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Comment by dkhenry | Hacker News Reader

I don't wish to lament anyone's success, but honestly why is anyone buying blades from these people.

http://www.amazon.com/Derby-Extra-Double-Razor-Blades/dp/B00...

$13 dollars you have at least a years worth of blades for even the thickest beards. Also you will get a shave that is worlds better then the one from DSC.

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Because it's not about the blades, it's about the stream of blades.

Consider the same question for basically every nonperishable you purchase - why are you not buying in large bulk and saving? I can think of a dozen items I could buy in bulk and save money on that I currently don't.

Actually, now that I think about it, why don't I buy in bulk? I totally could. Why don't people in general buy in bulk?

Anyway, it's the same answer for your toilet paper as it is for your razors, or your shampoo, or your paper towels. I don't apparently know that answer, but I assume that's why people don't do what you're saying.

Razor blades are very compact, though, not like a year's worth of paper towels.

And what if you decide one day to switch to electric?

Go ahead and switch! The razor blades are a sunk cost.

Then you can sell the unused packages of blades on Amazon.

Amazon offers their "Subscribe and Save" service on many products (not the one linked above, however). Amazon's subscription service provides a continuous stream of many staples such as paper products, toothpaste, tooth brushes, cat food, etc. to my household. It works great.

Aside: I live in Los Angeles and am trying out Amazon Fresh. If anything, Amazon now offers me an almost-confusing multitude of ways to have products delivered to my house. I can Prime things for receipt in two days. I can subscribe and forget. I can Fresh things for next-day delivery. I'm not an Amazon fan boy—many of their services frustrate me in a variety of ways—but they have delivery pretty much mastered versus everyone else.

I moved to Seattle a little over a year ago and was pleased to find out about Amazon Fresh. It's a great service overall, and beats the pants off of FreshDirect in NYC (Though, I personally preferred yummy.com in Venice, CA, who were offering same-day delivery back in '06).

At any rate, I was truly sold on Amazon Fresh the day I started having some issues with my PC. I logged on in hope and ended up ordering a CPU and a Motherboard to be dropped off at my door with my milk and eggs before dawn the next day. Incredible.

Apologies for the tangent, but I wanted to share my review of Fresh [1]. It's a mixed-bag, pun intended.

I laughed at your mix of computer equipment and groceries, but that's exactly it: you can have a wild variety of things delivered as if they were groceries. I was most amused/bemused by the weapons selection.

[1] http://tiamat.tsotech.com/amazon-fresh

The reason I don't use this is because the "stream" of blades isn't saving me any money, it's costing me more than what a trip to Walmart or Costco will cost (in Canada, at least). For me, this is entirely a cost-based decision. I don't see blades being delivered on a continual basis as a benefit, just puts more pressure on me to use up my existing blades fast (and that's weird).

To each his own, I think this is the ultimate lazy man's service. Get your ass out to the store and when you're back, mow the lawn.

Stream of blades? Maybe if you work at a barbershop. Even if you only get one shave out of a blade (I think most guys will get 3-5), a hundred pack is tiny and will last 1/3 year. For most people, that's at least a year supply.

Unlike shampoo and other bulky disposable products, razors are quite tiny.

> why are you not buying in large bulk and saving?

Although I'm probably not thinking of a few things, I do buy basically every nonperishable in bulk. I buy paper towels, toilet paper, double-edged razor blades, toothpaste, laundry supplies, and shower supplies at most twice a year. It's not that hard as long as you find SKUs that you like and have somewhere to store them (and I live in a tiny San Francisco studio, so most people should have plenty of room).

people don't buy in bulk because then they are stuck with that one product for a long time. I mean really, am I supposed to use last years outdated butt wipes when I know there is a better way to wipe my ass?

If you want to step it up a notch, get Feather blades (if they work for your skin). I've tried half dozen blades, and stuck with Feathers for their sharpness. They are considerably pricier, though still cheap in comparison to any regular cartridge, and they last a few shaves without dulling. I've purchased 50 over 2 years ago, and I'm finally on my last 5-pack. This time I'll be buying 100 for about $25.

Do those take a lot of practice to use? Do they take more time? Convenience is worth a lot and I'd be scared (scarred) using those I think.

When I started using a double-edged safety razor it took me maybe two shaves to get comfortable with it. I don't nick myself any more often than I did when using other razors. It's really not like a straight razor.

Personally, I feel like the reason they're not more widely used is familiarly and upfront cost--familiarly being the biggest (seeing you mentioned being scared).

Practice wise, they really seem on par with cartridge, IMHO. I don't feel like I have any fancier technique or am especially careful when using it. I really use it like a would a cartridge. Changing blades means loosening a nut instead of popping off the blade--but I much prefer having 100+ cheap spares so I don't give a second thought to swapping for a sharp blade compared to only having a dozen cartridges onhand (because I lament spending $25) and having to remember to buy more. The only clear downside is flying (in which case, use cartridges when on the road until TSA lightens up).

I'm surprised you mentioned cost at all. A couple dollar handle and several hundred blades for ~$25. Even if you could only use the blades once (I am guessing you can use them more than once, I am thinking I should look into this more because it seems worth it) it is still cheaper than I spend in 3-4 months since I had to start shaving regularly (replacing cartridges).

I switched from electric to safety razor and found it easy to use, you can use gel or cream that you already use or try to go fancy with the brushes and poraso in a bowl.

The main thing is that you don't apply pressure you just let the razors weight and sharpness of the blade do the work. Only nicks I have ever gotten is when I messed up my hand placement due to lack of attention when flipping the razor and the corner of the blade got me.

I don't know how long the multiple blade razors take but if I have a weeks growth of hair it takes me 3 times going over to have a smooth shave (once with the grain, once across the grain, and once against the grain) though I usually forgo the against the grain and the shave is pretty good.

Overall time it takes is 10-15 minutes including filling the sink with warm-hot water, lather, shaving, and cleanup.

When my Merkur showed up, I was scared to use it. For me (and maybe your face is different), there was no need. I was really careful the first time, got comfortable with it, and haven't cut myself in over a year of use. I think one trick is to let the weight of the shaving head apply the pressure. Don't dig into your face like you might with a disposable.

It takes a little more time, but I think that's because I now take the time to do a better job. For the same effort as a disposable, I think I'd still get a better shave.

Are "safety" razors as safe as the fancier stuff when you're barely awake and in a hurry?

It all depends on the razor. For myself, I use a Merkur adjustable -- when my beard is really thick, I open up the gap a bit more. For normal shaves, I keep it tightened down. Also, it works best when you use a good shave soap and brush.

The main reason I started using a DE razor is I've found having a single blade is much more comfortable than the double / triple blades. And you can get just as good of a shave, but you need to take two - three passes (once with the grain, once cross grain, and a final one against the grain).

Shave at night! Not only slower and safer, but you wake-up with a lovely smooth face. Feels good to start the day smooth.

Wish I could, but I'd have to shave again in the morning. Keratin shoots out of my face like meat from a grinder.

In my case, I pay £3 a month to King of Shaves for their razor cartridge subscription. The main reason for doing this is because I have a tendency to forget to buy new razor cartridges. I'm more than happy to pay extra for the convenience of not having to remember.

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