What makes you fine folks stick with carts? Do DE aggravate your skin or is it the convience of time? I don't mean to start an argument, simply to hear from the other side of the pasture here. So the question. Why still use carts?
Well, I find they make taking my groceries to the checkout much easier…uh, oh not that cart? I still have them on hand for when I need to be quick.
I use a cartridge for my head shaves, after trying DE razors and having bad results a generic Atra blade has provided a smooth and irritation free shave.
I get just as good shaves with a cart if not better than a DE, injector, Feather AC, shavette/sifter with a cabinet blade. I prefer a Mach3 or Trac II/Atra compatbile twin blade. I have used Durham Duplex, Wecks, and even straights. I will forego the straights in future...
I can't help with your question, Carts and I don't get along. Don't hesitate to ask questions. TSD people won't fight...I think. The only bad question is the one never asked.
I get as good a shave with a cartridge as with DE and SE blades and with a single pass; they are no more expensive per shave than DE and SE blades; they are more convenient to buy, pack for travel and store at home; the handles are far more ergonomic than the typical DE handle although the early Schick injectors were pretty comfortable to hold and there is little maintenance involved unlike a typical DE or SE handle. I've been at this since about '55 and have tried about every shaving device on the market so I think I know what works best for me at this point.
Carts work. They do pull and drag over growth that is more than stubble, but they work. For me, I prefer the DE razors for numerous reasons, the least of which may even be nostalgia. So I won't go back to carts, because my shaving has become FAR more enjoyable since making the move back to DE/wet shaving.
The design of cartridge and disposable razors make it easy to get and maintain the proper blade angle while shaving. I currently use Gillette Sensor 2 disposables and get 15 shaves per razor. They are inexpensive (bag of 12 for $7.99 at the supermarket with a $2 manufacturer's coupon) and high quality.
I keep a TRAC II cartridge around for my fiancée's under arms. She prefers to use a cartridge for that, rather than a DE.
Carts never worked well for me. They'd "whisker fill". So I came to DEs and fell in love with my Merkur Progress. Since then I have imported the Gillette Guard cart from India. I rate it as a tie with my Merkur Progress and better than my other twelve DEs. I agree, DEs are more fun because they have so many variables. But I understand why the poor of the world are sold on the Gillette Guard.
I fly a lot ... I've had gold level with Skyteam for the last few years. Often two or three day trips, with cabin baggage only.
Funny, this question came up in reverse when carts were introduced; why still use DE and SE razors? We use what we feel works the best for us, simple no?
I DE shave because I enjoy it. When I load an Astra SS, Astra SP, Personna Lad Blue or any other great blade into my Merkur Classic 33C, I take pride in what I'm about to do. Kind of like playing a really nice guitar or riding a really good mountain bike. I just try harder when I use something high quality. I can get great shaves with a disposable Personna Twin Blade, but I don't enjoy it.
I definitely agree.. They have floors full of engineers that spend a lot of time in R&D. Spreader bars are there for a good reason. I am happy with 3 blade preferably Mach 3