Dollar shave club... Talk to me SixPack...
- Thread starter BigMotherTucker
- Start date
Good deal. Think I might do this. At the gator bowl last year they had barrels full of Gillette and I snagged a ton of them.
You can do it cheaper on your own. If you're into trying this out (that is getting away from Gillette and the like), go to Amazon to get a good razor (a low-end Merkur does the trick) and low-end badger hair brush (should cost $50 tops for razor and brush), then go to a reputable shaving product store online such as West Coast Shaving (you can find some options on Amazon too) and get a sampler pack of blades (they have a lot of options from getting just a few brands to all the brands they carry). Pick up a good shaving soap when you order your blades (I recommend any Col Conk soap) and use an old coffee mug for lathering up. You might be out $75 at this point, but you've put in most of your up-front costs and you'll have at least 3-6 months of shaves to get out of the blades in the sampler pack. Once you find a blade you like (and some brands you'll reject after two shaves because either it requires 3 passes to get your face cleanly shaven or cuts the mess out of you) you can order that brand in bulk (100 blades or so for $10 bucks or so depending on the brand and this might last you 2 years). If you like it, it may be worth going up to a better razor, especially since the low-end razors have shorter handles and less weight. I use a Merkur 38 HD and I don't think I want anything else. You can spend a buttload on brushes but frankly anything over $30 is too much.
If any of you do follow my advice, the first blades you use should be the Dorco blades like someone already mentioned. Easy for your first time.
If any of you do follow my advice, the first blades you use should be the Dorco blades like someone already mentioned. Easy for your first time.
semi related, anyone here use shave secret?
I came across a sample of it once and didn't try it til ran out of my regular shaving cream...stuff is great. Instead of shaving cream you use about five drops of oil then shave.
I'll never go back.
http://www.amazon.com/SHAVE-SECRET-SHAVING-OIL-18-75ML/dp/B0023XF60Q
I came across a sample of it once and didn't try it til ran out of my regular shaving cream...stuff is great. Instead of shaving cream you use about five drops of oil then shave.
I'll never go back.
http://www.amazon.com/SHAVE-SECRET-SHAVING-OIL-18-75ML/dp/B0023XF60Q
Yep; my local Wal-Mart has it. And will never use shaving cream again.
Also, on Dorco, they always have a coupon code; just find and like them on Facebook. I got their best 6 blade razor and it's far better than the Mach razors I've used forever. Get an extra handle in case one breaks; that way you won't be stuck with blades and no handle.
I ordered about $50 worth and it's easily enough for me for 2 years. This is why i think it makes more sense than the club model.
Also, on Dorco, they always have a coupon code; just find and like them on Facebook. I got their best 6 blade razor and it's far better than the Mach razors I've used forever. Get an extra handle in case one breaks; that way you won't be stuck with blades and no handle.
I ordered about $50 worth and it's easily enough for me for 2 years. This is why i think it makes more sense than the club model.
Upthemiddle has the best advice so far. Do it on your own. Buy a Merkur adjustable (so you can bend the blade to fit your own particular needs-more bend means less blade on the face). This will be your biggest cost but will last you a lifetime. Next, buy your safety blades in bulk from ebay. I recommend shopping around until you find a sleeve of Feather blades that average about .10 a blade. Astra and Dorco are ok but Feather is the best. One blade should only last you a maximum of three shaves. Two is better. Do not shave your face w/ a dull blade. Next is the shaving cream. Do not use the can of foam. It has bubbles in it to create foam. Those bubbles on your face mean that it is not completely coated by cream because each microscopic bubble means no cream on face. Use Proraso cream or get a soap and badger hair brush. Badger hair will retain heat from the hot water. You always want hot water on face and soap and cold water on the blade. Hot water will open up your skin and the cold water on the blade will make the metal retract and get more dense (sharper). If you want a shave mug, go on ebay again and buy one of those old Old Spice antique mugs your dad used to have. They can be bought pretty cheap and are cool. The blades on the plastic things you buy in the supermarket are cheap. They spend all their money on the silly plastic handle and marketing. Then you end up using one razor all week because you have to buy so many and they are so expensive. Never use a dull blade on your face. Hot water on face, cold water on the blade. Always shave w/ the grain of your beard-never against (this will result in ingrown hairs). Each person's beard has a different grain (i.e. the way the hair tends to lay on your face) and that grain can vary across the different parts of your face. Research on the internet because their is some great blogs etc about this but remember that anything that contradicts what i'm saying is wrong. Good luck and happy shaving. You will soon be wondering why i didn't do this before. Shaving is an art that every man should master.
Is there any place in Jackson to north ms that you can put your hands on any of the safety razors. Been interested in getting into this way of shaving for a while but haven't pulled the trigger. Don't mind ordering online but like to put my hands on what I'm planning on buying ether at the store or order it online when I get home.
Edwin Jagger De89 or something similar
Get a sample pack of razors. Get a badger hair brush (I found one that works great for $13 off of Amazon.. Escali I think) and some shave soap (I use the stuff from the grocery store). Wash your face in the shower, rub on some pre-shave oil with some good smelling stuff in it for added effect, soap up with the brush, glide that blade over your face. If you have to be clean shaven it's the only way to go. Initial costs were $35 for the razor, $13 for the brush, a $10 sampler pack of razors, then a few bucks here and there for the soap and the bowl to put it in. $4 for Pinauds aftershave. $7 or so for face soap and a little $3 bottle of the shave oil were the last of it. Best part is that I can get the Shark Superchromes (favorite from my sampler) at $10 for 100 off of amazon. Each blade last 3-4 shaves, so I'm shaving about all year for 10 bucks. Only recurring cost would be for face soap and shave soap, oil, and aftershave. You can top it off with some good lotion or cream, too. Maybe get a little astringent for after your night time face wash. Take care of your face like a man.
Get a sample pack of razors. Get a badger hair brush (I found one that works great for $13 off of Amazon.. Escali I think) and some shave soap (I use the stuff from the grocery store). Wash your face in the shower, rub on some pre-shave oil with some good smelling stuff in it for added effect, soap up with the brush, glide that blade over your face. If you have to be clean shaven it's the only way to go. Initial costs were $35 for the razor, $13 for the brush, a $10 sampler pack of razors, then a few bucks here and there for the soap and the bowl to put it in. $4 for Pinauds aftershave. $7 or so for face soap and a little $3 bottle of the shave oil were the last of it. Best part is that I can get the Shark Superchromes (favorite from my sampler) at $10 for 100 off of amazon. Each blade last 3-4 shaves, so I'm shaving about all year for 10 bucks. Only recurring cost would be for face soap and shave soap, oil, and aftershave. You can top it off with some good lotion or cream, too. Maybe get a little astringent for after your night time face wash. Take care of your face like a man.
I've used DSC for over a year. You know you can get razors whenever you want right? For example, I don't shave every day so I only get razors once every other month. You can customize it for whatever your shave schedule becomes.
I like the answers about ebaying and finding lathering soaps etc but come on people - the whole point of DSC is it's for the lazy. I press a button and razors are delivered to me for $6 every (other) month. Don't make me go and put in actual work. I also use the DSC shave butter.
I like the answers about ebaying and finding lathering soaps etc but come on people - the whole point of DSC is it's for the lazy. I press a button and razors are delivered to me for $6 every (other) month. Don't make me go and put in actual work. I also use the DSC shave butter.
^This
I have a de89. When I would shave with a Mach 3 or Mach 5, I constantly had stubble on my neck. Going against the grain with those razors gave me razor burn. Now, I do a 3 pass shave with the de89 every 2-3 days, and it's the closest shave I've ever gotten. I use Astra Superior Platinum blades (pack of 100 for $14.99 on Amazon). I use the blades three times max.
Well worth the initial investment for the payoff.
I have a de89. When I would shave with a Mach 3 or Mach 5, I constantly had stubble on my neck. Going against the grain with those razors gave me razor burn. Now, I do a 3 pass shave with the de89 every 2-3 days, and it's the closest shave I've ever gotten. I use Astra Superior Platinum blades (pack of 100 for $14.99 on Amazon). I use the blades three times max.
Well worth the initial investment for the payoff.
Solid advice.
Finally switched to a safety razor, bought some decent cream, and have been experimenting with a variety of blades. Good cream seems expensive at first but dollar for dollar it lasts longer than the crap from a can and is better for your face and shaving. Also, if you buy the cream, there's really no need to invest in the brush. It lathers well enough with your hand, but I'm sure I'll give the soap/brush method a go at some point.
I'm pissed I didn't make this change long ago. I feel as if I've been swindled all these years by the man. I used to buy the astromically priced Mach whatever blades and ripped my face apart using them as long as possible to save a few bucks. This way is cheaper and provides a vastly better shave. Plus, there's something satisfying about shaving with the heavier metal handles. The only downside to it is it may take me a minute or two longer to shave now. It's a very fair trade-off considering the money I save and my face isn't ripped to hell and back when I'm done.
Finally switched to a safety razor, bought some decent cream, and have been experimenting with a variety of blades. Good cream seems expensive at first but dollar for dollar it lasts longer than the crap from a can and is better for your face and shaving. Also, if you buy the cream, there's really no need to invest in the brush. It lathers well enough with your hand, but I'm sure I'll give the soap/brush method a go at some point.
I'm pissed I didn't make this change long ago. I feel as if I've been swindled all these years by the man. I used to buy the astromically priced Mach whatever blades and ripped my face apart using them as long as possible to save a few bucks. This way is cheaper and provides a vastly better shave. Plus, there's something satisfying about shaving with the heavier metal handles. The only downside to it is it may take me a minute or two longer to shave now. It's a very fair trade-off considering the money I save and my face isn't ripped to hell and back when I'm done.
When you say soap up with the brush... Are you talking about just some regular soap? Or a special type of shaving cream?
Thanks
My birthday is coming up, as well as my first Fathers Day and I think a new system of shaving is going to be requested.
My birthday is coming up, as well as my first Fathers Day and I think a new system of shaving is going to be requested.
With, side, and against the grain.
The hairs on your face grow in different directions at different spots. You should do this with any blade you use, but it is nice to let the weight of a good safety razor apply the pressure instead of your hand with a disposable or 9 bladed razor of the future. You learn the spots on your face where the hair grows a certain way, let the blade pass with the grain, then run it across the grain, then against the grain. Move onto the next spot on your face... and so on. The be amazed your five o'clock shadow waits until five on the next day.
The hairs on your face grow in different directions at different spots. You should do this with any blade you use, but it is nice to let the weight of a good safety razor apply the pressure instead of your hand with a disposable or 9 bladed razor of the future. You learn the spots on your face where the hair grows a certain way, let the blade pass with the grain, then run it across the grain, then against the grain. Move onto the next spot on your face... and so on. The be amazed your five o'clock shadow waits until five on the next day.
I've been happy with it... Got a pack of one whipe Charlies and a tube of shave butter. The shave butter is worth it... The Charlies are not. It's been a few months and I have no complaints.
Been using Shave Secret several years, no need to ever buy shaving cream again. It's less than $4 from Wal Mart. The only trick w/ it is the beard stubble clumps together w/ the oil and you need to rinse the razor often. No need for any type aftershave after using it either, its got clove oil, menthol, and some vitamins in it.
I did this shortly after you posted it (bought a Merkur, brush, soap, and sample pack of blades). It took some trial and error with the blades (as you said), but I'm finally in the groove with this method and like it (although it does take a little extra time since you have to build a lather with the soap). Feather blades didn't work (at all) for me, but once I found ones that did (Platinum Israeli Personnas), I'm happy. The soaps from West Coast work well and my wife loves the smell.
Last edited:
Grow a beard and you don't have to worry about it. Those expensive razor replacements have become one of the most stolen items in the store, that's why so many stores have put them behind lock and key.
I use the twin blades
and I love the Shave Butter. I've been subscribed for a few months and still have spent less than I would for one month of Gillete razors. I also agree about the One Wipe Charlies. I enjoy having a minty taint as much as the next guy, but I think I'd rather stick to the facial care products.
and I love the Shave Butter. I've been subscribed for a few months and still have spent less than I would for one month of Gillete razors. I also agree about the One Wipe Charlies. I enjoy having a minty taint as much as the next guy, but I think I'd rather stick to the facial care products.
Totally agree, I have been using a Merkur 38C for the past 3 months. Get a good brush and some good soap and pay about $.25/blade. I use Feathers, but have tried other blades.
You mean grow a duck dynasty beard and you don't have to worry about it. I keep a beard year round and I still use a razor weekly because I don't want to look like I'm collecting cans on the street corner.
Get the good stuff. If you haven't tried stuff with menthol, you need to. It makes your skin feel better than it did before the shave. I started using Proraso and I won't use anything else. It's a very stiff cream that goes a long, long way. I've been using the same can for about 2 months and I'm only half way through it. I shave 3 times a week btw. You can work the lather right in the container so you don't need another mug. I also use their pre-shave and after shave. I like it all. The pre-shave reminds me of Noxema. It cleans and cools all at the same time. I just bought the new Nivea after shave and I like it too, but it's unscented.
Give this stuff a shot.
http://www.amazon.com/Proraso-Shavi...9381202&sr=8-3&keywords=proraso+shaving+cream
Give this stuff a shot.
http://www.amazon.com/Proraso-Shavi...9381202&sr=8-3&keywords=proraso+shaving+cream