Quote:
Originally Posted by RollChiefsRoll
If you're insinuating that DEs fell out of vogue because they're dangerous, you can't be serious. The reason DEs fell out in the 70s is because companies like Gillette poured tons of money into ad campaigns about how much faster and safer multi-blade cartridges are, but it's a load of horse shit. The real reason is because they can jack up the prices on cartridges and butt rape customers while reaping massive profits. Which they've done for the past forty plus years.
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Exactly! By constantly changing the handle/cartridge combinations they can "force" men to constantly buy new handles and blades. DE razors will last for a LONG time if properly cared for (I own a 1954 Superspeed that is still in very good condition). Gillette and other companies can't make mega-profits on DE blades, so they had to come up with a new system so they could make more money.
DEs don't compare at all to straight razors in terms of cost per use. The initial setup for straight razor shaving is much higher: about $120 for a brand-new, professionally honed blade; $40 for a strop; $40 for a hone to maintain the edge yourself (or send it out every year or so); plus mug, brush, soap/cream. The savings come over the very long haul though because a properly maintained straight razor will outlive you. Case in point: I have a straight razor that belonged to my grandfather (who died in 1972) and he got the razor in the 1940's. When I got it, it took 10 passes on my barber's hone to get it back into shaving shape. I also got a straight razor that was just about as old that belonged to one of my great-uncles and with it took just a little more effort to put an edge back on the blade, and now it's as good a shaver as the two Dovo straights I bought new.