I ran a little cost analysis on my soap and cream inventory. I have 18 soaps and creams. I converted any oz. to g. I then computed the cost per 100g for each soap and cream, and then I ranked them from the most expensive to the cheapest. The number in the first column is their number in my rotation currently. I am using a different soap or cream each day. So, here it is. In the past, I had two categories in my mind: cheap soaps/creams and expensive soaps/creams. If it was $10 or more for me, I considered it an expensive one, and conversely if it was less than $10 it was cheap. After converting to cost/100g, my ideas have changed a bit. Some soaps that I considered cheap before are about the same as soaps that I considered expensive before when compared according to cost/100g. Col. Conk soaps are about the same as Taylor of Old Bond Street. That was amazing. I am now thinking about three categories now. Cheap (<$5), middle of the road ($5-$9.99), and expensive ($10+). According to my new standard, I have 6 cheap soaps, 9 middle of the road soaps, and 3 expensive soaps. When I say soaps in the last sentence, I mean soaps/creams. I know that the creams will be consumed more quickly than soaps, so my analysis is not precise but a general comparison. I am going to go ahead and post this. Feel free to add your two cents. I will add more later. Thanks for reading. Edited: This chart was corrected thanks to @kurtmill . Cella is $7.66/100g.
Nice breakdown of your inventory, Jim! It's all about performance and fragrance when it comes to shave soaps, with a lower price being an added incentive. I suppose the price breakdown you have puts MdC in the stratospheric price category!
I hear you, it's a bit of a different perspective when you put it in relative terms. Another factor is when stuff goes on sale. I know my Cella was half priced on sale and those make it even more attractive, but in the end, I still want to buy all of them!!!
I think it's official. Arko. Bang-for-buck Champ. At least on a pennies per gram basis. There are many different ways to appreciate soap. Like Kevin, I have two criteria, mine are performance and post shave skinfeel. But then again, I love a good value!
I track mine similar to this. But I also break it down into cost per shave. I'm still trying to get through some to finalize how many shaves I get out of some.
MWF should be nicknamed "the everlasting gobstopper" I've never been able to make a puck last less than a year.
In my opinion that is how to determine the real cost of what you're getting. Sure, something may only cost 3 cents a gram, but if you're only getting two shaves out of it, compared to something that costs 10 cents a gram and you're getting nine shaves out of it...
You are right there. MdC is way out of my league price wise. I hear you. My collection has come over about four years or so. Some I got in pifs but I am always looking for sale prices. That is the only way I could do some. Williams gives Arko a run for its money. I have both and Arko lathers more easily, but Williams does have a better "scent." You are right. The TOBS creams are mostly the same price, but some last longer than others. And soaps last even longer. I have been very impressed with my VDH Luxury soap. It is a great performer for me. That would be an interesting study. That is where the true economics is. Of course, performance and post shave skinfeel trump costs. I like that. I love my MWF, and I agree. It is a great value because of it's performance, post shave skinfeel, and number of shaves. I think my Tabac is in a similar category.
I have a small notebook that I tally up how many shaves I get out of each product. it may sound a little over the top, but I am curious as to how many shaves I can get out of a certain product and I don't think the weight or amount I use is the same every time I shave. sometimes I have plenty of lather leftover and sometimes I have none.
First off, very cool thread. I'd use the above method to get the most "precise" average of cost/use of a soap, although that would take a little more work (not too much, though, if you keep the notebook in the washroom and just tally as you go". I imagine that Tabac would be lower than TOBS, when you factor in the hardness of the puck.
I really think it is a good exercise. Next step would be to translate it to the actual number of shaves you get. That could change the picture and the list. It can be done easily by measuring the weight before and after the shave. This way you would really break it down to the essential question: what's the cost per shave?
