Crossed over to the dark side - Mach 3

[user9]

I have quite a collection of vintage DE, SE and injector razors. They're fun to collect and use, but my usual daily razor now is a Gillette Trac II from the early 70s. Generic blades cost about $12 for 100 blades. I don't get a BBS shave, but I'm very satisfied. Nicks are very rare probably because I honed my techniques on vintage safety razors. Modern 4 and 5 blade cartridge razors cannot beat the Trac II and they're expensive.

I have found that the secret to vintage twin cartridge shaving is recognizing that it's more like DE shaving than it is shaving with 5, 4 or even 3 blade cartridges.

Quattro is my favorite. But it clogs terribly like most of them.

I use the Quattro only if I last shaved less than 24 hours or so ago. It's really the only razor that seems to have a clogging problem for me. The Jack Black Closer is essentially the Quattro with a fifth blade and, more importantly, without those little comfort wires that I think are the culprit of the clogging issue. They fit on Quattro handles. Another wireless (4 blade) version of Quattro is the Schick Original, which was made for Walmart and didn't last very long, unfortunately.

 

[donblanco]

Started shaving w/ my DE four years ago. Head and face.

Just got back from a 10-day trip. After landing at destination, bought a new grooming kit (nail clippers, etc.) which included a basic 2-blade cartridge razor w/ 8-10 cartridges. OMG IT SUCKED! I was a bit overdue for a shave, and it literally shaved nothing! Worst shave attempt ever.

So, back to the store, grabbed a $10 Mach 3 handle w/ 2 cartridges. HO. LY. CRAP! It shaved so freakin' clean! My head was as smooth as a baby's butt. One pass generally, used hotel soap. I had forgotten how smooth of a result these things could produce.

And then I realized that even with multiple passes my DE blades never produced a shave this smooth. I mean, it's close, but the Mach 3 made my head SHINY! LOL

Just bought an 8-pack off of Amazon for less than $2/cart. And, unlike my DE blades, I can throw them in my carry-on bag. And I almost never pay extra for a checked bag, so that's kind of a big deal.

I've seen some people complaining about clogging when rinsing, but I experienced NONE of that, even w/ my normal shave soap and brush. And I often have to pop my DE blade out and rinse halfway through due to clogging. So yeah, Dark Side here I come? ¯\_(ツ)_/¯

 

[donblanco]

That 'dark side' stuff has never cut it with me as the Atra and Mach 3 are now near 40-50 plus year old systems and becoming vintage.

Actually, the Mach3 was released in June of 1998, so 26 years old...

 

[Alum Ladd]

Actually, the Mach3 was released in June of 1998, so 26 years old..

I stated that "the Atra and Mach 3 are now near 40-50 plus year old systems.."

The aggregate age of these systems begin with the Atra, which was released in 1977. The introduction of the Mach 3 continued and refined this pivoting head concept lineage further, so indeed the cumulative age of the concept goes back to at least 1977, or some 47 years.

I think my basic point stands, although clumsily and poorly worded. I should have clarified it by stating instead that the "Altra and Mach 3 were incremental developments of a system which from inception is near 40-50 plus years old and becoming vintage".

I was probably tired and emotional at the time of writing.

I hope that clears up any misunderstanding.

Your positive experiences of the Mach 3 concur with mine, my favourite Cartridge system. An interesting point being I too have never experienced clogging in use either.

 

[donblanco]

I stated that "the Atra and Mach 3 are now near 40-50 plus year old systems.."

The aggregate age of these systems begin with the Atra, which was released in 1977. The introduction of the Mach 3 continued and refined this pivoting head concept lineage further, so indeed the cumulative age of the concept goes back to at least 1977, or some 47 years.

I think my basic point stands, although clumsily and poorly worded. I should have clarified it by stating instead that the "Altra and Mach 3 were incremental developments of a system which from inception is near 40-50 plus years old and becoming vintage".

I was probably tired and emotional at the time of writing.

I hope that clears up any misunderstanding.

Your positive experiences of the Mach 3 concur with mine, my favourite Cartridge system. An interesting point being I too have never experienced clogging in use either.

I only replied because I didn't think the Mach 3 was that old - and I can't help being the 'ackshually' guy - sorry about that lol