It was in July, 2022 that I penned the Dollar Shave Club vs Harry’s article where I had razors from these two companies go head-to-head. After an exhaustive testing regimen, I selected the “old” DSC Executive handle and six-blade cart over the Harry’s Truman handle and their standard five-blade cart. I also gave a review of DSC’s new offerings being sold at brick and mortar stores. I was severely underwhelmed by these new razors. But, I had the Executive to use…until that was no longer an option. That was the subject of an article in March, 2023. Dollar Shave Club decided to end the production of the razors the company was basically founded on and produce a new razor.
Bottom line on Dollar Shave Club’s new razor vs. Harry’s? Harry’s for the win.
Feedback
The feedback from shavers from Sharpologist’s has been the same “the new razors are terrible” and that leads to the next line “ I cancelled DSC.” I posted the article to Reddit to see if the reaction would be any different. I wanted to make sure I wasn’t in an echo chamber. Nope. The 100% of responses were the same thought: terrible blades.
But would you be better off with Harry’s? Here’s a Dollar Shave Club vs. Harry’s update!
The New Dollar Shave Club Razor
I bought new Dollar Shave Club six-blade offering from a brick and mortar store. I had to buy a new set for this review because I threw away the ones I used for a previous review. I don’t throw anything away – ask my wife. But these went in the trash.
I thought maybe Unilever, which owns Dollar Shave Club, might have listened to the howls of outrage from shavers, as well as the cancellation of memberships.
The sticker on the box gave me slight hope. Maybe, just maybe, someone at that huge corporation noticed the multitudes of people canceling their plans and think “huh, what’s up? Why are we getting so many customers canceling their plans?” I thought that perhaps a focus group had spoken up and set the big wigs straight.
Sadly, no. It is still the same flimsy-feeling cart and the same handle. This reminds me of a old Army saying: “What’s the hardest thing to kill? A program that’s already running.” So, is there any improvement?
I shaved in the shower, using a Barrister and Mann tallow soap, which IMHO is some of the slickest on the market. I wanted a good lather to have these two go head-to-head.
I could not believe how bad Dollar Shave Club’s “top” cartridge performed. It literally scraped across my face like it was the dullest blade ever. I only had a one-day growth, so some stubble. It still pulled and snagged on every pass, as it scraped. Maybe time made me forget just how bad these carts are, but I quickly remembered why there are more than 80 comments on my article on Sharpologist echoing the same sentiment, and even dozens more from Reddit. I would not shave with this for a second time.
For touchups on my face, I always use my Baldly razor with a Gillette Fusion 5 blade cart. It is the only Gillette cart I own. The touchup from this was immensely better than the Dollar Shave Club’s offering. So, compared to the high-priced carts, you do get what you pay for. But how does the new DSC stack up against Harry’s?
Harry’s Razor
I shaved with Harry’s one cart they offer, a five-blade one. It says on their website “our blades are designed for your face, and not recommended for head shaving.” I have scratched my head, pun intended, over this because I have shaved my head dozens of times and never had an issue.
The Harry’s and the DSC blades both have a single razor trimmer on one side. Each also has blades. And connect to a handle. That’s where the similarities end.
The Harry’s cart is heads and shoulders above the DSC offering. The Harry’s shaves like it should. It doesn’t scrape across your face, it doesn’t tug at all, it just shaves. Remember, the DSC tugged with one only day of growth.
Price?
Is there really any more to compare? Well, price.
At the biggest box-store, a four pack of Harry’s runs $9.97. That comes out to $2.49 apiece. Go through two a month, and you’re shelling out roughly $60 per year.
The same store has the DSC six-blade cart for the same price.
Conclusion
To me, it is a no-brainer. I never want to shave with anything that will just scrape across my face. That’s not shaving in my book, it’s mild torture. And I do this every morning because I enjoy it. If something is stopping me from enjoying it, I get rid of it. That’s what I did for the second time in my life, I threw away my DSC razor, two carts and chalked it up to my search for truth.
As for the Harry’s, it’s in my Dopp bag, so I have a razor when I travel. I don’t travel that much but when I do I don’t have to dread shaving.
Dollar Shave Club vs. Harry’s? Harry’s for the win.
I have used DSC razors for many years now. I like the new handles. I love the shave butter. Target carries it. I however do not like the new blades. It takes me longer to shave because I have to go over areas that the blades did not clear. The trimming blades on the new blades are bad too. The old one worked great around my mustache and goatee. I have plans to give Harry’s a try.
I was with DSC more than 10 years. We Don’t like the new cheaper dollar shave club razors. they don’t last. Their overall razor quality was so much better than before. Harry’s quality is much better, and you can get multiple use out of ever one. DSC razor you don’t want to use them more than one time. DSC’s new razors will take more of your time to shave. I used to them everyone about DSC, but not anymore. If it ain’t broke don’t fix it unless you’re going to make it better.
My family all used the DSC. When my son and my husband started asking me where the old razors were, I know it was time to cancel. And funny thing, when I logged in to cancel, they asked me why and the very first option was to the tune of “Dislike the new razor”. I found that humorous.
I also canvelled dsc when they wanted to charge me for a new handle and carts. I already had 2 handles for me and wife as I had many extra carts. It was nice being able to use same 4 or 5 blade carts for us both.
why am I going to pay again for a new handle because they made the new blades incompatible? stupid executives. I too noticed their newer carts had poor quality blades. the older ones which I am still using (almost out) are much smoother. Will have to try Harry’s when I run out. I shave with a razor for enjoyment and nostalgia for my great grandfather so I want a great blade smooth shave when I do. Thanks gor an informative and honest review.
You’re welcome! I can say that I haven’t had one person say the new carts are any good. I wonder if the bean counters will ever figure out they made a mistake.
Thanks for review.
I also canceled DSC when they switched to new razor. I too thought they might go back to old if enough cancelled . New was just plain cheap feeling and awful.
I agree 100% DSC has gone on a downward spiral from actually being a good razor to nothing better then a dollar store plastic 3pack bag! And I tried Harry’s and didn’t like the angle of the head! So Gillette I stay! Thank you for being honest in the review
Have you ever tried the cartridges from Defender? Comparable in price and IMHO longer lasting than either of the ones you tested.
good, honest reporting! I never tried a razor club.I doubt I ever will, but I am happy to learn about them.
Thanks, Mark
A buddy of mine gifted me a Harry’s razor a few years ago. I had to pay shipping, if I recall correctly. It was, bar none, the absolute worst shave I have had since I was a teenager. I’ve had dollar store disposables give me a better shave. That experience left me suspicious of these mail-order shaving “clubs”.
But whatever. If it works for you, then that’s all that matters.