Traditional shaving: real savings or an expensive ritual?
Traditional shaving promises savings and less waste, but the upfront costs and the alum controversy spark the debate.
English · Original discussion in Spanish · Published
Traditional shaving promises savings, but how much does it really cost?
With multi-blade cartridge prices soaring and the sustainable consumption trend, many have turned to traditional shaving. The promise: a perfect shave for less money and a ritual that keeps consumerism at bay. But the numbers, as always, come with caveats.
Upfront costs: investment or waste?
The basic kit includes a safety razor (like the Merkur 34C, which advocates say lasts many years), a brush (from €4 for boar bristle to €8 for badger hair) and soap (La Toja for €2-2.5). Blades are the big saving: 100 can cost around €10, compared with €2.40 for 10 refills of own-brand disposable razors. Still, scepticism soon appears: how long does a bar of shaving soap really last? And the brush? Method fans insist the soap lasts «forever» and that a quality brush can last decades.
Electricity vs. blade: the battle over cost per shave
Some argue the electric shaver is the real saving: a Philips bought in 1992 still works, using just 0.5W for two minutes a day. Others go for the beard trimmer once a week. And then there are those who buy disposables on offer: a pack of 10 for €1 at Mercadona or BIC blades at the corner shop for under €0.15 each. This camp's conclusion is that traditional shaving isn't cheaper if you do the maths, and that true efficiency lies in stacking up bargains and using basic products.
The alum dilemma: eco-friendly deodorant or health risk?
One of the most hotly debated points is the alum stone, used as an astringent and deodorant. While some see it as a natural, cheap product, others warn that aluminium sulfate can clog pores and pollute water. The science is inconclusive: the concentration of dissolved aluminium in the shower is tiny, but its accumulation over the years worries the more cautious. The debate remains open, with no clear consensus on its safety.
Technique: all that matters is the blade
One point of agreement does emerge: shave quality depends almost exclusively on how sharp the blade is. Soap or foam only lubricate; even shampoo or shower gel will do. After shave is, according to some, «the biggest scam there is». The key is to shave with hot water, without excessive pressure, and finish with cold water. Irritation drops dramatically once you ditch plastic multi-blade cartridges.
Traditional shaving isn't a windfall for your wallet, but it is a real alternative to the consumption model imposed by the big brands. The data suggests that, with a bit of sense, you can shave for pennies. But the snobbery of the ritual comes at a price: time and patience. In the end, it's more a lifestyle choice than strict economic saving.
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Related debates in the forum
With multi-blade cartridge prices soaring and the sustainable consumption trend, many have turned to traditional shaving. The promise: a perfect shave for less money and a ritual that keeps consumerism at bay. But the numbers, as always, come with caveats.
Upfront costs: investment or waste?
The basic kit includes a safety razor (like the Merkur 34C, which advocates say lasts many years), a brush (from €4 for boar bristle to €8 for badger hair) and soap (La Toja for €2-2.5). Blades are the big saving: 100 can cost around €10, compared with €2.40 for 10 refills of own-brand disposable razors. Still, scepticism soon appears: how long does a bar of shaving soap really last? And the brush? Method fans insist the soap lasts «forever» and that a quality brush can last decades.
Electricity vs. blade: the battle over cost per shave
Some argue the electric shaver is the real saving: a Philips bought in 1992 still works, using just 0.5W for two minutes a day. Others go for the beard trimmer once a week. And then there are those who buy disposables on offer: a pack of 10 for €1 at Mercadona or BIC blades at the corner shop for under €0.15 each. This camp's conclusion is that traditional shaving isn't cheaper if you do the maths, and that true efficiency lies in stacking up bargains and using basic products.
The alum dilemma: eco-friendly deodorant or health risk?
One of the most hotly debated points is the alum stone, used as an astringent and deodorant. While some see it as a natural, cheap product, others warn that aluminium sulfate can clog pores and pollute water. The science is inconclusive: the concentration of dissolved aluminium in the shower is tiny, but its accumulation over the years worries the more cautious. The debate remains open, with no clear consensus on its safety.
Technique: all that matters is the blade
One point of agreement does emerge: shave quality depends almost exclusively on how sharp the blade is. Soap or foam only lubricate; even shampoo or shower gel will do. After shave is, according to some, «the biggest scam there is». The key is to shave with hot water, without excessive pressure, and finish with cold water. Irritation drops dramatically once you ditch plastic multi-blade cartridges.
Traditional shaving isn't a windfall for your wallet, but it is a real alternative to the consumption model imposed by the big brands. The data suggests that, with a bit of sense, you can shave for pennies. But the snobbery of the ritual comes at a price: time and patience. In the end, it's more a lifestyle choice than strict economic saving.
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Summary of a discussion on Burbuja.info - Foro de economía, actualidad y política., translated from Spanish and reviewed before publication. Read the full discussion (43 replies).
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