I went through a similar thought process, but I just resigned myself to shaving with dull blades most of the time.
After the dollar shave club hoopla I researched more into a better way of shaving (electric razors gave me really bad rashes and didn't cut particularly close), and ended up switching to a safety razor[1].
100 refill blades are about $10 and can each be used about four times with the blade being razor sharp each time. I went whole hog and got a fancy tub of old fashioned shaving cream[2] and brush, so every shave is a neat ritual of lathering up the cream. I'm getting pretty good at it.
Each shave costs approximately 2.5¢ for a fourth of a razor and a few pennies more for the pea-sized spoon of really nice shaving cream I use, and it's blindingly sharp and perfect every time.
I might at some point switch to a straight razor, but I have no reason to.
There are plenty of shave soaps that moisturize and smell great. I've got a couple that smell great and produce a fantastic lather.
I don't trust myself with a straight razor, but the DE razor works really well for me. Plus it seems just so sophisticated with the bowl and brush sitting on the bathroom sink.
After the dollar shave club hoopla I researched more into a better way of shaving (electric razors gave me really bad rashes and didn't cut particularly close), and ended up switching to a safety razor[1].
100 refill blades are about $10 and can each be used about four times with the blade being razor sharp each time. I went whole hog and got a fancy tub of old fashioned shaving cream[2] and brush, so every shave is a neat ritual of lathering up the cream. I'm getting pretty good at it.
Each shave costs approximately 2.5¢ for a fourth of a razor and a few pennies more for the pea-sized spoon of really nice shaving cream I use, and it's blindingly sharp and perfect every time.
I might at some point switch to a straight razor, but I have no reason to.
1. Like http://amzn.com/B000NL0T1G but not this exact model - they're all very similar.
2. http://amzn.com/B009BLN3M6 Don't get shaving soap - it dries your skin out and usually smells terrible.