Trying Dorco shaving cartridges

[Tailgate]

I'm out of the pricey Gillette Mach 3 men's cartridges (about $2.54 each).. my shaving has not been an everyday event since ER first of year, so it took months to exhaust my supply. Plus, I've alternated with the electric Braun when I did shave.

Searched a shaving thread here a week or so ago and someone mentioned Dorco shavers and cartridges being great replacements. Reviews say they are as good/better than Gillette. And at $1.53 per I could save 40%. Made in South Korea.

During working years, I replaced the Gillette blades every Sunday (yeah, I know I could have used them for several weeks, but I just got into the 'each week' habit of a new cartridge)...so, I was spending $132 a year on cartridges. Not a budget buster, but you just know that Gillette's profit margins on these are huge. Plus, DW did the same, so we were spending $250 plus a year.

I ordered and just received a 'Joe and Jane' sample pack from Dorco for $27.52, free shipping for 12 cartridges plus 2 handles and an additional 3 disposables for each of us..

Thanks to whomever supplied the original info and link ... I'll report back my review after using a couple of days...

 

[Tailgate]

here's a pic of the package of Dorco products

 

[bltkmt]

I have been using their 5 blade model for a year now. Great shave and value.


Sent from my iPad using Early Retirement Forum

 

[Cobra9777]

I don't shave much anymore since ER. Maybe twice a week. But if I did, I'd buy from these guys, just because of the video:
Dollar Shave Club - Shave Time. Shave Money.

 

[bltkmt]

I don't shave much anymore since ER. Maybe twice a week. But if I did, I'd buy from these guys, just because of the video:

Dollar Shave Club - Shave Time. Shave Money.

They use the Dorco blades I have heard.


Sent from my iPad using Early Retirement Forum

 

[kevink]

I was a Dorco customer for several years and for cartridge razors they're just about the best value out there, but you can get a much better shave and save money if you're willing to branch out a bit. I spent way too much time on Badger & Blade and other online shaving fanatic forums to learn what I'm about to share, and I'll try to keep it brief.

If you're into minimalism and ultimate frugality just go on Amazon and buy the Bic Twin Select disposable razors and some Cremo shave cream. The Bics run 30 cents each and give a better-than-Dorco shave with NO "slime strip," meaning you can get a week or more out of each one. I strongly recommend shaving with COLD water, which odd as it may sound gives a much, much closer shave with less irritation than hot water:

Cold Water Shaving: The Benefits and Pleasures of a Splash of Cold Water | The Art of Manliness

At a razor a week your total shaving costs with this system are going to be under $2.50 a month. If like me you hate the environmental consequences of throwing away 52 razors a year (there's still probably less material in these Bics than a Dorco cartridge) you can invest $75 in a great double edged razor (I love this one from Standard Razors):

Standard Razors

With some Astra or Feather blades and a bit of work on technique you'll get a much closer shave than any cartridge razor and will be discarding only recyclable steel blades. It took me a couple of weeks to re-learn Double Edge blade shaving, but there are a ton of videos on it on YouTube and it comes back quickly. Now I use the DE razor when at home and the Bics for travel and spend next to nothing on shaving.

 

[imoldernu]

This review of razors and long term cost is interesting.

Shaving For Life: A Face Off Between Razor Costs - Sharpologist

 

[Sarah in SC]

Kevin that is really interesting stuff! Our roommate uses one just like the one in your link, that belonged to his grandfather. He orders blades maybe twice a year and it does give him a good shave!

DH is out of the shaving business for a while, lol, but uses the beard trimmer when the hobo look starts to be too much! Ah, retirement and the return of the long haired hippie look!


But as he says, think of the savings on razors!

 

[CaliforniaMan]

I didn't shave for over 30 years, had a full beard, just got tired of shaving and so I stopped. Now I am back shaving again for a little over a year now (wife says I look younger). So what razor to use? I used Schick Quattro for a while, now using Giletter Fusion because they have them at Costco. I have a pretty normal beard, shave about every other day, and use a new razor after about 4 to 6 weeks. How long should a razor last really. I don't see much of a difference in the shave when I switch to the new razor. I think I might just keep using the same one until it stops working and see how many shaves I get. I started changing every two weeks, now I am up to six. Do we really need to change blades as often as we do?

Another thing I do now is quit buying those stupid cans of shaving cream. I got back to what I used to do, use a shaving mug and natural bristle brush. I find it far superior to the shaving cream. Much smoother, and I now I have a use for all those small pieces of bar soap scrap. Just toss them into the shaving mug.

So I guess two questions I have (I was actually thinking about asking it in a thread) how often do you really need to change blades, and anybody tried the shaving mug/brush and like/dislike it. I will probably eventually get around to the old double-edged blades. (Or I wonder if my wife would notice if I just went back to having a beard?)

 

[frank]

I think that the wilkinson disposable razors you can buy for $1 a 4 pack are pretty reasonably priced. I can use one razor for a couple of weeks, but I only shave probably every 2nd or 3rd day. good close shave. I really don't worry too much about cost at this rate.

 

[ls99]

Reading the thread, looked at prices for double edge razors. Wow, $67 + for some of them. Recalled seeing them in my misc stuff collection in the basement. Lo and behold I have three, all adjustable angles.


I have a regular gold mine in them there collection. I'll have to try them out, did find a package of Gillete blades to fit. Between thm and the straight razor (Dovo) I think will set up a rotating schedule for Atra, double edge, straight. Nah, seems like work. Maybe do ad hoc.

I shave maybe three times a week. At the mancave the scruffy look is in.

 

[ERD50]

.... Now I use the DE razor when at home ...

I've been using DE for over 4 years and I would never go back - so simple, so cheap. All that 5-blade stuff is just marketing hoopla.

$37 razor, $0.11 blades


Amazon.com: Merkur Long Handled Safety Razor: Health & Personal Care

Amazon.com : 100 Astra Superior Premium Platinum Double Edge Safety Razor Blades : Beauty

I don't change blades often, so that 100 pack will last a couple years I think.

and the Bics for travel and spend next to nothing on shaving.

I took some disposables when I traveled to save a little weight, and I would never do it again. They felt terrible to me!.

-ERD50

 

[Tailgate]

OP here... review after 2 shaves with the Dorco Pace 6 from the starter pack.. heavier and bigger than the Mach 3, with is fine with me. Shaves were smooth and very close. So far so good.... would say that they are 'as good as' gillette mach 3... actually think the shave is a little closer/better. DW has not use here ladies disposable yet.

BTW, I did the DE for years many years ago... great razor.. just not ready for the DE commitment again. Since ER, my only goal is fast, easy, smooth and reasonable price.

 

[Senator]

My .02 on shaving...

I would NEVER use a straight edge razor, even if it was free. I hated my military barbers that used a straight edge razor. I always waited for my ear to be cut off.

The double edge razors are better, but are still cut prone.

I shave in the shower, with a fog-free mirror, and have not used shaving cream for years. Just soap or creme rinse.

I like the 2-5 blade razors because they are less likely to give myself a cut. I may look at the Dorco to save money. I know the name brands have a lot of marketing costs built in the name.

 

[FIREd]

So I guess two questions I have (I was actually thinking about asking it in a thread) how often do you really need to change blades, and anybody tried the shaving mug/brush and like/dislike it. I will probably eventually get around to the old double-edged blades. (Or I wonder if my wife would notice if I just went back to having a beard?)

I use a shaving mug/brush as well as a DE razor or straight edge razor. I have a very coarse beard and I get too much tugging when using razor cartridges. Even with a straight edge razor, I have to use a large 7/8 blade for a comfortable shave.

 

[papadad111]

I am a Schick fan. They have a 3 blade razor that works great. It's called the xtreme-3. That and some good old barbasol in the can works well for me.

 

[ExFlyBoy5]

I use the Mach 3 and being in the military, shave 5 days a week. A few months back I heard Clark Howard mention a trick on making your razor last longer...it was so simple...just dry it off when you're done. To prove the point, he used the same razor for a YEAR and on the blades anniversary, he dry shaved with it! It sounds so crazy but guess what? I've been using the same blade for about 3 months and it works as great as when it was brand new. I have 42 work days left so I'm going to see if I can get that out of my 3 month old razor.

Sent from my mobile device so please excuse grammatical errors.

 

[dvalley]

I have to use a tripple or a quad blade cartridge, anything less and it pulls and cuts due to my thick shave. However, I'd love to try a cheaper option than Mach; sounds like I should look into Dorco or Schick?

 

[kevink]

I totally understand the desire to stick with cartridge razors for convenience, shaving the the shower, less chance of nicks, etc. In my testing the Dorco 3 blade cartridges offered the best combination of price and performance.

You can (and I have) still apply a lot of things from the Double Edge or straight razor worlds in order to save money and get a closer yet less irritating shave. As with a DE razor, if you do at least a couple of passes ("think beard reduction, not removal" is the motto) with a cartridge razor AND use a super-slick shave cream like Cremo plus switch to using cold water it makes a world of difference.

That said, there really is no comparison between the shave from any cartridge razor and a double edge. The Astra blades mentioned by ERD 50 are indeed 11 cents each from Amazon and are excellent, Feathers, which are the sharpest blades on the market, are about 27 cents and can easily remove a week's worth of beard in one pass.

If I were going to stick with cartrides I'd order the Dorco 3's in quanitity (make sure to have a backup razor as the blad attachment mechanism is a bit delicate) and just spend some time perfecting technique. Oh, and to California Man's comments: without a doubt a brush and good shaving soap are far better than canned gels and foams but they're also an added expense and hassle and the Cremo product really is outstanding (available onlline and at Walgreen's and probably other pharmacies).

 

[zinger1457]

I use the Gillette Fusion and like it. One way to extend the life of the Fusion blade (or any cartridge type blade) is to occasionally swipe it across a pair of old jeans. It seems to have the same affect as when a barber sharpens their straight edge blade across a leather strap. I would suggest not waiting until the blade is really dull to do this, in my experience it works best at keeping an already sharp blade sharper longer. Only takes about 10 swipes, make sure the blade edge is pointed away from the direction you're rubbing so you don't shave your jeans. My Fusion blade last several months although I don't shave everyday and sometimes use an electric.

 

[ziggy29]

I think I'm going to try these. They have 3-, 4- and 6- blade versions. I'll probably start with the 4-blade. I usually use an electric but when I need something smoother I've usually used Mach-3 blades. Worst case, I get the handle and 10 cartridges for about 20 bucks. Seems worth taking a shot.

 

[LarryG]

I used the Mach-3's for years, got fed up with the cost, and started with the Dorco's about 18 months ago when I ERed. I have been very happy with the Dorco's and highly recommend trying them. I tried their 3, 4, and 6 blade versions and have found the 6 blade works best for me.

I shave maybe 4 times a week, and can usually get at least two weeks with one cartridge. I also use the above mentioned Clark Howard tip of drying the blades after each use - it does seem to help.