Gillette razors

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ps250

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Jan 16, 2010
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What type of razor do you use? I have been using Gillette atra plus since around 1984 but I see they are phasing those out so I switched to the Mach3 razor. I have to shave every other day and I have been getting 7-8 shaves with the atra plus. Im hoping I can get that with the Mach 3. I have never used the Schick razors. they only seem to have the 4 blades which I think is way too many much like the Gillette Fusion. I would prefer to stay with the 2-3 blade razor blades.
I like razor talk since its a guy thing plus its something we all have to do whether we like it or not.
 
first off, start using a brush and soap to shave with, good shaving soap makes the world a much better place. Then you'll start think about using a DE (double edge) safety razor and will be amazed how good your shaves are and that you might actually enjoy it, and once you get hooked on the straights, well then, thats pandora's box v2.0!if I hadn't started with straights, I would have dropped my schick 4 for a DE, might still get one. Used a mach 3 for a long time, but it was only kinda smooth, not super smooth, and not much fun. My fiance loves the straight smooth. when she's happy, I'm happy.
 
gadgetgeek said:
first off, start using a brush and soap to shave with, good shaving soap makes the world a much better place. Then you'll start think about using a DE (double edge) safety razor and will be amazed how good your shaves are and that you might actually enjoy it, and once you get hooked on the straights, well then, thats pandora's box v2.0!if I hadn't started with straights, I would have dropped my schick 4 for a DE, might still get one. Used a mach 3 for a long time, but it was only kinda smooth, not super smooth, and not much fun. My fiance loves the straight smooth. when she's happy, I'm happy.
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Gadget= how many shaves can you get with a DE?
When I was a teen I used to use my dads DE but that thing really intimidated me. Maybe I should try using the brush and soap as that blade just dragged every tiny bump off my face and I was pretty bloody. After I realized that the DE blades were not for me, the only good use I got from them was scraping bumper stickers off the back of my car. Who knows I might get serious about those if the Gillette blades keep going up in price.
 
...i'll pass on the straight razor shave; we ain't in the old west. and the double edge; no way. technology has improved upon the old dbl edge and i'll stay with the modern.

i use either schick slim-twin (ST) disposables or the gillette fusion...the ST i can find on sale a lot, and love it because of its tiny head. Wilkinson use to make the same, but they are not around anymore. i cannot shave with any other type disposable (except in an "emergency").

the fusion gives me a fabulous shave; the problem is the blade refills are expensive. when i catch them on sale with coupon i might hit it, but mostly i buy packages of the ST at walmart. the fusion marginally gives me a better shave, but price/performance says buy the ST.
 
I don't know if we really have gotten farther along with tech. from what I've heard. a good DE shave and a good straight shave are quite similar in closeness and comfort, perhaps the straight is closer, and the DE more comfortable. I didn't get very good or very comfortable shaves with my mach3 or shick quad. I got 2 good shaves and 3 poor shaves with those.

A new DE handle costs 20-50$ or so, which is what? two packs of mach3 heads and the blades are super cheap, Gollnick did up the math on another thread, I think his average is 6 shaves to a blade iirc. as a matter of fact Gollnick probably gets better shaves with his DE than I do my straight, but I like the learning curve. Admittedly not for everyone.

yes there is technique, and it isn't as fast as goo and a mach, but I'm ok with that.
even if all you do is go from goo to brush and soap you will save a bundle and get better shaves. again, another technique, but well worth it.
not to mention your enviro impact goes way way down.
 
My calculation:

Cartridges (Gillette Sensor when you can find them), package of five for $30. One is bad. The other four deliver about six shaves each. Cost per shave is $1.25. Can of common (not premium brand) cream/gel $4 and good for about 25 shaves. Cost per shave $0.16. Total cost per shave $1.41.

Bic Chrome-Platinum blades, pack of 100 for $20. Ten will have one edge bad and only give three shaves. The other 90 will each give six shaves. The cost per shave is $0.035. Cake of Gentleman's quarter soap $10 (shipped) good for 30 shaves for a cost per shave of $0.333. Total cost per shave is about $0.37.

DE shaving saves over a dollar per day, $375 per year. And that is a very real, cash savings.

My DE shaves are an order of magnitude (10x) better than my Sensor shaves were. My DE shave takes about three minutes longer than my Sensor shave did. So, my advice to any guy still suffering with carts and cans is kick the can... and the cart... and switch to DE.
 
pilote said:
the fusion gives me a fabulous shave.....
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A year ago, I thought that my Sensor gave fabulous shaves. In comparison to my Norelco, it did. But I now know how muh better it can be for less cost and very little extra effort.
 
Cheapest would be to shave with a stainless steel EDC knife with the tip cut off (or not). I've found them to shave as good as any straight razor when sharpened to a 15-18° included edge. The Kershaw Leek I shave with shaves smoother than the DE blades I've tried.
 
cotdt said:
Cheapest would be to shave with a stainless steel EDC knife with the tip cut off (or not). I've found them to shave as good as any straight razor when sharpened to a 15-18° included edge. The Kershaw Leek I shave with shaves smoother than the DE blades I've tried.
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A razor blade as an angle way thinner than a normal knife. If the knife is suitable for shaving, then it will probably not last long as an EDC.
 
pilote said:
...i'll pass on the straight razor shave; we ain't in the old west. and the double edge; no way. technology has improved upon the old dbl edge and i'll stay with the modern.
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You don't know what you're missing. Yes technology evolves, but not always for the best. Gillette is now like Microsoft. They make something new and try to make you believe it's what you need and what's best for you. XP was better than Vista.





pilote said:
Wilkinson use to make the same, but they are not around anymore.
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Wilkinson Sword and Schick are the same. WS is the European name and Schick the America/Australia name. I don't know why.

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pilote said:
the fusion gives me a fabulous shave; the problem is the blade refills are expensive.
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Good for you. I switched to wet shaving because my skin hate multi bladed and electric razors.
 
cybrok said:
A razor blade as an angle way thinner than a normal knife. If the knife is suitable for shaving, then it will probably not last long as an EDC.
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Depends on the application. A straight razor is 14-18 degrees included, and knives cut just fine with an acute 18 degree edge so long as one is not cutting hard material. Edge retention improves as edges get thinner. Of course, one would not use the EDC knife as both a daily razor and a boxcutter.
 
Been using an old Gillette adjustable DE since about 1965. Use Schick DE stainless blades and get about 2 weeks worth of shaves from it. No lather, just warm water. Bought an extra Gillette adjustable at a yard sale, sterilized it, and put it away just in case my old one goes bad for some reason. You can't beat the old razors; the new stuff is just fancy nonsense IMHO.

Rich S
 
i use an '58 de that's adjustable with brush and some soap i got from a friend in the uk ( "real" shaving is still the norm there )
 
For sure DE all the way. I find i get a much better shave with alot less irritation with a DE as well.
 
i do not doubt you fans of DE shavers, and it does take practice...and i think it depends on your beard and skin type(s)...i did try it, once...nope; as long as i can afford an plastic Slim Twin that's what i'll use...

actually when i was in a routine of shaving every day i'd use a electric; few minutes in the morning was all i needed...i don't get the 5 o'clock shadow; i know some blokes have serious and rapid facial growth...since i no longer wear a suit, my shaving is maybe every 2-3 days...
 
I use a straight razor, thats how I started a few months ago I'm 15 and figured soon enough I will be shaving, I love knives, why not try a straight razor. I'm happy I did, I have a feeling if I hadn't started with a straight I may have never used one. I understand that saftey razors may be easier but shaving with a straight is exciting and relaxing.

Whats the deal with some of the razors having so many blades, why does a razor with 4 blades work better then a razor with one. I think it would make more sence if there were maybe 2 blades spaced a little apart instead of 4 blades on top of each other.
 
My very first shave was with my great grandfather's double-edged Gillete adjustable. I later tried switching to cartridge razors (for about three years) until I got sick of paying out the nose for blades that gave me mega razor burn. I went back to shaving with the old DE, until I picked up a straight razor real cheap at an antique store. After reading up on how to properly restore and use it, I started the slow process of learning how to best make use of it. Around that point I absconded the shaving brush and soap that my father had received as a Christmas gift years prior and never used, and was amazed at the difference it made (in spite of the fact that it was a relatively cheap brush).

At this point I now own about 9 straight razors and don't regret my switch in the least. I'm getting the best shaves of my life and the cash I save every year means more good wine and sharp blades I can buy annually. In the rare event that I don't have enough time/want to bother with giving myself a straight razor shave I just use the DE.

Anyone who hasn't switched to at least DE shaving is doing themselves a serious disservice. :)
 
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