Being a newbie to DE shaving, (less than 9 months DE shaving), I have enjoyed all the things from trying different soaps and creams, plus different styles of prep and post shaving treatments. By far the things I have enjoyed the most is the thrill of trying out a new blade. I have several sampler packs and I am trying to narrow my choice down to 3 or 4 blades that I will order in larger quantities and use in a rotation method of my choosing. I recently came upon an old article from Business week dated 2005 regarding Gillette's New Fusion Razor that it plane to introduce within the next few months. The article said that Gillette was very confident that those who were using the Mach 3 would switch to the Fusion despite the 30% increase for blade replacements. Gillette said yes the initial price is much more, but you factor in the improvements of the shave and the longevity of the blade will appeal to the average shaver. Gillette spokesman stated that once you have the razor we foresee the average person spending about $50 a year on replacement blades. Our target goal is for each time a person shaves it should cost about 20 cents which is much less than the price of coffee at Star-bucks! (Is it just me or was everything compared to the cost of 1 cup of coffee at Star-buck?). Upon reading this article I tried to estimate what was my cost per shave with the Fusion Razor blades and the cost per shave for DE blades. When I stopped using the Fusion I know that it cost me $13.96 for a pack of 4 blades with each blade lasting me about 10 shaves. This averaged out to about 35 cents per shave, far more than the 20 cents Gillette promised. The cost per DE shave varies as a pack of Gillette 7 O'Clock cost more than a pack of Shark Super Chrome and their longevity varies also. Still my high end cost was around 17 cents per shave and my low end was 5 cents per shave (shark Super Chrome) and this was pushing the blade to perform 6 shaves for me. I had paid $1.50 for a pack of 5. I know that I can reduce my price even lower by buying in bulk, but I am still trying to determine the blades I like best at this time. Please note that I did not include the cost of shipping when calculating the price per blade. I have to travel 12 miles if I were buying fusion blades so I figure the cost I spend in gas was equal to my cost for shipping, at least thats what I try and convince myself even though I still make that same trip just as often to purchase other items that I need. My hope is to find the blades that give me the shave I desire at a cost that is less than 12 cents per shave, if that cannot be done that is alright, but I don't want to spend more than 20 cents per shave just because Gillette will argue with me that is what the fusion cost per shave.
The cost per shave?
- Thread starter mctmatt
- Start date
Wow thanks for this. This is really impressive and something I have thought about eventhough it would not be the reason I would stay shaving a certain way. Here in Canada the fusion blades are over $20 for a 4 pack. Something closer to $30 after taxes.
Although the cost per shave is a factor for some people in switching to DE shaving, the enjoyment factor was by far the stronger sell for me. After my first DE shave, I knew my Fusion/Electric days were over.
The absence of razor burn, ingrown hairs, and the overall enjoyment outweighed the cost savings for me. Then again, I blow all my savings on creams, soaps, AS, etc...
The absence of razor burn, ingrown hairs, and the overall enjoyment outweighed the cost savings for me. Then again, I blow all my savings on creams, soaps, AS, etc...
Yep. We're all here for the savings. 
Here's a typical member after he compares his savings on cartridges vs. his expenditures on creams, soaps, colognes, aftershaves, razors.....
Here's a typical member after he compares his savings on cartridges vs. his expenditures on creams, soaps, colognes, aftershaves, razors.....
Yep. We're all here for the savings.
Here's a typical member after he compares his savings on cartridges vs. his expenditures on creams, soaps, colognes, aftershaves, razors.....
+1
Yeah, I've saved so much money. so very much money....
-jim
B
buyandhold2018
Although the blade cost allows a significant saving over a fusion-type blade, I continue to DE shave because of the personal satisfaction and enjoyment I get. If you are looking for a great value-for-money blade, give the Personna red-pack a try; they can be had in bulk for about 12c each and they offer a really smooth and comfortable shave.
+1 to the Red IPs. They're definitely my favorite DE blade.
This made me think. So I figured the cost per shave for my five favorite blades.
Feather- I can get these $.40/blade. Since I get 5 shaves it is $.08/shave.
7 o'clock yellow- The next highest price at $.34 per blade. 6 shaves makes it less than $.06 per shave.
7 o'clock green- $.19/blade. I found these to be about the same as the yellows for me so I will always get these instead. 7 shaves = 2.5 cents/shave
Lord - $.10/blade 4 shaves = 2.5 cents
Dorco 301 - $.12/blade 5 shaves = about 2 cents.
Even the most expensive blades will still give you about $.10/shave
I have not finished a tub of shave cream so I have no idea how much that would add.
Feather- I can get these $.40/blade. Since I get 5 shaves it is $.08/shave.
7 o'clock yellow- The next highest price at $.34 per blade. 6 shaves makes it less than $.06 per shave.
7 o'clock green- $.19/blade. I found these to be about the same as the yellows for me so I will always get these instead. 7 shaves = 2.5 cents/shave
Lord - $.10/blade 4 shaves = 2.5 cents
Dorco 301 - $.12/blade 5 shaves = about 2 cents.
Even the most expensive blades will still give you about $.10/shave
I have not finished a tub of shave cream so I have no idea how much that would add.
The issue of saving money with DE is part of the equation, but not the whole story. I went to DE because I wanted a better shave. I think that most people here would agree that it's not just about the savings which can be important, but about the experience that a quality DE shave brings. For me, the time I spend working on my shave is one of the "be nice to myself" things that I do. Now, I enjoy my shave instead of regarding it as an unpleasant chore.
Granted we may actually pay more money in the long run but seriously, there are only so many choices of goop and cartridges out there compared to DE/SE products. I'm ok with spending more money as each shave, blade, soap and cream all gives different shaves! For me, enjoying the shave both during and after is something a price tag can't be put on. Shaving with goop and catridges only brought out one emotion, an angry one, each time I had to purchase more plastic.
I just found a 100 pack of the 301's for $8 on the bay, down to 1.6 cents if you get 5 (I usually only go 3 on those, but I bet they'd do 5 without a problem).
OK. So I did the math. I can use a Mach 3 cartridge for 15 days. Since I buy in bulk at Costco, carts cost me $2.00 each. That works out to 14.2 cents per shave. Then, using my most expensive soap (AOS) at $26 each, and lasting me for 9 months (I actually used an AOS puck every day for 9 months), soap costs 9.6 cents per shave. Williams would be much less expensive, of course.
I expect my EJ BB brush to last 8 years, so I calculate the brush to cost 2 cents per shave. I am new to using Witch Hazel , but it looks like my bottle of Thayers will last about 6 months, so daily cost will be about 5 cents. Lastly, there is the ASB at about 6.7 cents per shave. Total, not including hot water, 37.5 cents per shave.
I expect my EJ BB brush to last 8 years, so I calculate the brush to cost 2 cents per shave. I am new to using Witch Hazel , but it looks like my bottle of Thayers will last about 6 months, so daily cost will be about 5 cents. Lastly, there is the ASB at about 6.7 cents per shave. Total, not including hot water, 37.5 cents per shave.
Anyone getting 10+ shaves on a Fusion obviously cares more about price than results - my face hurts just thinking about the 5th shave, let alone toughing it out through numbers 6,7,8,9,and 10!
When buying blades, just get a big sampler, those cost per blade isn't marked up all that much. Once you find you go-to and stick with it the cost savings start adding up quickly.
When buying blades, just get a big sampler, those cost per blade isn't marked up all that much. Once you find you go-to and stick with it the cost savings start adding up quickly.
I have saved so much money that I can afford instant ramen! 
- Thread starter
- #15
Wow, I am very impressed with the cost per shave many of you are getting. I am currently testing the Red Persona, and the results have been reasonable, I am not so sure it will be one of my choice of three, as everyone says YMMV!
The enjoyment factor of DE shaving is a side benefit for me, but I will be honest and tell you that the increased cost that replacement blades for the fusion was the push I needed to get me started as DE shaver. I have been pretty good with only buying a VDH Deluxe set w/brush & bowl ($6.99) some KMF shaving cream ($4.99) and I stumbled on a great sale at Dillard's for Lucky Tiger Shave Cream $2.99, and Lucky Tiger After Shave $2.99. I did buy an Alum block for $15 w/shipping then discovered that my local GNC store has the same thing for $1.99. The alum block though will last I imagine yrs or more. Been using it for 6 months and can barely tell. I do know this that at the time I quit buying the Fusion blades they were $13.96 for 4, today at my Wal-Mart that same 4 pack is $15.96. They claim that their blades only have to be replaced once every 2 months, I know of no one who has been able to go more than 2 weeks before they replace the blade. Everyone that lives around me and at work say they change the blade about once a week and buy a new 4 pack once a month which I suspect is the truth regarding the longevity of these blades. For many of my friends who have switched to DE Shaving they did so because I pointed what it was costing them per shave with a fusion compared to DE shaving. One guy was spending $1.25 per shave without even realizing it. I do know this when I now go to Wal-Mart or any other store to buy my necessities my bill is now $14 to $16 less than what it would be if I were still using a Fusion Razor.
The enjoyment factor of DE shaving is a side benefit for me, but I will be honest and tell you that the increased cost that replacement blades for the fusion was the push I needed to get me started as DE shaver. I have been pretty good with only buying a VDH Deluxe set w/brush & bowl ($6.99) some KMF shaving cream ($4.99) and I stumbled on a great sale at Dillard's for Lucky Tiger Shave Cream $2.99, and Lucky Tiger After Shave $2.99. I did buy an Alum block for $15 w/shipping then discovered that my local GNC store has the same thing for $1.99. The alum block though will last I imagine yrs or more. Been using it for 6 months and can barely tell. I do know this that at the time I quit buying the Fusion blades they were $13.96 for 4, today at my Wal-Mart that same 4 pack is $15.96. They claim that their blades only have to be replaced once every 2 months, I know of no one who has been able to go more than 2 weeks before they replace the blade. Everyone that lives around me and at work say they change the blade about once a week and buy a new 4 pack once a month which I suspect is the truth regarding the longevity of these blades. For many of my friends who have switched to DE Shaving they did so because I pointed what it was costing them per shave with a fusion compared to DE shaving. One guy was spending $1.25 per shave without even realizing it. I do know this when I now go to Wal-Mart or any other store to buy my necessities my bill is now $14 to $16 less than what it would be if I were still using a Fusion Razor.
Tl;dr
There's something else I like about DE shaving and it's a slightly separate issue from the cost savings over carts. I don't begrudge cart makers the profits they get. If people buy them at the price the companies charge, then "oh well". But I personally don't like to be taken advantage of, even if there isn't a lot of money at stake. All the cartridge makers have adopted the same business model of selling the handles cheaply and gouging for the carts, while eliminating any cheaper alternative for getting a decent blade shave from the store shelves. Sure, there are some no name or store brand disposables that cost 25 cents a piece, but they're killers IMO. I switched to DE shaving at least in part to step out from under the cartridge collusion. If shaving cartridges were a bigger ticket item, I'm certain there would be more scrutiny of the pricing and marketing scheme.
I can honestly say I DO NOT save money from wetshaving.
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