For more than 100 years, Gillette has positioned its brand of men's safety razors and other personal care products as “the best a man can get.”
Consumers today, however, are quickly discovering that may no longer be true.
More and more, the rise in popularity of direct-mail razor blade subscription services and ever-growing online retail outlets are literally “shaving” the market share away from traditional giants such as Gillette, Schick, BIC and others.
While this rapid trend may bode poorly for big businesses, it’s having the opposite effect on consumers, whom for the past several years have enjoyed purchasing razor blades in bulk with a relative degree of ease, convenience and cost-backed efficiency. Gone are the days, in fact, when there were just two or three major brands of razor blades to choose from — and all more or less at the same price point. Shoppers today simply have many more options — and many more beards — which afford them additional opportunities to save money when it comes to selecting the set of blades that right for them.
So, what brands in today’s marketplace are a cut above the rest? Take a closer look:
Dollar Shave Club
The California-based company has three different options of their own proprietary razors to choose from: The Executive (6 blades), The 4X (4 blades) or The Humble Twin (2 blades). Upon first-month sign-up for just $1, a box arrives on your doorstep with the razor of your choice and a full pack of refill cartridges. Automatic replenishment occurs each month on a pre-set date of your choosing for no more than $9, depending on what package you choose. Plus, there are no long-term commitments, a 100% money-back guarantee and an entire line of men’s grooming products including pre-shave oil, shave butter and post-shave cream to round out their product line.
Dorco
Headquartered in San Diego, Dorco USA is a leading distributor of technologically advanced disposable razors, shaving systems and accessories. And here’s the catch — unlike some other online industry leaders, Dorco caters to both men and women. With a vast portfolio of combo sets and razors that include a unique number of bells and whistles, Dorco has been endorsed by major news and media outlets including ABC, Business Insider, The Wall Street Journal and The New York Times.
Harry’s
Harry’s is all about simplicity. With just one type of blade cartridge offered, Harry’s focuses on the quality and quantity of their razors, and the frequency of home delivery as opposed to offering different blade options. Trial plans start at just $2, contingent upon the shopper covering the cost of shipping, and usually last for two weeks. After that, shoppers can continue on a monthly basis with a custom subscription (packages range from $15 to $35), or simply shop at their convenience without a subscription and make purchases on an as-needed basis. Regarding the former, home deliveries occur either every two months, three months or five months depending on which plan works best for the shopper.
The Art Of Shaving
Are you a man with a plan? Asking for a friend. The Art of Shaving, specifically. Complimentary shipping, no commitments and offers for up to 20% off your total at checkout are just some of the luxuries this higher-end brand provides for its customers. Whether you prefer a clean shaven look or are just looking to trim up that beard or mustache, The Art of Shaving has products and plans for every individual, regardless of facial hair style. Replenishment supplies arrive every few months depending on how often you shave. The interactive quiz on TheArtOfShaving.com can help you determine which package is best for you, plus offer one-up recommendations for additional products such as pre-shave oil, shaving cream, post-shave moisturizer and more — all in a wide variety of manly-man aromas. While this option is a bit pricier than many of its competitors, TheArtOfShaving.com’s all-inclusive packages come with much more than just razors, lending customers both value and variety.
Defender Razor
Innovation invites customers to see what Defender Razors are all about. Unlike other online services, Defender doesn’t have a subscription service or a replenishment plan associated with any purchase, but it does offer state-of-the-art razors available for single purchases online. How so? Defender boasts about its three-blade system with independent suspensions and unrestricted pivoting. Traditional options, such as its Defender Handle model, are always a safe bet, as it operates much like a normal safety razor, but if you want precise control for a specific style, or you just feel like being adventurous, Defender’s Dual Head razor with its innovative handle is just the thing. With its ergonomic handle, Defender’s Dual Head razor fits snug on the finger and is designed to shave in multiple directions without forcing the user to change their grip or the angle of the instrument. With two options at two different price points, Defender relies on a simple approach to success.
