$$ Atra handles: I don't get it.

[auk1124]

Atra handles are going for 30, 40, 50 bucks on ebay. I do not understand - are they the holy grail for some people or is there something magical about an Atra cart?

Prior to the way I do things now, I always used disposables, so I've never tried an Atra (or a Sensor-Fusion-Mach 3-whatever, for that matter). I did try a Trac II a few times but got a sucky irritating shave out of it. What is up with the Atra fever, and what have I missed out on?

 

[Sledgehammer39]

I think it commands the price because it was one of the finest built cart handles that Gillette came out with. Also the cart was pretty much similar to the Trac II with only a slight pivot. The heft was certainly nice on the Atra handle and IMHO delivers an almost idential shave to the Trac II, although I use my Trac II a bit more than the Atra. You have inspired me to shave with my metal Atra tomorrow morning.

 

[michiganlover]

The Atra is a damn good razor. The top cartridge razors have been the Trac II, the Atra, and the Sensor. After the Sensor, and the beginning of the blade wars things went pretty quickly downhill.

I think the metal handles are going for high prices, because they were one of the last products that Gillette actually built with any amount of quality. They also have a good solid feel in the hand.

 

[zachster]

Huh. I still have mine, floating around in the back of my shaving drawer. I used it into the early '90s, I think, when the cartridges started becoming scarce. I remember not particularly liking the Mach3 that I replaced it with, but I didn't think the Atra was that much better. Wouldn't go back to either now.

 

[Jethro1984]

Huh. I still have mine, floating around in the back of my shaving drawer. I used it into the early '90s, I think, when the cartridges started becoming scarce. I remember not particularly liking the Mach3 that I replaced it with, but I didn't think the Atra was that much better. Wouldn't go back to either now.

If you still have an ORIGINAL Atra handle and don't want it, perhaps I could take it off your hands. PM if interested!

 

[zachster]

If you still have an ORIGINAL Atra handle and don't want it, perhaps I could take it off your hands. PM if interested!

What do you mean by "original," are they re-making the darned things? I'm sure mine goes back to the '80s -- I think I upgraded from a cheesy plastic handle to a metal one when I was in college. But anyhow, I tend to hoard things (I have almost as many coffee percolators as I have shaving devices), and this takes up very little space in the scheme of things. If I have a change of heart I'll let you know.

 

[Jethro1984]

Okay then...good deal. Well when I say Original, I mean a true original. A lot of people have copied that handle and Gillette also did a remake awhile back that was much lighter than the original. I want a true original handle from the Atra hayday as I really like the Atra cartridges. But I understand sentimental value and all.

 

[oldspiceboy]

I think one of the big draws about vintage shaving gear like the Gillette DE razors and the Atra's is the simple fact that the razors dont look like a missing part off of an action figure.

Most of the multi-blade razors are ugly as all get out.

I have two metal Atra handles and they are far more appealing to me than any of Gillettes multi-blade razors.

A razor is a tool and should look like one not a toy. JMHO.

 

[Jethro1984]

I've still got (and use!) my original Sensor handle from the 80's. Is it now vintage? Geez, I must be gettin' old.

As razors go...if it's more than 2 years old, it's vintage!

 

[michiganlover]

As razors go...if it's more than 2 years old, it's vintage!

The designation for antique is at least 30 years old. The Atra came out in 1977, so it certainly qualifies.

 

[ackvil]

It's funny what you can find in your closet when you are in the process of moving. This thread brought to mind a razor I found. It was a promotional item I got when I bought some Zirh shaving products years ago. A razor was included as a freebie. Here is what it looks like.

View attachment 136073

View attachment 136074

I used this razor only once or twice and it has the original blade in it!

 

[Buford T. Justice]

@ackvil That looks a lot like the Mach 3 handle with an Atra head. Weird and cool!

 

[rajagra]

I've still got (and use!) my original Sensor handle from the 80's. Is it now vintage? Geez, I must be gettin' old.

Hehe, I have 3 of them in my "old stuff I can't bear to throw away" drawer. As cart razors go they are fine. And quite solid/heavy.

 

[LouieGrandie]

Atra handles are going for 30, 40, 50 bucks on ebay. I do not understand - are they the holy grail for some people or is there something magical about an Atra cart?

The originals were a thing of beauty. If I remember correctly they were milled out of a block of aluminum.

 

[Jethro1984]

@ackvil That looks a lot like the Mach 3 handle with an Atra head. Weird and cool!

+1

I was going to say the same thing.