Wet Shavers Math Equation

Although I do consider myself more of a minimalist in most areas and don't have a large assortment of shaving gears/creams/blades, etc and simply don't have the luxury of doing so...I think many of you will not only understand this math equation, but also agree that it is accurate and makes perfect logical sense.

Average Annual cost of disposable razors ($110.00) + Shaving Goo ($50.00) =$160.00/annually

Average Annual cost of wet shaving
Razor collecting ($250.00)
Exotic soaps/creams to experiment with ($180.00)
Skuttles/Bowls ($75.00)
Brush addition ($175.00)
Various Blades to experiment with ($75.00)

Total Annual cost of wet shaving $755.00

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Equation Result as follows​

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(Annual)​

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Cartridge shaving (160.00) = ​

______________________​

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Wet Shaving Hobby ($775.00) = ​

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Annual budget to maintain wet shaving. $25.00-$50.00​

 

If you've got various AD's that seems right. If not, after an initial outlay for a razor & brush, it's closer to $50.00 a year for me (counting Feather blades & a soap every few months.)

 

True on that Sara...I a do not purchase a lot. This was simply to be amusing for those that enjoy the large variety of razors, blades, soaps, bowls, etc...Even though the most economic way to shave.

 

Cartridge shaving was never $160 for me for a year. Between shaving my head and face daily, it was around $1000+ per year.

Now that most of my AD's are under control I think I'm safely down to about $12/year.

 

Weeeelllll, that does look about right. I have just gotten started and I am hooked. I tell myself I'm done..... I have enough supplies to shave with for the next to years and enough razors for 10 people to shave with for the rest of thier lives. But.....I keep finding myself at flea markets, resale shops, ebay, and online soapmakers sites. And for some reason thing keep showing up in my car and the mailbox. Much fun and I can deduct the money I used to spend on cartridge shaving from what I have spent. Its not out of hand and I am really enjoying this hobby. So for now I'm not going to be too hard on myself. I plan to eventually have a core group of 5-10 razors that I really enjoy and then gift and sell what I have left. I can do it...really, no really I can.

 

I was just tired of getting hosed buying crappy products to shave with. Now this is a hobby for me.

 

Man! Unlucky you! That's quick a bit...I was able to manage at least one full week with a cartridge razor. And I used the Schick (3 blade something-or-other) which was decent for a low-mid priced cartridge razor of the disposable variety. Now unless I buy any soaps or razors in my future; I have enough blades to last me for 2 years for about 10 bucks! I have a feeling though some den additions will appear.

 

I have made the change to reflect the description as hobby purchases. And included a line for annual average budget for shaving supplies, hobby purchases not included. I figured about $25.00-$50.00 can cover most. I myself have 100 astras at 9 bucks (nearly 1.5-2 years) and honestly enough soap to last me 6 months if I purchase no more.

 

It seems many of us chickens spend generously in the first couple of years trying out new gear to determine the best combinations and formulas etc. After that I think costs tend to level out with only the more occasional extravagance purchases. Lol and there's often another party on hand who is available for consultation in matters such as the AD's..

 

Good point. I bought, PIF'd & re-sold a few razors, until I found what I really liked. I spend little on soap & pre-shave oil, as I love to make them. Now that I have learned to re-knot a brush, I have my eyes out for fun old ones to restore & give away (so I can guide others to the True Path of wet shaving.)

 

I have to agree with Chris's math, except I feel he left out an important variable. I've been wet shaving about 2 years now give or take. I have aquired a 100 razors in that time. To keep it simple lets say I spent $10 a razor for a $1000. In that same time a cart. user spent $320. But what did we each get for our money?
Cartrige user: terrible shaves, facial irritation, a bad attitude towards shaving in general, alot of waste filling the dump and $320 lost forever!
DE user: Great shaves, no facial irritation, a luv of the morning shave(its something I look forward to everyday), minor amount of easily biodegradable waste and an investment that has at least doubled in value over the last 2 years ! So the way I add it I'm $1680 ahead in money and BILLIONS ahead in pleasure and happiness and really thats the only figure that matters!!
Finally there's the two imoticons Chris uses at the end to portray Carts vs. Traditional shavers. I've had the face 30+ years of cartrige shaving, now I have the face every morning!

 

QUESTION: Do these amounts include the extra money spent selling stock and buying more? Or would that just be considered "annual inflation"?

 

Chris is brave to take this topic on. I think the distinction is the one between the shaver wanting to wetshave ecomomically as an alternative to cartridges and the wetshaving hobbyist. For the former a $40 razor, $15 boar brush would cover start up and $20 to Ryan's figure of $50 a year can cover soap and bulk blades for a year. Problem solved.

The distinction is between the wetshaver wanting that shave and the wetshaving hobbyist. The hobbyist, may or may not collect,experiment , accumulate various shaving products and as its a hobby or interest its simply up to that person's disposable income or hobby budget what and how many items to accumulate. No use lamenting or cursing about it we all know or find out how much we can spend on the hobby. We see some hobbyists with deep pockets buying mint Executives and Cobra razors, Simpson's Limited editions and Martin de Candre and others with more modest purchases but everyone is participating in the same hobby , hopefully with enjoyment.

Too it doesn't seem to me you have to collect to enjoy the wetshaving hobby. What if over time you've tried just about everything and so accumulation of shaving stuff peters out . You might still remain an active member of shaving forums , still have a big interest in wet shaving and participate in the hobby .

 

To me, shaving is not about the money. It is about the experience.
I have no clue how I became so interested in this. Before I cared nothing about shaving. I used my electrical one a few times a week, and enjoyed my two day stubbles.
But suddenly I made a purchase of a starter pack, and bada bing bada bang, I was hooked.
I enjoy a good shave. I enjoy building lather, testing out new soaps, creams, blades and now razors. I enjoy the whole experience. And that's more worth to me than the money spent on it.

 

I am glad to see so much action in this thread. To be honest, I wasn't expecting quite the feedback. I agree that I think many wet shavers find this method of shaving enjoyable...and even if they do not collect; adopt the hobbyists attitude. I for one do not have a collection. I have one razor, 2 brushes, a few soaps, bulk astras and some samples I am now testing. But I still approach it as something to be savored and enjoyed.

 

And the hook is set!

 

Ever since I became addicted to wet shaving, I feel like a kid at Christmas! I can't wait to go to the mailbox and see if my newest addition to my collection has arrived. My wife thinks I'm crazy to get excited over a new razor ( or vintage razor) , shave cream, AS , blades etc. I now have something to hunt for when my wife and I go to flea markets. She can continue to look at crafts and decor for the house and I can look for DE's !

 

Hahahaha I hear you.

 

755$ a year. Where are you shopping!! The Dollar store!

I only wish that it was 755$ a year.-)