Almost four years ago, I wrote an article, Ebay on the Razor’s Edge, about how I saved a bunch on money on razor blades. At the time, I noted that Gillette’s Fusion Power blades can be as expensive as $3.50 a blade, but I found I could buy more than 40 blades in bulk on Ebay for $1.66 a blade. I estimated that it would be my shaving solution for the next 2-3 years.

I was wrong. I still have 22 brand-new blades putting me on pace for about 8 years of razor blades or roughly $10 a year.

In my original estimate I didn’t take in two factors:

• I learned a couple of tricks to stretch the blades I have longer. First, I found that my Norelco electric razor (similar to Philips Norelco Speed 8240XL Men’s Shaving System), was a great ally. I have had it for ten years and have only replaced the blades once. It does take some electricity, but not much. I use the electric razor briefly in the morning before I shower and shave with the Gillette blades. An electric blade doesn’t shave close enough for my tastes, but this step makes the Gillette blades’ life easier.
• A year ago, I grew a goatee. I estimate that this reduces the amount of area that I have to shave by 30-50%. Shaving less area is naturally going to make the blades last longer.

Do you buy your razor blades on Ebay? If not, why?