The Chinese Krazer...

[mojocracker]

Well I stumbled into Walgreens in North Seattle last night and came upon what looks to be a new disposable cartridge/disposable being "dumped" into the American market. This one is called The Krazer. The package says, "Made in PRC" but the company is in Florida.

They come four in a blister pack for $2.00 and that price is hard-printed on the package, implying the price might stay around for awhile. I almost did not buy despite the price because the reviews on Walgreens.com were mostly poor.

But I relented and bought a pack. How can you lose for two bucks?

This morning I showered and lathered up with Real Cream and my Edwin Jagger badger brush, commencing a three pass (WTG/ATG/XTC) plus fourth touch up and WTG polishing pass.

This razor did a commendable job, delivering both the finesse of a cartridge in the tight spots and the polished BBS shave of a DE on the flats.

The blades have more the aggressive feel of a Shark or a third day Feather than the smooth feel of a Sensor 3 cartridge, which it is most similar to in structure and configuration. My passes were light in pressure as with a DE. When I did apply pressure, I got an abrasion in one spot.

I attribute the bad reviews by non-classic shavers to this. If you press the Krazer like a cartridge, you will get a bad shave. This coudl prove to be a marketing challenge for them.

This cartridge shaves more like a double edge and the unit price is similar to a Feather blade bought in low quantity!!

The aloe/vitamin E strip took a big hit on my three pass shave so I will update my review with ones for shaves 1-4.

But upon first use these are great new cartridges and a bargain, especially for the skilled shaver.

Check 'em out at Walgreens.

 

[tom66]

hmm...i saw them a few days ago at the grocery store, guess i'll give them a try as well.

 

[kg4ghn]

It is amazing what you can do when you have good shaving technique and good prep products!

 

[boctok]

I think China will survive without my business. I'm avoiding all things imported from China. A rough year of unemployment helped shape my view.

 

[tontovila]

Voting with your money.
Worth more than ballot voting to be honest.

I think China will survive without my business. I'm avoiding all things imported from China. A rough year of unemployment helped shape my view.

 

[proxymoron]

I think China will survive without my business. I'm avoiding all things imported from China. A rough year of unemployment helped shape my view.

Ironically, since China is our biggest debt-holder, we can't really survive without their business.

Back to the razor: the plastic disposability turns me off to the potential merits of its shave. Too much pointless waste (not counting the packaging) and the fact that it's only two bucks is like icing on cow pie.

 

[dpm802]

http://www.walgreens.com/store/c/krazer-sport-3-triple-blade-+-aloe-razors/ID=prod6001019-product

 

[Topgumby]

It's an interesting idea, but it sounds like something that Jerry Seinfeld's neighbor dreamed up...

 

[tom66]

well, i tried them out, eh, i'll stick with BIC or personna disposables, they look cool, but they didn't mesh well with my face, live and learn,

 

[mojocracker]

...well, I didn't know my random post about the Krazer would bloom into a discussion about Chinese - American trade imbalances. But that is a good discussion, imo, and I am glad that it did.

The issue of "fair trade" with China is going to emerge as the hottest international political issue in the next few years, eclipsing global terrorism, imo. One potential presidential candidate, who shares a last name syllable with a favorite maker of soaps and creams has already planted a stake in the ground.

It is a caveat with all the disposable plastic razor stuff out there which I imagine the bulk of is made in China.

Back to the Krazer itself, the first one held up great for 5+ shaves but... Upon subsequent shaves with a second Krazer from the same pack, I have to say that these disposables are of inconsistent quality. The second razor felt as dull at first shave as the first did after six shaves. Duller, in fact, pulling all the way. Ouch!!

I am glad that I didn't overreact to the initial positive experience and go out and buy a bunch of these in bulk.

Although, owing to its adroitness I did get a commendable, if painful four pass shave this morning with the "new" second Krazer (WTG, XTG, ATG, WTG).

Yesterday my shave with my '51 SS and 3 shave old Feather did OK but failed to get into the tight spots under the jaw, as usual.

I guess I will stick with DE and two shaves per Feather or Shark.

Finally (can't get out of the way of the plastic), I got a bike order from Performance yesterday and it came with a sample Schick Extreme disposable. It has three blades and a flexible head. Should be interesting.

But now I feel compelled again to avoid plastic, Chinese and otherwise!!

 

[verdict]

Anything made in China is going to draw comments, or actually opinions, about the Chinese, the economy, blah blah blah. The thing is, nobody asked for it.

About disposables - I think I'd go cartridge before I go disposable again. Or I might try the Bic metal, which gets good reviews around here.

 

[pauls51]

It's an interesting idea, but it sounds like something that Jerry Seinfeld's neighbor dreamed up...

Like a pizza place where you make your own pie?