Help clear up my confusion... Atra/Trac II

[Zatx Woopyoax]

Okay I decided to try out some cartridges that were cheap and had good reviews. That landed me on Atra or Trac IIs.

I did lots of searches around here and read lots of threads but after visiting some stores I'm more confused.

Okay.. Walmart supposedly sells an Atra/Trac II clone for $3.85 for 10 blades made by Personna. And a "bump fighter" razor/holder for using them. I went to my local Walmart and found the package of blades but could not find a bump fighter holder anywhere. As I looked around I found the same Personna Atra/Trac II blade on a disposable handle that was 6 for $.97. In looking at the packages it appears to be the exact same head. Well 6 for $.97 (and they sold a 16 pack for $2.27) is much cheaper than buying the 10 for $3.85. One thing of note, all of these were the "plus" variety with a lube strip, which I was hoping to avoid.

So then I go to my CVS and they didn't have anything minus the lube strip either, but they did have the bump fighter handle for $5.97.

Stopped at the Dollar General right next to CVS and found the Dorvo Atra/Trac II clone in the 6 for $1.25 variety. But I think these had the lube strip too.

So clear this up for me. Where can I find either Atra or Trac II blades without a lube strip and a handle to put them on?

So confusing...

 

[Robxcarlson]

You can get some nice Trac II style handles on eBay... some vintage and some brand new - feather makes a nice trac II style handle which I bought a year or so ago from Dridiot and he sells "no lube strip" carts as well.

You can get Atra style handles if you search eBay for Gillette Vector. The handle has a lot of plastic, but it is cheaper than a vintage Atra handle. Dridiot sells these too, but so do a lot of other sellers on the 'bay.

 

[DonOhio]

I went to my local Walmart and found the package of blades but could not find a bump fighter holder anywhere.

Visited mine this evening. Nothing whatsoever Atra/Trac II related, and their Bump Fighter carts were on clearance 1/2 off. No handle for them, just carts.

 

[Blue_2]

I'm a recovering Atra Plus user. I still have one in a bag under the sink.

The vector handle is light and plastic. The weight throws the whole feel off. Try this instead, it isn't bad actually.

http://www.westcoastshaving.com/Col-Conk-Chrome-Swivel-Head-Razor_p_385.html

 

[Zatx Woopyoax]

I hit up dridiot for a cheapy TracII handle that came with 5 TracII carts for $5.00. Figure I'll spend $5.00 to see if I like them or not before spending $20.00 on a decent handle.

I'm not really looking for anything to get out of DE shaving, just looking for an alternative for when I travel or need a quick shave for some reason.

 

[michiganlover]

You can get Atra style handles if you search eBay for Gillette Vector. The handle has a lot of plastic, but it is cheaper than a vintage Atra handle. Dridiot sells these too, but so do a lot of other sellers on the 'bay.

I would avoid the Gillette Vector handle.

Yes they work with Atra carts, but the handle has almost ZERO amount of weight too it. It's very cheaply made (mine rattled like a dollar store toy), and honestly has about the weight of a Bic disposable.

The metal handle West Coast Shaving sells is a much better choice.

 

[whinylittlerunt]

I would avoid the Gillette Vector handle.

Yes they work with Atra carts, but the handle has almost ZERO amount of weight too it. It's very cheaply made (mine rattled like a dollar store toy), and honestly has about the weight of a Bic disposable.

Wow, isn't that the truth. I just bought a GII, which is exactly the Trac II and works great, and a newer Atra Plus handle, which is the equivalent to the Vector handle, and man is it cheap! But it was an actual later model Atra handle. I just thought the same thing the other day, and mine rattles too. Sadly, I paid more than I wanted to for it since they're out of production and I insisted on having a genuine handle...