Sideways ONTOPIC (kinda'): probably the easiest way to save money is to pick up a real, old skool, double edge safety razor, new or vintage. The cheap ones being hawked all over the place (TV ads, they are in WarMart, on-line, etc., etc.) are actually getting very good reviews. Then buy blades; the best value I have found are Gillette 7'O'clock green or yellow packaged blades, made in Russia, about $18 per 100 delivered. Two sides to each blade, so that is a lot of edges for $18 The very best blades I have found are Feathers made in Japan but they are closer to $30 / 100. Still, two shaving edges for $0.30 is not bad and the blades are truly amazing.
There is another new group out there selling handles and cartridges for something like $1 or $2 per cartridge.
The cost to produce vs. the cost to buy of modern cartridges is either ridiculous or outstanding, depending on which side of the fence you are on (consumer or manufacturer). The first time I saw shaving cartridges locked up in anti- theft electronic boxes: first I laughed then I looked at the price and about fell down in the aisle.
Brian
The dollar shave club is a good idea, but the blades and razor I saw from them were made in China, deal breaker for me, as with anything, I pay a bit more, $5.00 for blades made either in Japan or Germany. My razor was also made in Germany and its a almost a work of art.
