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?
I grew a beard instead, saves me a fortune in razors and in time:) If I’ve got a special event on i’ll clip in with my hair clippers
I use a safety razor with double-edged razor blades. I pay about 10 cents per blade.
Old school.
Wet shave with a good shave soap and Safety Razor.
I had never thought that buying them in bulk on ebay would save so much money. I’ll have to do some searching myself. What I ended up doing to save money is to purchase the store-brand version of the Gilette Mach 3. Those blades are less than half the price of Gilette and work as well in my opinion.
The store brand is a good idea that I hadn’t thought of. Unfortunately, I can tell the difference between the Mach 3 and Fusion Power
I’ve read some things about using a safety razor, but I’m afraid I’d slice my face up something fierce.
I’ve read that many eBay razors are fakes, not actually produced by Gillette though they come in a box. I keep an eye on Slickdeals and whenever a razor deal pops up, this discussion always takes place, and I trust the folks there, especially when they’re so animated. So you may be saving money, but beware that the razors may not actually be of the same quality (and last as long) as you would expect, which can negate most or all of your savings.
I use electric, and shave as rarely as I can. I can easily go a few days before people notice.
I read this a few weeks ago, thought it was crazy! I tried it out and it works great:
http://www.facebook.com/l.php?u=http%3A%2F%2Fwww.wisebread.com%2Fwant-to-keep-your-dispoable-razor-blades-sharp-use-your-arm&h=d3a62
Rub the razor BACKWARD (not sideways or in the shaving direction) on either your arm or a pair of jeans. Brings dull blades back to life for a great shave.
The video has a creepy shirtless guy explaining the process…I haven’t brought myself to watch it yet, just trusted that the article said the same thing.
Peter,
I had been meaning to try that with some jeans. Actually I have a knife sharpener thing that might work better. I’ll try to remember to do that tonight.
Mark,
I also try to dry them well. One of the advantages of the power is that the vibrations make me feel it is drying it better. (Not sure if it’s scientifically true or not)
I buy the 4 pack of bics (triple blade pivot head) for about $6 and make them last a lot longer by drying them as best I can after shaving.
As a chick, I don’t have anything to add to this article. :)
I saw that video of the arm scraping thing, and still doubt it, but I do it. What I think is working, is that I thoroughly clean my safety razors with a repurposed toothbrush. Then I store the razor in baby oil. The oil keeps the moisture out between shaves, and actually takes more of the whiskers and soap out of the blades.
I missed your previous article about buying razor’s from eBay and have never even considered it but now that you’ve said it, it seems fairly obvious to be honest. After all, you can buy everything else there!
I’m currently – like some of the other commenters – a disposable guy … when I found that getting 12 gilette fusion disposables (not sure if they’re available in the States as I’m in the UK) was cheaper than buying 6 fusion blades (w/out the stick) I didn’t really see any option. They aren’t as good as the fusion blades themselves but definitely better than a bic and seem to last a reasonable amount of time too!
I use real soap and badger hair brush instead of that crap in a can, use a Mach 3, shave every other day (M, W, F), use an old toothbrush to clean the blades after each use, and store it in a cup of mineral oil. Each blade lasts me about 3 months. I bought a 15 pack at costco 3 years ago for like $12 bucks and I still have some in the cabinet.
Big – D…
You rock as far as getting the most of your razor blade.
I haven’t had good luck with the mineral oil… it seems that it destroys the lubricating strips for some reason.
At first glance I thought you meant Raiser’s Edge- the non-profit donor software. I was like- oh they’re selling it for cheaper on eBay?! Oops :-p
I haven’t tried mineral oil… anyway intresting.. cool post
I’ve never purchased a razor, I just get the free samples and they always last long enough for me to get a new freebie. It probably helps that I shave about once every four or five days. :)
I use razorsdirect.com to order my husband’s razor blades…. I buy them in bulk, a year’s worth at a time…
Sam’s Club doesn’t have a wide selection but they are by far the cheapest if you happen to use the razors they do sell.
As to buying blades in bulk on eBay, there is much suspicion and complaints about receiving counterfeit product. While a good blade is something not to scrimp on, I have discovered that shaving creams are utterly dispensable:
http://www.lewrockwell.com/tucker/tucker65.html
I also use safety razors…they are much cheaper and I havent gotten ingrown hairs since using them.