14 Jan
Let Me Get this Straight Razor
Several months ago we hit that frustratingly expensive time in a man’s hygenic cycle: it was time to buy razor blades. Ugh.
I’ve been using Gillette Fusion blades since they came out and the Mach 3s before that. Why? Because they sent me a free handle, unsolicited, when they first produced the dang things.
I think they came with one or two cartridges too. However, at $25 per refill package they had become a painful slice of the weekly budget. I was done.
A quick Google search led to a post on the Art of Manliness that gave me the guts to order a Merkur Razor
Twenty-five cents! Let me tell you: I haven’t looked back since.
This morning as I was shaving I realized how much a wet shave with a safety razor is like baby step 2, getting out of debt.
Compared to the old Gillette, shaving with the Merkur is harder, takes longer, and requires paying attention. Although second nature now, at first just learning to hold the thing was weird, getting the angle right to my face, getting used to the mechanics of changing the blade and working up a lather…
Like getting out of debt, it was a new way of operating. Like living on a budget, paying cash and spending less than we make.
It has another thing in common with becoming debt-free. It is worth it. Not just the cost savings (which are substantial), but the quality of shave.
Sometimes we stumble and need our emergency fund (like when I nicked my philtrum the other day), but at the end I expect everything will be…
wait for it…
smooth.
the Dad
Posted by kELSALYNN on 01/15/10 at 5:42 am
badunt-ch! (that’s supposed to be the sound after a corny joke… not easy to write out, much easier to say)
I get a stomach ache whenever my husband needs a new razor. Like you, he uses the Fusion. I STOCK UP on coupons and also sign up for every free trial out there when they are part of it. It blows my mind how expensive men’s razors are, but I don’t complain. He hates shaving so he doesn’t need his wife harping on him re: the cost of the darn things. I’m afraid if I do that, he’ll stop shavin altogether then I’ll be married to this grossly hairy dude. Who wants that? Not me! I’m sure you understand… =]
Very good analogy!
Posted by Sharon on 01/15/10 at 7:33 am
My husband uses the Fusion too. He’s always rushing in the morning, not sure he would want to use Merkur razor, but the savings sound awesome! We may need to have a chat…
Posted by Gramps on 01/15/10 at 8:03 am
You nicked your philtrum !!!! Don’t let your Mother know….you know how she is so over protective….she will go crazy and send you a lifetime supply of Fusion blades….
Love, Gramps
Posted by Jeffrey Johnson on 01/15/10 at 11:02 am
I use Mach 3 and will keep using it. Just bought a pack of them too. I did see some neat stuff to buy from your link though.
Posted by Money Funk on 01/15/10 at 11:53 am
Ah, the painful consumeristic act of buying razors. I Hate it! They are so freakin’ expensive for both me and my husband. But… I don’t think I could give up my Venus razor. It’s quality consumes me and…. it does last a good while. I guess, it is one thing I would have to keep buying.
BTW, I think 2010 is going to be an awesome year for some reason too. My hunch, its especially going to be great with people working with a plan (which means all us PF bloggers).
Posted by the Dad on 01/15/10 at 2:10 pm
Kelsalynn & Sharon,
Hey, I DON’T use the Fusion. It’s been months now and I will not go back. It’s 2:30pm here now and my cheeks STILL feel smooth. Gillette can’t do that!
Kelsalynn, maybe a trip to your local “Art of Shaving” store for a wet shave would ease his mind. They use straight razors, but still, the results are awesome.
Thanks, guys!
Posted by Check Yourself on 01/15/10 at 2:12 pm
Good post, but you really should give photo credit when you use a picture.
Posted by the Dad on 01/15/10 at 2:16 pm
Thanks, Gramps, Jeffrey and Money Funk!
Trust me. Buy a safety razor and read that Art of Manliness post. You’ll have it down in less than a week and will never spend more than $5 on blades again (for a TEN PACK!).
BTW, Money Funk, am I officially a PF blogger now?! I’M IN THE CLUB! WHOO HOO!
Posted by the Dad on 01/15/10 at 2:19 pm
@Check, I TOOK that picture! LOL
Hey, self, can I use that picture?
Sure!
Thanks!
Done.
Posted by Li'l Shelley on 01/15/10 at 4:12 pm
Good point but I can’t imagine doing my legs.
And you forgot the best part: a man who shaves with a straight razor is……….wait for it……a sexy bad@$$ !
Posted by jpkittie on 01/15/10 at 4:31 pm
nice! that is definately a good way to look at it… the whole ‘wait for it…. smooth’ too funny
Posted by Tutu on 01/15/10 at 5:18 pm
What’s a Philtrum? Is it anything like a Turkey’s wattle?
Posted by Sabrina on 01/15/10 at 8:34 pm
Follower but first time poster. Love the tips & motivation, we are on the TMMO too. My husband uses Fusion (or whatever other name brand razor) but I get them all free matching coupons & sales. I haven’t paid for razors or any other health & beauty item for over a year and it REALLY lowers grocery too.
Posted by the Dad on 01/15/10 at 9:06 pm
@Tutu a philtrum is that dimple in your upper lip below your nose.
Li’l Shelley, jpkittie, THANK YOU!
@Sabrina WOW! I have always been amazed by coupon clippers who can get things for nothing!
Posted by Sherry on 01/16/10 at 4:55 am
kELSALYNN, you just described my husband! He hasn’t shaved in years. I try not to complain because I don’t have to buy razors for him.
Posted by Jennifer on 01/18/10 at 12:03 pm
Please send me your email so I can add you to my private blog!
Posted by Jennifer on 01/18/10 at 12:48 pm
I am setting my blog to private…..when you get a chance email me your email! ha!
wakefield622@live.com
thanks!
Posted by Razors on 01/18/10 at 4:07 pm
Great work promoting wet shaving. I like you find the shave a better experience.
Posted by the Dad on 01/19/10 at 11:07 am
@Sherry, nothing wrong with that all unless you don’t like it, right?
@Jennifer, sent!
@Razor, thanks, but I’m promoting Debt Freedom!
Cheers!
Posted by Jennifer on 01/21/10 at 8:59 am
I would love my husband to make the switch! I won’t even tell you the feminine switch I made to save money.
My husband told me he read an article about why men’s razors are so expensive – and it turns out that it’s because of theft. It is like the number one item stolen. (If I remember correctly, they are often stolen off the trucks, not necessarily from the store shelf – but I have noticed that they are now locked up at my CVS and Walgreens.)
Great post as always!
Posted by Murf on 01/21/10 at 5:57 pm
Go for the straight blade and razor strop. My grandfather was a barber and he could shave a fellow so smoooooooooooooothly and a hot towel after! Closer than you know what! All it will take after that is to buy soap. Ah, life can be simple.
Posted by the Dad on 01/22/10 at 8:21 am
Jennifer, now we’re all curious! What did you do??
Murf, NO WAY. While I love the idea of simplicity, I already had to set the alarm earlier to use this razor, with a straight razor I’d need another 30 minutes! Besides, the honing stones for those things are REALLY expensive. Still, the cool-factor would be off the charts!