The great cartridge razor rip off - Change your shaving habits now & save a fortune
In January 2011, I blogged about why a double edge razor is technically better than a cartridge based razor system. Now there is yet another reason for men to ditch the horrid multi-bladed cartridge razor in favour of the single bladed razor.
According to an article on the Daily Mail website, the price of razor blade ‘cartridges’ has jumped by as much as 99% over the last three years.
“Replacement cartridges for Gillette’s Fusion ProGlide can be as much as £3.49 each,” the newspaper said.
It went on to say that blades for Gillette’s top-of-the-range Fusion ProGlide cost less than 10p to manufacturer, which in my book is a fairly decent profit margin.
The paper also blames Gillette, the world’s largest shaving company by quite a distance, for imposing a stealth price rise by cutting the number of replacement cartridges in its Mach3 Turbo packs from five to four.
“The smaller pack did not bring a corresponding cut in the price, leaving men paying at least 20 per cent more,” the article says.
It went on to blame the increasing cost of cartridge blades for men’s poor shaving habits.
“At the same time, men worried about making ends meet are either trying to make their razor blades last longer, with the resulting scrapes and cuts – or ditching their shaving regime and opting for designer stubble.”
A better quality shave with a long term saving
This all makes me rather angry as there is an easy solution – change your shaving habits and ditch the overpriced cartridge razor. Opt instead for a double edge safety razor and if you’re feeling really adventurous, a straight or cut throat razor (as its more commonly referred to).
Not only will both types of razor give you a better quality of shave, they are also much cheaper in the long run, as a number of the comments on the Daily Mail article point out.
“I switched from cartridge razors to a straight razor and have never looked back. True your initial investment is a little higher but the payback on these cartridge blades is 6 months or so. Have not had to buy a single razor blade in 18 months now,” commented Derrick Young, Wasaga Beach, Ontario.
Roy, from York, also pointed out the massive cost savings men could experience from switching to a DE razor: “I have used an old fashioned Double Edge safety razor for years and blades for that can cost as little as 10p. As they are cheap you can afford to change them regularly and get a good shave. With multi bladed cartridges because of the price people carry on using them when they are going blunt. With DE razors, OK the razor is more expensive but it lasts for many years, but one sharp blade every couple of shaves is better than a dull multi blade being stretched out over a week. People have had good shaves with single blades for centuries. Multi blades are a marketing gimmick.”
Roy’s last sentence is a very accurate one, “Multi blades are a marketing gimmick”. Let’s face it Gillette are excellent at marketing their products, they have pretty much convinced men that 3 blades are better than 1 and 5 blades are better than 3. They also spend millions of pounds on celebrity endorsements, with sports stars like Roger Federer, Tiger Woods, and Thierry Henry (who now wears a beard) fronting lavish TV and newspaper campaigns.
It was Gillete who first worked out that men would indeed fork out for overpriced cartridges as long as the initial cost, i.e. the handle, was affordable. It’s pretty much the same business model adopted by ink jet printer companies. Sell a cheap printer, then sell really expensive “cartridges” that run out quickly. It’s simple, but very effective.
Dollar Shave Club
It will be interesting to see how successful the much-hyped Dollar Shave Club will turn out to be. Dollar Shave Club’s business model is similar to LoveFilm, which sends subscribers movies in the post for a small monthly fee. Dollar Shave Club will send customers a monthly supply of disposable razor blades starting at $1 a month (however, when you add in delivery costs it’s more like the 4-Dollar Shave Club). A catchy brand name and I must say a pretty cool launch commercial, which has picked up nearly 5 million views on YouTube. And according to widespread media reports, more than 12,000 people have signed up for the service.
There is no question that the Dollar Shave Club YouTube video is hilarious. But aside from the online hype, can the Dollar Shave Club compete against the likes of Gillette in the long term? I’m guessing not…
Looking ahead, I really hope men will start to see through all this cleaver marketing and take a stand against the rising cost of cartridges. For those switching to the affordable yet luxurious world of double edged shaving, all I can do is welcome you to the real men’s club. And I will finish this article by saying; shaving should be regarded as a pleasure, not a chore.
Happy shaving.
Ask Aaron Q&A: Safety Razors - Closed Comb vs Open Comb
Sean Chawla-Duggan, from the UK, asks:
“Aaron, I have a very tough thick beard hair, and while when I do have the luxury of time I get a very good shave with a straight razor, I’d like to have a safety razor for mid week quickies. Should I use open or closed comb?”
AARON SAYS
“Mr. Chawla-Duggan,
Thank you for writing in! There is much debate surrounding the safety bar vs. open comb with strong opinions on both sides. Open comb razors do tend to be more aggressive and can give an easier shave for those of us with tougher beards. The shave also heavily depends on how sharp your blade is. If you like the look and feel of an open comb, go for it! There is a great open comb version of the Merkur HD which I highly recommend as well as the Muhle open comb.
Happy Shaving!
Aaron”
Do you have any burning questions you would like ask our wet shaving expert Aaron Wolfenbarger? CLICK HERE TO ASK AARON YOUR QUESTION
Bluebeards Revenge Post-Shave Balm & Scimitar Razor Reviews
My New Year started off beautifully. I woke up suddenly around 9am, entangled with my loved one, and had the startling and somewhat shocking revelation that I was completely hangover-free. I hopped out of bed, had a cup of coffee and some toast, and set about deciding what my first shave of 2011 should look like.
Nick from The Shaving Shack had recently sent me a box containing the Bluebeards Revenge Scimitar double-edged razor and a tub of the Bluebeards Revenge post-shave balm. This, then, was the way to go. I knew a review needed to be written, a beard needed to be shaved, and… Well, it was time to get moving.
My initial impression of the razor was that it was similar in nature to most other higher-end modern razors (see Merkur as a fine example). It displays the Jolly Rodger skull-and-crossbones proudly on the top piece, echoing the “Bluebeard” pirate theme that runs throughout their product line. The fit and finish were absolutely perfect, and the heft and balance of the razor definitely felt great. Perhaps my only complaint - out of the box - was that the grip was a touch slick.
After a hot shower, I popped a fresh Japanese Feather blade in, lathered up with Truefitt & Hill’s Lavender cream (which has quickly become my standard go-to luxury shave cream) and set to work. The razor was just slightly more aggressive in feel than my trusty vintage Gillette Superspeed. I’d put it close to setting 4 or 5 on the Gillette Fatboy adjustable, though very smooth and forgiving at the same time. It made short work of my beard and left me feeling quite happy with the results in 3 standard passes.
I finished up with a thorough rinse and a shot of witch hazel, and then opened up the tub of balm. The consistency was quite thick, so I popped a finger in, grabbed a dollop, and rubbed it in quickly. The first thing I noticed about the balm was that it burned as though it was an aftershave splash, which of course screams “alcohol!” to me. I’m not normally a huge fan of alcohol in my balms - if I want it, I’ll use a splash. In this case, however, it works. I was a little surprised, to be honest, just how WELL it worked. The balm absorbed into the skin, leaving it feeling fresh and moisturized without even a hint of oil or shine. The scent of the balm was pleasant as well, a nice classic barbershop style, though it lingers much too long for my taste.
The Bluebeards Revenge offers a complete shaving range - Image by Shaving101.com
I continued to use the two items every day until this morning, and the only change in my technique has been a switch to Art of Shaving’s excellent lemon shave cream. The razor has completely knocked every other double-edge out of rotation. My Superspeed, Fat Boy, the uber-1970′s Krona, even my Merkur slant - they’re all sitting unused in my medicine cabinet. I’ve not touched the other shave balms I’ve accumulated over the last few years at all lately, and even with daily use for over a month I’m still not even 1/4 of my way through the tub of aftershave balm.
My only suggestion for a change is that Bluebeard should release a completely unscented version of the shave balm. Otherwise, I’m extremely impressed with both products and would heavily recommend them to anyone entering the wetshaving world.
Why a double edge razor is technically better than a cartridge based razor system
As Gillette launches its much-hyped Fusion ProGlide Power razor in the UK - I take a quick look at why a double edge razor is still technically superior to a ProGlide or any other cartridge based razor system out there.
For those who use double edge safety razors for shaving on a regular basis, the answer to the question “Why is a double edge razor technically better than a cartridge based razor system?” may seem quite obvious: ‘because you get better results’. However, for the rest of the men out there who use multi-bladed cartridges instead - and let’s face it that includes the vast majority of men in the Western world - they may wonder why they should ever consider changing their shaving method?
Well, the real answer to the question above lies within the technology of the types of razor on offer. From a scientific standpoint double edge safety razors certainly have the edge over cartridge based razor systems like the Fusion ProGlide Power razor, Wilkinson Sword Hydro and the King of Shaves Azor.
I recently spoke to American wet shaving expert Mike Sandoval, who runs the Shaving101 website, about why the cartridge razor system was so popular.
Gillette has unveiled the new Fusion ProGlide Power razor in the UK
“The cartridge razor system is appealing to many men because it is advertised to be modern and high performing with innovative designs and multi-blade cutting action,” he said. “High-dollar marketing campaigns feature celebrity athletes that promote modern cartridges as the only masculine option.”
So why do double edge razors produce a closer and more rewarding shave?
The cartridge system razor generally works by using its hinge or pivot point to maintain a constant angle on the face while shaving. And while there may be many other features or gimmicks they offer, this pivoting mechanism is the most important aspect of the razor at making the shave quick and easy to use – which is the key advantage of these razors.
“The problem is that the blades of a cartridge are close together with extremely small spacing between each cutting edge,” explains Mike. “The razor is unable to cleanly cutting hair without requiring multiple passes along your skin, catching and pulling long stubble, as well as constantly clogging during the shave.”
On the other hand, while double edge razors may take longer to get used too – with a short learning curve to overcome – you have far more control over the razor and the closeness of the shave itself. Therefore, with DE shavers the process may take longer, with shorter strokes, but you will notice an improvement in the (even more crucial) performance aspect of the shave.
Mike adds: ”The double edge safety razor uses a single cutting edge that tracks along the skin at a much more comfortable angle and cuts the hair cleanly without grabbing or pulling excessively (provided you choose the right blade for your beard and skin type).
”Although you won’t find many celebrity athletes promoting the double edge razor, there has been a strong resurgence in traditional shaving. Many men are returning to old-school shaving because it is more comfortable and more economical.”
If time really is the most important factor when shaving, a Hydro, Azor or ProGlide may be the answer, but if you are a man who likes to work with engineering excellence that has stood the test of time and has the patience to learn, then maybe it is time to think about leaving those expensive cartridges behind and opt for a results-proven double edged razor.
Gillette launched the new Fusion ProGlide Power razor in the UK this month. It is the latest addition to its growing family of Fusion razors with Gillette’s thinnest-ever blades. The firm says the ProGlide outperforms its existing Fusion razor.
There are two versions of the Gillette ProGlide, a battery-powered model and a manual version. The battery-powered Gillette Fusion ProGlide Power comes with one blade cartridge and is available priced £12.99. The manual version comes with two blade cartridges and costs £9.99.
The Goodfella Safety Razor
Over the last few years, I have used many different brands of cartridge based razor system, including the Azor, Gillette Fusion Power Stealth and Gillette Mach 3 Turbo, Wilkinson Sword Quattro Titanium Energy and Wilkinson Sword Hydro 5 and Boots’ Hydro and Titanium Triple Razor, but personally still prefer the excitement and closeness of a DE razor.
The Merkur 33C Classic will always be my all-time favourite, but I would also highly recommend the Merkur Futur 760, Goodfella, Muhle R89 and the relatively new Bluebeards Revenge “Scimitar” Double Edge Razor.
Follow Nick Gibbens on Twitter @nickgibbens
WHAT IS YOUR FAVOURITE DE RAZOR? LET US KNOW BY COMMENTING BELOW
More articles by Nick Gibbens
Ask Mantic Q&A #6&7: Recommend A Blade?
Mantic, the American wet shaving guru, has been taking part in a Question and Answer session with Shaving Shack visitors.
Already Mantic, a veteran of the BadgerAndBlade and ShaveMyFace forums, has answered questions on advanced shaving techniques, slant razors, brush break-in, passes, runny lather and suitable brush types.
Today he answers a further two questions in the Youtube video below.
The first is from Doug, who asks: “After many years of shaving with a heavy metal atra razor, what would be the best blade and method for using my grandfathers’ old Gillette 1961 Fat Boy and his 1948 Golden Aristocrat razor?”
The second comes from Jevon, who asks: “What different blades are recommended for different beard types?”
The very closest of shaves with big savings!
The Parker Model 90R “Knightsbridge” Metal Safety Razor comes in at number four in our list of the top 15 gifts to buy Dad this Father’s Day.
The 90R is an all-metal construction safety razor with nickel-plated finish, a butterfly opening, and some great styling on the handle.
Put this together with a decent blade, a nice rich lather and hot water and you get a close satisfying shave reputably out performing the likes of the Mach 3.
And don’t forget the savings in razor blades compared to the cost of the average Mach 3 refill cartridge; this razor will pay for itself!
The Parker 90R is priced at just £19.99 on the Shaving Shack website.
A great gift for Dad this Father’s Day.
Forget the socks & jumpers - Treat Dad to a luxury Mach 3 razor on June 20
17 days and counting… Father’s Day is less than 3 weeks away! And what better way to show Dad how much you really care by treating him to a luxurious razor on June 20.
And they don’t come more impressive than the Shaving Shack “Regent” Nickel Plated Mach 3 Razor.
Stylish, modern and elegant, this is perfect Mach 3 luxury, and number 13 in our top 15 gift ideas for Father’s Day!
Tom Trueman, customer services manager at the Shack, says: “This nickel plated Mach 3 razor is absolutely stunning and represents fantastic value for money at just £22.99.
“The handle is perfectly balanced and feels substantial and solid. It comes in a blue gift box (pictured), making it an ideal gift for Father’s Day.”
The razor is 120mm in length and comes with the Mach 3 razor blade.
So forget the socks, jumpers and silly T-shirts, get Dad something he really wants this year!!!
Please check back on Friday for perfect gift number 12, or better still, sign up to our email updates by clicking here.
The Merkur 33C Classic - A lighter variation on the legendary Merkur 34C
It is hard to argue with the older generation when they vehemently claim that the classics are still the best. They may generally be talking about old movies or TV shows, but the old adage also still rings true when it comes to a choice of razor. It is not just war veterans and old folks that prefer a razor that is designed for real men, one that gives you the closer shave most modern razors just cannot match.
Just take the Merkur 33C Classic, for instance. This chrome-plated razor is the lighter weight version of the legendary Merkur 34C Heavy Duty. It utilises the same head but with a slighty narrower and consequently less weighty handle. As always, the same fantastic Merkur build quality has been applied to the 33C making it a top alternative to its heavy-duty sibling.
With Merkur you know you are purchasing a well-crafted razor, built on a tried and trusted design. This quality razor model is great for those starting out shaving and proper men looking for a heavy duty razor that is easier to handle when improving your technique, for a closer and smoother shave.
The Merkur 33C Classic is priced at just £19.99 at the Shaving Shack, while the Merkur 34C Heavy Duty is a little bit more expensive at £26.99.
Well-groomed men get more bedroom action, study finds
Men, get out your razors and quick. A new study has revealed men who shave regularly have twice as much sex as those that don’t.
Well-groomed males have more sex
The survey, conducted for Milford-based razor maker Schick by US market research company StrategyOne, found that men who shave at least five times a week are having sex 15.5 times per month, compared to 7.8 times for unshaven men.
The latest study also reveals that well-groomed males are also happier with life, more outgoing and sociable and much more likely to report living their dreams.
According to the survey, men who shave five times a week are twice as likely to have a job as those who shave twice a week, and far less likely to live with their parents.
Three-quarters of women also agree that a cleanly-shaven man is more of a turn-on because they see such men as having a higher self-awareness, deeper commitment and greater comfort with themselves.
The Shaving Shack offers men a new approach to grooming. We stock a no-nonsense range of top quality products designed for Real Men, direct to your door.
Shaving brushes, razors, creams and shaving sets to suit every budget…and regular shoppers get even better value with our Shave Points Discounts!
Blade alignment on a double edged razor
1. Chrome Plating
The chrome plating is typically not the same thickness all over the razor due to the curving surfaces, so this might lead to slight differences in the blade gap on one side of the razor head versus the other.
2. Razor blade cutout tolerances
You also have to factor in the tolerances built into where the cutouts of the razor blade sit (see picture below). If you place a razor blade on to the head and see how much wriggle room there is you’ll see that it is quite a feat for it to naturally rest perfectly aligned.
Razor Blade cutouts
3. Hand assembled tolerances
Double edged razors are assembled by hand so there will always be tolerances that do not influence the function of the razor, nor its performance.
Is this a problem?
No. These razors have been hand built for many years using the same casts so these tolerances have always been there. Some people have the expectation that it should be the same as the mass made plastic Gillettes you find in supermarkets, which are of course, manufactured using precision machinery. Although the function is the same, they can’t really be compared because the production methods are different. As an analogy, think about the individually assembled coachbuilt cars versus the typical robot built modern cars. Both drive perfectly well but the coachbuilt cars will have more production ”quirks”!
On a functional level it does not present a problem when shaving as the blade never actually sits perfectly square onto the face as the skin is not flat and unyielding.
So, I know its not a problem but even so I’d like to straighten it, what should I do?
Simply take the time to load and straighten the blade before you clamp it down.
Take this razor as an example. As you can see it appears not to sit flush when I let the blade rest in it’s default position. However, after tweaking the razor blade before I clamp it down, I am able to get it as straight as it can be.
Before: Uneven razor blade when allowed to rest naturally
After: Blade now straight after a bit of attention before blade clamped down
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