As cyclists, we go through more razor blades than average. We’re shaving more, thus go through blades quicker. Razor blades have improved a ton since I was a kid. But the cost of these excellent blades have become unbelievably expensive.
I thought of this when I saw a Gillette ad and they were using the newly crowned Olympic Decathlete, Ashton Eaton as their guy. I was envious of the dude. I’d have to assume that he gets unlimited Gillette products, which obviously would include razor blades. If I were him, I’ve endorse them just for free razor blades.
I think Gillette makes the best blades. I don’t really stray much. Back when I first started racing, Gillette had just came out with the disposable razors. I think you could get something like 10 for $1. Even in my penniless state, those razors were affordable. Even once in a while I would try Bic disposables, but inevitably I would end up bleeding everywhere.
When I used to go to South America and race, I used to always stock up on razor blades. Razor blades are sold in South America much cheaper. Their cost is proportional to have much the average person earns, thus much cheaper. A few times I’ve bought razor blades off of eBay and most of the time the blades packaging is in Spanish. A few entrepreneurs are having their relatives ship boxes of razor blades up to them here in the US, then reselling them at a profit. Pretty great business model.
I think everyone hates buying new razor blades. They seem so ridiculously expensive, that parting with hard earned money for them is painful. Last year at Christmas, I actually gave Trudi a year’s worth of razor blades. It was over $100 worth. I thought it was a little cheesy for a Christmas present, but it is something you need, but hate buying yourself.
I’ve used the women’s blades a couple times to shave my legs. The blades with the slimy things protecting your legs from nicks. Man, do they work great for shaving legs. It makes shaving legs a breeze. I’ve never bought them, because they don’t double up for shaving your face, but I would like to have some.
Anyway, paying $4 for razor blades irks just about everyone. I read the guy that started the $1 shave club deal sold it for something like a billion dollars. He was fed up enough that he actually did something about it. The rest of us just pay through the nose.
I’ve been shaving my legs since before I actually grew hair on them. This was a photo from the Topeka paper when I was a kid.
The gillette Venus women’s blades are great.
Tucker feels better today, but is still a little under the weather.
