Mach 3 Revisited

[c__port]

In the process of moving, I packed everything that was nonessential for the next 3 weeks. While packing, I found an 8-year-old Mach 3 cart and handle, and thought that I would use that as a transitional razor. After all, I spent a decade using the Mach 3, believing to the end that this was the pinnacle of shaving technology.

The first pass was magnificent, sublime, almost dreamy in perfection. All my love for DE razor shaving was in danger of being exposed as an infatuation, a fad - until I rinsed.

What a crop of stubble!

I lathered again, and gave my beard a second pass. Still only a CCS - no closer in feel; hairs under my nose still scratchy and untouched.

As I attempted to buff, I found that I was unintentionally applying pressure in an attempt to get closer. When I rinsed, I saw the telltale redness on my neck from which I've had 8 years of near-freedom.

I miss my DE razors already. I will have to be content with a CCS for the next 3 weeks.

 

[MrSpeedy]

The Mach 3 was a terrible design. The Sensor/Sensor Excel was a far superior design.

 

[Goblin]

I bought a Mach 3 for travel and occasionally shave with it. My experience is similar to yours. It takes about 5 passes and your skin is raw before you are done with removing hair. Ghastly thing.

 

[catchacoolbreeze]

The Mach 3 was a terrible design. The Sensor/Sensor Excel was a far superior design.

I'm curious as to what makes you say this? Details please.

 

[Eric_75]

The Mach 3 was a terrible design. The Sensor/Sensor Excel was a far superior design.

100% agree. I never got along with it and finally tossed it in the trash. Went right back to my Sensor/Sensor Excel.

 

[Alum Ladd]

In the process of moving, I packed everything that was nonessential for the next 3 weeks. While packing, I found an 8-year-old Mach 3 cart and handle, and thought that I would use that as a transitional razor. After all, I spent a decade using the Mach 3, believing to the end that this was the pinnacle of shaving technology.

The first pass was magnificent, sublime, almost dreamy in perfection. All my love for DE razor shaving was in danger of being exposed as an infatuation, a fad - until I rinsed.

What a crop of stubble!

I lathered again, and gave my beard a second pass. Still only a CCS - no closer in feel; hairs under my nose still scratchy and untouched.

As I attempted to buff, I found that I was unintentionally applying pressure in an attempt to get closer. When I rinsed, I saw the telltale redness on my neck from which I've had 8 years of near-freedom.

I miss my DE razors already. I will have to be content with a CCS for the next 3 weeks.

Use it as you would a DE razor in terms of number and direction of passes, soap or cream, brush and post shave routine and you will have an excellent result.

 

[MrSpeedy]

I'm curious as to what makes you say this? Details please.

The blades came out at a shallow angle for the handle, making getting a good angle to shave near impossible.

 

[ivan_101]

MACH3 is the best cartridge razor.
I have used at least 80% of the cartridge razors through the years, both disposables and non-disposables. From 1-blade BICs to 5 and 6-blade monstrosities from many companies - Gillette, Schick, Wikinson, Bic, Dorco, Super-Max, Personna and whatever.

I still use the MACH3 when I have to get up at 6 in the morning. A tube of cream, a boar brush. Face lathering with squeezing the cream inside the knot. 3 passes with a nice very close result and zero irritation. And my whiskers are super tough black barbwire.

Something you are not doing right.

 

[SalS]

These threads always puzzle me. How could someone ever have trouble using a Mach 3? I just can’t see it. Moreover, why shave more than once?

 

[catchacoolbreeze]

The blades came out at a shallow angle for the handle, making getting a good angle to shave near impossible.

ahh I see what you mean. Yeah, its a bit odd compared to other razors if you are shaving your face. I used one for many years and loved it for my head shaves though...but yeah---the handle/head angle thing is definitely a little different.

Right now I have a stash of sensor xl blades to go through so I have been using them but I see what you mean.

 

[Dog Whiskerer]

I received a custom Mach 3 handle for an anniversary gift a few years ago. If I had shaved with a Mach 3, it would have been years before and probably only as a disposable purchased on a trip.

Those first couple of shaves, after years of DE and SE shaving, proved less than satisfactory. I was trying to shave with it traditional razor shaving muscle memory, when I needed to establish a multi-blade cartridge technique. And I did, before the cart dulled.

It's a classic design. I've since gotten a second custom handle and an OG handle. But it's not my best-shaving cartridge razor. The Sensor holds that spot.

Never understood why you needed more than two blades in a cartridge, anyway.

 

[StewB]

These threads always puzzle me. How could someone ever have trouble using a Mach 3? I just can’t see it. Moreover, why shave more than once?

Are you asking how could anyone else's experience possibly be different from yours?

(To be more direct: I hope how you can see this implied "you must be doing things wrong, unlike me" kind of statement might be off-putting to some.)

 

[c__port]

Use it as you would a DE razor in terms of number and direction of passes, soap or cream, brush and post shave routine and you will have an excellent result.

Thanks Simon - that is exactly what I did this morning. 2 passes plus touchup. All other factors the same. My neck is raw and I have a 5 O'Clock shadow at 3:40PM.

 

[Alum Ladd]

Thanks Simon - that is exactly what I did this morning. 2 passes plus touchup. All other factors the same. My neck is raw and I have a 5 O'Clock shadow at 3:40PM.

That is indeed unfortunate.

 

[Hu3ir0 Hu3Hu3]

Mach 3 is useless anymore.
When I started with SR DE I started using the Mach 3 in Dragon Balls, but I started to have a lot of folliculitis. I had to abandon it permanently.
Now, for the beard I use SR DE and for the Philips Bodygroom + SkinGuard Gillette dragon balls.

 

[Alum Ladd]

Mach 3 is useless anymore.
When I started with SR DE I started using the Mach 3 in Dragon Balls, but I started to have a lot of folliculitis. I had to abandon it permanently.
Now, for the beard I use SR DE and for the Philips Bodygroom + SkinGuard Gillette dragon balls.

I'm so sorry @Hu3ir0 Hu3Hu3

I just can't get past the Dragon Balls.

 

[HoosierTrooper]

While packing, I found an 8-year-old Mach 3 cart and handle

To be clear, was this an 8 year old used cartridge or an 8 year old new one?

 

[Goblin]

I'm so sorry @Hu3ir0 Hu3Hu3

I just can't get past the Dragon Balls.

All I can think of now is "manscaping" for large mythical reptiles. My brain is broken.

 

[HoosierTrooper]

Mach 3 is useless anymore.
When I started with SR DE I started using the Mach 3 in Dragon Balls, but I started to have a lot of folliculitis. I had to abandon it permanently.
Now, for the beard I use SR DE and for the Philips Bodygroom + SkinGuard Gillette dragon balls.

Huh?

 

[Jay21]

For me, the main problems with carts were the high cost, all the plastic, and how easily they clogged. But as far as the actual cutting of hair went, I never really had any issues.