Let it be known: I love a good shave. I mean love – I’ll take close to an hour to lovingly rid this milk dud-looking orb of hair just to get that wonderful feeling of smoothness. But, this comes with a pretty hefty price, as I go through premium razors like an LA Crisis Center on a really bad day. Most of my adult life I’ve used Gillette but switched to Schick Hydro last year, which seemed to offer the same quality shave for a little less cost per blade.
Being in the startup community, I’m always rooting for products and services that disrupt the norm. When I found the video for Dollar Shave Club, I was intrigued, but not enough to risk going Corleone on my own neck, bleeding out, and ruining a perfectly nice shirt. So, I continued burning cash in hopes of extending my youthful look and saving my kids from the ridicule of being asked why their granddad is kissing their mom.
The way it works is this: you sign up for one of 3 different plans: $1 (The Humble Twin), $6 (The 4X), or $9 (The Executive). Natch, I chose The Executive, which seemed most like the razors I’m used to. In return for a $9/mo subscription, I’m promised a first shipment of blade handle + 3 cartridges, followed by 3 new cartridges each month. So, I decided to give it a try.
Within a few days I received my first shipment, as ordered. Thoughts of impoverished Chinese workers 
putting the components together with dirty hands then applying a last minute rinse and polish using sweat from their brow and the tail of their shirt encouraged me to take my time examining the handle and the blades. I was impressed: the handle had a good balance to it, and the blades seemed sharp and very similar to those of the Gillette variety. Eyes closed, I really couldn’t tell a significant difference. So it was time to put them to the test on my face. After laying out the first aid kit and putting on an old shirt, it was time to get started.
Admittedly, it was difficult using a new razor while staying
consistent to my style of shaving, but I think I did pretty well. The results: not bad. In fact, I was impressed with the results and felt good about the fact it was saving me a lot of money too boot.
Like clockwork, I’ve received my new blades the past 2 months, and continue to have a great experience. It’s definitely worth trying, even at the $1/mo (which includes 5 blades per month). I’m using new blades more often, and not having to remember to shop for them or wince at the prices. The video is pretty awesome, and Dollar Shave Club has backed it up with a pretty awesome product and service too.
of theirs on Facebook, and would see this. So, I Hid the photo from my news feed and sent them a private message expressing my concern that a) the photo probably shouldn’t be on Facebook, and b) express my concern in a way I felt they would understand – that their teenage nephew could possibly see this.
