I’ve bought them for years and years and have never really given disposable razors a second thought….until now.
Like most of you, I have been quite aware of the increasing prices of groceries overall. I gasp and nearly choke as price increases each week at the store don’t even have the decency to be ‘subtle’ anymore.
Last week, I hit a breaking point with a product I’ve used for many years….disposable razors.
I won’t name the brand, but my family has used the same medium-priced disposable razor blades for just about forever. The price for 10 razors has increased over the years, but I still remember when the 10-pack was under $3.
With inflation, of course, prices on everything has increased. Toiletries are one of the few items that I’ll consider dealing with a coupon over. Yet, there are rarely any coupons printed for the “basic” toiletry items. Typically, coupons are published to introduce and promote new products, few of which I am interested in.
Anyway, the price of these razors has crept past $3, then past $4, up to my recent noticing of $4.77. Eh, still not painful enough to make any change here. Besides, what would my options be?
Finally, while shopping one day, we needed razors, especially now that we have 3 teenage boys and 2 girls shaving, not to mention my husband and myself.
As I reached for my predictable choice of razor, I almost gagged on my own saliva as the price looked like it was $7.47.
“That can’t be right, it must be a bonus package of some kind, where is the 10-pack?” I thought to myself. But to my dismay, that was the 10-pack. I was done.
As I stood in line at the super-store, completely aggravated at the violated feeling I couldn’t rid myself of, I considered what my choices were.
Well, first of all, we could stop shaving. Probably wouldn’t work for long for us, although it could be a choice for some.
Second, we could shave less. Third, we could make the disposables last longer by wiping them dry after uses, but we already do that.
What did they use “back in the day”??? Straight edge razors? Well, again, an option for some, but with small children in the home, probably not.
After I arrived home and put my purchases away, I sat down with a cup of green tea and broke out my Lehman’s catalog. Sure enough, the above razor caught my eye.
The reviews on this safety razor were pretty consistent and I vaguely remember my Dad using this kind of razor, so I called him and asked for his opinion.
Dad told me that he loved his old razor! He also shared with me a method of keeping a single razor blade sharp for close to a year! I was sold.
This razor costs about $35 but it will obviously pay for itself in no time. The issue will become “selling” my family on it. Of course, training everyone (who shaves) about how these razors are used and replaced will take some effort, to prevent accidents.
This is my challenge to myself as I walk through this very “consumer and convenience-oriented culture” – to question the status quo and look for alternatives that are either cheaper, healthier or both.
It isn’t my intention to demonize any product or service, but common sense will often prove that the “old ways” weren’t all that bad after all….and often better!
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I remember my Dad having a razor like this.
Julie,
I bet you never thought about it until now! LOL!
I began shaving with one of these. So, how do you keep the blade sharp for a year?
Marsha,
I knew someone would ask me that!! Thing is, I need to see my Dad do it. He was saying that he took the razor and put it in salt water in a glass and rubbed it against the edges, or something like that. I need to see that one demonstrated.
Has anyone seen this done? Thanks for the comment, Marsha!
Maybe a how to video with you and your dad will be in the future??
Charyse, yep, sounds like it needs to happen!
I resolved this dilemma last year when I learned how to make sugar wax. I absolutely love it and I don’t need to buy another razor-EVER!
Congrats on finding a great solution for your family!
Oh Daisy, you can’t keep us hanging…..what is sugar wax and how do you make it?
did you see that Lehman’s also has a disposable razor sharpener? You can still buy disposable but just keep sharpening them
http://www.lehmans.com/store/Personal___Shaving_Supplies___Disposable_Razor_Sharpener___36731#36731
Katie, Yes I saw that. I wonder if it’s just sandpaper?? Any thoughts? It was a bit too expensive for me, especially in light of the fact that you can sharpen disposable blades on blue jeans, check out the vid on The Morristribe Facebook page today. What do you think?
I just watched the video I will have to try this and see if it really does! Thank you for posting the video!
Well, I’ll be buttoning my britches, I’ve never thought of one of those. Have to run it by Jon, since he is the “all knowing” on things sharp around here, but what a great idea! Thanks for sharing!
Sara, I would love to hear his thoughts!
I don’t remember ever using one of these types of razors, but I do remember having razors that took refillable blades that came in a little cartridge that you injected into the side causing the old blade to pop out. Can you still get those? Are they cheaper? I noticed the price, too, my last shopping trip. I think sometimes people like us who buy in bulk or stock up are shocked more by price increases because we don’t see all the little leaps in between our trips to the store.
Carol, I DO remember those and I don’t know the answer to your question. I haven’t noticed them recently, but that’s not to say that they aren’t around. Sustainability in this area is complicated.
Gosh, I remember my dad using one of those razors. Hummm, may have to being some gentle adjusting of the minds in this house.
Melissa,
They can be so resistant to change, can’t they??
I’m scared of those razors, and I can still find 10 packs of disposables at the dollar store, so I do that. They’re not the greatest in the world, but they get the job done. My husband has a beard.
I bought disposable razors at a dollar tree store ONCE. I’ll never do that again! My husband wants to use a straight edge, so I got him one… but we’ve never gotten it sharpened. Maybe this will be a good “in the middle” choice. =0)
I’ve been thinking about the same thing but hadn’t come up with any great ideas. I might have to look into this one!
So will you share the secret on how to keep a single razor blade sharp for close to a year? Thanks!
Carol,
OK, here’s how Dad explained it. Take a small glass with a flat side. Fill it with warm salt water, then take the razor and rub it gently with your finger up and down the inside flat side of the glass for a minute or so. That’s it! Does that make sense?
Great trick, thanks!
This is a great post. I’ve tried to leave a comment and for some reason it’s not working. It keeps saying that I’m not typing in the captcha code correctly
Love and hugs from the ocean shores of California, Heather 
According to Clark Howard, if you dry your razor after each use, the blade will stay sharp for at least a year. So, don’t keep it in the shower. Works for disposable razors also. Haven’t tried this yet, but worth a shot!
Diane,
We do that, have for years but I can’t say that they stay sharp that long. However, I know that I extend the razor’s life by several months.
My mother had one of this heavy straight-edge razors when I was a girl. She used it all the time. In fact, I learned to shave with one of those razors. Her only instruction was “Be careful” She would switch out the blades for me. I think they’re worth every penny, because they last a LONG time, and the lbades last quite a long time, too. Do you think that trick with the old jeans helping preserve disposable razors would work for this, too? Great post
Love and hugs from the ocean shores of California, Heather 
Heather,
I’m not sure. I remember seeing those kinds of razors sharpened on leather straps in old movies, do you?
My husband uses this type of razor and I’m seriously considering switching to it myself……I only worry about cutting myself – I’m accident prone.
Stacy, I’m afraid that I am extremely clumsy as well! LOL! Oh well!
I bought my husband one of these from Amazon. I believe it was under $20. Then I went to Rite Aid and bought the bowl and brush set and shaving soap. He loves it! He remembers his grandfather using one. So now I am working toward buying one for myself and my older children.
I hope this works out for you. I grew up using the “safety” razor, and all I remember is that I always nicked myself. Maybe they are better now?
I’ve seen a whole lot of talk about these razors, I think my Dad used to have one, but I’m a little nervous about turning my shower into a blood bath if I attempt to use them. I don’t buy any razors in our household, I sugar wax and the results last for abouot 4 weeks, so it saves time and money. It takes a bit of practise to do it, but so simple to make at home. My OH uses a solar charged beard trimmer, he likes what he thinks is designer stubble, but it does have an option for a close shave. We just leave it on the bathroom window and it charges up in a day, enough to do his hair and beard and to do both of my boys hair.
I love my safety razor, and I love being free of paying $20 or more for 8 poorly made blade cartridges. Here is a link that got me started and I think will benefit your readers: http://artofmanliness.com/2008/01/04/how-to-shave-like-your-grandpa/
Enjoy!