Multi-Blade Razors

[UnknownVT]

Going way back - I used to shave with electric (rechargeable battery) shavers for comfort and convenience.

But this was always somewhat of a joke, me being so interested in knives and sharp blades that I didn't shave with a blade.

OK, a straight razor was out of the question for me - too much maintenance and too dangerous - this is just me - YMMV.

So when I read about the TWIN-bladed Gillette Sensor Excel razor I thought I'd give it a try - especially since they were on very attractive introductory promo prices.

Took a few shaves to settle in my face and/or the razor and my shave seemed a lot closer and eventually more comfortable - once I figured out that the instant foam stuff was too light, and the gel stuff like Edge was much nicer - since I'd have to work that into my face.

Those soft leading fins/ribbing had a lot to do with the good shave as they seem to stand the beard hairs up for the blades to cut - espcially for shaving against the "grain"/beard hair lean.

I became very pleased with my shave to the point of actually enjoying it - whereas electric shaving was just - eh, something one had to do.

I was convinced enough to have bought more Gillette Sensor Excels (on promo or sale prices) to keep one in my travel kit and one for spare.

Of course Gillette eventually esculated things and introduced the TRIPLE-bladed Mach3 - I initially laughed at that and thought this was ridiculous - but succumbed to the promo prices and thought - eh, why not try one.

I did not get along with it - despite all the boasted technology and ergonomics - to me it ws likened to painting with a paint pad vs. brush - good for flat areas - not as good as the narrower Sensor Excel for the tight spots like corner of the mouth and under the nose and chin...

To be sure and more objective - I did a lot of side-by-side testing like shaving half my face with the Sensor Excel and the other half with the Mach3 - next shave changed the halves....

So when Gillette introduced the Mach3 Turbo - I thought that was almost like an unspoken admission of the failure of the original Mach3 - and I certainly wasn't going to fall for that.

Promo pricing eventually tempted me. Lucky for me.
I got on with the Mach3 Turbo almost immediately, and I made sure this wasn't some anomoly - but diligently shaving half with my then usual razor the Sensor Excel and comparing the other half with the new Mach3 Turbo, changed halves on next shave.......
I even re-tested the original Mach3 against the Mach3 Turbo - and I cannot explain it, but the Turbo version felt a LOT better. I think the Turbo boasted some kind of blade edge coating...

I obviously noted the Schick FOUR-bladed razor - but I thought enough was enough - this was getting like a bad joke.

Around about the same time Gillette put vibrating power in a Mach3 Nitro - interesting, but I also passed

Of course Gillette answered with their FIVE-bladed Fusion system manual and vibrating power -
and of course they were on promo pricing.

So I bought a Fusion Power -

First shave was today after a weekend of no shaving -
There is a tendency to think of this as an electric shaver - since the razor's power vibration is felt in the hand and it hums - so I seem to want to leave the razor head kind of stationary - but to shave one still has to pull the razor across the beard.

The FIVE-blade system does shave well once I realized that one still has to use this like a normal manual razor - I'm not sure if the vibrations help (but I note Schick also came out with their vibrating power 4-bladed razor recently) - but overall this was a good first shave - certain parts of my face did feel a little rawer than usual (no cuts) but that could just be a new shaver I need to get used to. I had to re-shave the corner of the mouth and under the chin to get a close shave - but the shave does feel good and real close.

Of course only time will tell if this is better than the Gillette Mach3 Turbo I've been using over the past few years.....


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[geothorn]

Great review, as usual, UnknownVT!

The razor companies haven't made too much off of me, except in cans of old-fashioned shaving cream, perhaps. I'm still using a Gillette Trac II.

I think that my "problem" is that I try avoiding reading the promotional ads.

Are the battery-operated models capable of withstanding a dunk in the sink...?

GeoThorn

 

[UnknownVT]

I'm still using a Gillette Trac II.
I think that my "problem" is that I try avoiding reading the promotional ads.

Many thanks for the kind words.

That's a good tactic

The Trac II was one of the first twin-bladed razors and the immediate precursor to the Sensor Excel - one of my previous favorites and the razor that converted me back to wet shaving - I think those leading soft fins/ribs do help to stand the beard up to be cut. At its most comfortable I almost only feel the fins against the beard.

As I said I can't explain it - I really did not like the original 3-bladed Mach3, and I really tried. But the Mach3 Turbo was just right - despite me being skeptical and prepared not to like it, and I made sure it was not just a whim by shaving half-half with the original Mach3 and the Turbo several times - and I could tell the difference.

Most of the promo pricing are pretty ridiculously cheap - they of course make all their money selling the refill blades/cartridges. Fortunately for me a blade/cartridge lasts a long time - so they really don't make that much money off me - and the reason I'm willing to try out the newer stuff that appeals to me

Are the battery-operated models capable of withstanding a dunk in the sink...?

They claim it's good for use in the shower - but I haven't tried soaking it in the sink - and probably would avoid that.

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[Zwaplat]

That Schick one you're talking about, is it the Wilkinson Sword Quattro ? Because I use it, and it's great. The head rotates a bit, so I can change the angle of the handle to my face without cutting myself. It's also way more stylish than a Gillette shaving thingie.

 

[UnknownVT]

That Schick one you're talking about, is it the Wilkinson Sword Quattro ? Because I use it, and it's great. The head rotates a bit, so I can change the angle of the handle to my face without cutting myself. It's also way more stylish than a Gillette shaving thingie.

Sounds like it -

The 4-bladed Schick in the USA is also called the "Quattro"

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[geothorn]

The Wilkinson and Schick Quattros appear the same, just different packaging.

GeoThorn

 

[bugmenot]

Nice review!

The fusion is the best razor I have used. Even when shaving other body areas I don't get cuts.

 

[UnknownVT]

OK, a few days later and more shaving.... here's an interim report -

I've done the shave half with the Fusion Power and half with Mach3 Turbo (my best shaves so far....)

The jury is still out.

I carefully watched for those awkward areas - corner of the mouth, under the chin, jaw line.

I've gotten over thinking of the Fusion Power as an electric shaver and no longer even tend to keep the head stationary - I just use it like an unassisted manual razor.

The vibrating and humming seems a bit disconcerting - but I think the vibrations help "float"/"glide" the blades - I certainly did not feel I wanted to press the blades hard into my face (not a good thing ).

Without me noticing anything - the Fusion Power excelled on the open flat areas like the side of my face below the cheeks. It was only after I finished shaving and used my finger tips to feel around my face comparing the halves that I noticed that area had a closer and smoother shave.

Those awkward areas are still awkward -

Corner of the mouth - Fusion Power did well - but the Mach3 Turbo wasn't any less.

Under the chin - Fusion Power actually shaved closer - but with the attendant raw feeling (no cuts) - so closer, but NOT smoother - ie: less comfortable.

Jaw line - I have trouble getting at a single hair one on each side on the jawline. With all the razors I've tried I have to pull stretch the area for the razor to get that hair. The Fusion Power got it without me having to stretch the skin. This is not a huge advantage ie: a deal swinger, but this may show that either 5 blades do work better or the power does stand the beard up to be cut.

Overall I think this Fusion Power does shave closer - but it is not smoother as I feel some raw areas (but to be fair they're gone within minutes especially with aftershave gel or face cream) - so it is at the moment at the loss of some comfort.

However often it takes a few more shaves for me before either the blades are "optimum" - or in the case of a new razor my face and I get used to it....

That's why the jury is still out -
I cannot come to quick conclusions -
with shaving it takes some time and lots of shaving before I really KNOW for sure whether one system is better than another - for me - YMMV.

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Vincent

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[Sport]

I've done the shave half with the Fusion Power and half with Mach3 Turbo (my best shaves so far....)

The jury is still out.

I cannot come to quick conclusions -
with shaving it takes some time and lots of shaving before I really KNOW for sure whether one system is better than another - for me - YMMV.

--
Vincent

:jerkit:

 

[Zwaplat]

The Wilkinson and Schick Quattros appear the same, just different packaging.

GeoThorn

That's the one.

 

[WadeF]

I picked up a Fushion and found it to shave more comfortably than my Mach 3 Turbo or Nitro. I like it.

 

[kamagong]

How much do the cartridges for the Fusion cost? I don't think I'll ever pick one up because I use a straight, but I'm curious as to how much razors cost these days.

 

[geothorn]

This is the cruelest kind of peer pressure...!

I'll be the first to admit, I've been talked into buying knives before...but I'm trying not to use my SwissTool's chisel to gain entrance into my wallet, in order to get a new whiz-bang razor! Apparently the Gillette Fusion comes in both a battery-powered and "manual" model, so, there's another razor body to buy to try...though they have the new blades in-common....

Argh! A dinosaur razor for me means Gillette or Wilkinson Sword or Schick don't get another share of me. (Their razors have taken their fair share of slices, already, over the years...!) I've also still got eighteen new Trac II Plus blades, the "fancy" ones, with the aloe strip along the top....

I'll just sit back and watch the reviews, if you all don't mind.

GeoThorn

kamagong - Just for comparison, my Gillette Trac II replacement blades are still available, for about $2 or $2.50 for a ten-pack, at Wal*Mart. The Gillette Trac II razor handles, that my blades fit, are no longer to be found. I didn't, however, check the price of extra Fusion blades...or batteries. I am curious, though.

 

[UnknownVT]

Just for comparison, my Gillette Trac II replacement blades are still available, for about $2 or $2.50 for a ten-pack, at Wal*Mart. The Gillette Trac II razor handles, that my blades fit, are no longer to be found. I didn't, however, check the price of extra Fusion blades...or batteries. I am curious, though.

Gillette do sell cartridges for the manual Fusion and a different pack (more expensive) for the power version... I'm not sure if there is any difference other than cosmetic/color.

The "low price" for the Fusion cartridges are about $10 for 4! -
ie: for a single Fusion cartridge you can buy a pack of ten Trac II -
10x the price!!!........

That's why they almost "give away" these razors at their introduction and make all their money on the refills.........

Batteries are common AAA alkalines - which one can buy reputable own brands on sale at $1 for a pack of 4 - ie: 25cents each......

--
Vincent

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[marcangel]

As a major gadget fan, I wanted one of the Fusions as soon as I read about it and actually bought one PRIOR to the planned release date in the third week of January. I used the Mach 3 Turbo prior to that with pretty good results. IMHO the Fusion just kicks ass over the Mach 3 Turbo and I've been using it for nearly 1 month.

Here are the reasons:
1) For my beard at least (I AM half Italian, which indicates my face gets reasonably furry in short order) it is a far smoother shave.

2) I need far fewer strokes to shave which results in far fewer cuts. But if you have a little evolving "bump" (a zit) expect it to be decapitated early in its life.

3) Since the razor has a built-in trimmer, I can deal with sideburns and "unibrow" without messing up the blades.

4) Blade life, at least for me is AT LEAST 3 times longer than with the Mach 3 turbo. So for me, it's more cost effective.

5) The bottom line is that for me this is a more efficient razor, fewer strokes = fewer cuts. I think for guys with "tougher beards" this is the way to go

 

[UnknownVT]

Few more days - more shaving - done half-half with the Mach3 Turbo - including today again after a weekend with no shaving.

The Fusion Power is interesting -
one thing that I think makes no difference to the end results - but kind of bothered me is that when shaving the razor leaves quite a lot of shaving gel suds - whereas with all the other manual multi-bladed systems I've used, I've simply gotten used to the razor clearing the area of the shaving gel suds.......

Today's half-half shave surprised me the Fusion Power was smooth - despite or maybe because of its vibrations - I felt the blades cutting less than the Mach3 Turbo - and I got a raw area - but it was with the Mach3 Turbo - (which I haven't for years now) - maybe shaving half-half with different razors actually changes one's shaving with each - so neither is at its optimum?

Another surprise was the single awkward hair on the jaw line - this time the Mach3 Turbo got it (first time ever) - and the Fusion Power didn't and I tried multiple times and ended up having to stretch the skin area to get it.

This just goes to show the inconsistency even when shaving half-half......

So can I come to a conclusion? - not really -
but if I have to say something after one week's worth of side-by-side half-half direct comparisons - the Fusion Power is interesting - I am not too sure that it is any better for me than the Mach3 Turbo - although I do recognize I am just so much more experienced with the Mach3 Turbo.

So for now there isn't enough difference for me to change to the Fusion Power -

But since I already have the Fusion Power -
I'll probably continue to compare it to the Mach3 Turbo -
and come back and post once in a while until I can say with a little more confidence whether if it makes a difference to me......

of course YMMV.

:jerkit:

That's just rude, and I don't think I appreciate that.

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Vincent
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[geothorn]

There was a review of the Gillette Fusion on a TV station today:

GILLETTE FUSION TEST

Reported and Web Produced by: John Matarese
Updated: 02/10/06 17:52:27


Lots of us watch the Super Bowl for the commercials!

If you saw this years game, then you may have seen an ad for the new 5 blade razor from Gillette.

But does anyone really need 5 blades?

"It has 5 blades to reduce friction and improve comfort."

It's the biggest marketing blitz for a razor in history.

But does the new Gillette Fusion live up to its super bowl hype?

To find out, we enlisted a loyal viewer, Ron Mckiddey.

Ron's a man's man: He builds trucks by day, and shaves with nothing but water at night.

So would it stand the test of this tough guys tough beard?

Thats not too bad..."

Ron tried the new Fusion on one side of his face.

On the other, Gillette's 3 blade razor, the mach 3.

When he was done, we asked two newsroom staffers to feel his skin.

First, Jessica.

"Which side is smoother? This side, even going up."

Then Suzanne.

"Yeah, I say this side is smoother."

They, and Ron, all preferred the Fusion's shave!

"The right side is a lot smoother, the fusion."

--So Johns final grade? For performance, an "A."

But replacement blades are almost 3 dollars each

--So for value, a "B."

But least our man's man is happy.

To introduce the Fusion, many stores are running sales on it... And are practically giving the razor away!

If youre interested, try to grab it at an introductory price... So you don't waste your money.

I'm John Matarese.

This guy does a lot of reviews of consumer goods and problems, and I don't believe that he falls entirely into the category of "advertising" the Fusion, since he's saying only to buy it if you find it on sale. However, his grade for "value" seems to be a bit high.

I appreciate your gentlemen's opinions without the TV cameras and paychecks in the balance. Have any of you allowed women to shave their legs with the Fusion, and, if so, what have they thought of the Fusion?

Or, do you keep your razor locked away from such things...?

GeoThorn

 

[UnknownVT]

More days - more shaving - but there's a slight hiccup -

In WalMart and they had this -

a Schick Quattro "Midnight" for all of $1.97 - on its own in a blister pack - I'm a real sucker for that "black chrome" finish......
So I bought it - and of course I have to compare.....

Half-half shaving - The Schick Quattro has blades at the original Sensor Excel twin blade spacing - so I felt it cut the beard more obviously than the Fusion Power - of course the vibrations may also help diguise this -

Compare the heads (they are all at the same scale - I made sure the insertion of the Schick Quattro head was at the exact same scaling)

The Fusion (Power) has 5 blades in the spacing as about 3 regular multi-blades - so the blades are no wider than the 3-bladed Mach3 Turbo.
Mach3 Turbo and Schick Quattro have the same blade spacing as the twin-bladed Sensor Excel.

I initially thought the original Mach3 head was a bit too wide for more precise shaving than the twin-bladed Sensor Excel. But the Turbo version of the Mach3 convinced me with a closer and more comfortable shave to accept the wider head.

So it comes down to this - the new Fusion Power doesn't make enough difference to me to want to change over the Mach3 Turbo. The Fusion Power may shave marginally better - but at a loss of control (for me) and comfort - even if so far I have not been able to work out why and how to improve it - for me over a week and a half of careful shaving is enough I won't do any further shaving to adapt to a newer system that doesn't show significant advantage over my existing shave with the Mach3 Turbo.

I think the Fusion may shave better without the "Power" and I could easily do that without turning the power on - I may try that out of curiosity.

Like many I thought 3-blades was already silly -
But was proven wrong eventually with the Mach3 Turbo
and that was quite convincingly
even after my dislike of the original Mach3.

The new 5-bladed Fusion Power - may be superior -
but not for me - I am not willing to adapt to it -
it should have been comfortable and shaved well without me having to "practise" -
like the Sensor Excel and the Mach3 Turbo - both were great straight out of the box for me.

The Schick Quattro looks nice in its black chrome finish - but its too broad head doesn't do it for me - the extra 4th blade again does not show any improvement to me over my existing Mach3 Turbo to make me even want to consider it as a replacement

There was a review of the Gillette Fusion on a TV station today

Interesting - shows shaving half-half is not that unusual and a real good way of comparing two different razors......

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[GarageBoy]

Thanks for the review. How does it compare with the Double Edge razors?

 

[UnknownVT]

Thanks for the review. How does it compare with the Double Edge razors?

I don't know - I've not used the double edged razors.

But you might want to check out this current thread here:

Gillette Adjustable Safety Razor question

I think the general concensus was that twin-bladed razors were a definite improvement over a single blade for most people -
esculating number of blades were debatable - many felt that more than two was getting silly.

I thought the same way when the original 3-bladed Mach3 came out - it was definitely not as good for me as the twin-bladed Sensor Excel.

But the very similar Mach3 Turbo was a definite improvement which I felt almost immediately - I was so surprised that I continued to do half-half shaves to reassure myself that it was not an anomoly/fluke - in the end the Mach3 Turbo was better for me over the original Mach3 (which I didn't like) and the Sensor Excel - which was the best shave I had up to that time.

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