Archive for February, 2008
» That was a close shave
My new Merkur razor, blade safe, and blades.
Simple things are best. That maxim applies to razors, too, I discovered. I have been increasingly annoyed at the increasingly expensive Mach 3 Turbo razor blades I’ve been buying lately. Then I ran across a post on Cool Tools touting the superior shave of a German-made double-edge razor — the kind my dad used to shave with. Classic Shaving has the razors, blades, shave cream, shave mugs, straight razors, and stuff you didn’t even know existed in the world of “wet-shaving,” as they call it. Which is what it is, I suppose.
I did some quick math on my current situation, as follows:
- Mach 3 Turbo blades: approx $12 for 4.
- 1 blade lasts 1 week.
- Total: 52 blades per year x $3 per blade = $156 per year.
Next, quick math on the cost of switching to the Merkur “1904″ with 1-year’s supply of blades:
- Merkur “1904″ = $26.99
- Pack of 10-count premium stainless blades: $5.99/per pack.
- 5-packs of blades per year: 5 x $5.99 = $29.95.
- Shipping: $8.95
- Total: $65.89.
- Total savings Year 1: $86.11.
- Total savings Year 2+: $113.10/per year.
This savings, of course, would not be worth switching if the shave were not as good or better. I am happy to say I like the shave from the Merkur much better. It’s closer, lasts longer, and leaves no razor burn that the disposables gave me. Plus, nothing about the razor or blades is plastic. Look at the detailing on the razor handle. If you could hold it, you would also experience a nice heft to the “1904″ in your hand.
Reportedly, Gillette spent $750-million dollars developing the Mach 3 razor. Seems like a lot of money when a better product was already on the market. BTW, the Merkur “1904″ design comes from the old Gillette double-edge razor, the granddaddy of all D/E razors. Ironic, isn’t it?
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» KISS - Valentine’s Day Reminder
I am reminded that the best approach to almost everything is to just KISS (Keep It Simple, Stupid). This applies to everything from engineering to blog posts.
Happy Valentine’s Day everyone!
