Gillette Help

[Nasa]

Hello,

I just found this razor at a relatives house.
It is still in the plastic, I was hoping I could get some help in identifying the razor and if the blades are still available.

Thanks in advance

 

[Jodbirch]

Hmmm...from the picture it appears to be an "Atra" or perhaps a "Vector" variant. Blades for these are still readily available in the U.S.

 

[sandmountainslim]

Yip,
An Atra and blades are available everywhere.
I suggest he Atra/Trac II Combo blades at Dollar General
Wp

 

[michiganlover]

Yip,
An Atra and blades are available everywhere.
I suggest he Atra/Trac II Combo blades at Dollar General
Wp

+1 The combo blades sold at Dollar General are good quality blades, and the price can't be beat at 6 for $1.25.

The handle appears identical to an original Gillette Atra handle I have. The original Atra handles were an aluminum handle, with a mostly metal head. Gillette later changed to a plastic handle (as seen here) with a mostly metal head.

The Vector handles are entirely different by the way: the Atra handle had a fair amount of mass, and felt substantial (although somewhat lightweight) in the hand. The Vector handle has practically no weight, and is hollow. It has about the weight of a Bic disposable, and a very cheap feel.

Here is a side by side comparison shot, Gillette Vector handle on the left, original plastic Atra handle on the right:

 

[LinuxMintyFresh]

Agreed, on the Atra. I'd stay away from the DG blades though. Snag some Personna carts at Walmart.

 

[Robxcarlson]

Agreed, on the Atra. I'd stay away from the DG blades though. Snag some Personna carts at Walmart.

The Dollar General carts aren't bad... I think they're good for 2-3 shaves.

 

[Nasa]

Can somebody comment on the shave? Is it good? Comparable to DE?

 

[michiganlover]

Can somebody comment on the shave? Is it good? Comparable to DE?

The shave in my opinion is really good. Cartridges tend to receive a lot of hate on this board, some of it justified, some of it not so much.

Note, that Gillette had a pretty good thing going with the Trac II, Atra, and Sensor. However, once they started the blade wars, things quickly went downhill until the present point of silliness.

The shave itself won't feel like a DE, but you will probably be able to achieve the same level of closeness.

I use my Atra at least once a week, two passes (WTG, XTG) gives me a reliable, close, comfortable, shave. It may not be a true BBS shave, but I never aim for a BBS anyway.

 

[GDCarrington]

NASA,

Since the current replacement blades fit both Trac II and Atra, they are still available from Gillette, Personna, Murkur, and various Dollar stores that sell them under their name.

 

[Slash McCoy]

I didn't realize anybody was making any carts that cheap. That would be a good setup for carryon.

 

[kingfisher]

The Dollar General carts aren't bad... I think they're good for 2-3 shaves.

the problem with these blades is that because they are designed to be used with either Trac II or Atra, once hooked onto the Atra handle, they don't pivot the way a real Atra blade pivots. They are only able to pivot UP. Therefore, to get a good shave with these on the Atra you are required to hold the handle almost perpendicular to your face. It's pretty inconvenient.

They work much better on the Trac II, except that they tend to slide off (it's not a tight-enough fit).

The Personna blades from WalMart designed for the Atra are quite rough.

The Gillette-branded blades (made in China) are smooth like butter. MUCH better than any other blades marketed for Atra. Well worth the extra cash, in my opinion.

 

[GDCarrington]

Feather makes a handle for the Trac II that looks nice for a low price.
I went and bought one on eBay for traveling. I am waiting for it to arrive.
I can get blades easy. So it looks like a good deal.