I have been thinking about Gillette lately. There are some thoughts I would like to share. And your opinion on them.
Let me start with one of the first things that caught my eye when I joined B&B. Many seemed to have started wet shaving out of frustration about cartridges. They consider shaving with cartdridges a bit unethical, considering the cost and the polluting nature of cartridges. On top of that big companies in general, but Gillette in particular are being criticized for this bussiness model, that promotes nonsensical illusions about ever improving shaves with their products. Plus companies like Gillette seem too dominant in this market. A position many as a matter of principal don't like.
I started wet shaving for some of these reasons. When I started to shave my head during the pandemic, I realised how fast the expensive Gillette cartridges deteriorated. On top of that they left too much stubble to my liking.
At first, I truly believed switching to wet shaving would save me money. I can now say it has not. Far from it. But that's me. Or us: those who discover the passion of real shaving. I don't mind that I spend MUCH more on shaving now than I ever did.
Some may save money, but I do not.
The pollution argument was never an issue for me, but I doubt that my shaving footprint is less polluting than when I used cartridges.
The conclusion should be that only my frustration about the lesser shave quality cartridges deliver remains valid. The funny thing is Gillette now provides the solution. Their DE blades are among my most beloved blades.
I admit I resented Gillette as a freshman to wet shaving. But my opinion has since changed.
Another thing that comes to mind is the resentment some seem to bare towards Gillett's bussiness model. They are the most powerfull player in the shaving universe and exploit their position by charging exorbitant pricing. This may be true. On the other hand: does Feather not do this? And artisan soap makers? I think they do and that is not necessarily a bad thing. Profit leads to investments, investments lead to better products and thus more satisfaction for us, the consumers.
A final thought that came to me is: what to think of the King C. Gillette line Gillette introduced? What was their intention? Profit, for sure. But what else? Personally, I don't know anyone that started wet shaving after buying the nice KCG razor and blades. Surely that must have been one of the reasons for Gillette to introduce the KCG line. I would think that would have been good for all of us too. In the West, we are a niche. More wet shavers would mean more possibilities for companies to develop more and better products. We would benefit.
So: my thoughts on Gillette have changed. I am curious about yours.
Let me start with one of the first things that caught my eye when I joined B&B. Many seemed to have started wet shaving out of frustration about cartridges. They consider shaving with cartdridges a bit unethical, considering the cost and the polluting nature of cartridges. On top of that big companies in general, but Gillette in particular are being criticized for this bussiness model, that promotes nonsensical illusions about ever improving shaves with their products. Plus companies like Gillette seem too dominant in this market. A position many as a matter of principal don't like.
I started wet shaving for some of these reasons. When I started to shave my head during the pandemic, I realised how fast the expensive Gillette cartridges deteriorated. On top of that they left too much stubble to my liking.
At first, I truly believed switching to wet shaving would save me money. I can now say it has not. Far from it. But that's me. Or us: those who discover the passion of real shaving. I don't mind that I spend MUCH more on shaving now than I ever did.
Some may save money, but I do not.
The pollution argument was never an issue for me, but I doubt that my shaving footprint is less polluting than when I used cartridges.
The conclusion should be that only my frustration about the lesser shave quality cartridges deliver remains valid. The funny thing is Gillette now provides the solution. Their DE blades are among my most beloved blades.
I admit I resented Gillette as a freshman to wet shaving. But my opinion has since changed.
Another thing that comes to mind is the resentment some seem to bare towards Gillett's bussiness model. They are the most powerfull player in the shaving universe and exploit their position by charging exorbitant pricing. This may be true. On the other hand: does Feather not do this? And artisan soap makers? I think they do and that is not necessarily a bad thing. Profit leads to investments, investments lead to better products and thus more satisfaction for us, the consumers.
A final thought that came to me is: what to think of the King C. Gillette line Gillette introduced? What was their intention? Profit, for sure. But what else? Personally, I don't know anyone that started wet shaving after buying the nice KCG razor and blades. Surely that must have been one of the reasons for Gillette to introduce the KCG line. I would think that would have been good for all of us too. In the West, we are a niche. More wet shavers would mean more possibilities for companies to develop more and better products. We would benefit.
So: my thoughts on Gillette have changed. I am curious about yours.
