The Razor Blade Trap
The History of the Business Model That Hooked the World
1st Edition
Published on 3. February 2026
Book
Paperback/Softback
128 pages
978-3-565-22217-9 (ISBN)
Unfortunately, price unknown
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Description
Why is a printer $50 but the ink $80? Why is the video game console sold at a loss? Business analyst Ethan Cole traces the history of the "Razor and Blades" business model in "The Razor Blade Trap." Attributed to King Camp Gillette, this strategy involves selling a durable product (the handle) cheaply to lock the consumer into buying expensive consumables (the blades).
Cole explores how this model conquered the world, from Kodak cameras to Nespresso machines and HP printers. He analyzes the psychology of the "sunk cost"-once you own the machine, you feel committed to buying the refills.
The book also covers the modern backlash: the rise of "Right to Repair," generic refills, and subscription fatigue. It is a fascinating look at how companies stopped selling products and started selling ecosystems designed to milk customers for life.