Evaluation through written communication

¶ … product I have chosen to evaluate is called a Twin Blade Pivot Razor. It is a generic brand manufactured by Family Dollar, which is a version of the Dollar Tree and the Dollar Store that exists, primarily, in the southern section of the East Coast. I have chosen to write about this particular product because I am extremely familiar with it. I try to keep a bald head as much as possible. Ergo, every Tuesday and Friday I shave my head with a disposable razor, which enables me to minimize the amount of hair on my head at all times. There are a number of men who utilize razor blades for the same purpose, which is why I decided to write about this product since it plays a crucial role in the hygiene and grooming of many men, including myself.

The evaluation for this particular product will focus on its cost, durability, and its comparisons against similar products. These are the main categories because they present the most important issues for men looking to shave their heads. Men looking to shave want to achieve this objective in a fashion that is decidedly cost effective. At the same time, however, it does not make any sense to obtain a cheap razor blade that is not effective in cutting hair (although there are several products that can be described as such). Finally, due to the fact that there is a high amount of competition of manufacturers and razor blade types, it is necessary to see how Family Dollar's product rates against some of the other brands.

Prior to delineating an evaluation of this product according to the aforementioned categories, it is necessary to explain that I am a tremendously experienced reviewer when it comes to various types of razor blades. I have been shaving my head on Tuesdays and Fridays for quite some time. During this lengthy time period, I have experimented with a number of different razor blades. As such, I have settled on Family Dollar's product with confidence and have been using it for the better part of a year. Moreover, I arrived at this particular product directly after spending a lengthy period of time using Gillette's Good News Plus Razor Blades, which is a principle point in the comparison between the Family Dollar Brands and that of other razors.

Quite simply, I had arrived at the conclusion several years ago that Gillette's Good News! Plus brand was the apex of disposable razor blades. The primary reason that enabled me to reach this conclusion was because the Gillette Razor Blades pivoted. The pivot action is essential to manufacturing a smooth shave over the entire head. Other disposable razors did not have this pivot feature. As such, it would be difficult to completely remove the hair from all of the surface area on the head, which would detract from the precision that is so important in obtaining a good shave (Oguche, 2013). Thus, individuals (such as myself) would have to spend greater amounts of time shaving. The Gillette Good News Plus, however, enabled a better shave more expediently than virtually every other non-pivoting razor blade, and helps to eliminate stubble which surveys show women do not prefer when kissing (Baba, 2013). So, when comparing the effectiveness of the razor blades available in the market, the Gillette one was the best -- until I found the Family Dollar one.

The reason that the Family Dollar razor trumps the Gillette version has everything to do with the price. The cheapest I've every purchased the Gillette product was for approximately $4.50 in a pack of five. Walgreens used to carry these packs, and then, by the turn of the current decade, the only place to carry them (on the West Coast, anyways) was Food Maxx. To get those Gillette razors anywhere else in the country (such as in Miami where I moved at the beginning of the year), one would have to buy a 10 pack, with prices ranging from $6.99 to $12.99. The advantage to the Family Dollar brand, however, is that it delivers the same five pack that used to be obtainable from Gillette for a single dollar. That fact alone makes it much more competitive than Gillette, especially when one considers spending a dollar for razor blades versus $14 dollars.

One of the principle drawbacks to using the Twin Blade Pivot Razor from Family Dollar is that its durability could certainly be improved. The razors come covered in a plastic opening that one removes before using them. On numerous occasions, the plastic opening has gotten stuck on the actual razor blade and, when I have attempted to remove it, the entire portion of the razor blade (which is connected to the handle) comes off. Suddenly, that pack of five has been reduced to a four-pack. I have since learned how to delicately maneuver the handle when removing the clear plastic part on razors that have gotten stuck to it. However, perhaps due to the inexpensive cost of this product, its durability is somewhat suspect. I have even had the entire blade become detached from the handle when I was simply using it to shave my head. I'm not certain how feasible it is to attempt to correct this problem, when a dollar can get you five more and a little delicate handling can ensure that such a problem does not exist.