Thread: Web Article: "How to Avoid Getting Ripped Off on Refills"

"Razors

Did you get Gillette's free "Fusion ProGlide" razor with your shaving gel, but have an attack when you realized that Costco's bargain 14-pack of razor-head refills costs a whopping $44.99? It's a nice razor, but paying $3.21 every time you need a new blade is tough to justify when you realize that you can buy 52 disposable "custom plus" razors for $22.99 -- 44 cents each. For the math challenged, that's less than one-seventh the price of the blade refills.

But you really like a five-blade razor Amazon.com's $24.50 8-pack ProGlide refill is a slightly better deal -- about $3.06 per blade -- but only if you qualify for free shipping.

Another alternative M5 Magnum offers a 5-blade disposable razor that costs a fraction as much as the ProGlide -- about $15 for the 18-pack at Costco, which works out to 83 cents a razor. Is it as good? I tested both and didn't see much difference. The Magnum isn't quite as heavy, but it appears to shave just as comfortably and close. Okay. It's black and orange, which wouldn't be my favored color pallet. But for a third the price, seems like the better bargain."

Had to laugh. Looking at these prices, I'm glad I no longer use these things. Money to a corporation that sells horrible products or money to straights?

So far, looking at the stashes built by people hanging on shaving forums (razors, strops, stones, brushes, creams, soaps, blades, aftershave, balms, etc), I can't see traditional wet shaving as being more cost effective.

Just more fun.

Yes, but you don't have to do that. That is their choice. If you use a cartridge you have to buy the refill.

True, I've spent a lot on straights and accessories lately, but I love them, they give better results and they're a one-time purchase. I don't have to buy Dovo Bismarck refills every week, thank God.

I actually have been keeping a spreadsheet of money I spend on straights (I'm a nerd). Once I get a few more things to make myself pretty independent, I'll have more reliable figures but I think based on my numbers, many people would save a lot of money by switching.

You figure you need a razor, brush, soap, mug, strop, and hone (and the skills to use these things) and you may never have to spend another dime (aside from soap refills). Not many stick to the basics but that turns into the 'hobby' side of straights at some point and uses 'disposable' income.

Also, I'm a woodworker, so I already had a wide variety of hones and other sharpening gear. I was able to make my own brush for just the cost of a nice badger hair plug ($25). So I only include the cost of the razors themselves. It turned out to be a real bargain for me.

Originally Posted by thebigspendur

Yes, but you don't have to do that. That is their choice. If you use a cartridge you have to buy the refill.

Exactly, you can use the money saved to invest in a shaving related hobby. That ought to be enough to make old man Gillette turn over in his grave!

I've bought one strop and one brush. I've bought a new razor, averaging $120 every year. I skip the razor, and buy creams about every 5 years. I think I'm making out in comparision. I also think my used straight razors hold more value than my used cartridges.

Originally Posted by AFDavis11

I also think my used straight razors hold more value than my used cartridges.

And you can take that to the bank! Thank you Alan!

Originally Posted by MHV

So far, looking at the stashes built by people hanging on shaving forums (razors, strops, stones, brushes, creams, soaps, blades, aftershave, balms, etc), I can't see traditional wet shaving as being more cost effective.

Just more fun.

This subject seems to come up on most shaving forums I've been on and the absolutely correct answer is the next quote:

Originally Posted by thebigspendur

Yes, but you don't have to do that. That is their choice. If you use a cartridge you have to buy the refill.

From a money standpoint at least, the cost seems to go up quite a bit when this becomes a hobby and not simply a way to remove hair from your face. Even then, it will only become as expensive as your comfort level will dictate. Like many others, I don't have enormous quantities of extra money to throw at the hobby but I make do with what I have or what I can afford. With my current rotation, I seem to have the best of both worlds. Not only do I effectively remove excess hair from my face but I manage to have great fun while doing so.

If you are frugal and disciplined enough to simply keep it on the functional level (i.e. removing hair from your face) and not make it a hobby. Both straight and safety razors would save you a bunch of money over modern plastic $H!+. Due to initial outlay for honing and stropping gear, it may take a bit longer to break even with a straight. However, if your only expense is replacing soap/creams and/or replacement blades (for safety razors) you're literally shaving for pennies a shave.