Word of warning from a 15 year double edge razor user.
Just because it can theoretically be cheaper to go the double edge razor route, doesn't actually mean it will be.
First there are all those blades to try. Then soap brushes, then soaps (so many artisan soaps). Then you find yourself looking at aftershaves (so many of those too), and balms, you might even decide to try pre-shave products. Then you will find more soap, or cream, or shave sticks you want to try. Then more razors, slants, open comb, shavettes....
If you let it, you can find yourself spending way more on products after switching to a double edge razor per year than you were with cartridges.
Yes, you can bring some of these costs down by buying samples.
I've been shaving with double edge razors for decades. I just shave "dry" after I get out of the shower. I have never once used any of those other products. My blades each last a few months (I shave 1-2 times a week), so a package of 100 lasts me... in theory, 25 or so years. Which sounds about right, as I bought a package a decade or so ago and am starting to get towards halfway through.
Just because it can theoretically be cheaper to go the double edge razor route, doesn't actually mean it will be.
First there are all those blades to try. Then soap brushes, then soaps (so many artisan soaps). Then you find yourself looking at aftershaves (so many of those too), and balms, you might even decide to try pre-shave products. Then you will find more soap, or cream, or shave sticks you want to try. Then more razors, slants, open comb, shavettes....
If you let it, you can find yourself spending way more on products after switching to a double edge razor per year than you were with cartridges.
Yes, you can bring some of these costs down by buying samples.