Cost Savings With DE Shaving

One additional consideration. If we're simply comparing costs straight across the board and ignoring other factors, you'd also have to consider opportunity costs. I think it's safe to say that the average DE user spends more time shaving than someone shaving with a popular method. Consider the potential lost wages of someone who takes longer to shave. Just sayin'. hehe

Fortunately, it's not just about the money.

 

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As far as cost goes, I think it comes down to whether you turn wet shaving into a hobby or not. The hobby route is what can get pricey. Also I feel that I'm not being forced down a road. With DE and st8 I have a lot more choices. Lets also not forget that most cart users are on the mainstream carts..the Pro-glide, Fusion etc which can run 4 and even 5 bucks a cart. And Steve at some point, I recommend you try out a cart. Your technique will help there too and you'll be able to gain some more perspective...

 

Excellent point. I think that most, if not all wet-shavers who dwell on an online forum are involved in the hobby side of things. There has to be a number of DE users who go under the radar, buying up the best values, and simply clearing their faces at a fraction of the cost of cartridge shaving. The ones who are usually the most vocal online are those who consider DE shaving as more than simply doing what's necessary to get rid of whiskers.

The controversy is reflected in the following: There are many investigating parties who are required to bring a clean-shaven face to work and they learn about their options from a boisterous crew of hobbyists. After all, there aren't a lot of online forums dedicated to the "We've got to do this shaving thing, so let's figure out the cheapest and most efficient way to get 'er done" crowd. There should be a "frugal" shaving subset to assist these groups and fewer Ryan Fosters with their knowledge, helpful reviews, and dastardly encouragement and validation.

Bottom line, though, is that you and others are right, Joe. DE shaving can yield significant savings and we shouldn't mistake DE shaving with the hobby that chases it.

 

I would say that is *the* central challenge, because we all have dramatically different shaving styles and techniques, which have equally different results. I've already given my example of the difference in cost between carts and DE blades when I started. Before that I used electrics, and to keep those in top operating shape costs too- new foils and cutters on a regular basis that is at least as expensive as my yearly DE cost.

I do save a lot using soap, brush, and a DE blade + razor. But the YMMV principle guarantees no one will get the same results as me.

EDIT:

Not fair! You posted while I was typing, and I agree with you 100%.

 

I would love to know how anyone was able to get more than one shave with a mach3 or a schick quattaro let alone months, some times I couldnt even get a full shave before there would be visible nicks in the blade and i was irritated beyond be-leaf. that being before my slow change to wet shaving I used to dry shave nothing at all for lube. can goo made my face burn and caused more irritation then if I didnt use it.
I have gone back since going wet shave and tried both the mach 3 and quattro and was able to get through one shave but the blades were dead enough that it wasnt worth trying a 2nd.

 

Yeah, I asked my father-in-law how it was done. He uses a 3-blade schick razor and, get this, a bar of bath soap. And he's a professional musician and actor, so in many instances, his face has to be extremely well-shaved for close-up camera shots. He uses each razor for a little over a month, and as I mentioned before, he has a very hearty, coarse beard. I suppose this is YMMV at its finest...

 

I've really saved a ton on money d/e, s/e, and straight shaving....... The only catch is I can't buy anymore products till I'm 103.

 

OK guys - that's the new standard - enough product to last until you are 103! Go forth and acquire! I myself have only purchased 2 soaps and a brush this week...I am such a slacker I pledge to do better!

 

Uh oh, I misread the memo and acquired enough until my unborn son is 103. Anyone know the average expiration date of a tube of shaving cream?

 

Given how many tubes of shaving cream I have....I may never see the end of one LOL.

 

Well, perhaps it's not that bad, but I certainly have more than enough for a while. Current stock: 1 tub Maca Root; 3 tubes Maca Root; 2 tubes Real Shaving Co.; 3 tubes C.O. Bigelow; 1 puck AOS unscented soap; 1 puck MWF; 1 stick Palmolive; 1 stick Arko; 1/4 bar Mike's Natural Soap.

Hmm. Nevermind, I was right the first time. My unborn son will use the last of my Maca Root...

 

While I'm still learning about DE I currently am using a Mach 3 and they used to not last as long. But, I was given the tip to dry it as soon as I was done using it and that has lead to significant increase in the life of my carts.

If anyone does this on there DE can they report whether it helps keep its edge longer?

 

You can also hand strop cartridge blades as well which can help extend the life a shave or two (Sometimes more but it's always a your mileage may vary thing). The instruction video is about half way down this page.

 

Thanks. I'll have to check that out. I've never though about doing that, one because I've never tried stroping and two I figured cartridge blades were chemically sharpened like some fish hooks.

 

She came back a little earlier than expected. I had a meeting I was going to, and I used the extra time to stop into a Rite Aid on the way. They had exactly two tubes left on the shelf. The rest is history. A history I'd rather keep under tight wraps. In one of those scrambled opaque envelopes. With drawstring. And a wax seal with my initials punched into it. Do they make wet-shaving signet rings?