Gillette "The Face Slasher" Fusion

[Joey]

So a week before my birthday Gillette sends me one of their fusion razors, with an attempt to lure me into their overpriced cartridges. I cant risk a bad shave on my birthday so I shave with what I am used to, a double edge. So tried this out yesterday.

I used to love cartridge razors for a smooth, fast shave. This one I took my time like normal and got a bunch of bumps and a few cuts. It never happens otherwise.

I think it is the four blades, they must be snagging the hair and instead of cutting it all the way. The first blade cuts it really sharp, and the other 3 jam them under my skin.

Maybe I am doing it wrong, but I don't see how. These things are supposed to be made for skilled shavers and idiots alike i guess. What are your opinions?

 

[MondoJ]

I just tried a Fusion last week after two years of DE and got a great shave based on the techniques that I have learned. Won't go back to the fusion due to the price.

 

[Dngolden]

I love de shaving but still use a cartridge when a travel on business. (Hassle of flights and every minute is precious). Just yesterday I shaved in an Airport restroom. Not ideal conditions. Got a great two pass shave. Extremely close and quick. Typically cartridge scratchiness, but no tugging, nicks or wheepers. It may just be one of things where it doesn't agree with your face.

 

[jrp316]

I used a Fusion before switching up to DEs and straights. I switched primarily because of price. A pack of 6 cartridges for $30 struck me as rather ridiculous. The Fusion shaved decently enough with my normal wet shaving prep though. The DEs and straights, however, blew it away in terms of shave quality.

 

[Rustonrazor]

I have not noticed a difference in the quality of my shaves since I switched. I am lucky to have a beard that isn't very coarse and generally grows uniformly instead of all over the map. However, I enjoy the process and experience more since the switch.

 

[sychodelix]

Never had good luck with any cartridge with over 3 blades. Then again, I have wire bristle follicles that jam in between the blades. A few of the Schick ones have enough space between the blades that they work alright, but I still prefer single blades.

 

[coloradomonkey]

Fusion was he most comfortable of the cartridges for me. No nicks. But tons of ingrowns. And at a cost that is at least 3-5x the cost of the DEs I'd go through in the same time period, just makes no sense.

 

[Andy]

Some cartridge razors are ok, received a free Gillette Proglide the other week, BBS shaves while using it, but only lasted 5 days before the cartridge was blunt, and at AU$7 per cartridge, no thanks.

 

[KQY61]

Hi,

They send me freebies in the mail as well. Best of them all was the one with two blades that had a spring suspension system to bend around the curves of the face. Cant recall the name now. The Mach 3 was ok. The Fusion is too far, and I see now where there is another blade added (!) to the fool thing. It would have to have blade spacing so close it would screech (or is that scratch) to a halt on my face given these whiskers.....

Stan

 

[Guest111]

I used to use a Fusion full time before I got into the DE. Now I keep one around for emergencies, because I can shave extremely fast with a Fusion, some hot water, and a few drops of Shave Secret, no other prep. I can get a "meh, good enough" shave with one pass, without any fear of nicks, cuts, or redness. (YMMV, obviously). My four primary issues with the Fusion are a) the cost, b) the cost, c) the cost, and d) occasional in-growns.

 

[elverdiblanco]

I used Fusions for years before switching to DE. I always got a great shave but I could only shave every 3-4 days because any more than that it would tear my face to ribbons and give a terrible shave. The reason for me switching to DE was to be able to get a good comfortable shave every day and so far it is paying off.

 

[Bcobu1102]

I used cartridge razors for my first month of wetshaving and was really frustrated with the contant razor burn and razor bumps. No problems since I started using my DE. No matter how enticing, I'm never going back.

 

[chilliman64]

never heard a cart referred to as a face-slasher

 

[Eeyore]

Why doesn't Gillette send us free razors? Do they only "care" about American customers?

Care between hyphens, since obviously they only care about recruiting new customers

 

[Jerry-built Hustler]

I think it is the four blades, they must be snagging the hair and instead of cutting it all the way. The first blade cuts it really sharp, and the other 3 jam them under my skin.

Actually, it's five blades, because there was no way Gillette was going to let Schick one-up them with the Quattro. (I'm still amazed by the prescience of The Onion article that predicted that.)

As for my opinion on the Fusion, I can't stand it. And I'm speaking as someone who is generally pro-cartridge, although my preference leans heavily toward earlier models - nothing more than two blades. I didn't really understand the concept of 'increased number of blades = increased drag' until I tried shaving with the Fusion. (Ironically, after I did, then I noticed how much the Mach3 also drags compared to two-blade carts.) The Fusion is big, unwieldy, uncomfortable, ugly, and leaves me with bumps and ingrowns. I wouldn't want it even if it cost less. The asking price for cartridges just makes it that much sillier.

 

[Eeyore]

I agree, there are very good twin blade cartridges (and inexpensive too). However, anything more than that is wasted on me. I was never tempted to try the Sensor / Mach3 / whatever monsters that followed the original minimalist cartridges.

 

[pirateskull]

I only use it when I am on vacation. I don't bring my brushes or my razors.

 

[Ceri]

I've had to drop back to carts for the last few weeks as the MS tremor in my left hand has become so bad it's making my right hand shake. I'll go as far as two blades tho and no more. I've been using a Boots pivoting razor, a Vector, trac II clone and for the first time tomorrow a Parker holder. Use the same prep and consumables and there aren't any problems. YVMV of course.


In case the beta blockers I've started don't work, I'm trying to get a vintage Atra from eBay but keep getting outbid. Who'd have thunk it

 

[rockviper]

I've never used a cart with more than two blades.

 

[tm3]

I've had to drop back to carts for the last few weeks as the MS tremor in my left hand has become so bad it's making my right hand shake. I'll go as far as two blades tho and no more. I've been using a Boots pivoting razor, a Vector, trac II clone and for the first time tomorrow a Parker holder. Use the same prep and consumables and there aren't any problems. YVMV of course.
View attachment 350807

In case the beta blockers I've started don't work, I'm trying to get a vintage Atra from eBay but keep getting outbid. Who'd have thunk it

that is a cool looking handle -- exactly what brand/model is it?