The Old Way Works Just Swell

For a few weeks, I've been shaving like my grandfather used to. The entire experience has been a positive one.

Amazon delivered the heavy Wilkinson razor at the end of August. So, I've had enough time to make this type of shaving a part of my routine. I like it. I need to shave daily and do so in the mornings. My face seems so smooth! It really doesn't take longer to prep for a real shave because I use gel from a can. Time isn't a problem anyway as I've not had to rush to work for about six years. 

There's something downright manly about dropping a new blade into the razor. The sharp, two-sided blades are wrapped in paper and come in little plastic packs of five. There's a slot to store the used ones 'neath the fresh ones. 

I shave the right side of my face with one side of the safety blade and the opposite with the other. I've found a blade will easily last a week.  Today, in fact, after shaving, I put in a new one. This means on Mondays I'll always wake up to a new blade and, on Thursdays, I'll flip it over. It'll be time to switch it out next Sunday. I guess I find routine comforting in the morning. 

There's a world of practitioners for whom blade-brand choice remains paramount. Amazon Canada sells blade variety packs so one can pick a favourite from the dozens of offerings. Being slightly more practical, I simply chose the 100-pack with the best reviews and cheapest cost. My Derby Premiums were manufactured in Turkey. They boast chromium-ceramic-platinum-tungsten and polymer coated edges. Wow!  All 20 five-packs cost a total of CA$ 9.60. So, for a mere US$ 7.20, I have a two-year supply.

After 45 Years, It's Time for a Change

I know quite a few people whom I'd be bored being. Perhaps I have a high tolerance for distraction. Or maybe I've got an irrational fear of routines. Jay and I avoid potential boredom through travel, although that's not been much of an option this year. I simply don't see how some folks differentiate one year from the next. We have acquaintances who seldom venture out of their familiar habits. I'm sure they must find comfort in that.

I don't think it takes grand gestures to change things up a bit. Today, I decided to start shaving the old-fashioned way. 

A double-sided safety razor has never been in my hands before. I got my first electric razor as a teen. It was a Norelco, in the years before the company admitted to North Americans that they were really a subsidiary of European Philips. I'm sure they used to advertise heavily during the Christmas season when I was a kid. Let's see what YouTube has. 

I've gone through extended bouts between electric and disposable razors.  I do sort of hate the idea of throwing away plastic handles so often.  Furthermore, I'm tapping into the retro-macho thing regarding the handling of sharp blades. I just hit the button for this $CA 20 Wilkinson.  It will arrive via our Amazon guy tomorrow because it was four bucks cheaper online than buying uptown.

 

Not Made in China!

It's not earth-shattering news, but I was surprised by one key aspect of a product I picked up today.


I knew Philips was originally a Dutch company, but I really didn't expect to buy a new shaver made in the Netherlands.

Do Babies Really Have Smooth Bottoms?

How a guy shaves is kind of a personal thing. It's near impossible to read online reviews about a particular electric brand or model as the results are so mixed. Some men are coming from blades and complain about the lack of closeness. Other folks compare to experiences with previous models and manufacturers. Regardless, I decided it was time to replace my old Philips.

I am sure I started shaving as an adolescent with an electric. I can remember a brand called Norelco. For years when working overseas, I reverted to disposable blades. Today though, I found an archived photo of my most recent shaver when it was still in the package. Wow, that was eight years ago! I recall buying new, branded Philips heads once and being sort of shocked by the cost. More recently, I ordered several cheap Chinese sets on eBay. They worked but didn't stand up very long to daily use.

Although the old device still seems to hold a charge, I got quite a deal on a newer style Philips model. I saw it in the London Drugs flyer but ordered online just to ensure they don't run out before I get up to the store. They did state, "While quantities last!" Rather than shipping to the house, I asked for store pickup and already received my email confirmation. As we were uptown this morning, I'll probably wait until tomorrow to drive up. I'll review the model #S5420/08 in a later post.

A Useful Tool

I remember whole years of my life when I didn't even own a camera. Nowadays, whenever I leave the house there's one in my pocket.

Capturing an image no longer needs to take place only on special occasions. In 2017, a phone camera seems like an everyday tool. For example, when in Walmart today, it didn't feel weird to snap a photo of the shavers in the display case. I wanted to check online before considering buying. Rather than using the wifi in the store, I just viewed this image at my leisure when I got home.

These are selling for exactly the same price on Amazon.ca with free shipping. So, there was definitely no need to rush to purchase one today.

Too Many Choices

I used a blade for years, but have fallen back into the routine of using an electric shaver.



I'd like a new one. I can't figure out why Philips alone offers about 9000 different models, ranging from $34.99 to $499.99? The free enterprise system is confusing!

Blade Runner

When it comes to money, folks, including myself, are not always logical. Sometimes spending forty bucks on something doesn't cause me to raise an eyebrow. On the other hand, I'd been putting off buying replacement blades for my electric shaver for months and months. It angered me that three small replacement blades cost nearly as much as a whole new device. Finally, over the weekend, I decided I had to buy some anyways. During our vacation I'd switched to disposable Bics and shaving cream. It didn't seem right continuing to live like such a savage!

A Clear Triump of Capitalism

Three short months ago, I blogged a product review about a can of shaving cream. I've still not bothered to buy an electric razor. I am, however, using something new on my face. I received a Schick Quartto as a gift.

To me, this is clearly demonstrates of the excesses of the free-enterprise system. To compete the market, companies need to continue to improve even the simplest of products.

If one works then two is better. If two are fine then, obviously, doubling the number will vastly increase the performance, right? Let's be honest. Four blades are a bit of an overkill. Steering this implement around my face is a little like driving an SUV through a tiny, back alley. I think the replacement blades cost a fortune too.

In the end though, I do have to admit, when using four blades, my face does feel as soft as a baby's bottom.

A Product Review

Thirty five years ago, when I first started, I used to shave those little whisps on my chin with an electric razor. A few years on, I think I even had a multi-voltage Norelco for overseas use. But it's pretty hard for me to determine when I changed to disposable blades. All I know is that I've been using shaving cream for years and years.

As I emptied a can yesterday, I squirted out some new Barbasol gel this morning. I seldom use this blog for a product review, but for some reason, I feel like talking about this. I most probably brought the can because I pinch a lot of pennies. Look at the can; it offers 33% more than a standard one! I also like the Barbasol brand as they have a useful nozzle. I am positive that the competitors design their cans so customers will waste a lot. With other brands, I often find myself with an extra handful of gel. I hate that it goes right down the drain unused.







My only complaint with today's
"Close Shave Formula" is that
it smells like an old man.