Need some clarification on the Gillette Cartridge systems. I currently use a Merkur Progress and a 73 Gillette Super-Speed and love them. However, when I travel I dont want to risk these guys to be lost or stolen when I travel. My question is about Gillette Cartridges. I would like to venture into either a Trac II or Atra Razor. I was wondering if these twin blades made by Gillette perform like a Mach 3 or Fusion with the tug and cut action which causes in-grown hairs and bumps. For that matter does the Sensor behave in the same way tug and cut? Any input would be greatly appreciated..Thanks
Gillette Cartridge Systems
- Thread starter Sledgehammer39
- Start date
The TracII, Atra, and Sensor are generally easier on the face than the Mach3 or Fusion. Of course YMMV.
I have only used Sensor and I wasn't wild about it.
I have heard good things about the Trac II.
Wp
I have heard good things about the Trac II.
Wp
I think all multi-blade razors have the same effect of tugging and cutting, but an Atra, Trac II or sensor, with only 2 blades would be less of that effect than any of the 3-4-5 & 6 (!) blade models. I use the Atra and Trac II from time to time, but I do find that I will get an occasional ingrown hair if I go a week or more. You should really get a cheap set up and see what you think. Dridiot sells really nice Trac II handles made by feather and you can get one with cartridges for under $10 delivered.
- Thread starter
- #5
Hey guys thanks for the valuable information it is greatly appreciated 
I get great shaves with a GII (Trac II), no ingrowns or bumps. It's the most "DE-like" of the multiblade cartridges: fixed head so you have to take care of the angle yourself, no "floating blades" so you can't push it into your face.
My brother has been using a Trac II since it was first introduced onto the market. He's tried other razors (SuperSpeed, Atra, Sensor, Mach 3) but has always gone back to the Trac II. He also always uses a brush and shave cream, no canned goo.
- Peter
- Peter
All the 3 twin blades systems will perform well: the GII has a fixed head, it will be more similar to a DE; Contour (Atra) is a pivotal one such as Sensor. The GII and Contour head will glide more easily than Sensor, wich small rubber strips under the blades will oppose resistance on skin, making it more prone to ingrow hairs. I will choose more between GII (Trac) and Contour, both without lubastrip goo, than Sensor if ingrow hairs are an issue. If in the middle is the virtue, i will recommend an Atra.And depending on your destination, there are more Atra carts' worlwide spread, or to buy locally, than Trac heads...
Using a good lather, any of the three will serve you well. As always, YMMV.
Trac II is considered the most DE like in that it is a fixed head and you must control the angle. It's as base bones as you can get with a cartridge IMO. You can head to walmart and get a bump fighter handle and Persona Twin II blades, IIRC the entire set up should set you back around ten bucks.
Atra is the next step with a pivoting head and still pretty simple, nothing fancy save for a lube strip. No locally available handles but Auto Plus from walmart are three bucks and change. Atra, Contour, and vector are common names for the handles. Vector is pretty cheap but works good as a test bed.
Sensor is what I really consider the first "modern" cartridge razor with bells and whistles. Microfins, lube strips, floating blades, etc. That said unlike the Mach 3 and Fusion, it actually works well for it. It's a lot of bells and whistles but it's also not to much. You can find the handles locally if you look but blades are pricey.
I've used all three and while I can't speak if they use the same pull and hack method as Mach 3 or Fusion, it certainly isn't the same if they do. All three will produce good shaves in my opinion.
Of the three the Sensor Excel is my favorite and gives me the closest and most comfortable shaves. But the blades are still more then I'd like to pay. I'm currently using the Atra regularly for the past week or so and it's a good performer with blades that are acceptably priced at three dollars and change for ten at Walmart.
Trac II is considered the most DE like in that it is a fixed head and you must control the angle. It's as base bones as you can get with a cartridge IMO. You can head to walmart and get a bump fighter handle and Persona Twin II blades, IIRC the entire set up should set you back around ten bucks.
Atra is the next step with a pivoting head and still pretty simple, nothing fancy save for a lube strip. No locally available handles but Auto Plus from walmart are three bucks and change. Atra, Contour, and vector are common names for the handles. Vector is pretty cheap but works good as a test bed.
Sensor is what I really consider the first "modern" cartridge razor with bells and whistles. Microfins, lube strips, floating blades, etc. That said unlike the Mach 3 and Fusion, it actually works well for it. It's a lot of bells and whistles but it's also not to much. You can find the handles locally if you look but blades are pricey.
I've used all three and while I can't speak if they use the same pull and hack method as Mach 3 or Fusion, it certainly isn't the same if they do. All three will produce good shaves in my opinion.
Of the three the Sensor Excel is my favorite and gives me the closest and most comfortable shaves. But the blades are still more then I'd like to pay. I'm currently using the Atra regularly for the past week or so and it's a good performer with blades that are acceptably priced at three dollars and change for ten at Walmart.
