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Why are replacement razor blades such a rip-off ?

Old 16 August 2007, 08:53 AM
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dpb
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Angry Why are replacement razor blades such a rip-off ?

Is it just to cash-in on people who dont quite get on with an electric one.


Whats a reasonable electric one nowadays ?
Old 16 August 2007, 09:19 AM
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Matteeboy
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I use both!
Just bought a £110 Remington off ebay for £50 - Works a treat.

I "start" with an electric (to shorten it and get rid of areas that tend to cut easily) then finish with a wet shave - bit beardy me!

Remington MS 5700 Microscreen Titanium Ultra : Read reviews and compare prices at Ciao.co.uk

Used Quattro titanium blades - seem to last a bit longer than most. Still gets three weeks max from them though.
Old 16 August 2007, 09:23 AM
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I tend to buy the razor and the blades together when discounted, the replacement blades have always been a rip off.
Wilkinsons arent three bad though.
Old 16 August 2007, 10:34 AM
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David_Dickson
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Razor blades are a real pet hate of mine.

According to the marketing, they are turbo-charged, laser cut, titanium edged, ceramic bladed, micro-pulsing wonders of the technological era, yet they cant cut my stubble without going blunt half-way across my face!

Have you seen that episode of the Simpsons where Homer has a shave and by the time he turns from the mirror his 5 o`clock shadow has grown back? well, that me too. I cant find a blade that stays sharp for more than a couple of uses, and I find electric razors to be next to useless.
Also, call me cynical, but I find the replacement blades seem to be lower quality than the ones that come with the razor when you first buy it. Maybe im just imagining that, but they dont seem to last as long at all?

Currently, Im using Gillett Blue Two disposable things. Cheap, basic, non-vibrating, but they last ok!
Old 16 August 2007, 10:41 AM
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I'm too lazy to wet shave - electric all the way for me
Old 16 August 2007, 10:52 AM
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David - Know what you mean! Half a day and I look stubbly.

Taken me years of experimentation but finally got a routine that doesn't slice me to bits or use too many blades up.
Now working from home too so a daily shave is not essential - just means I almost need to get my strimmer out when I do shave!

My electric shaver has a sideburn trimmer that you can line up with the foils for longer stubble - works a treat for shortening the worst of it but find that electrics never do my neck properly, hence using both wet and electric for each shave - not had a cut or a rash for a long time now.
Old 16 August 2007, 10:55 AM
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TopBanana
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Mate of mine buys his from ebay - much much cheaper. Could be counterfeit, but they apparently work just as well.
Old 16 August 2007, 10:58 AM
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Originally Posted by dpb
Is it just to cash-in on people who dont quite get on with an electric one.


Whats a reasonable electric one nowadays ?
Couldn't agree more. They're even tagged at supermarkets nowadays because they're often nicked just because they are a rip-off.

I've tried electric shavers a few times (got a couple still in boxes that were bought for me over the years which I've only used once or twice) and they give me such a bad rash on my neck and chin so I've had to stick with wetshaving. Although when you start to add up the costs of disposables over the last, say 17 years, it's probably cost me a well over a grand!

Cheaper to have a beard me thinks
Old 16 August 2007, 10:59 AM
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BarryK
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Talking

Aye, cheaper to buy the on offer Gillette Fusion with six blades than a new pack of eight blades on their own. Weird.

Plus, they cost in dollars what they cost in pounds.

Anyone ever replaced blades in their electric? Probably the same story, cheaper to buy a new more up to date one.
Old 16 August 2007, 10:59 AM
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Scooby Snacks 23
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Originally Posted by TopBanana
Mate of mine buys his from ebay - much much cheaper. Could be counterfeit, but they apparently work just as well.
No, just stollen, for the reason I mentioned in the above post!
Old 16 August 2007, 11:00 AM
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stubble is the way forward.
Old 16 August 2007, 11:06 AM
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Originally Posted by STi wanna Subaru
stubble is the way forward.
Certainly seems to be I'm happy to re-live my Don Johnson days, but sadly, my manager isn't
Old 16 August 2007, 11:11 AM
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Originally Posted by Scooby Snacks 23
Certainly seems to be I'm happy to re-live my Don Johnson days, but sadly, my manager isn't
that may be the case although he has no grounds to stop you growing your facial hair. I guess it depends on your job but unless it's a H&S issue (cant think what) then he has no right to dictate what you do with your appearance with this regards.

I wet shave once or twice a week and then use clippers to keep stubble short
Old 16 August 2007, 11:12 AM
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I buy Asda's own and find them better than the name brand. Seem sharper and last longer (probably rubbish 'cos I bet they're made in the same factory ), but I only shave once or twice a week 'cos I'm a lazy, scruffy g!t
Old 16 August 2007, 11:17 AM
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Scooby Snacks 23
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Originally Posted by STi wanna Subaru
that may be the case although he has no grounds to stop you growing your facial hair. I guess it depends on your job but unless it's a H&S issue (cant think what) then he has no right to dictate what you do with your appearance with this regards.

I wet shave once or twice a week and then use clippers to keep stubble short

Indeed, he wouldn't stop me, but it would affect his perception of me if he thought I had suddenly turned lazy/scruffy (I'm in a client facing position).

I'm also applying for promotion so perhaps we'll see what the outcome is. If I don't get the promotion, maybe I'll consider stubble (and facial tattoos and rings in various positions )
Old 16 August 2007, 11:20 AM
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I have to shave every day for work, use the gillette fusion power or whatever it is called which is the best Iv used so far, bought a pack of 60 blades from ebay a while back for about £40, may be counterfit but work just as well and last long enough
Old 16 August 2007, 11:28 AM
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We could do with another free razor promotion...my last freebie is about as sharp as those knives you get with inflight meals on aeroplanes.
Old 16 August 2007, 11:30 AM
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I buy replacement ones from a bloke on the market at a big reduction!

Les
Old 16 August 2007, 11:34 AM
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Originally Posted by BarryK
Aye, cheaper to buy the on offer Gillette Fusion with six blades than a new pack of eight blades on their own. Weird.

Plus, they cost in dollars what they cost in pounds.

Anyone ever replaced blades in their electric? Probably the same story, cheaper to buy a new more up to date one.
Yep - for my last shaver. £18 for foil and cutters.

Bit stuffed if the trimmer blades go though (which mine did)!
Old 16 August 2007, 11:41 AM
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Originally Posted by Leslie
I buy replacement ones from a bloke on the market at a big reduction!

Les
Which will have been shoplifted to order. You're feeding crime.
Old 16 August 2007, 11:43 AM
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Originally Posted by Scooby Snacks 23
Indeed, he wouldn't stop me, but it would affect his perception of me if he thought I had suddenly turned lazy/scruffy (I'm in a client facing position).

I'm also applying for promotion so perhaps we'll see what the outcome is. If I don't get the promotion, maybe I'll consider stubble (and facial tattoos and rings in various positions )
You can still look smart with stubble. I don't mean grizzly adams but if you keep it trimmed I fail to see the issue. I do understand though in some jobs it's just seen as not the done thing so although you dont have to shave you DO have to shave to be seen to be being professional.
Old 16 August 2007, 11:49 AM
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Oh god - how OVERUSED is "looking/being 'professional?"

One of the most stupid phrases used in business.

Guide to being "professional"

1)Be miserable. Humour is for the unemployed.
2)Wear uncomfortable clothing at all times - Freeze in the Winter, boil in the Summer, get soaked in the rain in clothes that can only be dry cleaned.
3)Shave daily - no one will notice that red rash and blood.
4)Speak in a manner that bores the **** of your clients.
5)Drive a repmobile.
6)Speak the language of a professional - Business BS is highly praised and fools your client into thinking you're clever.

Splendid - Must sign up.
Old 16 August 2007, 11:59 AM
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Something that should be included with every pack:



Steve
Old 16 August 2007, 12:02 PM
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Badger & Blade

DE shaving
Old 16 August 2007, 12:25 PM
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Originally Posted by BarryK
Anyone ever replaced blades in their electric? Probably the same story, cheaper to buy a new more up to date one.
Yup, £36 to change mine 2 weeks ago!!!
Old 16 August 2007, 12:38 PM
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Originally Posted by Spoon
Yup, £36 to change mine 2 weeks ago!!!
was cheaper for me to replace the shaver! Replacement cutters and foils were £5 more than the shaver at £55 for a phillips 3 head one. ****ing rip off.

As for Badger and Blades, isnt that a touch gay??! Is it supported by London Pride with their pink union jacks?!!
P

Last edited by bonerp; 16 August 2007 at 02:01 PM. Reason: edited for the picky amongst us
Old 16 August 2007, 12:46 PM
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Originally Posted by bonerp
As for Badger and Blakes, isnt that a touch gay??! Is it supported by London Pride with their pink union jacks?!!
P
badger and blade, referring to badger bristle brush and the blade (not blakes) should be obvious.
Old 16 August 2007, 02:00 PM
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Originally Posted by jjones
badger and blade, referring to badger bristle brush and the blade (not blakes) should be obvious.
sorry i dont find the need to discuss with other men which cream to use, which direction to stroke it or which moisturiser to apply afterwards
Old 16 August 2007, 03:18 PM
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Originally Posted by bonerp
was cheaper for me to replace the shaver! Replacement cutters and foils were £5 more than the shaver at £55 for a phillips 3 head one. ****ing rip off.
In my case the shaver was over £100 and worked superbly when new so I'd considered the options. Still a rip-off which ever way you look at it though.

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