Number Six   10 #13 Posted June 24, 2010 Indeed. One of the main reasons I switched to a safety razor - around 10p a blade and way better than anything from Gillette.  Is a safety razor the rectangular blades? I used them for a while but was annoyed that whereas in Eastern Europe you can buy a small cardboard box of blades, all in greaseproof paper, for virtually nothing, in the UK you only seem to be able to get them in a plastic box in a blister pack on a piece of card for about 5 times the price.  I bought a bear trimmer and have stubble. Share this post Link to post Share on other sites Share this content via...
L00b   441 #14 Posted June 24, 2010 Is the reason that they are extraordinarily expensive for what they are?No, it's simply the Gillette commercialisation doctrine at work, invented decades ago: give the handle and a blade just about free, sell the replacement blades at a premium. Cue positively innumerable examples of emulation in other industries since (particularly electronics (the games console market is worst), but also -in more recent times- household detergents... green marketing ("don't bin that liquid holder, buy a refill") helps, but essentially it's exactly the same business model: more profitable for manufacturers to sell refills than fully-packaged goods) Share this post Link to post Share on other sites Share this content via...
HotPhil   10 #15 Posted June 24, 2010 Is a safety razor the rectangular blades? I used them for a while but was annoyed that whereas in Eastern Europe you can buy a small cardboard box of blades, all in greaseproof paper, for virtually nothing, in the UK you only seem to be able to get them in a plastic box in a blister pack on a piece of card for about 5 times the price.Depends where you order them from. But even the worst packaging I've seen for them is way less harmful than Gillette's I bought a bear trimmer and have stubble. Trimming a bear? Brave man. Share this post Link to post Share on other sites Share this content via...
L00b   441 #16 Posted June 24, 2010 (edited) I've been wet-shaving since mid-teens (Mediterranean genes, y'see), and (IMHO & exp) only Wilkinson came close to Gillette, and that was some years ago now. Can't remember the name but it was the red UFO-looking one, with 'safety bars' across the blades.  I'm always trying new ones when they come out, as shaving is the absolute bane of my life (have to shave twice if I go out at night, no ifs or buts ). So I do tend to go through blades (1/week average).  Still sticking with MIII so far. There's nicer (for the feel), but I find the blades don't last as long, usually much less value-for-money than MIII (at least for me).  Bring on the next wonder Edited June 24, 2010 by L00b Share this post Link to post Share on other sites Share this content via...
HotPhil   10 #17 Posted June 24, 2010 Can't remember the name but it was the red UFO-looking one, with 'safety bars' across the blades. "Protector"? Share this post Link to post Share on other sites Share this content via...
Blade73   10 #18 Posted June 24, 2010 I've been wet-shaving since mid-teens (Mediterranean genes, y'see), and (IMHO & exp) only Wilkinson came close to Gillette, and that was some years ago now. Can't remember the name but it was the red UFO-looking one, with 'safety bars' across the blades. Been back to Gillette since the Mach III, though.  I'm always trying new ones when they come out, as shaving is the absolute bane of my life (have to shave twice if I go out at night, no ifs or buts ).  Still sticking with MIII so far, bring on the next wonder  Twice in a day! You have to do the palm of your hands too!?  I remember the Red one, it was quite bulky?  Actually same as you with the Mach III, but only once a day. Share this post Link to post Share on other sites Share this content via...
Number Six   10 #19 Posted June 24, 2010 (edited) No, it's simply the Gillette commercialisation doctrine at work, invented decades ago: give the handle and a blade just about free, sell the replacement blades at a premium.  Captive marketing at it's best. You used to get it with cheap fountains pens / expensive cartridges.  I think the razor thing has jumped the shark though. As far as I can tell the Sensor (two blades) was about as good as a razor ever needed to be. More blades just makes them more expensive and speeds redundancy. I have two Sensor handles, but haven't seen blades for them for years, although you sometimes see Sensor Excel ones, which are the same thing with a silly bit of silicon rubber on.  I tried one of the ones with a blade on the back and inadvertently used it to hack a lump out of my chin. The three blade ones are just about use-able, but the four blades plus ones are just too big.  As you can tell, I get annoyed by razor marketing! Edited June 24, 2010 by Number Six Share this post Link to post Share on other sites Share this content via...
L00b   441 #20 Posted June 24, 2010 Twice in a day! If I go out. You have to do the palm of your hands too!?No, but I have "built-in sunshade", so never having to bother with suntan lotions, F factors and whatnot I remember the Red one, it was quite bulky? Actually same as you with the Mach III, but only once a day. Wilkinson's Protector, yes. Thx HotPhil Share this post Link to post Share on other sites Share this content via...
Blade73 Â Â 10 #21 Posted June 24, 2010 Built in sunshade ha like it never heard that before! Â Wonder if you can have a wax or electrolysis on the face. Share this post Link to post Share on other sites Share this content via...
L00b   441 #22 Posted June 24, 2010 As you can tell, I get annoyed by razor marketing! You'll like this, then  Am in full agreement with the rest, 3 blade is plenty. Share this post Link to post Share on other sites Share this content via...
Number Six   10 #23 Posted June 24, 2010 You'll like this, then  Am in full agreement with the rest, 3 blade is plenty.  I liked the spoof element at first, and then realised it was a link for those electric Philips ones you can't change the battery in, and that take those face cream sachets that you can bet they'll stop making at some point.  Blades for those are quite pricey too - £10 each for the basic model I used to have, or £30 every time it got blunt, which was distressingly often. Share this post Link to post Share on other sites Share this content via...
Agent Orange   11 #24 Posted June 24, 2010 I was down the supermarket this afternoon looking for new blades for my razor however, I was shocked by the price of the replacement blades. It was cheaper, in most cases, to buy a new razor (with the blades thrown in). Anyhow, I despaired so instead bought a pack of disposible razors.  I am now thinking about purchasing a cut-throat razor and have a proper long lasting shave. I am a bit concerned though as I don't want to lop my face off. Anyone on here use a cut-throat? Share this post Link to post Share on other sites Share this content via...