If you’re poking about the internet for shaving subscriptions, there’s a good chance you’ve heard about Dollar Shave Club.
Here’s a little secret, not everybody knows. Their razor is a Dorco Pace Plus, and if you’re buying directly from Dorco, and cutting the middleman, you’ll also cut the cost by half.
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How does Dorco USA work?
Dorco was born out of the premise that shaving supplies are needlessly expensive—that you shouldn’t be asked to pay through your nose to get a nice shave.
They offer a whole line up of affordable shaving bundles that can be replenished once you run out.
Now Dorco USA isn’t a shaving subscription, but you do get the option to choose from a lot of shaving bundles. So, not only do you have a wide selection of kits to pick from, nearly all of them are reasonably affordable.
Here are some of the bundles I think are worth mentioning:
- Pace 7 combo set/kit
- Lucky 7 starter and combo packs
- Dorco Prime Power Set
- PacePower Combo Set
What you’ll like about Dorco, in particular, is that it has just as many shaving combos for women as it does men, if not more. Here are a few notable mentions:
- Shai Frugal Gal Pack
- Shai Soft Touch Combo
- Dorco Eve Trial Set
The takeaway? There’s a Dorco bundle for just about anybody. Whether you’re a gentleman or a lady, or you’re on a tight budget, looking for modern shaving solutions or going old school with a safety razor, there’s an option for everyone.
This diverse selection is what distinguishes it from most online shaving brands I’ve reviewed. Most of them offer a minimal selection of products to choose from, or either cater only to the male-market, or the female one.
Types of products available
There are more basic options, for instance, the Pace 7 Combo Set or the Pace 7 Shaving Kit, which gets you a Pace 7 razor with ten cartridges, and a shaving crème. Both for comparable prices.
The razor handle has a rubberized grip, so it doesn’t slip and cut you when you’re in the shower. The blades don’t get clogged often and are easy to clean.
Speaking of blades, you get seven of them. You heard right. Seven.
Personally, I think it’s an overkill and would result in more room for irritation, but there’s a lubricating strip which should help with the irritation. There’s also a pivoting head which follows the contours of your face to give you a better shave.
The shaving crème is hardly worth it, though. It fails to impress. Gums up your razor, and you’ll have to ration it. If you do buy it, stick to dime-sized portions per shave.
If you’ve got a few more bucks to spend, go with their Lucky Tiger combos. They provide you with all the shaving supplies you’ll ever need. You get a liquid crème shave, aftershave and face tonic, and a reusable tin case—not to mention the seven-blade razor with eight refill cartridges.
It promises a premium performance, and it delivers on it. The high-end shaving cream is all-natural and free of synthetic ingredients. It hydrates and moisturizes your skin. Softens your whiskers and preps them for a comfortably close shave.
As for the razor, it’s handle gives you a comfortable grip and the seven blades feature a flow system making it easier to clean the cartridge.
The head tilts along your contours which affords better control and in turn a smoother shave. You also get eight refill cartridges which should last you quite a bit.
If you don’t shave every day, a single cartridge can last you up to two weeks or more. You do the math.
Same as the shaving cream, the aftershave and face tonic are also all-natural – a blend of Chamomile, Olive oil, and Aloe Vera. The aftershave soothes your skin and relieves bumps and burns. It’s a good option if your skin is sensitive or if you favor natural ingredients over artificial ones.
There’s another variant of this combo which doesn’t include the shaving cream or the aftershave, but you can get it for half the price. I’d recommend trying this combo first to see if the razor will be a good fit for you.
I’m not particularly a fan of the branding and the overall aesthetic. The color palette could have been better, but it’s a nitpick more than anything.
What I do like, however, is its honest price. Even for a premium combo, it’s not ridiculously overpriced (looking at you Brickell and company).
Pricing
The Pace 7 combo with ten refill cartridges will cost you about $25, and the combo with five refill cartridges and the shaving cream: north of $21. The Lucky Shaving Combo is just shy of $50, while the starter variant will cost you $27.50.
If you’d like an even cheaper option, the Pace 3 combos cost about $16 each.
Company History
Established in 1955, Dorco is a South Korean manufacturer which operates in over 90 countries.
You won’t hear their brand name in commercials or Instagram campaigns because they’re committed to providing their customers with affordable shaving supplies. They spend the advertising budget on development instead—and it shows.
In 2012, Dorco became the first manufacturer to design and sell six-bladed razors and later went on to release a seven-bladed cartridge as well. They also have the so-called proprietary Open Flow feature they introduced in their cartridges, which prolongs their life.
In 2012, they partnered up with Pace Shave to gain a foothold with American consumers.
Alternatives
Of course, shaving subscriptions abound these days, so if you prefer not having to reorder each kit, here are some other options:
- Harry’s Razors offers subscription boxes and has ventured into .
- Oui Shave offers high-end double-edge safety razors.
- Billie sells shaving kits for women with a subscription.
Pros
- There’s an extensive collection of razors, shaving products and kits available
- The razors give you a close shave, and if you’re looking for a cartridge with the largest number of blades, look no further than Dorco
- The Lucky Tiger selection of shaving products are all-natural and surprisingly affordable
- They cater to both men and women
Cons
- There’s no subscription service
