Your thoughts on Gillette Super Steel Blades?

[Omnichron]

I saw these at Stater Brothers. They're $8.99 for 10 blades. I know I know I ain't buying at prices like that. What is your impression of Gillette brand DE blades? are they as good as non-american ones?

 

[mmack66]

If you mean these:

they are generally regarded as not very good. And the price, as you have noted, is ridiculous.

 

[Omnichron]

If you mean these:

they are generally regarded as not very good. And the price, as you have noted, is ridiculous.

aah yes! those are it! wow.. pricey like everything Gillette. kind of sad

 

[pauls51]

Woah $9 for a pack of 10 blades!!!! I would probably pay that much for Feathers or Iridiums but would mean less money to spend on all the other ADs!

 

[Stubblefield]

I hear that they are about as sharp as rusty beer cans.

 

[michiganlover]

I hear that they are about as sharp as rusty beer cans.

I have heard that as well. They are some of the worst blades on the market. Conspiracy Theory says Gillette makes them that way on purpose to discourage DE razor use.

(For example: you find a DE razor at a garage sale, buy the Gillette blades as you think Gillette must know what they are doing, and quickly dispose of the razor when you rip your face to shreds, going back to your cartridge razor; you will then tell everyone who will listen how poor DE razors perform. Gillette wins!)

 

[Omnichron]

I have heard that as well. They are some of the worst blades on the market. Conspiracy Theory says Gillette makes them that way on purpose to discourage DE razor use.

(For example: you find a DE razor at a garage sale, buy the Gillette blades as you think Gillette must know what they are doing, and quickly dispose of the razor when you rip your face to shreds, going back to your cartridge razor; you will then tell everyone who will listen how poor DE razors perform. Gillette wins!)

I'm quoting:

The development of the multi-blade razor has had interesting financial implications for the Gillette company and this may feed your Conspiracy theory.

They spent a lot of money developing the twin blade - then they borrowed a page from the software industry and management consulting industry of - build one time, charge many times. Although they are manufacturing, what they make has very little cost.

All the development cost was recognised in one period recognition. A big hit that established a very low baseline (not to mention the offset for current year revenue). All revenue generated by the twin blade is subsequent years goes for the most part to net income. Stock price is driven by revenue growth and earnings. (There are fascinating implications of Agency Theory in this one - think: stock options.)

Problem. Too much revenue, not enough tax write-off. You cannot ride this pony forever. Solution. Develop another razor and pull the same trick. On steroids this time. The development costs were huge. The sales of the triple blade have been less than stellar. This is where the Conspiracy Theory comes in.

The same pattern was established when they bought Oral-B tooth brushes, et al. Who could believe we would pay more than a couple of dollars for a toothbrush? Track the progress through their annual reports.

 

[Rev. Nathan]

Are these the same?

From a travel tech my grandfather used. I have four blades left. Worth a shave or worth a trip to the trash bin?

Sorry for the giant pics

Also, is P1 the date code? It's different from the razor's. I'm not all that sure this razor was used that much, as it was immaculate when I received it.

 

[MattD]

The wilkenson's sword (sp?) are pretty bad here in canada. They're over $1/blade in some stores.

 

[michiganlover]

Are these the same?

Nope, those are far from being the same. Those blades are considered to be of very good quality, and should still shave quite well, being stainless blades.