A Guide to Wet Shaving (at Scordo.com)
Vince over at Scordo.com posted a great article today about wet shaving. I researched wet shaving over a year ago and started off with just a badger hair shaving brush and quality shaving cream. Boy, did it make a difference in my shaves! I highly recommend men consider wet shaving.
The initial cost of the equipment is higher than buying some disposable razors and a can of shaving cream, but in the long run it’s more cost effective and gives you higher quality shaves. The tubs of shaving cream I get cost about $13, but they last about 3-4 months! Not to mention the cost of replacing razor blades is much cheaper (~$0.50/blade for high quality blades) than buying more Mach3 cartridges (~$2/cartridge?). Wet shaving can be a good frugal choice if you don’t skimp on equipment that will last and take the time to learn how to shave properly.
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February 10th, 2009 at 3:45 pm
Hi Paul,
Great point about the cost of equipment! I’ve often wondered about Mach3 cartridges and the cost to produce blades and I’ve heard the manufacturing process, as well the materials, drives up cost. However, the same Feather blades that we both use are of superior quality to the Mach3 blades, so I don’t buy the argument from Gillette. It seems most blade manufactures keep blade handle costs low for the end user and then drive up cost for the blades themselves – doesn’t’ seem appropriate and I hope more folks switch over to wet shaving!
Best, Vince
February 10th, 2009 at 4:16 pm
I don’t buy it either. When Gillette first started, they gave away high quality handles to get people to start buying replaceable razor blades (which were cheap to manufacture). So obviously they were putting a sizable margin on the blades. Now they’ve just gotten greedier and don’t even give the handles away very often!
February 10th, 2009 at 6:38 pm
I already shave wet, but with a Mach3. Considering the ridiculous price of replacement blades, I might consider trying something new, though investing in new equipment before knowing whether or not I’ll like it is always worrisome.
February 11th, 2009 at 12:17 am
I struggled with the double edged safety razor at first, but you learn how to use it after a while. It’s quite a bit of money to sink into something you’re not sure about, but if you’re patient it’s almost guaranteed to give you a better shave. And using a safety razor doesn’t have nearly the learning curve of using a straight razor.
If you end up not liking it, you could always sell the razor on eBay (although not for what you bought it probably). Maybe you could buy on eBay and resell at a similar price if it doesn’t work out?
February 11th, 2009 at 11:27 am
Maybe we need to look into the Jesus look, this is the cheapest:)
February 11th, 2009 at 11:53 am
@John: That’s true! But I’d say most men have a boss or significant other who’d be opposed to that.
August 27th, 2009 at 9:22 am
I couldn’t agree with you more. An old style double-edge razor, won’t pull the hairs and cut them below the skin level as is the case with multi-blade catridges, taking better care of your skin and your beard. Also, with an old style razor you have the luxury of choosing the sharpness of the blade; so you can find the one that fits you best.The secret to wet-shaving is getting yourself a good double-edge Merkur razors, shaving soap or cream and a shaving brush. Different people prefer different razors and with time you will find the one that works best for you. For starters a medium size, moderately priced, new razor will do the job.