can buy DE blades for $.008 (which is hard to believe) and each blade lasts you a week, you'll only need to spend 42 cents a year on DE blades. Hell, if you're only going to live another 50 years, you could buy a lifetime supply of blades for less than 21 bucks!

There's no way you could buy a straight, a strop, and a hone to keep it functional for 50 years for 21 bucks. If you want to use a straight, you're going to have to find a non-economic reason to switch to a straight. Happily, there are many such reasons: straights are more fun, they give better shaves, they're cooler . . .

+ 1
Getting a str8 razor is a not a decision most folks make based on economics IMO. It is because they want a different experience, they want the satisfaction of honing and stropping their blades, and many become collectors of str8s.
It will be very difficult to justify moving from a DE to straight simply based on economics

[RichZ]

+ 1
Getting a str8 razor is a not a decision most folks make based on economics IMO. It is because they want a different experience, they want the satisfaction of honing and stropping their blades, and many become collectors of str8s.
It will be very difficult to justify moving from a DE to straight simply based on economics

I have to agree there.

It's kind of like getting married as opposed to hanging around with hookers.. Price is never a good reason..

[jnich67]

Well, yes I certainly get a better shave than I did with a DE and I think most stright users would agree. But it does take a bit more time and effort to get there. It took me a good 6-9 months to consistently beat my DE shaves, but I enjoyed that process.

Jordan