Why I Finally Ditched Overpriced Blades for Harry’s – and Never Looked Back
Discovering Harry’s
It’s funny how we get stuck in habits — especially with everyday routines like shaving. For years, I used the same brand of razor, even though the replacement blades were ridiculously expensive. I never really questioned it. That’s just what I’d always done. Then one day, I decided to finally make a change — and it completely transformed my shaving experience. I don’t remember exactly when I first heard about Harry’s, but their story had always intrigued me. I’d read about their mission to offer premium German-engineered blades at an honest price, and recently, I listened to a great episode of the podcast “How I Built This” featuring Harry’s founders Andy Katz-Mayfield and Jeff Raider (he also founded Warby Parker
– not bad right.)
That podcast — combined with a discount coupon (yes, literally a physical coupon I received in the mail) and my growing frustration with overpriced razors — convinced me to give Harry’s a try. And honestly, I’m glad I did. The smooth, close shave, the thoughtful design, and the fair pricing made me wonder why I hadn’t switched sooner. As a middle-aged man, there aren’t many small discoveries that genuinely bring joy — but Harry’s Razors turned out to be one of them. A clean, comfortable shave at a fair price? That’s something worth celebrating.
This past summer, I was listening to one of my favorite podcasts, “How I Built This” (How I Built This Podcast with Guy Raz: E524: Harry’s Razors: Andy Katz-Mayfield and Jeff Raider | Wondery | Premium Podcasts) with Guy Raz — specifically the episode E524: Harry’s Razors featuring founders Andy Katz-Mayfield and Jeff Raider. I’d read about Harry’s success over the years, but hearing their behind-the-scenes story — how they built a modern shaving brand to challenge the giants — was both inspiring and fascinating.
After the episode, I went straight to the Harry’s website to check out the products. The sleek design, fair pricing, and promise of German-engineered blades all caught my eye… but I didn’t hit “buy” just yet. I’ll admit, I was a bit skeptical at first. In the past, every time I tried a “cheaper” razor, it was immediately obvious the blades were poor quality — dull, uneven, and just not worth it. So part of me expected Harry’s to be the same story: overhyped and underperforming.
A few weeks later, fate (and good marketing) intervened — a Harry’s coupon arrived in the mail. Standing in my garage, I scanned the QR code and ordered their Free Trial Shave Starter Set. You can still grab the same deal today for just $8. I couldn’t wait to see if Harry’s Razors would really live up to the hype — and spoiler: they did.
The Product
When my Harry’s package arrived, I remember thinking, “If the shave is half as good as this packaging looks, I’m in for a treat.”
What really surprised me, though, was Harry’s Shave Gel. It foamed up beautifully — rich, creamy, and luxurious — with a subtle scent that made the entire experience feel elevated. It wasn’t just shaving; it felt like self-care.
And then there was the razor handle. I never thought I’d care so much about a handle, but Harry’s changed that. The balance, the weight, the soft grip, even the color — everything felt intentional and refined. It’s one of those small design details that makes you realize how much thought went into creating something simple, functional, and honestly… enjoyable to use. I was sold.
The Shave: Did Harry’s Live Up to the Hype
Harry’s absolutely delivered — pure bliss from the first stroke. The blades were incredibly sharp, giving me one of the smoothest, cleanest shaves I’ve ever had. And the precision trimmer at the top of the blade…wow, that is sharp.
One shave and I fell in love. Right after my first shave, I remember running up to my wife and telling her I could not believe how great my new razor was. She appeared happy for me and a little perplexed as to why I was so excited. Harry’s now had a new customer.
Things to Know
The money savings come when your purchase the refill cartridges. You can see for yourself when you compare the prices.
Harry’ started as a direct-to-consumer brand, but now you can get Harry’s at Target, Walmart and Amazon. I also recall seeing them at Cosco for some time. You can buy Harry’s razors either on a subscription basis or make a one-time purchase.
The competition has been quick to point out that Harry’s blades need to be replaced more often than its more expensive blades. This will really depend on your beard and shaving habits. And while it may be true, it was not noticeable or an issue for me. My beard is not particularly coarse, and I don’t shave every day. I used my first blade for over a month, and I still felt I was getting a good shave – again, I don’t shave every day.
Switching to Harry’s turned out to be one of those rare upgrades that makes my life better. What started as curiosity — sparked by a podcast and a coupon — became a full-on conversion. Between the razor’s precision, the luxurious shave gel, and that perfectly balanced handle, I look forward to shaving. It’s affordable, thoughtfully designed, and genuinely delivers on its promise of a clean, comfortable shave at a fair price. After years of overpaying for blades that didn’t excite me, I finally found a brand that combines quality, honesty, and great design — all in one sleek package. Sometimes change really does pay off — especially when it starts with a better razor.