The Cost of Shaving: An Analysis

Ever since I first began shaving, I’ve always used the same disposable razors that my dad has sworn by his entire life – the Gillette Good News! Pivot Plus with Lubrastip. Anything other than that exact razor made my neck break out into a hideous case of razor bumps. I’ll never forget that one time when I tried using a cheap Norelco electric razor that I found at Wal-Mart – my face looked as if I had just been attacked by an angry swarm of killer bees.

However, a few weeks ago, I came across an internet promotion from Schick which offered a free Schick Quattro Titanium razor to anyone who filled out a simple contact form (sorry, it’s expired now). I figured I could deal with a little junk mail from Schick every now and then for the chance to try a new razor for free, so I completed the form and within a few weeks, the razor was sitting in my mailbox.

So was the Schick good enough to make me switch from the tried and true Gillette?

The Old School Disposable Razors

I’ve used the disposable Gillettes exclusively since my very first shave, over ten years ago. Through the years, I was usually treated to a close and comfortable shave with minor irritation. As an added benefit, the cost of the razors never seemed to increase – or if they did, it wasn’t really noticeable over the span of the last ten years.

Here’s a quick cost analysis of the disposable razors:

Cost of 12 razors at Target: $6.99

Number of shaves from 12 razors: 24

Cost per shave: $0.29

Monthly cost, assuming five shaves per week: $5.80

So basically, by using the disposable razor I’m looking at about six bucks for a month’s worth of decent shaves. Not bad, but here’s the rub: over the last year or so, I’ve been consistently getting one or two defective razors in each package. The blades on these razors don’t seem to fit in the head properly and the resulting shave is so harsh that my skin just can’t take it. I’m not sure what’s up with Gillette’s quality control department, but let’s just say that I’ve been less than impressed lately.

The Highfalutin Replaceable Cartridge Razor

For years and years, I resisted the latest and greatest in shaving technology because I got all I needed in my little, blue disposables: A quality shave at a decent price. Like I said though, lately, the quality of the disposables has been degrading significantly. With that thought in mind, I was eager to find a razor that could provide a quality shave without breaking the bank…and that’s where the Schick Quattro Titanium came in.

Here’s the cost analysis for the Schick Quattro Titanium:

Cost of 12 razor cartridges on ebay: $16.00

Number of shaves from 12 cartridges: 48

Cost per shave: $0.33

Monthly cost, assuming five shaves per week: $6.60

After approximately a dozen, near-perfect shaves, I’m extremely impressed with this razor. Not only does it shave better and closer than the Gillette disposable, it actually shaves faster as well due to the additional two blades – four in total. Irritation was practically non-existent.

Conclusion

Ladies and gentleman, we have a winner. When you look at the minimal difference in cost between the Gillette and Schick, (a staggering 80 cents per month) this was really a no-brainer that I should have picked up on earlier. I’m all for saving money at every possible opportunity, but like nearly everything else, the decision should be based on the value you receive from the money you spend.

Your Thoughts

So, guys and girls, let’s hear your thoughts. I can’t wait to hear your money-saving tips and tricks for a close, comfortable, and frugal shave!