Dollar Shave Club Review: Goodbye Gillette

Ever since I watched the hilarious Dollar Shave Club viral video late last year, I’ve been itching to try out the service. However, I had to polish off the 24 Gillette Fusion ProGlide Power blades I had on hand, a lovely gift I received. That’s right. Those Gillette blades are so damn expensive, I asked for them as a gift. $90 for 24 blades is insane, nearly $4 a cartridge!

Since they are so costly, I’ve grew accustomed to using them longer than I should. Up to the point where it was painful to shave since the razor was pulling more hair off my face than trimming it off. Up to the point where the blades were stuffed with remnants of shaves from week’s past. Up to the point where a styptic pencil was on hand for the inevitable blood loss. It got to the point where shaving was a dreadful experience, unless I was on the first week of the new cartridge.

Enter Dollar Shave Club

After my last ProGlide blade started to feel like the Mach 20, I signed up for Dollar Shave Club and opted into the $6-a-month, 4-blade cartridge (The Lover’s Blade) since it was somewhat similar to the 5-blade ProGlide blade. Other options include the $1-a- month 2-blade cartridge (The Humble Twin) and the $9-a-month 6-blade cartridge (The Executive). Adding it all up, I’ll spend $72 over the next twelve months for 48 blades. The site also gives you the option of upgrading or downgrading at any time if you want to try a different type of blade. In addition, you can purchase more cartridges or a replacement handle through the site.

My first package arrived via USPS within two days of my order. It included my first four blades, the razor handle, a sample of Dr. Carver’s Easy Shave Butter and a welcome card. Right off the bat, I noticed the razor handle has a nice heft to it. It feels more durable than the Fusion ProGlide handle, less apt to breaking. However, it’s also a bit tougher to attach and detach blades. You need to apply slightly more pressure in order to swap out blades from week to week.

How’s The Shave?

After taking “The Lover’s Blade” for a spin around my face, I can state with certainty that the quality of the shave is identical to my Fusion ProGlide. I typically take two passes, one pass with the grain to slice away my dense forest of prickly jawbristles and a second pass against the grain to remove the rough feel. It didn’t require any type of additional work on my part to get the same type of smooth shave and it wasn’t painful in the slightest bit.

I’ve been able to ramp up my volume of shaves during the week, something that I previously avoided in order to make my ProGlide blades last longer. However, I can swap out a new cartridge every 7 to 8 days now.

My fiancé also seems to appreciate the change, since she doesn’t have to wince in pain when I give her a kiss while sporting 2-day old sandpaper stubble. The cartridges are very easy to clean with a little running water and seem to hold onto less hair than the Fusion ProGlide blades as well.

The only thing I wasn’t impressed with was the shave butter. I prefer standard shaving gel or even shaving foam over it. That’s really just a personal preference as I like the feel and smell of other products over the included shave butter. However, feel free to try it out. I generally don’t experience much razor burn to begin with, thus shaving butter isn’t a necessity.

Should You Buy It?

I have very little criticism of the Dollar Shave Club so far. Cartridge packages arrive quickly, the quality of the razor is on par with Gillette’s lineup of blades and the price is extremely competitive. While you can purchase these types of blades in bulk for less than what Dollar Shave Club is charging, the convenience of the service is most definitely worth $1.50 a cartridge. It’s very similar to Amazon’s subscription services; pretty much set it and forget it. Highly recommended!

Visit Dollar Shave Club

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9 Comments

1. 

   Michael Brady

   July 27, 2014 at 9:24 am

   Not anywhere near as close a shave as the Fusion. Based on quality, I would say you are getting about what you pay for. I won’t be renewing my DSC service. Great marketing, but that doesn’t shave your face.

   Reply
2. 

   Marc f Markiewicz

   July 9, 2014 at 9:04 am

   Blades are ok but blade Handel is so flimsy it is now after 3 months inopperable. This means the handle that grabs the blade by means of 2 pincers does not grab the blade to pull the blade out of the plastic case. Just a cheap piece of junk.What good is it without the handle. Now I can’ t shave at all and feel cheated.

   Reply
3. 

   Eric

   June 19, 2014 at 7:28 pm

   I’ve been on Dorco for a year…love it. Amazing shave, even better price. Use this link to get 15% off their already low prices: http://dorcousa.refr.cc/TGHP9B5

   Reply
4. 

   Daniel

   May 15, 2014 at 6:36 am

   I wanted to love Dollar shave club. I loved the whole concepts but the razors were very poor quality. I Shave my head and shape my beard. I felt like the razor was pulling my beard and head and had a couple shaving accidents. I do not recommend this product just pay the extra money for a good quality blade that won’t torture you and pull your facial hair.

   Reply
5. 

   Brandon

   November 10, 2013 at 12:00 am

   I’m a member of the shave club… very pleased with the product. 6 dollars a month for quality razors. Great product at great price, shipped. Try this company.

   Reply
6. 

   MIKE @ Best Electric Shavers

   October 13, 2013 at 2:01 pm

   That commercial is great lol, “I’m good at tennis…*swing and a miss*”
   DOllar shave club seems like a good deal, and I hear their ads all the time on the radio.

   Reply
7. 

   Dean Jackson

   October 13, 2013 at 7:55 am

   I almost signed up for Dollar Shave Club. But, after some research. I was stunned to find on LifeHacker.com… Dorco…http://www.dorcousa.com/ gives you a years supply of razors, free postage, ships in less than a week for $35. That’s $3 a month. AND THE VERY SAME RAZORS used by Dollar Shave Club. Only problem you have to find a place to store them. About the 1/3 the size of a shoe box.

   Reply
8. 

   Bob

   September 26, 2013 at 6:15 pm

   Dorco beats the hell out of the shaving club : http://www.dorcousa.com/

   Reply
   • 

     Matt

     September 30, 2013 at 11:25 am

     Dorco is actually the supplier for Dollar Shave Club. Much better price getting them right from Dorco.

     Reply