Cartridge razor appreciation thread

Also, I'm not convinced the "Deluxe" handle is actually a Gillette. The head is definitely stock Atra, but that doesn't automatically mean the handle is. It could be a stock head grafted onto an aftermarket handle, like the Reed & Barton is. I've done some looking around, and I'm finding the same sources you did - all private sales listings via Etsy or eBay. The sellers all claim it's Gillette, but there's no way to verify the claims - no original packaging, nothing to confirm it is a Gillette issue, rather than an aftermarket. They might all be assuming it's Gillette, based on the head. I can't say for sure it's not a Gillette, but it doesn't look like any stock Atra handle I've ever seen. Perhaps someone with more information can chime in.

I don't mean to imply it's not a nice handle. It looks great, and it wouldn't surprise me if it turned out to be nicer than an actual Gillette. I'm just trying to be accurate.

 

Oh, I appreciate it! Questioning thing is a good thing - one way or the other one will learn something

The head I think we can for sure say is Gillette-made but I see your point about the handle.
I did some more browsing, probably looking at the same Etsy, ebay (some photos on this thread), etc threads as you did - and I, like you, were unable to find any photo of a boxed item...or anything 'official' about this handle's existence/manufacturing.

That the same handle appears in multiple places does indicate that it's not a one-off but it's a pretty wide spectrum after that (all the way from "a lot of a couple of hundred that someone or some store cobbled together" up to "official Gillette made handle").

The handle feels great - very nice weight and balance to it - but it would be nice to know a bit about it.
Maybe there's a Gillette-cartridge-expert roaming these forums that could chime in...?

 

Had yet another cartridge handle appear in the mailbox yesterday.
This one is a "Concord" from Italy.
It's a very sturdy thing and weighs quite a bit.
I do feel that there is too much at the end of the handle but we'll see when I take it for a spin.
The "MSRP" for this razor is over $100 and I picked it up for less than 10% of that - but, quite honestly, I doubt most MSRPs and this one seems vastly inflated.
Regardless, nice, solid handle that will be fun to try out.


...and hey, look at that - it can stand up. That's worth a buck

 

That's a nice looking one. Handles with a lot of weight in the palm end really balance out the head, and give it a well-seated feel when held. Other handles tend to distribute the weight more evenly, or concentrate it more in the center, which creates more of a fulcrum effect. Each one has its merits. I used to have a handle with the weight focused on the palm end, and liked the effect quite a bit. Let us know how yours works for you.

 

Oh, and your handle gets bonus points for using an older-generation release button. That's the same button my AOS handle has, and it matches the base carts perfectly. Compare that with the button they're using now, and you can see why I like the old style better. (Old style is on left.)

 

Thanks - and I see what you mean about the older style looks better.

 

Not sure if I bought nine twin cartridges...or a metal, Burma-Shave cartridge handle - but for less than $5 for the lot it might not matter too much.

 

Had a most excellent shave this morning as I took the Protector on it's maiden voyage into the den.
Two passes and I walked away with a very close and clean shave with zero irritation or redness.
I really, really like the handle on this razor it fits amazingly well in my hand.
If I would pick one area that could had been improved on it was that I felt that I needed to rinse the razor much more frequently than when I use a DE razor - this, may of course simply be because of the design with multiple blades clogging up easier. Still - a really fantastic shave was had.

Gear:
Wilkinson Protector
L'Occitane Plisson
T&H 1805
Floid Blue

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A very nice SOTD picture. If you have shaved with Quattro, can you write down a small comparison note on these two razors? Thanks

 

Sorry, I'm very much a cartridge n00b so I don't have too many to compare to.
I really liked the shave a lot though.

 

Ramping up to do a full 1-2 weeks of non-stop cartridge razor use...more blades came in today:

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Has anyone ever used a slant stroke with flexball razor like this? A brisk slant stroke and vibrations make the shave super smooth

 

Looking forward to read your review.

 

The place that I tend to have problems is under my right jaw-line. Usually there is still a rough feel after a shave but with the ProGlide Flexball it was BBS with two passes. This is truly amazing. Aces!

 

Another really great shave with the Protector this morning.
The only downside to me is that I still feel that the blades clog up rather quickly and I have to rinse it off quite a bit.
The quality of the shave and the ergonomics of that handle are, however, most excellent.

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Happy to have this one inbound
Only dilemma here...leave in box...or shave with it......

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Great score Where did you get it?

 

It was on the bay. Just me and another crazy collector bidding on it.

 

It wasn't listed worldwide ...

 

Hey, don't you have one or two already?!

Now I just need to decide....open and use it...or keep it in box pretty on the shelf.....