Cartridge razor appreciation thread

I was really tempted to pull the trigger on the platinum one, but I had an original 1990 Sensor when it first came out, and remembered I was never really a fan of how the handle felt in use. I actually wasn't even a fan of how it looked, but these special editions are changing that. There's more design smarts going on there than I'd given Gillette credit for. I still don't think I'd get much use out of it, though, and I've never been one to buy shaving items just to look at.

 

I do really like these special editions. It seems that these are all from around late 80's to early 90's.
I guess Gillette had more 'taste' (highly subjective), as far as cartridge razors goes, 20-25 years ago

 

I use the same prep for a cart as for a DE. With a Trac II, I use pretty much the same pressure as well. The carts with pivoting heads, and especially the ones with spring-mounted blades, require a bit more pressure to get optimal contact. I don't find that's a problem, because the heads are designed to compensate for it. DE users often complain the pressure used with cartridge razors is a killer, but in my experience, it's only a killer when used with DEs.

I find carts are more efficient than a single blade, so I can get away with fewer passes. I never need more than two passes - one WTG, one slightly XTG - plus a touch-up, with a cart, and sometimes I can even get away with a single WTG if needed. With a DE, I need a minimum of two passes (also WTG and XTG), and often a third, slightly more aggressive XTG to get the job done. Not only is the number of required passes greater for me with a DE, but each pass takes longer; for me, then, DE shaves take considerably longer. I know some people like the leisure of it, but for me, there's a point where standing at my bathroom counter goes from feeling like luxury to drudgery, and I often cross it when using a DE. The amount of time I take with carts feels just about right.

Direction of passes is the same with both. I can't do ATG with any blade. But I do have to get slightly more aggressive with the third XTG pass using a DE to get the same results as with a cart using only two passes and a milder XTG approach.

 

I tend to agree, although there is a bit of a paradox there, I think. Those vintage Sensor handles now reveal themselves to be rather art deco in their style, and much nicer, on the whole, than either the stock Mach3 or Fusion handles. However, the actual M3 head has a certain elegance that lends itself well to aftermarket handles. Most aftermarket Sensors don't look right - chop that head off the body of the handle, and the effect of the design is lost. There are some exceptions: the Pils Sensor is one, as were a couple of the Edwin Jagger handles, nla. But even the nicest aftermarket Sensors don't equal the nicest aftermarket M3 handles. As for Fusions, I find them to be generally oversized and tasteless, even on aftermarket handles.

All that said, the nicest M3 aftermarket handles I've seen actually use a modified, custom head. The head on the Art of Shaving M3 handle looks similar to stock, but is actually a custom design. And then there's Bolin Webb, who have gone a completely different direction. I have a feeling my next handle will be a BW.

 

Sir, you don't need to purchase any one of these. The design you have is way more beautiful than these.

 

I've seen the Webb before and I really love those sleek lines...

 

Too bad I can't participate in razor acquisition topic, I'm busy collecting Fusion Proglide cartridge packs. This money was meant to be spent on purchasing new razors, but purchasing proglide blades seems more satisfying (already got 30 cartridges)

 

Btw, I renamed this thread to "Cartridge razor appreciation thread" as that might be a bit more apt looking at the content in it

 

Have you moved on to the Proglide carts? I thought you were mostly using the Trac 2.

 

No, I haven't moved on to Proglide cartridges. I have been switching a lot between different razors and I have been consistently using Proglide since I started wetshaving. But, its not because I have issues with trac-II or atra, it is because I simply like it more. So far, this is how I will rate the razors on my face.

1.. Fusion Proglide
2.. Atra
3.. Trac-II
4.. DE
6.. Sensor
5.. Mach-III
6.. Quattro
7.. Fusion (orange)
8.. Shavette

 

A much more suited title, I'd say.

 

I've wondered what the result might be if I tried a Harry's cart again, a five blade German thing. I shaved well, but I constantly had ingrown issues. But now that I know why those issues occur...would it be better now? Hmmmm...

 

I agree with you, I really do like the proglide except I use the power version. I would put the mach 3 just behind that, followed by a tie between DE and trac 2.

 

I keep returning to my vintage Trac II Deluxe (1972). It is such a joy to shave with the Personna Twin Plus carts. My favorite shaving system is the double-blade cartridge. The original Trac II handle sports an aesthetically pleasing design, not to mention the nostalgia value (it was my dad's main razor). It's funny, after two years of shaving with DE's and Injectors I return to the double-blade cartridge (my old razor was the original Sensor).

 

By the way, last night dreamed I was asking Dad how he shaves with his Trac II, I woke up happy and peaceful.

 

Yes I do. I take it easy on the pressure and use short strokes and do a two/three pass. Each pass is an XTG pass (north than south).

 

They were very sensible prices...

 

There were limited executive editions for Trac II, Atra, and the the Sensors. I may have seen a special edition Mach3. There are no luxury Fusions, but they are covered by a large aftermarket. The Trac II/Super II's had the Reed and Barton vs International Silver choice.

 

Oh I use both Proglide and Mach-III in power version. The buzz really reduces the sandpaper effect (dragging caused by addition of blades) and makes the razor glide smoothly .