Shaving down the cost of razors

There is one question I often get asked wherever I go: “Clark, do you really use a 10-cent razor and make it last 10 months? I find that impossible to believe.”

The answer, by the way, is no. I do not use a 10-cent razor. I typically use a 17-cent razor and makes it last for an entire year!

But that’s a disposable razor. If you use one with refillable blades, you have other options to save.

You’ve no doubt heard of Dollar Shave Club and Harry’s, both of which are subscription shave clubs.

Harry’s prices start at $1.87 for eight blades, while Dollar Shave Club has a variety of plans starting at as little as $1 for two blades (add $2 shipping and handling). The basic idea is that you order online and then the razors are regularly mailed to your home.

But the problem with such plans is the inflexible schedule.

Sensing a market opportunity, Gillette has beefed up its online offering with Gillette on Demand. Now you can order blades whenever you need them by text message. No more being locked into a set delivery schedule.

Of course, you still have the option to set yourself up on a regular delivery schedule. Either way, Gillette’s subscription prices start at $1 a blade each for eight blades (add $2 shipping and handling).

Now we have another competitor entering the marketplace — Schick. Schick is selling blades online that are built specifically to fit Gillette handles. And they’re undercutting Gillette on price.

SchickHydro.com prices start at $1.78 per blade (when ordering nine refills for $16) and go up from there. With free shipping included, that makes the Schick replacement cartridges a cheaper option for Gillette customers who want to keep their existing Gillette handset and just use Schick blades.