Thread: It's just nuts......

what some people will do to try and save a penny on shaving.

I frequent an investment forum, and one thread discusses how the poster has been able to use a Gillette Good News disposable for 60 days.

A few are doing flip-flops to squeeze more shaves, drying the razor with a hair dryer after use, stropping on their jeans, etc.

I've pointed out the advantages of using a straight razor, but "straight razors are scary".

Most people on the forum are level headed, but there are always some crazies when it comes to shaving.

Oh well.

My father was interested in saving money due to the high cost of cartridge replacements. I gave him a Gillette DE for Christmas with some Derby blades, a Frank Shaving Brush and some MWF. The entire gift probably cost me $50 and will most likely last him a year without replacing soap or blades.

In my opinion, if saving money is your sole concern, DE is a great way to go without the "scariness" of straights.

Gentlemen:

My friend Fbones24 speaks wisely. I have made similar suggestions to people.

After the initial modest cost, you're double edge razor will last a lifetime and your soap at least several months. Blades are relatively inexpensive, especially if you buy in bulk. Compare this to, say, a pack of eight multi-blade cartridges that runs about $22.

I have never been good at math, but this one is clear even to me.

Regards,

Obie

Yeah, I've saved soooo much money by going to straight razors ...... all 200 of 'em

Originally Posted by JimmyHAD

Yeah, I've saved soooo much money by going to straight razors ...... all 200 of 'em

But the initial intent was there wasn't it? lol

Originally Posted by Hawkeye5

Most people on the forum are level headed, but there are always some crazies when it comes to shaving.
Oh well.

What you are missing, is that for some people, the pleasure is in the saving.
I've known a couple of guys like that, they would straighten out bent nails and so on.
Not long ago I found my neighbour carefully replacing a tine on a $5 grass rake, yet he's a millionaire at least twice over.
Our hobby is shaving, they get their pleasure from thrift. They probably think that we are the crazy ones, who can say which of us is right?

Although there is some upfront investment required, it's quite clear to me that one could save a bundle using a DE/straight and traditional shave soaps/creams over cartridges and the stuff found in drug and grocery stores. Heck if you use a straight and some Williams soap you're annual shaving consumables cost could be like $3-4 and you'd still get a far better shave than with disposable cartridges and goop-in-a-can.

For many, and essentially everyone on these forums, traditional shaving is more of a hobby than a cost saving exercise... but that's fine. Some people find gardening as a hobby and others gladly pay someone else to take care of the "chore." To each their own.

Originally Posted by welshwizard

Not long ago I found my neighbour carefully replacing a tine on a $5 grass rake, yet he's a millionaire at least twice over.

It's funny how most actual millionaires (i.e. those who actually have a net worth >$1 million and not those that just act like they do) are more like this guy than the McMansion and 5 red sports car types. As the crash revealed many of the later were simply massively in debt.

Truly wealthy people are truly wealthy and can and do buy whatever they like. When they are out amongst the riff raff they dress down so as not to draw any attention to themselves. Besides when you're a billionaire you have nothing to prove to anyone like a mere multi millionaire has to.

As far as saving money on things it's just a human quirk. Some people just develop it and live their lives that way without even thinking about it whether they can afford not to do it or not.

When I first started working there was a guy who worked as a clerk making peanuts. He lived in a mansion and came to work in a chauffeur driven Rolls Royce every day. I once asked him why he worked here. He said the staff at the house was always under foot and he liked getting away and being with his friends at work. Go figure.

Okay, let's get this thing back on track.

When I first started using straights I got pretty excited, but I never got HAD or RAD. I knew that one or two razors should work just fine and one or two hones should work just fine too.

I did buy one good strop and a custom strop maker made one for me gratis . . . Thanx again, Tony.

I did buy lots of creams and soaps. I think, maybe total 10-15 tubes/tubs/pucks all together . . .

that ladies and gentlemen was seven years ago.

I have to agree with my fellow Virginian, Mr. Davis. The balance between various acquisition disorders and finding one's own shaving sweet spot is tenuous.

I feel anyone getting into straight razor shaving to save money, is on a fools quest. The quest for shaving nirvana can be alluring, addictive, expensive and sooo much fun. How many of us got started with the original intent to save money and ended up with this or more?

11 Straight Razors
9 hones
2 strops
5 Safety Razors
too many mugs and consumables to list

Right now, I could shave for the rest of my life without spending a dime on anything other than hot water.

On the other hand, with the money I've spent, I could supply myself and everyone in my house with Gillette cartridges and Edge Gel for many years.

At this point, for me, it's a matter of wilpower to control those old RADs, HADs and other ADs. I'd bet it's the same for a lot of us?