Gillette MACH3 Blades

[tomturbomatic]

For years I used Gillette Sensor Excel cartridge blades just out of habit, I guess. I got 7 shaves out of them and the last one was neither smooth nor comfortable, but I did not know that there was anything better. Then in one shipment of blades I received a sample MACH3 and handle. The difference is amazing. I get three weeks of comfortable, nick and blood-free shaves from each cartridge. Compulsive me, I put a date on the holder in which they are sold so I know how many days each one lasts and the slight extra cost is more than evened out by the length of service.

Gillette made another three blade cartridge that was awful, but this one is great. You can see reviews on line and it is pretty well liked so I thought I would share what I have fond to be a great improvement in shaving.

 

[qsd-dan]

I used an original Gillette Sensor razor from 1991 to 2021...30 years to the month....until the prongs were so worn they could no longer hold the cartridge in place without popping out. I tried various fixes such as JB WELD and other techniques but nothing worked.

 

I drug out my grandfathers 1962 Gillette adjustable Slim, clean and sanitized it, and very carefully put it through the paces. There is<span style="text-decoration: underline;"> no way</span> I'll ever go back to a cartridge razor again. The best shave I ever had and the blades are dirt cheap. Also, no fighting with trying to keep the cartridge clean and free from plugging with whiskers. There's a reason safety razors have had a large resurgence with the younger crowd.

 

[rp2813]

I became annoyed after seeing Gillette cartridges locked up in theft-proof cases and switched to Schick Hydro about ten years ago.  I liked the shave better so have been using Schick ever since, and there's no need for assistance in accessing them at the store.

 

[petek]

Norelco/Philishaver here for the past 50 years. I've tried various cartridge and a safety razor over the years but could never get into using one more than two or three days.

 

[good-shepherd]

Gillette Sensor I got 7 shaves out of them

I used Gillette Sensor Excel then switched when Mach3 was introduced, then the five blade Gillette Fusion. Each generation was a big improvement over what came before, especially the Fusion.

Gillette has come out with variations of the Fusion but I prefer the original manual with the trimming blade.

I get three months out of a Fusion shaving every other day. People bitch about the price but in this case you get what you pay for and deals can be found online.

 

[ea56]

I ditched multiple blade razors about 12 years ago. I use a Merkur 34C and buy my blades on ebay. I’ve had a beard now for almost 3 years so I only need to shave my neck and cheeks and I can use the same blade for 6 months.

Before I grew my beard I used the same blade for a month at a time with no pull or discomfort and my beard is as coarse and stiff as a Brillo pad. I bought 20 seven blade packages of Gillette 7 0’Clock Super Platinum double edge blades 12 years ago too and I still have 10 paks left.

I agree with Dan in reply#1, I’ll never go back to those cartridge razors again. I get a much more comfortable and smooth shave from a good double edge razor. I did try a vintage Gillette double edge razor as well as several other different double edge razors. But after trial and error I settled on the Merkur 34C about 8 years ago. It has the perfect weight and balance and it will never wear out. No moving parts, the head screws securely into the handle with the blade held securely in between at the perfect angle. As a matter of fact I learned about the value of double edge safety razors right here on AW.org from a post by Bendix5 (Dan), thanks Dan!

I also use old fashioned shaving soap with a bowl and Cremo Horse Hair Shaving Brush. Go “Old School” and you’ll never go back!

Eddie[this post was last edited: 3/26/2022-14:39]

 

[mattl]

I second the vote for Fusion.  Been using them for years generally get 3 months to a set of blades.  If nothing is going on I might shave a couple or three times a week. I in no way have a tough beard, but I do have a decent amount of beard to shave.

 

[kevin313]

I stopped using cartridge blades years ago. They always got clogged, didn't last, and were obscenely priced. When I see the cost of some of those five blade cartridges today I can hardly believe it.

My daily shave has been with a double edge safety razor. Like Eddie, I also a Merkur razor, made in Germany, but with the longer handle. I use Wilkonson Sword blades, which I change about every ten days. They are only about three dollars for a pack of five blades. I prefer a wet shave with a brush and shaving soap.

But people should use what feels the best to them and gives them the kind of shave they like.

 

[DADoES]

 
I used regular Sensor for years, until I went bearded probably 9 or 10 years ago.  A large factor in the decision was shaving supplies have become ridiculously expensive.  Granny was not appreciative.  She kept asking "Why are you doing that?"  She didn't have a response when I replied that I'm not doing anything, it grows by itself, I'm just not fighting against it.  

I keep the cheeks and neck (mostly, sometimes let it go for a few days, it grows crazy fast) clear.  I use an electric, occasionally supplemented with an el-cheapo Equate double-blade disposable on the neck.  I use the disposable for months until replacing it.  I've considered letting the cheek- and neckline go natural but it'd reach within an inch of my eyes and eventually merge into the chest.

 

[gizmo]

Philips shaver here, since the 1980s. I'm on my third one, the second was a cord shaver lasted probably 25 years?

Actually I have just put my Philips cordless one into retirement, it needed new cutters but I could buy a Vidal Sassoon Men complete rotary cordless shaver for less than a set of Philips cutters. The VSM has some nice features like a countdown display telling you how many minutes of charge left, and a complete replacement head with 3 cutters is only $20, for Philips the 3 cutter discs were $75. I don't like the new one as much to shave with, it drags on the skin a bit more, and the blades rotate slower so it sounds like the battery is half flat when it is fully charged. It does do a very close shave, though. I am two weeks into the first charge and still have about 50% battery left, so a single charge lasts a long time. It can recharge from USB too, which could be good when travelling.

 

Link below shows it for $89.95 but I got it on special for $72.

 

I hate using blades to shave, why do something manual when you could do it with an electric gadget?? (I didn't call myself Gizmo for nothing...)

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[foraloysius]

Happy Mach3 user here, for quite a few years already. I thought about using a safety razor but with my tremor I can just imagine cutting myself while removing an old blade or putting a new one in.

I started my shaving life with a Philips three head but when it died I decided to start shaving wet. That resulted in a closer shave.

That Vidal Sassoon is I assume a relabelled Philips. Wouldn't the Vidal Sassoon cutters fit on the Philips?

The cheapest Philips shaver can be had for 37 euros, a set of blades for 20. I'm sometimes tempted but I prefer the wet style shaving.

My favourite shaving soap is from the Bodyshop. You just use a tiny bit on a wet face and your fingers to distribute it. I'm not sure but I think one box lasts me a year.

 

[gizmo]

Hi Louis

I don't think the VS is relabelled Philips. There are several brands of rotary shaver here now, they used to be exclusively Philips. Even Remington, who made their reputation on foil shavers, have a range of rotary ones now. (See link below.) I suspect the Philips rotary design has been around too long to still have any sort of patent protection, or perhaps the non-genuine makers have come up with a near-copy that is just different enough to be legal?

I must admit I got my knickers in a twist when I found the price of replacement heads for Philips, I have always liked the brand but $75 for replacement heads is a joke, so I wanted to buy something different. You used to be able to buy a single Philips cutter but now they only sell sets of 3 at close to the price of a whole new shaver. The VS cutters don't fit the Philips shaver - Philips even have different cutters/heads that aren't compatible within the one brand. (The VS cutters might fit some Philips shaver, but not mine and not my partner's.)

[this post was last edited: 3/27/2022-07:35]

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[foraloysius]

Oh goodness, the world of rotary shavers has changed indeed. I guess I never looked into them anymore.

Anyway, the Philips replacement is ridiculously expensive compared to what they cost here. The replacements are only sold in sets of 3 here too, even the universal ones. But they are as cheap as 15 euros, so for that kind of money it would be too much trouble to sell them as single items.

 

[tolivac]

I have used electric razors since I started shaving.Started out with Sunbeam Shavemaster as my first shaver.Then when Sunbeam no longer made their fine electric razors-went to Norelco-Philips razors.Now I have a 9000 series Philips razor with a funky digital display on the handle.Just under the head there is a light ring that ligs blue when the razor is not against your face-then lights green when the right pressure is used-than red if too much.With this shaving has become some sort of skill game.I just want to shave adn be done with it.The new razor does work really well.Use my NSS M1 vacuum to vacuum the clippings out of the razor after the shave.Been doing that for years.BUT---I do miss the old Sunbeam Shavemaster!!Wish they could come back!My Dad used those as well.

 

[sudsmaster]

I have full beard and generally only need to shave my neck and a little bit of the cheeks. Face cheeks, that is. LOL.

I keep a dispo razor in the shower and shave in there after getting everything wet, and full of shampoo. A blade set will last me weeks. I know when it's time to put a new blade cart in when it starts to tug. For some reason I'm not too fond of single razors. Not sure why. I keep the dispo razor stuck through one of the holes in a wire shampoo caddy that hangs over the wall of the glassed-in shower stall.

 

[lotsosudz]

Dollar Shave Club

I had been using disposable razors but was not happy with the feel. I went to Walmart, and bought the dollar shave club razor kit, and 6 blade cartridges, and have never had such a comfortable shave ever! My skin is super sensitive, and previously was always irritated. Since I switched, smooth feel, with clear, non-irritated skin. well worth a try.
Hugs,
David

 

[daveamkrayoguy]

Well shaving has grown expensive and it's a still mystifying wonder why a few razors are over-packaged in excessive amounts of pleasant cardboard...

Gets me wondering how after more than forty years when I discovered I actually have hair on my face to shave how often I need to change my blades...

They endlessly go from a new one that does a good job to accumulating so much hair that I feel compelled to change as often as I seemingly have to wack all that off on a daily basis...

-- Dave

 

[parunner58]

Here is my shaving routine. I use Supply single edge mostly. Love it more than my Gillette Proglide I use the proglide and my Phillips one blade for trimming. I find the single blades shave nicer with less irritation and bumps.

 

[daveamkrayoguy]

Decided to try this brand, Cremo…

Ordinarily going for $27.99 each, for both the handle and initial blade and a pack of four replacement blades, got both paired at $12.59 each…

So then came the first cut, which like my other years and tons of shaving apparatus, so far, so good…

— Dave