You've created a monster

[Laz]

Paying $2.50 for a razor blade that didn’t shave well pushed me into the world of DE shaving. At first, I thought that I may actually save some money. I now feel so dirty (almost as if had I been suckered into whipping out the credit card after watching a late night infomercial).
Yeah, the blades are cheap, but the razors, brushes, and creams (oh my)!

Even worse, I am now a pusher. Knowing that my nephew (and a good friend’s son ) will soon be graduating I began placing orders for their shaving kits. Since I’m ordering online, I can’t pass on the opportunity save on shipping – I’ve got to stock up a few goodies for myself.

[ouch]

Sure, the razors and creams and concoctions are more expensive, but they shoudl be- they're better.

A lot of the stuff that seems expensive goes a long way, and after you stock up you won't have to buy things that often. I haven't purchased a cream in >6 months, and I haven't made a dent in my stash. When you consider what the very best costs, when compared to most other pursuits.

As for the hardware, you can buy a 70 year old razor for five bucks that will last another 70 years.

[Laz]

Sure, the razors and creams and concoctions are more expensive, but they shoudl be- they're better.

A lot of the stuff that seems expensive goes a long way, and after you stock up you won't have to buy things that often. I haven't purchased a cream in >6 months, and I haven't made a dent in my stash. When you consider what the very best costs, when compared to most other pursuits.

As for the hardware, you can buy a 70 year old razor for five bucks that will last another 70 years.

I have spent alot of money the past couple of months, but I am really not complaining - I love the products that I have purchased and the quality is outstanding. I won't be going back to the $2.50 blades anytime soon

[Phog Allen]

Hi Laz. Welcome to the addiction. We all went through this. After awhile you settle down to the types of things you know work well for you. To be honest, I agree with Ouch. After you get a good rotation 10-15 shave lathers, it really amounts to pennies per day. Of course ancillary items like a/s splashes and balms, cologne, and moisturisers can really add up. I would simply caution you to buy samples when possible for a lot of the fragrances. It will save you tons of money and a lot of aggravation when that scent that you knew you'd love didn't, well...love you back. I stopped the binge buying a long time ago having gotten my kit to where I like/want it. Right now I only buy shave creams when it fills a scent niche that can not be had in a triple milled soap. Eg; eshave's white tea. So I just fill holes when I want something. That is the ticket. Don't try to tell yourself you need this stuff. Just tell yourself you want the stuff and that's that. The first excuse is for wives, the second reason is for us. For too many decades, most men were simply unaware of the niceties of decent toiletries and grooming. It is not silly nor is it foolish to keep yourself well shaved and groomed. Enjoy!

Regards, Todd

[hoselayer]

Your ROI (Return On Investment) may take a while. In the in end though, your profit should be great considering how the prices on everything is going up. Especially the razors. In 15 years that $5 70 year old razor might be worth $40.

Look at it as a long term project.

There are AD meetings nightly. Just figure out which one have, and then look to see what night it falls on.

[htownmmm]

Paying $2.50 for a razor blade that didn’t shave well pushed me into the world of DE shaving. At first, I thought that I may actually save some money. I now feel so dirty (almost as if had I been suckered into whipping out the credit card after watching a late night infomercial).
Yeah, the blades are cheap, but the razors, brushes, and creams (oh my)!

Even worse, I am now a pusher. Knowing that my nephew (and a good friend’s son ) will soon be graduating I began placing orders for their shaving kits. Since I’m ordering online, I can’t pass on the opportunity save on shipping – I’ve got to stock up a few goodies for myself.

That's why RESISTANCE IS FUTILE!

Hi Laz. Welcome to the addiction. We all went through this. After awhile you settle down to the types of things you know work well for you. To be honest, I agree with Ouch. After you get a good rotation 10-15 shave lathers, it really amounts to pennies per day. Of course ancillary items like a/s splashes and balms, cologne, and moisturisers can really add up. I would simply caution you to buy samples when possible for a lot of the fragrances. It will save you tons of money and a lot of aggravation when that scent that you knew you'd love didn't, well...love you back. I stopped the binge buying a long time ago having gotten my kit to where I like/want it. Right now I only buy shave creams when it fills a scent niche that can not be had in a triple milled soap. Eg; eshave's white tea. So I just fill holes when I want something. That is the ticket. Don't try to tell yourself you need this stuff. Just tell yourself you want the stuff and that's that. The first excuse is for wives, the second reason is for us. For too many decades, most men were simply unaware of the niceties of decent toiletries and grooming. It is not silly nor is it foolish to keep yourself well shaved and groomed. Enjoy!

Regards, Todd

Excellent advice-in fact,it's what I follow.

Your ROI (Return On Investment) may take a while. In the in end though, your profit should be great considering how the prices on everything is going up. Especially the razors. In 15 years that $5 70 year old razor might be worth $40.

Look at it as a long term project.

There are AD meetings nightly. Just figure out which one have, and then look to see what night it falls on.

For me, it's blades, so when I get the urge, I scratch and order a 100 of some I have never tried before. If I don't like them, there is always the B/S/T, but so far so good,err,so smooth.


marty

[Mr. Gillette]

Who cares about the cost? It's so minimal-- the important thing is, you're getting a good shave, you're enjoying yourself, and you're not continuning to "Feed the Beast" in following the lemming-like crowd down the "More Blades are Better" path to destruction.

FACT: You have to spend a certain amount each month to shave.

FACT: You have to spend a certain amount each month to eat.

So sometimes you splurge a little-- you don't subsist on a cup of brown rice each day, do you? You mix it up...you fall prey to what your palate tells you to eat, or urges or cravings. Sometimes you dress up and spend more on one meal than you would to purchase food for a whole week. Big deal!

Same with the shaving. Oh...you have the addiction-- and you have it bad, but it evens out, and you'll be a better person for it in the end. Enjoy the ride!

[rabidpotatochip]

The trick is not to buy more than you need.

[crocto]

could this be defined as pampering one's self? yeah go with that excuse.

[Nancy Boy]

Yes, welcome to your sick little world.

[BroJohn]

The trick is not to buy more than you need.

Riiiiiight.

-- John Gehman

[rabidpotatochip]

Riiiiiight.

-- John Gehman

Right, make me look like the crazy one.

[Adeptus_Minor]

Right, make me look like the crazy one.

Well, you know, devote a website to talking about technique and all the thousands of products out there and see how many people can resist the urge to try them all

[rabidpotatochip]

Well, you know, devote a website to talking about technique and all the thousands of products out there and see how many people can resist the urge to try them all

Good point.

That said... Recursive minorities ftw!

[JayKay]

On the bright side though, you can find a razor at antique store for a couple dollars. You can spend a couple dollars on some soap and a boar brush at wal-mart. It can be cheap, but its just not as fun that way

[rabidpotatochip]

Ironically, the fact that I'm here so much helps to prevent me from going out and buying all that stuff I don't need.

[RJSquirell]

The trick is not to buy more than you need.

[jostua]

I, too, am new to the DE. I have a few weeks under my belt now, and the collecting is slowing down. After I made the initial investment, I made myself a rule that I could only purchase any shaving products locally. That has helped slow down the acquisitions...kinda.

Ironically, the fact that I'm here so much helps to prevent me from going out and buying all that stuff I don't need.

This has been true for me, also. The reviews here have helped me hone in on what it is that I think I might need, and avoid dropping money into something that turns out to be a bad product.

[Laz]

On the bright side though, you can find a razor at antique store for a couple dollars. You can spend a couple dollars on some soap and a boar brush at wal-mart. It can be cheap, but its just not as fun that way

Yes I am already scoping out different razors to purchase

[Laz]

Who cares about the cost? It's so minimal-- the important thing is, you're getting a good shave, you're enjoying yourself, and you're not continuning to "Feed the Beast" in following the lemming-like crowd down the "More Blades are Better" path to destruction.

:

I think I am just feeding a different beast now

But I do enjoy this one