Cheapest shave possible, not counting free.

[dcrosso]

During the past three years I have spent over $700 on assorted shaving gear. I am getting some mighty fine shaves on a consistant basis.

Last weekend (Sat.) I went yard saleing for about four hours on my 2006 Harley Dynaglide. I had a great time. I found a Gillette SS adjustable, a well worn, silver (?) plated, Gillette Fat Handled Tech, a 40's SS, a "Ship Grand Turk Salem 1786" Old Spice shaving mug (no soap) and a used, but in almost new condition Green handled, VDH delux, boar brush. I paid $3 for the adj. Gillette, $5 for the mug, the 40's SS and FH Tech and .50 cents for the brush.

I cleaned and sterilized the items and decided to shave with the FH Tech, the VDH brush and the OS mug. I added a Williams soap for .99 cents and a Personna blade. I got a great shave that was just as good as any of my previous shaves with more expensive equipment.

I got to thinking about the cost of the equipment for the shave, If I gave a value of $3 for the mug, $2 for the FH Gillette, .50 cents for the brush, .99 cents for the Williams and .15 cents for the blade the total cost would be approx. $6.65. That amounts to a very reasonable cost for shaving equipment and the subsequent shave.

I realize "Free" would be the cheapest shave possible. I did not count cost of fuel for my mc and my time into the total cost of the shave.

Anyone else have similar stories about their inexpensive shaves?

 

[Den]

Not long after joining these boards I took the advice of many and visited my local antique shops. I scored a '68 SS, '59 Fatboy, 50's British Tech and WWII era Tech with a plastic handle (US made) all for $20. Not too bad.

 

[Wingnut]

Two of my favorite razors are a 40's-style Super Speed ($4.00) and a black-handled SS ($2.00) that were antique store finds. I've also scored a Slim for < $5.00 at an antique mall. So far, though, my best score was a 1918-vintage Gillette Bulldog for $16.00!

You're right, though: wetshaving can be as expensive (or as frugal) as you'd like it to be with little to no compromise in quality of shave. Can't say that for the old cartridge & goo now, can ya?!

 

[pauls51]

One of my antique finds in Oz was a $3 old in a case..... Since then all I have been able to find in the antique stores in my area has been olds and techs!

 

[Go West Young Man]

Generic disposable, hotel soap, hot water.
Let's call it 10 cents.

 

[michiganlover]

If forced to, many of use could get great shaves with budget minded setups. But for me anyway, variety is the spice of life, and I enjoy changing up my shaves frequently.

Thus I have 12-14 razors, 4 brushes, and enough shaving soap, shaving cream, and aftershave to probably last me close to five years.

In keeping with the spirit of your thread, Technique Trumps Hardware: I can get great shaves with just about any razor (bearing those that are badly designed, and thus a total ***).