Chaving witha cartridge razor isn't all that expensive

[Bruce Wayne]

The other day I was in the grocery store & I made a sweeping pass thru the soaps/deodorant/cologne aisle & I noticed the price on a package of 8 Gillette Fusion replace cartridges. The price was $26 for 8.

Let's do some math.

426/8=$3.25 per cartridge

Now when I was using my Fusion, I could get at least 21 shaves per cartridge with no ill effects.

$3.25/21=$0.15

Now, If you can get 28 shaves (one month) out of one cartridge, it costs less.

$3.25/28=$0.12

If you use a Mach 3 razor I am sure the cost would be even less.

So using a cartridge razor will cost you less than 20 cents a shave.

Some members on this board have said that they could only get 3 or 4 shaves out of a cartridge razor. I find this hard to believe in so much as most cartridge razors these days are idiot proof. I remember I was in a hurry one night leaving work & I used a Fusion Razor with a new cartridge & NO SOAP & shaved my goatee right off. No nick, no scrapes, no weepers. If I can shave a goatee & a weeks worth of stubble off without using soap or cream then I find it hard to belive that someone can only get 3 or 4 shaves out of a cartridge system using canned goo.

Just some food for thought.

Thanx!!!
Charlie

[franz]

No offense, but I'm amazed that anyone would contemplate 21 shaves, let alone 28, out of a cartridge. Actually, scratch that -- my girlfriend probably gets 21 shaves out of her Venus cartridge. But women are nuts.

[probesport]

Blasphemy!

[maxman]

You make a good point.
However I must also join the mob with the torches and pitchforks.

I dumped the carts originally because of irritation.
Cost was also a factor. If I use a cart now, it feels like I haven't shaved at all on my neck.

They could give them to me for free and I wouldn't use them.
:laugh:

[kingfisher]

I can get 7 shaves, at most, out of a cartridge blade. The first 4 or 5 are fine, and then the quality deteriorates.

My 17-year-old son, on the other hand, has been using the same Atra cartridge for about six months. His hairs are fine, few, and far between. Mine are dense, thick, coarse, and rapidly growing.

Currently I'm using Wilkinson Sword cartridges with my Trac II. Five shaves is pretty much the max. Sometimes I throw them out after four.

So, you can believe or disbelieve whatever you want, but for me shaving with a Mach 3 or Fusion is very expensive.

[Bruce Wayne]

No offense, but I'm amazed that anyone would contemplate 21 shaves, let alone 28, out of a cartridge. Actually, scratch that -- my girlfriend probably gets 21 shaves out of her Venus cartridge. But women are nuts.

I'm amazed that people can't.

[Greglam]

I'm amazed that people can't.

I'm amazed that people can.

[nlatham19]

I might could get a lot of shaves from one cart. But I never got one comfortable shave. :wink2:

[Greyfox]

Well Charlie sounds as if you should just go back to the cartridge. I am one of the ones who could only get 3 shaves out of them and they were lousy shaves at that. That's the reason I only used them for 2 packs of cartridges. Lousy,expensive shaves. If they work for you then you should save a lot of money over the next few years.

[klm099]

I don't know where the chaving board is located, but few here really expect to save money with this obsession of ours.

I don't care if carts were free I would still live in the world of shinny sharp objects, warm steel, satisfying crunch of whisker whacking, and all the wonderful scents of soaps, creams, etc. plus I get to rub boar hair all over my face everyday

ken

[djboring]

I used to get probably 3-4 weeks out of my M3 (sometimes shaving every other day) and it was fine, but it was never as pleasurable of an experience as my DE.

[jwcarlson]

I never thought the cartridges felt very sharp to begin with but I would get several shaves out of them. But I wouldn't shave very often anyway so I didn't go through many cartridges.

But if you're shaving with a DE, Arko, and decent blades you're spending a lot less than Gilette Gel and Cartridge in the long term.
It's when you start buying 20 razors, 20 soaps, and 50 different types of blades that you get into some expense.

[mrkiii]

Isn't there an acronym for this?

I believe it's YMMV :laugh:

[drews50]

If DE/SE shavers are miserly when it comes to blades, it's because we have to be. We blew all our money on razors, soaps, brushes, etc. Heck I've started hand stropping my blades.:w00t:

[mrkiii]

I never thought the cartridges felt very sharp to begin with but I would get several shaves out of them. But I wouldn't shave very often anyway so I didn't go through many cartridges.

But if you're shaving with a DE, Arko, and decent blades you're spending a lot less than Gilette Gel and Cartridge in the long term.
It's when you start buying 20 razors, 20 soaps, and 50 different types of blades that you get into some expense.

Or a Futur with matching stand and brush. It would take quite a few cartridges & goo cans to have an equivalent for this beauty (IMO) http://www.shaving.ie/products/Merkur-Futur-4-Piece-Set.html

But then again, I'd also miss the joy I hopefully will have once it arrives.

[franz]

Isn't there an acronym for this?

I believe it's YMMV :laugh:

And 28 cart shaves really put the mileage in "your mileage may vary"!

[JBagKY]

I used to get probably 3-4 weeks out of my M3 (sometimes shaving every other day) and it was fine, but it was never as pleasurable of an experience as my DE.

This. I usually got 3-4 weeks worth out of a cartridge (though its hard for me to remember now), but I don't think that I have ever looked forward to, enjoyed, or talked about shaving as much as I have since starting with my DE. If this is a part of my grooming, then I am glad to spend what might end up being a little more to do something that I like rather than something that I just have to do.

[FL shaver]

Tugging and pulling from the fourth shave on...

[Absolute Mustard]

3-4 weeks is amazing

If you could do that and get a great shave that lasted all day....then why would anyone switch

The majority of us couldnt go that long, and even with new ones the shaves wouldnt last that long

[Shavely Manden]

That's not impossible, but I'd also wonder if the price difference caused you to notice fewer problems with the cartridges than the DEs. I.e., if the cartridge you'd been shaving with had been $0.20 rather than $3.25, would you have noticed pulling earlier? The financial incentive might've caused you to discount pulling / discomfort with the carts you wouldn't have stood with DEs...nicks & weepers aren't the only measure of comfort, after all. (And I can't imagine shaving off a goatee sans soap without massive pain, even if no blood were drawn.)

Also, were you using the same technique with both the cart and the DE? I can believe that you were getting 21 one-pass shaves out of the cart, but that'd come to seven three-pass shaves. And, even with a cart, you can't get a proper, smooth shave with just one pass & no pressure. (So many men just look half-shaved these days...)

[Sledgehammer39]

You make a good point.
However I must also join the mob with the torches and pitchforks.

I dumped the carts originally because of irritation.
Cost was also a factor. If I use a cart now, it feels like I haven't shaved at all on my neck.

They could give them to me for free and I wouldn't use them.
:laugh:

+1 Nicely said..

[probesport]

I dumped carts because I didn't like them. No money motivation, no quality of shave motivation. I simply did not like using them.

DE shaving is a luxury for me, it's like driving a gas guzzling Benz that is hard to park. You don't really care about that part, you didn't buy it because it got 40mpg and would fit in compact spaces.

[Bruce Wayne]

I never really thought about enjoyment when I wrote the first post. I truly do enjoy shaving more with a DE, Mama Bears soap & my Grampas brush. Where as using a can of gel & a Fusion is bearable, I rarely got a bad shave out of a Fusion. Shaving with a Fusion is no where as cheap as a DE can be. A 100 pack of Derby blades is $20. That is 20 Cents a blade. I can get three shaves out of a Derby blade. That is 7 cents a shave. Now you need to factor in how many lathers you can get out of a tub of decent soap. While DE shaving will always be cheaper as long as you don't get any AD's. I just wanted to point out the fact that a Fusion razor is not as expensive as many seem to believe. It all comes back to what others havealready said: YMMV.

[HoosierTrooper]

Chaving with a cartridge? You folks from northern Indiana never could spell worth a chit.:lol:

[Bruce Wayne]

Chaving with a cartridge? You folks from northern Indiana never could spell worth a chit.:lol:

Could a mod please change the title? I did but it didn't take.

[Zarba]

The other day I was in the grocery store & I made a sweeping pass thru the soaps/deodorant/cologne aisle & I noticed the price on a package of 8 Gillette Fusion replace cartridges. The price was $26 for 8.

Let's do some math.

426/8=$3.25 per cartridge

Now when I was using my Fusion, I could get at least 21 shaves per cartridge with no ill effects.

$3.25/21=$0.15

Now, If you can get 28 shaves (one month) out of one cartridge, it costs less.

$3.25/28=$0.12

If you use a Mach 3 razor I am sure the cost would be even less.

So using a cartridge razor will cost you less than 20 cents a shave.

Some members on this board have said that they could only get 3 or 4 shaves out of a cartridge razor. I find this hard to believe in so much as most cartridge razors these days are idiot proof. I remember I was in a hurry one night leaving work & I used a Fusion Razor with a new cartridge & NO SOAP & shaved my goatee right off. No nick, no scrapes, no weepers. If I can shave a goatee & a weeks worth of stubble off without using soap or cream then I find it hard to belive that someone can only get 3 or 4 shaves out of a cartridge system using canned goo.

Just some food for thought.

Thanx!!!
Charlie
I have a fairly light beard, and after 6 or 7 shave a Fusion cart was toast. 21 days? I have to raise the BS Flag on that.

My last bulk purchase of ProGlide Carts at Sam's was $44 for 16, $2.75 per cart. At Kroger, they're 4 for $18, or $4.50 per.

No matter how you cut it (sorry), the carts are just too darn expensive.

[starets]

I would never get very many shaves out of the Gillette cartridges. I'm not sure how many shaves, but I definitely found it to be quite expensive. And, as someone said, I would use them longer than was good to try to mitigate the expense.

I used both the Sensor and the Mach 3 carts. I found there to be a significant difference between them in useful lifespan. The Sensors stayed sharp longer, but clogged up very easily. The Mach 3 have thinner blades and a wider gap between blades so they don't clog quite as easily, but they become dull much more quickly than the Sensors. In fact, the Mach 3 carts dulled so quickly I wondered if it was a deliberate case of planned obsolescence.

So for me, the carts were an overly expensive and poorly performing tool. Making the switch to safety razors has been an improvement in both price and performance.

[Bruce Wayne]

I have a fairly light beard, and after 6 or 7 shave a Fusion cart was toast. 21 days? I have to raise the BS Flag on that.

My last bulk purchase of ProGlide Carts at Sam's was $44 for 16, $2.75 per cart. At Kroger, they're 4 for $18, or $4.50 per.

No matter how you cut it (sorry), the carts are just too darn expensive.

Not 21 days, 21 shaves. I only shaved every other day when I used a Fusion. In fact I still only shave every other day unless I have something important happening.

The Proglide carts are probally more than the standard Fusion carts. The regular Fusion & Fusion Power carts are exactly the same & go on either handle, yet the Power Carts were quite a bit more expensive.

[BlackBard]

I posted a thread about shaving (or is that 'chaving'?) for 30 consecutive days with the same Mach 3 cartridge. Here is the link:

http://badgerandblade.com/vb/showthread.php?t=141344

In that thread, there is reference to an earlier attempt at 30 days, but illness prevented me from going past day 25. If you are interested, please read both.

[djboring]

That's not impossible, but I'd also wonder if the price difference caused you to notice fewer problems with the cartridges than the DEs. I.e., if the cartridge you'd been shaving with had been $0.20 rather than $3.25, would you have noticed pulling earlier? The financial incentive might've caused you to discount pulling / discomfort with the carts you wouldn't have stood with DEs...nicks & weepers aren't the only measure of comfort, after all. (And I can't imagine shaving off a goatee sans soap without massive pain, even if no blood were drawn.)

Also, were you using the same technique with both the cart and the DE? I can believe that you were getting 21 one-pass shaves out of the cart, but that'd come to seven three-pass shaves. And, even with a cart, you can't get a proper, smooth shave with just one pass & no pressure. (So many men just look half-shaved these days...)

Fully agreed. Shaving was a one pass (with multiple strokes over one spot), half-hearted affair before.

Also, the financial incentive to stretch a cartridge to its maximum useful life was high.

[HoosierTrooper]

I posted a thread about shaving (or is that 'chaving'?) for 30 consecutive days with the same Mach 3 cartridge. Here is the link:

http://badgerandblade.com/vb/showthread.php?t=141344

In that thread, there is reference to an earlier attempt at 30 days, but illness prevented me from going past day 25. If you are interested, please read both.

So, are you still chaving with the Mash 3 any since venturing into the world of de's?

[misbeshavin']

I really like the shave I get from a cartridge. It's quick, nearly fool-proof, and more forgiving than a DE (IMO). That being said I switched to DE shaving first and foremost for cost reasons. Found I enjoyed it. BUT I would go back to cartridges if they cost the same. I get about 5 shaves out of a Mach 3 turbo. They're good shaves but after that razor burn/irritation is very evident.

[Ski-Patroller]

I got a lot of shaves out of a cartridge also, but then I get 6 or 7+ from a Feather or Super Iridium.

It's not about saving money though. If it was I would start using canned goo.

Williams and VDH are probably cheaper, but even Cella probably cost more than canned goo, and then you have to add in the cost of the brushes. And I could have bought a lot of cartridges for the price of Two Futurs, Two Progresses and a Feather AS, not to mention 400-500 blades.:001_smile

[franz]

I'm going to refer to cartridge shaving as "chaving" from now on.

Cartridge + shaving = chaving.

[BlackBard]

Originally Posted by BlackBard
I posted a thread about shaving (or is that 'chaving'?) for 30 consecutive days with the same Mach 3 cartridge. Here is the link:

http://badgerandblade.com/vb/showthread.php?t=141344

In that thread, there is reference to an earlier attempt at 30 days, but illness prevented me from going past day 25. If you are interested, please read both.


So, are you still chaving with the Mash 3 any since venturing into the world of de's?

Just once. Now I'm using a Slim and an EJ DE87. Likin' the EJ a lot.

[Bruce Wayne]

So, are you still chaving with the Mash 3 any since venturing into the world of de's?

No, but I still have it since Gillette gave it to me for my 18th birthday.

[Marcus_C]

A cartridge would last me about a week, there wouldn't be that much in it cost-wise for me if I buy them in bulk but I get a better shave with DE and no ingrown hairs which are the reason I switched.

[flat_tire]

I think another factor in long lasting cartridges is the rate of decline. The initial quality of a shave drops of fairly quickly after the first few shaves. Then, however, the rate of decline slows down dramatically. The cartridge will last for a very long time with a minimal decrease in performance from day to day.

The main determining factor is your personal tolerance level. What quality level are you looking for in a shave? I know when I used to shave with cartridges, I was not expecting a very pleasent shave and the razor always met my expectations. Therefore I would keep the cartridge for a long time before eventually chucking it out.

Now that I use a DE razor and have much higher expectations out of my shaves, I would probably not be able to use a cartridge nearly as long as I used too (although with better prep it would last longer then I probably expect).

As always, YMMV and all that. If you like using cartridges and they work for you, great! You will never see me lobby to get rid of all cartridge razors. :001_smile

Thanks,
CZ

[gull]

Cartridge shaving was cheaper than what I'm doing now. :tongue_sm

Assuming I had no ADs however, DE shaving is way cheaper. I could only get 2-3 shaves from a Fusion cart.

[Sabre]

I really like to mix it up - Feathers, Red Personna's or Timors in my Krona, Schick blades in an injector, cabinet blade in a Dovo Shavete, cartridge razors from Dorco, Personna, Kai, King of Shaves, Schick/Wilkinson Sword, Wilkinson Sword (Pre Schick), Feather.

I have nothing against cartridges, they are useful for travel and times when you can't do a 3/4 pass shave. I believe there are alternatives to Gillette and their pricing for the Fusion in Europe, and I quite enjoy the Hydro 3. Maybe had you guys bought a few more Personna Matrix 3 blades, we would have a private ASR - I fear the day Energizer close down the Israeli plant.

[Shavely Manden]

Cartridge shaving was cheaper than what I'm doing now. :tongue_sm

Assuming I had no ADs however, DE shaving is way cheaper. I could only get 2-3 shaves from a Fusion cart.

My philosophy: I've got a cheap shave and an expensive hobby. Actually, compared to some of my other hobbies (Chinese tea, headphone equipment, &c), my shaving AD's are positively cheap, but hey...

I figure if I lose my job & don't have the money for entertainment, I can get by with about $6/mo (buying blades in bulk, QCS for cream, drugstore witch hazel, and no razor / brush / &c purchases...I've got enough to last me till Kingdom come :laugh:). The ~$200/mo I spend on brushes/colognes/soaps/aftershaves/straights/hones/&c is just money that'd be spent on another hobby if it weren't for shaving.

[Ihorn]

I could get a ton of shaves from a cartridge. The shaves were ok, but I could never go against the grain on my neck. With my DE and a new blade I can go against the grain with no problem. So for me a DE is the way to go. Plus I get to smell nice.

[touchdowntodd]

its a totally differrnt world.. DEs open up a level of self respect you cant get in a cartridge.. DE/Straight shaving says to the world and yourself that you know you are worth the time..

that bein said.. my dad has cartridges over a year.. he dries them with a hair drier each time.. its hilarious

[statius]

I'm with you. I can easily get a month out of one Fusion cartridge. These are good shaves and very passable even at the end. Not as good as a fresh DE, but I'm no fanatic. I just want a passable shave. I get no irritation from cartridges and never have. I use them in the shower with faces wash as my 'shaving soap'. Works great. I only switched to DE shaving for a change and for some kind of old timey routine. That said, I certainly enjoy DE shaving much more than whipping off a quick one in the shower.

Now, I think it still is cheaper to use a DE. I bought 100 Astras for $15. I use one blade for one week and switch every friday. These Astras will last me about 2 years. Now that's cheap! my soap should last about 1 year (my DR Harris lasted over a year). Either way, to each their own, but I find the cartridge bashing by some a bit tiresome (but I'll admit 4 blades sounds kinda nuts!:blink:)


If I can shave a goatee & a weeks worth of stubble off without using soap or cream then I find it hard to belive that someone can only get 3 or 4 shaves out of a cartridge system using canned goo.

Just some food for thought.

Thanx!!!
Charlie

[texaninkc]

i could probably get about 15 shaves from a cartridge but i'd usually stretch that out over a month to a month and a half as shaving everyday back then would likely lead to irritation. so i stretched the cartridge as long as i could and dealt with the issues that came with it.

i'm sure you could shave off a goatee with a cartridge and no product with no problem other than the tugging. but would i enjoy that shave? never.

the experience is definitely worth more than what i could be doing if i stretched out a cartridge. i'll take 365 amazing shaves with a DE and good product over 180 (shaving every other day) mediocre shaves with stretched out cartridges.

[Darth Shaver]

For me, I found that I could only get about a week worth of comfortable shaves from a cartridge. Doesn't matter if it was a Mach3 or a Fusion. When money was on the tighter side, I would stretch it out to two weeks, and when it was really tight, I would stretch it out to a month. Either way it was uncomfortable after the first week. And for me, the Fusion always felt like I was using a cheese grater across my face but I kept buying them because I was naive enough to believe Gillette that more blades was better.

I'm not opposed to going back to some carts but since I already have SSAD, I can't afford them :laugh:

[rajagra]

The flaw in the OP is the assumption that you can't make DE blades last a month. But you can (see the one blade in February challenge.) I'm on shave 25 with a Merkur Super blade, and it's still giving me better shaves than any cartridge ever did.

People make cartridges last many shaves because they are expensive.

People change DE blades every few shaves because they are so cheap.

[paxpac]

149067

:lol:

[yohimbe2]

Or a Futur with matching stand and brush. It would take quite a few cartridges & goo cans to have an equivalent for this beauty (IMO) http://www.shaving.ie/products/Merkur-Futur-4-Piece-Set.html

But then again, I'd also miss the joy I hopefully will have once it arrives.


I own that set and love the Razor and Brush, but the bowl is such a rip off. What a piece of junk.

[csmorris]

I'm going to refer to cartridge shaving as "chaving" from now on.

Cartridge + shaving = chaving.

:thumbup: :lol: :thumbup: :lol: :thumbup:

[rajagra]

I'm going to refer to cartridge shaving as "chaving" from now on.

Cartridge + shaving = chaving.

Lol. Very appropriate (http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Chav).

[jkingrph]

When I decided to quit the Norelco triple head, I went with a Gillette Fusion, the reason as I remember was that it was made in I think Poland vs china for the Shick.

Roughly a year later I discovered this forum and a couple of others, did a little reading and decided to go double edge. I picked up one of the EJ long handle models( with olive wood handle) which I like very much, but stop there, nooooo!!

Had I wanted to save money I should have stayed with the Fusion, probably could have bought cartridges for a good part of the rest of my life with what I have spent on de razors, old and new, soaps, creams, witch hazel, brushes, scuttle ect ect etc, a nice cabinet to display items. It just does not stop. The bathroom looks better with the razors & brushes ect on display, but that does not a better shave make.

I was trying to see how many shaves I could get out of a Fusion and had hit about 6 weeks on one cartridge, using "canned goo" and honestly getting acceptable double pass shaves.

I a finding I get a smoother shave and after a bit over two months, just started at Christmas, find that a good double or triple pass leaves it much smoother. I cannot say from an economic point it is worth it, but shaving is much more enjoyable, expecially with the various scented soaps.

Would I do it again?? I think so, it's been an enjoyable journey, takes more time in the morning but I am liking the warm lather vs cold. My barber even gave me 300-400 blades that were give to him when one of the local plastics factories changed some process and no longer used double edge blades, they are unmarked and give pretty good shaves, a little more resistance than a feather. These things were in a box about 18"long, a metal rod though the center to support the unwrapped bulk blades so that the edges did not contact annthing. He have me a stack about 3 1/2-4"high, apparently not many of his customer use dougle edges.

I guess I got the ad syndrome, some things have been pricy, but considering that I had been playing with and colleting firearms it is a much more economical hobby, plus I do not need a big gun save to store razors and brushes. Even at the prices I have seen some of the Aristocrats, Darwin's ect go for lately, it's still much more economical than a nice gun an takes a lot less space, plus if I do decide to buy a high priced razor it will be much easier to sell and ship in the future than a firearm, even considering I have a C&R license and can ship to another C&R or any ffl license holder. and receive C&R qualifying items straight to my home, by simply submitting a copy of my license.

My next goal is to get my 35 year old son started down this road. I picked up a nice user grade Aristocrat which I will loan(give) to him along with a VDH starter set for a trial, probably later this month.

[dataz722]

I was getting months out of a cartridge before. I would get about a year out of a 4 pack. I was just to cheap and refused to buy more. Once I started cutting the crap out of my face from the dulled blades is when I would finally switch. :blush:

[bobfarvour]

I shave with a double edge because I like them. I haven't saved a dime. Actually, I've spent ten fold what I use to spend on shaving. But I like it. I didn't get irritation with Carts. I used one for a long time, not 28 days, but a long time. So they weren't that expensive. I got turned on to try DE shaving after I read a nice post about a barber shave for $35. It sounded great, but 35 bucks was high to me. So some dude said you don't have to spend that to get a good shave, try a double edge. So I did. I had never even seen one before. I left the store where I bought it already in love with it because it just felt great in my hands. I cut the crap outta myself later that day. But now I don't. I get up extra early, and i'm not a morning person, just to shave. And it has made my mornings better. I love to shave now. It's got nothing to do with cartridges one way or the other.

[Hair apparent]

I had a full beard for about 25 years. I used a Mach3 to trim around the edges on my cheeks and neck. A cartridge would last a long time. As my beard got whiter, I went to a goatee, then a moustache, then shaved it all off. I was still using Mach 3s, but never felt like I had a close shave. It was fine on the cheeeks , but you could feel the drag and catch on the jawline on jacket collars and sweaters. A cartridge was lasting maybe a week, and I wasn't happy either with the price or the shave.

Switched to DE shaving, bit of a learning curve, but almost immediately a better, closer shave. Then the AD set in. Now I have a slant, a fatboy, a tech a gem junior and g-bar(SEs)several straights and the goodies that go with it, bulk qtys of Derbys, Feather, Gillette super thins and a variety pack of others. Multiple creams and a hard soap or two. Have I spent more than I did when cartridge shaving? Yes. But, I am getting superior shaves, more enjoyment from the shaving process, and am realistically set for the next 2 plus years. ot that I won't buy more stuff, but I don't have to worry about extending the life of my blades.

[OLDMAN]

I use to use Mach 3 disposables. I always used them a week and then threw it out and started a new one. I know I could get more than a week out of one.....I use to be be pretty fussy about cleaning them after I shave though to keep them from getting plugged up.

[jsj_297]

I'm going to refer to cartridge shaving as "chaving" from now on.

Cartridge + shaving = chaving.

I honestly thought "chaving" Must be another b&b term Im not familiar with yet. I thought, must be referring to cartridge razor shaving, then I was like, huh, thats a pretty slick name for it!

I second the motion for referring to cartridge razor shaving as "Chaving"! :thumbup:

[retiredguns]

I've posted that I used an M3 for years with ATG BBS shaves anytime I wanted them and yes the cartridges lasted me a good dozen times or more..but I can also get to work in the Pinto but would rather take the 'Vette!

[paxpac]

I second the motion for referring to cartridge razor shaving as "Chaving"! :thumbup:
+1

Bruce Wayne, you may have inadvertently invented a new B&B term :thumbup1:

[Drubbing]

Now when I was using my Fusion, I could get at least 21 shaves per cartridge with no ill effects.

So using a cartridge razor will cost ME less than 20 cents a shave.

Some members on this board have said that they could only get 3 or 4 shaves out of a cartridge razor. I find this hard to believe in so much as most cartridge razors these days are idiot proof.


Bully for you. But I don't shave with your face, so I find it hard to believe you find it hard to believe others might be different. I could get a week/10 days from a cart tops. Then it started tugging like a freighter. I usually pushed them to two weeks anyway because I have 3 kids to feed, and I reckon they'd find used carts too chewy.

Being idiot proof has nothing to do with the life of the blades - which vary as widely as the face it's used upon. Something Gillette ignores with a homogenised product that is marketed to suit everyone.

I did use one of my old carts the other day and nearly fell asleep with boredom. That's as good a reason as any to not bother.

[Bruce Wayne]

+1

Bruce Wayne, you may have inadvertently invented a new B&B term :thumbup1:

http://images1.memegenerator.net/ImageMacro/4863226/HOORAY-Someones-paying-attention-to-me.jpg?imageSize=Medium&generatorName=Stalker-Zoidberg

[tkto13]

Before I switched to wetshaving and DEs, I could easily get 30 shaves with one Mach 3 cartridge. Perhaps ignorance was bliss. However, it functioned well. Though, if I skipped shaving for two days, it was always hell shaving with it.

I had to make the switch not because of discomfort or cost, but because my skin was drying out in the winter from using the canned gel and Mach 3.

I am planning on trying the Mach 3 in the near future to see what chaving is like with a fresh perspective.

[Pkrankow]

I might could get a lot of shaves from one cart. But I never got one comfortable shave. :wink2:
That is why I started this madness. Shave quality.

Cartridge shaving was cheaper than what I'm doing now. :tongue_sm

Assuming I had no ADs however, DE shaving is way cheaper. I could only get 2-3 shaves from a Fusion cart.

Carts were way cheaper. I needed less stuff too.

Funny thing is I started straight shaving and my shave quality plummeted (for now):001_huh:

Phil

[Quintar]

I have a fairly light beard, and after 6 or 7 shave a Fusion cart was toast. 21 days? I have to raise the BS Flag on that.

My last bulk purchase of ProGlide Carts at Sam's was $44 for 16, $2.75 per cart. At Kroger, they're 4 for $18, or $4.50 per.

No matter how you cut it (sorry), the carts are just too darn expensive.
I have a heavy beard and I would get 1 month per fusion cart. I usually shaved twice a week and did it in the shower with shower gel, no brush. So I guess that's around 10 shaves, sometimes more. I noticed the blades would last longer with soap in the shower than if I used canned shaving cream at the sink. maybe the steam keeps the blades clean and sharp. I had a sneaky suspicion Gillette put something in the shave gel to make the blades dull faster :glare:

[davros]

The other day I was in the grocery store & I made a sweeping pass thru the soaps/deodorant/cologne aisle & I noticed the price on a package of 8 Gillette Fusion replace cartridges. The price was $26 for 8.

Let's do some math.

426/8=$3.25 per cartridge

Now when I was using my Fusion, I could get at least 21 shaves per cartridge with no ill effects.

$3.25/21=$0.15

Now, If you can get 28 shaves (one month) out of one cartridge, it costs less.

$3.25/28=$0.12

If you use a Mach 3 razor I am sure the cost would be even less.

So using a cartridge razor will cost you less than 20 cents a shave.


Even if these numbers hold up though...
let's say a DE blade costs about $0.20 (i.e. the price for 100 Derbys from WCS).

Let's say you get 3 shaves with it.

That still comes out at slightly less than half Bruce's figures for the Fusion on his own experience of 21 shaves or chaves /cart.

And these are conservative numbers - if you can pay a bit less for your blades, or use them 4 or 5 times, the Fusion is getting on for 4x the cost.

[jansob]

For me it was about cost-effectiveness (effectiveness including comfort.)
The price was a factor only in that I wasn't getting much for the money. The Atra is a pretty cheap cart to find online, so if they had given me a good shave I'd likely not have switched, but a cart was good for only 3-4 shaves, and I had a lot of ingrowns and weepers.

I have spent maybe $250 in the first few months, but now have settled in to a routine and don't spend much now...but enjoy the shaves tremendously. If I avoid the ADs, DE shaving likely will end up costing about the same, but be an island of luxury in my life where an irritating chore used to stand.

If DE blades vanished tomorrow, what I've learned about shaving and better products would allow me to get great shaves from the Atra now, but I'd miss the aesthetics of the DE.

[elpheasant]

The most I could ever get was a week's worth of mediocre shaves. 21 or 28? I need to see this!

[RichardIIILouisiana]

21? I could never get close to that many shaves.

[tvldatsi]

I've never used a fusion. m3 carts got me about 7 shaves a piece

[Topgumby]

So using a cartridge razor will cost you less than 20 cents a shave.



And your very soul.


http://i60.photobucket.com/albums/h38/msgte/Razors/cthartridge.jpg

[merlin_1977]

Hmm. THere's a problem with the logic. Here's why. Cartridge = $0.20c per shave...... I pay $0.20c per BLADE! I'm not sayin', I'm just sayin.....:confused1:lol:

[oc_in_fw]

The other day I was in the grocery store & I made a sweeping pass thru the soaps/deodorant/cologne aisle & I noticed the price on a package of 8 Gillette Fusion replace cartridges. The price was $26 for 8.

Let's do some math.

426/8=$3.25 per cartridge

Now when I was using my Fusion, I could get at least 21 shaves per cartridge with no ill effects.

$3.25/21=$0.15

Now, If you can get 28 shaves (one month) out of one cartridge, it costs less.

$3.25/28=$0.12

If you use a Mach 3 razor I am sure the cost would be even less.

So using a cartridge razor will cost you less than 20 cents a shave.

Some members on this board have said that they could only get 3 or 4 shaves out of a cartridge razor. I find this hard to believe in so much as most cartridge razors these days are idiot proof. I remember I was in a hurry one night leaving work & I used a Fusion Razor with a new cartridge & NO SOAP & shaved my goatee right off. No nick, no scrapes, no weepers. If I can shave a goatee & a weeks worth of stubble off without using soap or cream then I find it hard to belive that someone can only get 3 or 4 shaves out of a cartridge system using canned goo.

Just some food for thought.

Thanx!!!
Charlie
I like BBS. Cartridges require lots of pressure to accomplish this. In fact, I had to learn how to not apply pressure while shaving (got some nasty cuts). Pressure leads to razor burn. I have had NO razor burn since switching to DE, but YMMV

[RayH]

I like BBS. Cartridges require lots of pressure to accomplish this. In fact, I had to learn how to not apply pressure while shaving (got some nasty cuts). Pressure leads to razor burn. I have had NO razor burn since switching to DE, but YMMV

+1 on that. I could only get 1 or 2 decent shaves with a cart. But because of the push and pull technique required to use a cart, my face would have red blotches on it especially around the upper lip. Now there is none. And I enjoy shaving more.

[Gustav]

I am happy that chaving is working out for you. When I tried out the fusion every blade cost 3.5 €, if I really gritted my teeth from shave 5 onwards I could scrounge out 10 shaves out of 1 blade which amounts to 35 €c a shave. When I started DE-shaving I quickly realized that I could get 4 super-comfortable shaves out of a 20 €c blade, that is 5 €c a blade. This convinced me that the value/money ratio on Fusions was outrageously poor. I am most grateful to Gillette for this since it gave me the motivation to seek something else.

:thumbup:

[AnB_Daddy]

I could never get anywhere close to 21 shaves from a cart. DE blades cost way less than what your cart, price comes out to be.

$3.25 / 21 = $.155 per shave

My Derby's, which I get 6 super comfortable shaves out of I spent $20 shipped for 250.

$20 / 250 = $.08 per blade
$.08 / 6 = $.0133 per shave

Now figure

$.155 x 365 days = $56.58 per year
$.0133 x 365 days = $4.85 per year

When I was using carts, I could push 6 shaves from one but there was a lot of pulling and it left me inflamed.

Now figure my numbers

$3.25 / 6 shaves = $.5416 per shave
$.5416 x 365 days = $197.71 per year

So I went from spending $197.71 per year on blades alone to $4.85

There is definitely a savings in this to me.

[Obi Wan]

Can I play this game too?



Let's do some math.

426/8=$3.25 per cartridge

Now when I was using my Fusion, I could get at least 21 shaves per cartridge with no ill effects.

$3.25/21=$0.15

Now, If you can get 28 shaves (one month) out of one cartridge, it costs less.

$3.25/28=$0.12



So using your maths?? for Gillette Bleue Extra Blades

£11 for 100 blades

£11/100= £0.11 per blade

Now when I use a Gillette Bleue Extra blade , I do get 9 shaves per blade with no ill effects.

£0.11/9= £0.012 (that's an enlish penny per shave)

Now, If you can get 28 shaves (one month) out of one blade, it costs less.

£0.11/28=£0.0039 (thats a third of a penny per shave!!!)

[commanderkeen]

I can't even get 1 shave out of a fusion. There is something wrong with them, scratch like hell. M3 is better, maybe a week of shaving b4 it starts tugging, but I like my DE for the experience of it all.

[gearchow]

Do the math on a straight razor? Oh wait, you buy a straight razor and then you use it till you die. That seems almost as cheap as growing a beard down to your knees.

For me and others, it ain't about cheap. But if and when I am ever unemployed, I think I can still afford those expensive DE blades.

-jim

[kbuzbee]

Tugging and pulling from the fourth shave on...

+1.

I always found Fusion carts give a decent shave and VERY comfortable but only for 3-4 shaves. In the other chave thread I even posted I recently switched to a Fusion cart for a couple days because it was more gentle for that application... Always YMMV but back in my regular Fusion days, I used to just soap up my face (no shave soap or brush) and double pass with the Fusion. But it always pulled after 3-4 shaves, for me.

Today I get 5-7 out of my Med Preps in a Feather AS but I'll always keep something like he Fusion around for odd situations like this one. I get a better, closer shave with a DE, but a faster, gentler shave with a Fusion.

Ken

[retiredguns]

I did great with an Atra forever, then along came the M3 which is actually a good razor but when they sent me a free 5 bladed POS I wondered WTH were they thinking? It left my face feeling like crap.

[sas71]

No offense, but I'm amazed that anyone would contemplate 21 shaves, let alone 28, out of a cartridge. Actually, scratch that -- my girlfriend probably gets 21 shaves out of her Venus cartridge. But women are nuts.

40 shaves from a Sensor..cant remember if it was a 2 or 3 blade but it was definitely a Sensor

[HoosierTrooper]

Trac II compatible blades can be had 6 for $1.25 at Dollar General (Dorcos) or the Wilkinson brand at WM, 10 for $3.50. Very affordable blades and the Trac II is a great cartridge razor.

[ZJ68]

I haven't really calculated the cost/shave out of cartridge razors. It's probably not too bad as I do get quite a few shaves out of them, and I never pay anything close to full price for them.

The cost for the ones I like doesn't really bother me any more than the cost of other shaving consumables does.

[rosborne]

Then there are those with real whiskers that would laugh at a razor on day seven and say "you've got to be kidding"

[The Count of Merkur Cristo]

Bruce:
I would'nt know because I've never used a cart (I've been a DE shaver for 33yrs). :yesnod:

Christopherhttp://i257.photobucket.com/albums/hh206/SerraTijn/smileys/smiley_shaving.gif "A razor can't be sharpened on a piece of velvet." Anonymous

[sovex]

1 Cartridge a month sounds about right.

4 Shaves + 6 days for healing between each. :laugh:

[kingfisher]

Trac II compatible blades can be had 6 for $1.25 at Dollar General (Dorcos) or the Wilkinson brand at WM, 10 for $3.50. Very affordable blades and the Trac II is a great cartridge razor.

+1. And I greatly prefer the Wilkinson Sword brand.

[Roobaix]

I could never get more than 5 days out of a cart, usually more like 2-3. Maybe now that I know much more about shaving in general I'd be able to get more by using superior lather...

[BlackBard]

The flaw in the OP is the assumption that you can't make DE blades last a month. But you can (see the one blade in February challenge.) I'm on shave 25 with a Merkur Super blade, and it's still giving me better shaves than any cartridge ever did.

People make cartridges last many shaves because they are expensive.

People change DE blades every few shaves because they are so cheap.

Point well made.

[DunEdinRanger]

I never really thought about enjoyment when I wrote the first post. I truly do enjoy shaving more with a DE, Mama Bears soap & my Grampas brush. Where as using a can of gel & a Fusion is bearable, I rarely got a bad shave out of a Fusion. Shaving with a Fusion is no where as cheap as a DE can be. A 100 pack of Derby blades is $20. That is 20 Cents a blade. I can get three shaves out of a Derby blade. That is 7 cents a shave. Now you need to factor in how many lathers you can get out of a tub of decent soap. While DE shaving will always be cheaper as long as you don't get any AD's. I just wanted to point out the fact that a Fusion razor is not as expensive as many seem to believe. It all comes back to what others havealready said: YMMV.

I'm very sorry to be the one to say this, but were I to remain silent the very hills would cry out in anguish.

I believe, good sir, you may very well be the best Bushido Artist that has posted on this board. I find it inconceivable that you can get 20+ shaves out of a Fusion Cartridge, but only three (3) out of a Derby Blade. I have a thick, fast growing beard and would get 5 O'Clock Shadow by 9 AM when using a cartridge or an electric. I can easily get 6 good shaves from a Derby, and have gotten as many as 9.

I know YMMV but there is no way you can get so few shaves from a Derby and so many from a Fusion, which because of the narrow spacing between blades inherently causes clogging.

[Trendkill]

Trac II compatible blades can be had 6 for $1.25 at Dollar General (Dorcos) or the Wilkinson brand at WM, 10 for $3.50. Very affordable blades and the Trac II is a great cartridge razor.

These are what I use. I get 3 outstanding shaves with one and move on to the next. I can actually go ATG on my neck with my Atra which is no easy task for me with a DE. The best part is that they are available locally.

Having said that, I still love my Slant as well.

[Greggy_D]

Trac II compatible blades can be had 6 for $1.25 at Dollar General (Dorcos)

Those Dorks are phenomenal for the money. Also work in Atra handles.

[psram]

Guess it depends on how your beard is. I have a thick beard and consistently saw the fusion blade's performance drop off after the third shave. Tried different suppliers to eliminate any manufacturing anomalies. My Friday shaves were worst because I would apply tons of pressure and have the razor vibrating on my face for a much longer duration.

I am still a noob at DE shaving, but the Derby's and Astra's both seem to hold good for 4/5 shaves comfortably. So enjoyment aside, the cost factor is big for me.

[expre]

The cheapest source for my Mach3 cartridges is Sam's Club at $39 for 20. This price is climbing fast again (due to oil prices?) after dropping to a low of $34 for 20 earlier this year after oil plummeted. For simplicity, it costs $2.10 per cartridge, including sales tax.

My shaved head requires I change cartridges after 1 full shave (face and scalp) and 1-2 facial shaves. My hair is thick, stiff that guarantees a 5PM shadow by mid-morning. Weekly cartridge use averages 1.5 to 1.75 a week. This creates a situation where I spend between $3.25 - $4.50 per week shaving. If you are able to shave with frequency and receive good results, please let me know. I am interested in watching shaving tutorial video showing your technique.

[nav]

I can get 15 out of a Mach3 which makes it sort of cost-effective but just this morning I said to my Father, "even if Gillette gave me FREE blades, I wouldn't switch back", he asked why, I said "DE gives me a more comfortable, much longer lasting, true BBS shave".

He said, "yeah but it still takes longer than my fusion!!!" LOL

[Shavely Manden]

I can get 15 out of a Mach3 which makes it sort of cost-effective but just this morning I said to my Father, "even if Gillette gave me FREE blades, I wouldn't switch back", he asked why, I said "DE gives me a more comfortable, much longer lasting, true BBS shave".

He said, "yeah but it still takes longer than my fusion!!!" LOL

People don't seem to understand...when shaving's fun, it doesn't matter if it takes a long time. We don't want it to be over! :laugh:

For me, DE shaving doesn't take that much longer once you take into account the twenty or thirty minutes I used to lie in bed thinking how much I didn't want to shave with carts & goop. Now I'm even setting my alarm earlier so I can take all the time I want...it helps me get out of bed! :thumbup1:

[Juice]

If your a chav then chave away you bloody chav

[DougC]

I swapped to cartridges when I found I got a better shave than I did from an electric face masher.

I only ever got 3 to maybe 4 shaves from a Mach3 cart and I could not shave every day because they made my face too sensitive.

I find DE's are cheaper, nicer and more comfortable to use. Triple win!

Mind you I don't really have and AD's.

[Ignatius]

I can get 7 shaves, at most, out of a cartridge blade. The first 4 or 5 are fine, and then the quality deteriorates.

My 17-year-old son, on the other hand, has been using the same Atra cartridge for about six months. His hairs are fine, few, and far between. Mine are dense, thick, coarse, and rapidly growing.

Currently I'm using Wilkinson Sword cartridges with my Trac II. Five shaves is pretty much the max. Sometimes I throw them out after four.

So, you can believe or disbelieve whatever you want, but for me shaving with a Mach 3 or Fusion is very expensive.
A salient point here. If you use a blade for a month, it must be completely blunt. It can't get much duller, just use it forever. One cart. is all you need...:thumbup1:

[btuer60]

I started doing the math and realized that the OP had a point.

BUT.....

The only reason that my fusion cost was so low was that I stretched the usage because of the high cost. If I had replaced my fusion cart the same way I replace a DE blade (when the performance just starts to drop off) there would be no comparison.

And that is not even taking the pleasure and satisfaction factors into account.

IMHO - its not even a contest.

[YetiDave]

I could actually get a decent number of shaves out of a cartridge, one would last maybe 10 shaves for me. Any more and it'd be uncomfortable though. The reason I switched to DE shaving was to save money - I still use a fusion every couple of days to shave my head (thanks, male pattern baldness) so enough blades for my face and head cost a fortune.

I've noticed a massive improvement in the appearance of my skin since switching though, my razor burn marks have almost completely gone after nearly 10 years and my face no longer gets red after a shave. I'd use this thing on my head if I didn't think I'd chop it off!

[Pkrankow]

I can get 15 out of a Mach3 which makes it sort of cost-effective but just this morning I said to my Father, "even if Gillette gave me FREE blades, I wouldn't switch back", he asked why, I said "DE gives me a more comfortable, much longer lasting, true BBS shave".

He said, "yeah but it still takes longer than my fusion!!!" LOL

Um, Touché? :confused1

Phil

[meunke]

I would get about 12-13 shaves out of my double bladed Gillette cartridges. One package of cartridges would last a L-O-N-G time.

But then, After 4-5 shaves I could tell they were getting dull and started pulling, but I used them anyway until I just couldn't stand it anymore and put in a new one. I also would only shave every three days or so and on Sunday.

Why? Because they were EXPENSIVE!

One nice thing about getting my Parker 99R and large packs of blades is that I shave every day now. My wife appreciates it a lot.

And of course, there is something to be said for doing things the 'old way'. Just because something is faster doesn't make it better. :thumbup1:

[Jethro1984]

If you can remove your beard with a blowtorch painlessly, go for it. It doesn't mean that I can.

Plus, if you're only shaving peach fuzz, i'd expect you'd get 21 days out of a cartridge. :lol:

[Bruce Wayne]

BUMP!!!

I spok with my Dad & he told me that when he was working & shaving every day (Gillette Sensor Excel) He could go a month on a cartridge. Mindy you he has a full beard & only shaves his neck & parts of his cheeks. Just some food for thought.

[probesport]

For me, shaving with a cartridge was CONSIDERABLY cheaper than shaving with a DE as I am now, but I did not enjoy it a bit.

I've spent more in the past month than I probably ever spent on cartridges and goo.

[mandoman]

use what ever works for you it still wet shaving :001_smile

[SO758]

I think Im going to stick with me DE. I have a years supply of blades that cost me around $50
When I used (past tense) the M3, I could get about 3 days out of the cart. That was only shaving every other day because it killed my face.
Im sticking with my comfortable everyday DE shave.....no matter the cost!

[deltree]

My second last mach 3 was used in excess of 4-5 months and I shaved twice a week...the ones that get old got used for the pubes and underarm use...the trick I used a shaving cream and not canned goo and I never shaves everyday more growth allowed the cartridge to actually give a smooth ride!

[Wezard]

When I used (past tense) the M3, I could get about 3 days out of the cart. That was only shaving every other day because it killed my face.
Im sticking with my comfortable everyday DE shave.....no matter the cost!

Yep, what he said. It wasn't a switch for financial reasons, though I do think that Gillette is taking the small, round, easily detectable by princesses, green vegetable with the cost of the new cartridges.

I could never shave in the morning because I had such bad shaving rash from the cartridge. The best I ever had was the sensor excel, everything from then on has been worse and less comfortable.

It's like everything here, YMMV. For me, the switch to DE has worked, for others it won't.

At least I now spread the money around a bit more :001_smile

The cynic in me also noticed that the cartridges you got *with* the razor invariably lasted longer and shaved better than the packs you bought after at much inflated costs. Did anyone else find this or is it just my usual paranoia?

[acooperw]

Damn. 40 shaves? I could get about 4 before major yanking and pain on my Gillette Sensor. The main reason shaving with the Sensor is cheaper is DE has opened my eyes to the world of boutique shaving creams and manpampering!

[masonjarjar]

my max are 7-8 good shaves with the Personna/Wilkinson TracII/Atra clones

Mach 3, about 12..

[kingfisher]

my max are 7-8 good shaves with the Personna/Wilkinson TracII/Atra clones

Mach 3, about 12..

I use the Wilkinson TracII clones, and I can get 5 good, smooth shaves out of one cartridge. Six is pushing it for me, but do-able. Seven would be completely out of the question.

Still, 5 shaves for 35 cents is a pretty good deal.:thumbup1:

[ZJ68]

The cynic in me also noticed that the cartridges you got *with* the razor invariably lasted longer and shaved better than the packs you bought after at much inflated costs. Did anyone else find this or is it just my usual paranoia?
It's not something I have noticed.

One thing I have noticed is, the way Gillette throws around coupons, it can be a whole lot cheaper to buy a new razor just to get the two cartridges it comes with than to buy the cartridges separately. If it turns out they're better cartridges... :w00t:

[Go West Young Man]

With any cartridge I'd get 3 good shaves, 1 ok shave then 1 lousy shave. I always changed the cart at that point, but I'd assume it couldn't get much duller - subsequent shaves would stay at the same level of lousiness, should you be silly enough to keep at it.

[Deltaboy]

The other day I was in the grocery store & I made a sweeping pass thru the soaps/deodorant/cologne aisle & I noticed the price on a package of 8 Gillette Fusion replace cartridges. The price was $26 for 8.

Let's do some math.

426/8=$3.25 per cartridge

Now when I was using my Fusion, I could get at least 21 shaves per cartridge with no ill effects.

$3.25/21=$0.15

Now, If you can get 28 shaves (one month) out of one cartridge, it costs less.

$3.25/28=$0.12

If you use a Mach 3 razor I am sure the cost would be even less.

So using a cartridge razor will cost you less than 20 cents a shave.

Some members on this board have said that they could only get 3 or 4 shaves out of a cartridge razor. I find this hard to believe in so much as most cartridge razors these days are idiot proof. I remember I was in a hurry one night leaving work & I used a Fusion Razor with a new cartridge & NO SOAP & shaved my goatee right off. No nick, no scrapes, no weepers. If I can shave a goatee & a weeks worth of stubble off without using soap or cream then I find it hard to belive that someone can only get 3 or 4 shaves out of a cartridge system using canned goo.

Just some food for thought.

Thanx!!!
Charlie

It all depends on your beard. I have thick coarse wire beard and 3 to 4 shaves are all I can get out of any blade I have tryed so far. My barber used to say he had to resharpen his razor after giving me a full shave.

[djm2]

I would get about 7 with a M3 before swapping; the first 5 would be pretty good, and the next one start to deteriorate followed by some nicks. I'd actually be interested in trying an experiment using Proraso and brush, but shaving with the M3 -- I wonder how many I'd get with that approach?

[grogals]

I never could get more than 5 shaves per cartridge .. and that was in my dark days of ignorance when I would only do a single pass per shave.

Based on my experience, the economics of the cartridges goes all bad (and they offer me a horrible shave to boot).

[DarkCanuck]

I never could get more than 5 shaves per cartridge .. and that was in my dark days of ignorance when I would only do a single pass per shave.

Based on my experience, the economics of the cartridges goes all bad (and they offer me a horrible shave to boot).

I'm in that same boat. I have a thick beard and actually used electric clippers on my face instead of using a cartridge, because I couldn't find a combination that wouldn't irritate my skin. My beard is thick and I could get a max of 4 shaves with a M4 or any type of 2/4 blade razor.

Getting rid of the goo helped a lot with my dry skin/irritation as well. Less/better ingredients in shaving cream/soap go a long way. The enjoyment and satisfaction I get out of using the old school way to shave is just pure gravy.

[mrscottishman]

I got off the DE track years ago when I got track II's for presents and then I think it was the Atra for Christmas with a hot shave ball. Soon I fell to the depths of despair with disposables that I shared with my wife. One day I hit bottom and said enough! I went back to the DE and never turned back.

Now I have to tell you as a disclaimer that I have a mustache and a little of a beard, but I used to do the same back in the day when I didn't have a mustache and beard.

Cartridge blade by OP= $3.25
My Current DE blade $0.1958

I used to get 10 days to two weeks on a cartridge or disposable, lets say my wife didn't borrow my razor and I just changed twice a month.
Mrscottishman's theoretical Cartridge cost $6.50/month $78/year

I actually shave about a month on a DE blade. I used to shave about a month on a DE before I grew a mustache and slight beard. I used the Schick Platinum's back in the 80's. The Gillette's didn't last as long, maybe three weeks if I remember. I have to tell you I practice blade maintenance, but I get 30 days or so out of a KAI or now a Wilkinson "New" DE from Walmart. I found out long ago that what I often thought was a dull blade was really poor skin prep. I think with really good prep. you just might be able to shave with a toaster. :wink2:
I also believe there is some truth in that saying that the 23 hours and 55 minutes you aren't shaving is harder on the blade than the 5 minutes you are shaving. Think about it. When you finish a shave today and the blade is ok, then why does it start too dull tomorrow?

SUMMARY

Mrscottishman's DE blade cost: $0.3916/month $4.70/year but I bet it is more like $6.50 because I try a new brand blade at times and sometimes I change early for the heck of it. Maybe I am going to be traveling and I stick a new one in and leave the pack at home.

Now we have gel shave soap. $2.41 including tax. They used to last me about three months if I kept them hidden from wife and children. $9.64/Year

Cup soap $1.86 including tax. I have changed to the two cup or cup and bowl method and I can't tell I am using soap now, but I used to go through a puck every three months or so. I am going to say three a year now, but probably less. $5.58/Year

$78 Blades-cartridges
+$09.64 Gel
$87.64 annual cartridge/can method

$06.50 Blades-DE
+$05.58 Cup Soap
$12.08 annual DE/cup soap method

DE Savings= $75.56

Of course this is all theoretical. I paid $11 something for a brush. I gave $10 plus tax for my Gillette slim adjustable at the junk store. Of course it is going up in value as cartridge razors are made obsolete every few years.

So, I shave with a piece of history in my hand every day. I enjoy it. I put a little soap on my grandson's cheeks every now and then and he plays with my brush. I love it. If you like cartridges and can afford it, go for it. We can still be friends.

HAGS
Mrscottishman

[Goggles]

IMHO, more than two blades and you're paying for marketing. That being said, i use a sensor or GII most days, and a DE maybe two or three times a week. For me, I get the most enjoyment from the soaps, creams, and aftershaves. I guess my mileage varies. Good OP. Thanks
Stevie G

[oc_in_fw]

It's not something I have noticed.

One thing I have noticed is, the way Gillette throws around coupons, it can be a whole lot cheaper to buy a new razor just to get the two cartridges it comes with than to buy the cartridges separately. If it turns out they're better cartridges... :w00t:

They use the same scam with printers. When you run out of ink, it is almost more cost efficient to throw the printer away and get a new one. We are a disposable society, and one day the garbage will consume us.

[masonjarjar]

I use the Wilkinson TracII clones, and I can get 5 good, smooth shaves out of one cartridge. Six is pushing it for me, but do-able. Seven would be completely out of the question.

Still, 5 shaves for 35 cents is a pretty good deal.:thumbup1:

I'm sure a lot of it depends on facial hair. I have pretty fine hair compared to most men.

[RussG]

I used carts for years and then went to norelco tri-head for year. then combined carts with the norelco. I've used all kinds of carts including the lastest and greatest from Gillette (and yes it does good job). However, carts clog faster because of the multi blades and they seem to dull faster perhaps because i have two edges on a DE and only one on a cart. I switched to de in December and have not looked back. the shaves are better now even with only two passes. something to remember, the references to canned goo vs all of the creams, soaps, brushes and bowls have nothing to do with razors. we can use all of that and still use a cart and many do. the cost savings is in the blades and the ability to recycle metal blades as opposed to throwing carts into the landfills is a consideration, at least for me.

[miamimoe]

I used a Mach III from the time they came out until I got back to DE. I have a tough beard, and can shave twice a day if need be. A cartridge lasted one week, which was 7-10 shaves as some days I shaved twice a day. That said, I also had a lot of irritation (did not realize it until I switched), and ingrowns on my neck and particularly at the corners of my mouth. Since switching to DE, irritation is gone, and I have not had one ingrown. While initially, I spent quite a bit of money, I now have a nice stock of soaps, creams, AS and the like. I use 3 different blades which all cost about .15 to .20 apiece in quantity, and they get used 3 times for a 3 pass shave. For me, DE is cheaper, especially since I am just about over the various AD's, and I will keep my purchases few and far between. On a strict blade-v-cartridge analysis, blades win, hands down, at least for me.

[Debrushman]

I have asked for a moderator to remove this thread. The person who started it, is without question an agent of P&G. A mole planted to undermine our de paradise.
Only kidding (lol).:001_smile

[kevo]

I could only get 4 shaves out of a cartridge, and I get about 4 shaves out of a DE blade. So I can either pay 26 bucks for 8 cartridges or 15 bucks for 100 DE blades. For me it's a lot cheaper. (and not to mention the process of shaving with a DE is so much more comfortable and my skin is so much healthier) YMMV

[Ceri]

They use the same scam with printers. When you run out of ink, it is almost more cost efficient to throw the printer away and get a new one. We are a disposable society, and one day the garbage will consume us.

I'm viewed by family and friends as eccentric for getting my best brown Oxfords resoled at cost of around two thirds what I paid for them originally - that they're my most comfortable shoes, or that several years of 'bulling' them has given the leather a fantastic finish, is apparently no answer to 'why don't you just buy a new pair?'

DE shaving similarly perplexes them :001_smile

[cfender]

4 or 5 shaves out of a Fusion or M3. 2 or 3 shaves from a Feather blade. Just got back from a biz trip and shaved for (2) mornings with the Fusion ProGlide. For all those frickin blades loaded in the cart, I had to really dig in and repeat pass after pass to get an acceptable shave. Yes a good shave but entirely unsatisfying. I wish I could bring DE blades on a carryon.

[Zarba]

At most, I could get 7 shaves from a cart. By my math, DE is much cheaper.

[D.Gray]

Very simply I would get a months worth of shaves out of my Gillette Fusion by simply only shaving with it Sunday mornings before church, and for my work week (mon-Thurs) shaving with an electric to let the beard grow Friday and Saturday. A grand total of four shaves on a cartridge at $3.25 per cartridge. I get two to three shaves on a DE blade in either of my safety razors.

Dave