Unsolicited Kid's Product Review: Kiwi Crate

I love online subscription services.  I have both Manpacks and the Dollar Shave Club, and am very happy with both services.

Minimal cost, good value, free shipping.  (plus, I love getting mail)  It's addictive.

Which is why I decided to sign my two boys up for a service for them.

(quick background:  I'm a long-distance dad, living 900 miles from my boys.  I call, write, and visit when I can.  Every 'touch point' I can create is valuable and keeps the bond strong.)

Kiwi Crate is a monthly delivery service for children.  You input the name, birth-date and gender of your child (or children) and the KC team designs and ships an age-appropriate box in their name.  Crafts, projects, toys/costumes, all following a different theme each month.  (This month's theme is 'Wonders of Water' - perfect for summertime!)

Space Exploration:  New themes every month

Since I have two boys and there is an age gap (5 and 7) I did the 'sibling add-on' to make sure there were things for both kids, and to make sure they both had activities they could do.  My 5er is advanced for his age (since he shadows big bro) but better too much than too little.

To see other crate themes, you can go to the sample crates section on their website.  Colors, dinosaurs, and more.

But take away the cool activities and the fact I'm doing it for my long-distance kids.... remember when you were a child?  Remember how cool it was to get something in the mail?  With your name on it?

I loved that feeling.  LOVED it.  And my kids are the same way.  They'll be getting this once a month, and it will mature as they do (again, always age appropriate).

If you have children or young relatives, give Kiwi Crate a look.  Prices start at under $20 a month ($16.95 to be exact) which means I have 4 less lattes a month.  Money well spent, to get them away from the TV or Jetpack Joyride, if only for a few hours...

In fact, I have a 6 year old nephew.  He may be getting a cool surprise in the mail next month.  (Why didn't I think of this before??)

My Unsolicited Review of the Dollar Shave Club

I am a man.

And like other men, I shave.

In fact, I like to shave.

When I do, I make sure it is as awesome an experience as it can be.

Think 'Godzilla vs Las Vegas' awesome.  Yeah, that's how I shave.

So when the Dollar Shave Club's youtube video went viral, I paid attention.

I ordered them almost instantly, but had to wait in line due to demand.

Well, they came this week.  I've used them, and here is my review:

I've used them all.  Schick, Bic, Gilette, and a few off-brands.  I'm currently using the Gillete Fusion razors, but I don't like:

- The Price
- The Straight-Edge blade on the back (doesn't work well, waste of money)
- And the hoops you need to jump through to buy them at the store (security tags SUCK)

I have tried all the brands because of "The Tester."  I have a mole on my left cheek that catches on cheap blades.  Schick's shit catches that mole every time, and I bleed like a motherfucker.

So, Dollar Shave Club.  You're easier to purchase, and overall less expensive.  Your marketing campaign is badass.  But will you pass my test?

The package arrived Tuesday with a welcome kit.  It included a handle, my first pack of blades, and an "Official Member" card for my wallet.

It claims to be able to get me free drinks.  (So far no drinks, but a few brofists...  Good enough for me.)

I waited until I was nice and scraggly, and tested these bad boys out.

And you know what?  They shave really really well.  I'm impressed.

In fact, I'm hooked.  This is now my blade of choice.

Sorry, Gilette.  You and your 20,000 blades, vibrating handles and expensive commercials can suck it.  I'm a Dollar Dude now.

Click to enlarge

I am using the 4x, which as you can guess, has 4 blades.  I downsized from 5 to 4 and didn't notice a difference in my shave quality at all.

For those that believe bigger is better, you can get the 6-blade "Executive."  At $9/mo, it's still way cheaper than the store-brand blades...

If I had to think of any negative part, it's that I don't use a cartridge a week.  Yet I'm getting 4 blades a month when I only need 2 or 3 (even with some minor manscaping, 4 is just too much).

What I may do is keep my membership for 6 months, stockpile a year's worth of razors, then take 6 months off.  Rinse and repeat.

Do YOU shave?  Of course you do.  Go check out Dollar Shave Club, see if it makes sense for you, then give it a try.  They're not paying for me to talk about the product, but it's awesome enough to warrant this post.

GO!  NOW!  You'll be glad you did.