It's day four of buying nothing new, and already I have run into trouble. There are just so many things I buy without thinking about it! Most of these have to do with personal hygiene, which might be considered a necessity along the lines of food, but I'm torn. The one that really trips me up is razors. One cannot buy used razors.
I said in my initial post about this endeavor that I would redefine need. So I am asking myself...Do I NEED to shave my legs? Probably not. But it's shorts weather! I can't stand the feeling of wind blowing through my leg hair. It goes back to my track and field days--I shaved my arms at the age of eleven so I'd be more aerodynamic. It made sense at the time.
But do I NEED to be aerodynamic? And do I NEED to conform to a ridiculous societal norm? I'm not generally a fan of ridiculous societal norms, except those norms that involve leg hair. Don't let the Swedish Bikini Team fool you! Blond Scandinavians are a hairy breed. It keeps us warm during the long, cold winters.
The way I see it, my options are these:
1.) Cheat. Keep shaving and buying razors and call it a necessity, like food, air, and toilet paper.
2.) Take the moral high ground, quit shaving, become a blond yeti.
3.) Embrace moral relativism. Keep shaving, but use the recycled blade cartridges they sell at the co-op, which is what I have done all along anyway, making this option pretty much the same as number 1.
I think I know what Carrot would do, and it puts me to shame. (I mean, if she's willing to eat a road kill possum in the interest of the environment, I'm sure she would be willing to be furry). What about the rest of you? Do YOU think buying recycled razor cartridges is cheating, if one's goal is to buy nothing new for one year? Do YOU think shaving is a necessity?
This project is really making me think about my true impact on the world! I have never given a second thought to shaving, or tampons, or toothbrushes. They're all good for us, bad for the world.
I saw a product on tv a while back that's purpose was to sharpen razor blades, much in the same way that kitchen knife blades were sharpened. I think I'd buy one of those before starting out on this adventure.
But, since you already have, maybe learning to sharpen the blade would be beneficial? You could always try getting a man's razor, second-hand, of course, and seeing if that makes your legs feel better :)
~C
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You mean, one of those electric rotary blade ones? I hadn't though of that. I'm checking craigslist right now!
http://www.progressiveu.org/blog/ediblewoman
Yeah... the one's they advertise for shaving beards and whatnot, to get that 'close shave'. Probably better for the environment than buying disposable blades anyway :)
They make something like it for women's legs as well, but I haven't found one that I like. They tend not to shave as close as a regular razor.
~C
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Well, I have pretty much given up on shaving for awhile because I was attacked by an evil ant that I was unaware of till the extreme burning stopped. I ended up with ten 'bites' Because I could not feel were it was in my pants because I had just shaved.
You could always chose another option that invovles creativity. Like using tape to 'wax' your legs out you could use your brow tweezers. Things like Nair and wax machines end up at thrift all the time... you could go electric razor or something. I think you could find the hair clipper thing in a thrift place.
You could use your significant other's tools
SO far so good don not compromise your self now once you atrt that it will be hard to give up.
~T
All truths are easy to understand once discovered; The point is to discover them ~Galileo
My partner's in it with me, so that's out. It would be too easy to cheat if she weren't on board! And we share finances, so what she buys, I buy.
I've thought about wax...
http://www.progressiveu.org/blog/ediblewoman
I think that if you're going to keep this up for a year, you need to do it in a way that will inspire you to stay with it. I don't feel comfortable unless my pits are shaved every day, and legs at least once a week (I have light leg hair that doesn't grow super quick). If it's going to affect your self image, it isn't worth it. It sounds like a necessity to me, but maybe you could just get razors less often.
-Sonja :)
"Democracy works only when you vote. When you don't take the time to vote for the candidate you find the least offensive, you run the risk of electing the candidate you find the most offensive."
It's a necessity for me. I can't stand not shaving, especially since I swim like a madwoman all summer. Have you thought about something like the Preserve Razors? It's a new purchase, but they're recycled and recyclable.
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Free books need new home.
~Fallon~
"If I fall asleep with a pen in my hand, don't remove it - I might be writing in my dreams."- Pace
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I love them, but still...
Actually, I took mvenus's advice and I found a Norelco electric razor for cheap! Unused, supposedly. I hope to purchase it.
http://www.progressiveu.org/blog/ediblewoman
That always works too. :)
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Free books need new home.
~Fallon~
"If I fall asleep with a pen in my hand, don't remove it - I might be writing in my dreams."- Pace
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That's a tough one. Personally, there is no way I would be able to get along without shaving. I am job hunting, so I can't imagine the impression I would leave if someone were to catch a glimpse of hairy legs. I really like mvenus' idea about the razor sharpener, but that would classify as buying something new, you know.
Are their any food items that can be used as some sort of waxing agent? Or you can spend a few days plucking out each hair with tweezers......it sure would be a LONG process though considering how tall you are! What other household items do you think you could MacGuyverize into a razor?
PANTS!
And all of your suggestions sound like torture. Except building a razor out of a gum wrapper and some twine like MacGuyver. I love how that is still in the pop culture consciousness all these years later!
http://www.progressiveu.org/blog/ediblewoman
Don't be too impressed - I am old. MacGuyver is my generation.
And pants - I have found that even when I wear pants if I sit with my legs crossed or if I don't wear high enough socks, it just seems that someone ALWAYS catches a glimpse of my legs whenever I forget to shave. It's like some sort of curse. Just like whenever a friend of mine wears a white shirt she spills food on it. It never fails.
Not if you buy it used.....
~C
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I've found some razors that are new in box, but since I am buying them from a person and not a store, they still count as used!
http://www.progressiveu.org/blog/ediblewoman
Interesting question. Frankly, I don't shave too often on a normal basis just because I always wear pants when I'm out and about (hiking and riding horses isn't conducive to shorts :P). However, I really like the idea of buying on of those electric, reusable razors like the guys have.
Let me know how that works out!
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Honest disagreement is often a good sign of progress. --Mahatma Gandhi
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Or maybe you can find a women's one. I would give you mine and its extra refills if I only knew what happened to its charger.
Maybe you could go old school straight edge with one of you knifes, you might cut yourself but scars tend not grow hair.
~T
All truths are easy to understand once discovered; The point is to discover them ~Galileo
I found one on craigslist, actually. I'm hoping the sale will go through. It's always hit or miss with craigslist.
Now I have to figure out the toothbrush issue... I suppose that realy IS a necessity, though, isn't it?
http://www.progressiveu.org/blog/ediblewoman
I think that a toothbrush is definitely a necessity and something that buying a used one...well, it probably just wouldn't work.
I wonder if someone's made a toothbrush out of recycled plastic. That would make it a more sustainable investment.
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Honest disagreement is often a good sign of progress. --Mahatma Gandhi
My Blog: http://www.progressiveu.org/blog/kablock
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The dental hygenist always gives me a brand new toothbrush for free.
or alternatively, try a sprig of mint... that's what they used way back when... and toothpaste can count as a food item...
That is a really good idea, wish I thought of that. Most insurances authorize exams every six months. You should have a new brush every three to six depending on who you ask. You could ask for an extra brush or two. My dentist always gives me extra floss and expensive mouth wash when I ask, it usually comes in sample size but it works the same, I am not sure how enviormentalist the stuff is though.
~T
All truths are easy to understand once discovered; The point is to discover them ~Galileo
Huh, I didn't know they had women's razors like that. I'll definitely look into that.
Also, that last sentence made me laugh :D
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Honest disagreement is often a good sign of progress. --Mahatma Gandhi
My Blog: http://www.progressiveu.org/blog/kablock
My PhotoBlog: http://takingpictures.wordpress.com
You could buy some nice second-hand flowy skirts (although as I'm writing this I'm realizing that I don't know if you wear skirts or not) that would cover up your legs but still be cool for the summer.
You could make a deal to shave less often also. That way you could still buy the recycled razors, but you'd have to buy a lot less of them. The more often you shave, the more often you need to shave too.
Finally, there used to be a lotion on the market (I'm not sure if it still is or not) that I believe was made by Jergen's that was supposed to make leg hair finer and help to slow down the rate of growth. I forget the name of the lotion, I think it was something like "Positively Smooth". If I remember it I'll let you know. I know you said you wanted to make all your own toiletries, so what you could do is take a look at the ingredients and determine if you could concoct something that would have the same effects (and then market it and make millions of dollars for an organic alternative).
"Music expresses that which cannot be said and on which it is impossible to be silent." - Victor Hugo
Yup, I'm a music nerd.
I'll cook it up in my basement chemistry lab. Muhahahaha!
http://www.progressiveu.org/blog/ediblewoman
I don't care if it's 90 degrees or 20. I HATE having hairy legs. I don't care what they look like-- it feels disgusting to me. When the hair is there (even when it's past the "growing" stage) it's itchy, painful (when pants rub on it) and just all around uncomfortable.
Then again, I hate hair. HATE it. (on anywhere but the head) so shaving is a definite necessity for me.
I've never heard of recycled razors... how strangely foreign!
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Your Tongue is a Rudder; It Steers the Whole Ship, Sends Your Words Past Your Lips or Keeps Them Safe Behind Your Teeth... [Brand New]
I hate hair too. I can't even stand it on my head if it gets too long or if the stuff growing on the back of my head starts getting too thick.
I don't hate it enough to introduce trichotillomania into my life but... it is not loved.
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http://www.progressiveu.org/blog/ediblewoman
On the rare occassions that I go to a Flea Market I almost always see someone with a collection of antique straight razors.
Those things are quite effective. My step-father used to shave with one. I tried it a few times and decided it was a lost art that I preferred to let slide into history.
I actually think it would work better on legs then on a face.
And it makes a pretty good self-defense weapon too. Those things are really intimidating.
That much leg drastically increases my risk of stitches!
I had actually considered this for about a second, then I remembered that I can't even use disposable safety razors without cutting myself. I do like the idea of it. I mean what could be more sustainable and economical than just sharpening the blade on a leather strop? No electricity required, nothing to throw away ever. Alas, I don't like to bleed my own blood.
http://www.progressiveu.org/blog/ediblewoman
haha. We used to have pioneer days when I was in elementary school. We could play with the loom, hand wash clothing, make soap... or shave with one of those razors ( I don't think it was sharpened). I loved those things.
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Free books need new home.
~Fallon~
"If I fall asleep with a pen in my hand, don't remove it - I might be writing in my dreams."- Pace
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Your hair is not hard enough to dull a razor blade made of hardened steel. Water left on the blades oxidizes the steel and dulls it quickly. Just dry the blades after each use.
http://clarkhoward.com/liveweb/shownotes/2007/08/31/12606/
An entire year on one blade(s) seems like a stretch to me, but this guy did it, and it meets your criteria perfectly.
That's a great tip! I will try it...though I am skeptical, of course. If it helps a little bit, though, it's worth it.
http://www.progressiveu.org/blog/ediblewoman
Edubb. I liked the questions you asked. Your mind was on overdrive when you wrote this. Luckily Treehugger has an article for folks "stuck between the devil and deep blue sea." Thought you and yer partna might dig... http://www.treehugger.com/files/2005/07/qa_the_close_sh.php
It'll turn a humerus bone on, but the consumerism issue you've racked up is a tough one to slight. Oftentimes it seems Treehugger.com presents eco-living as a consumerous venture--it offers a lot of more efficient substitutions for products that you already own. That requires more purchases. But I suppose conservation and piety are assumed on that site...
my documentary...
Wanna smile on the spot?
Congrats EdibleWoman on this undertaking! Not buying new is a great way to commit to the environment!
Ha ha, I like how you said "I think I already know what Carrot would say..."
I'm already a hairy lady...it isn't hard to be hairy here in Portland and not stand out...after all, I go to a feminist-midwifery college and live with a bunch of other hippy-ladies who don't believe in shaving, and I hang out with rewilders, so pretty much all the ladies I hang with are hairy beasts..
It's funny though, I'm going back to New York for the entire month of July and I was thinking of shaving before I go back, just because my sisters put a whole bunch of peer-pressure on me to shave whenever they see me. They say things like "you look like you have Steven King in a headlock!" (That is my favorite comment my sister Eileen made..)
I love my armpit hair; I think underarm hair looks super-sexy on women and makes them look all European-exotic or something...but leg hair isn't as sexy for some reason...I guess the Venus commercials on TV still have my brain in a headlock...
Love ya,
Carrot
Maybe you could have someone "gift" a razor to you. I believe you said you could receive gifts in your last blog...
I'm really lucky to have fine, light hairs on my legs. I could go without shaving and nobody could tell.