My strategy for saving money on shaving is simple. I buy a bunch of razors once every 2 years, and use one razor per month. I try not to pay more than $1 per razor, so my total shaving bill is under $12 a year. To make sure they stay comfortable, I dry thoroughly after each use (some people use alcohol or mineral oil). I also hone occassionally with my forearm or jeans.
Here’s an example deal for under $1 per razor. Dorco USA (which also makes the blades for Dollar Shave Club) is currently offering 50% off their Frugal Dude Pack with promo code AFFDP717 good through 7/21/17. It’s a mix of 3-,4-, and 6-blade systems. The combo includes 2 handles, 16 cartridges, and 12 disposables. They call this a 1-year supply (at 13 days per razor), but this would last me 2 years (at 26 days per razor) as my facial hair is wimpy.
That’s a total of 28 razors for $23.85 with free shipping included, which works out to $0.85 per razor. Here’s a screenshot:
I’ve been quite satisfied with the quality of Dorco razors. If you want to try it out first, you can get Pace 6 For Men (1 handle, 2 cartridges) for $1.99 shipped with promo code AFPACE6718. Good through 7/21/17. That’s still $1 per cartridge. Note that you should pick budget shipping, go to the end where you enter the promo code, THEN update the shipping cost, THEN it will show budget shipping as $0.00. Screenshot.
I know that some folks prefer safety razors, for which you can buy a quality handle for $24 and then buy refills for 12 cents each after that, which also sounds perfectly reasonable if you enjoy that style of shaving.
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No Free shipping on the Pace 6 For Men (1 handle, 2 cartridges) for $1.99
Thanks for the comment. It does give you free shipping, but you have to go all the way to the end where you enter the promo code, and THEN back to update the shipping cost, and THEN it will show budget shipping as $0.00. Hope that helps, will update the post.
I just confirmed this does still work (2017/07/21) but I did have to play with it a few times..selecting another form of shipping..accepting that then going back a 2nd time and selecting budget..it still SHOWED it was gonna cost $2.99 but when you go to the final checkout page the amount was 0.00. I’m pretty sure you found a glitch in their system and it may work in other scenario’s but I appreciate the info. 😉
Why not go electric? Initial cost for a Braun at Target is about 60 to 75 USD for a basic wet/dry model, but you can being it when you travel. Replacement blades can be bought on Amazon every 6 months to a year, depending on your usage. I travel more than the average person, so perhaps I am biased by the convenience factor.
I own an electric and I do use it occasionally to “bridge the gap” but I find the best shaves with the bladed razors. When travelling I do tend to use the electric more but the replaceable “blades” for the rotating heads (the model I use) are not cheap either. (Norelco Sensotouch Wet/Dry)
Hello, Jonathan. I am a fan of electric razors like Matt. Three years ago (Aug. 2014) I bought a pair of Norelco’s at Kohl’s dept. store. Original list was something crazy like $79.99 each, but with half-off markdowns, 30% off Kohl’s coupons and a $5.00 factory rebate I scored these for $22.99 each plus tax.
I am still using the first one some 35 months later, so I’m shaving for about .66 per month, so far. (The second one was bought as a backup.) I find that if I clean the blades/rotors weekly they last almost indefinitely.
Of course I pay for electricity, but then you pay for shaving cream! Your thoughts on electrics?
It’s a comfort thing. Electric razors tend to give me razor burn. I’m sure I’m not alone.
If you can make the numbers work and you’re happy with the shave, I say go for it. I’ve used a few electric razors but it was probably more than a decade ago. I like traveling and just having a simple razor to throw in the bag. I don’t even pack shaving cream and just make do with soap.
(Now that I think about it, I do use an electric toothbrush but also just bring a regular one for travel, so I’m not being consistent. I guess I think my Sonicare does a signficantly better job cleaning my teeth than a regular toothbrush, while an electric razor is only about the same quality shave at best.)