Mach 3 Revisited

[Brutus]

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!

Just a few months ago, I did a similar experiment.

Partly because I had just come from a long trip by air, where I needed to shave in a hotel about halfway and could not be bothered to claim my bag with the DE razor in it and had the bags checked through to destination.
Partly because I had recently read a thread about what kind of razor to use when travelling.

In any case, my experiment included the Trac II/G II, Atra/Contour, and Sensor.
The experience was similar to yours, first I thought the shave quite decent, applying the same techniques (pre-shave prep, number of passes, etc.) that I apply to DE shaves, but ultimately the results could not hold a candle to a proper shave with DE razor or straight.
In the beginning there was even some fun, shaving with tools that I had abandoned twenty odd years ago, but that novelty soon wore off.

The one razor I did not try was the Mach III, because I remember this razor as the product where Gillette price gouging ultimately convinced me to switch to DE razors. Little did I know then what sort of ridiculous prices Gillette would charge for the following generations of cartridges.

Ultimately, I took away the lesson that a shave with a cartridge razor could be better than what I remembered as long as one applies the techniques of a solid DE shave, but that even then the results do not match what I can do with more traditional razors.


Experiment over (except maybe for the occasional trip where I can’t take a DE razor)…



B.

 

[c__port]

I must admit that after the first shave, the mach 3 has performed admirably. It may be that it had some edge fuzz that I face-stropped off.

After 3 shaves, 2 of which were great, I went and dug out my Karve CB with D plate and a mild blade and did a quick informal comparison.

Speed:
Mach 3 is a bit quicker

Closeness:
CB is much closer

Post-shave sting:
Mach 3 has very little, CB has a bit.

Smoothness after 5 hours:
Very slight edge to CB

Smoothness after 8 hours:
No contest here - the CB is still smooth while the Mach 3 feels scratchy.

 

[Brutus]

I must admit that after the first shave, the mach 3 has performed admirably. It may be that it had some edge fuzz that I face-stropped off.

After 3 shaves, 2 of which were great, I went and dug out my Karve CB with D plate and a mild blade and did a quick informal comparison.

Speed:
Mach 3 is a bit quicker

Closeness:
CB is much closer

Post-shave sting:
Mach 3 has very little, CB has a bit.

Smoothness after 5 hours:
Very slight edge to CB

Smoothness after 8 hours:
No contest here - the CB is still smooth while the Mach 3 feels scratchy.

The way I look at it, cartridge razors are the instant coffee ️ of shaving. .

Quick, convenient, aimed at people who are not very demanding, and nowhere close to the real thing…



B.

 

[SaguaroSmart]

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

I totally agree with this one. The sensor excel has a handle that curves and exposes the head more easily for you to maintain it against your face. I never understood the point of these designs like the mach 3 or fusion 5 that have the cartridge almost straight above the handle, it's really awkward to hold in my opinion.

When I travel I always pick up a sensor and it does the job fine, nothing amazing but it works and it's easy.

 

[Galibier_Numero_Un]

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.

This has been my experience as well as @Marco's.

Revisiting my Mach 3 recently proved to me the importance of getting your prep/lather/technique dialed.

Don't fall prey to confirmation bias. I'm in no way disparaging Sensor 2s. I picked up a couple of them to compare (for TSA/ travel).

... Thom

 

[ChriWilson]

The way I look at it, cartridge razors are the instant coffee ️ of shaving. .

Quick, convenient, aimed at people who are not very demanding, and nowhere close to the real thing…



B.

I have been known to enjoy a cup of Nescafe Instant or L'or - as I actually enjoy using the MachIII while on travel.
It really does boil down to proper prep and setting a realistic expectation.

For me, this is totally the wrong tool if seeking a BBS - but is a very good low-risk piece to deliver a very good shave in other-than-normal conditions

 

[StewB]

I mentioned hating the clogging. For me, there's a new cartridge razor winner: The three-blade Defender (defenderrazor.com). I bought one of these to try it out: The vendor claims it doesn't clog due to the spacing of the blades. So far this claim seems accurate in my testing. I've used it 3 days in a row and am quite satisfied with the shave results. As @Alum Ladd mentioned in regards to the Mach 3: This razor seems to work well with a light touch. As always, peoples' experiences differ, but so far the Defender is my favorite multi-blade cartridge razor: Doesn't clog and gives a decent shave. I'll be using this as my travel razor in the case I use only carry-on luggage.

 

[Tirvine]

When my autistic son visits, I get to shave him. He started with Mach III and then got a Fusion. Shaving went much for smoothly, and the shave was better. Someone gave him a Gillette Labs as a present. It was even better. For my face a Lab Blue in my DE is just right, but I like multiblade razors for shaving my son, who has trouble holding still.

 

[Razrnewb]

As subpar as they are to a good DE, they are still handy when you need a really fast socially acceptable shave, you are 95% still asleep or traveling light and can’t deal with all the shave equipment or just don’t feel like it. A Mach 3, a mini can of aerosol goo and one pass will get it done “good enough” to show up anywhere fast and super safe. I keep one in my go bag for weekend trips and for cleaning up around my hairline at neck, shoulders, top of chest/neck etc between haircuts. My experience is same as @Alum Ladd - If I give the Mach 3 the same prep, routine and number of passes as a DE, it will give a decent shave. The problem is that if I go ATG or XTG at all I get irritation, ingrown and often acne. For me, a Mach 3 has a use as a 1-2x a month shave limited to one pass when absolute speed and convenience is called for.

 

[tm3]

I always thought that I didn't like the Henson because it shaved like a cartridge razor. Maybe if I can learn to get decent results with a cartridge, I could actually get a decent result from a Henson too.

No, that's a step too far!

IMO, while the Henson is more similar to a cartridge razor than, say, a 34, the Henson is much much more similar to other DEs than it is to cartridges.

Only way you are gonna know for sure is to try one ......

 

[Frank Shaves]

I like the MACH3. If I travel with a cartridge, it is a MACH3.

 

[Hairy Callahan]

To get a sub-par shave with a Mach3, you'd almost have to have the cart installed backwards. My first smooth, irritation-free DFS was with a Mach3. It was an eye opening experience that I'll never forget. Up to that point I'd only used BiC white handled disposable face chainsaws. The Mach3 has a special place in my shave den and I'll never be without one. In my opinion, it's the Zenith of Gillette design and execution. I'm glad it's still available and I hope it's never discontinued.

 

[Goblin]

IMO, while the Henson is more similar to a cartridge razor than, say, a 34, the Henson is much much more similar to other DEs than it is to cartridges.

Only way you are gonna know for sure is to try one ......

I am not sure I really understand what you are saying. The Henson is more like a cart than a 34c, which is probably (along with the de89) the archetypal DE razor of the past 40 years, but the Henson is simultaneously more like every other DE razor than it is like carts? That doesn't really make sense to me.

I had a Henson medium and didn't like it. Too light and too mild. The shaves were terrible. I wonder if the adaptations I made to get better shaves from the Mach 3 would have helped with the Henson, but ultimately it wasn't something I needed to do. I already have a drawer full of DE razors that I get good shaves from, but being able to get a decent shave from a cartridge is useful for travel, so to me there was a bit more value to be had persevering with that.

I have actually grabbed a few other cartridges to try - a Gillette Guard (which has no right shaving as well as it does for a flimsy bit of plastic designed for use in developing countries with low access to clean water) and a Gillette PII. I haven't shaved with that one yet.

 

[tm3]

I am not sure I really understand what you are saying. The Henson is more like a cart than a 34c, which is probably (along with the de89) the archetypal DE razor of the past 40 years, but the Henson is simultaneously more like every other DE razor than it is like carts? That doesn't really make sense to me.

I had a Henson medium and didn't like it. Too light and too mild. The shaves were terrible. I wonder if the adaptations I made to get better shaves from the Mach 3 would have helped with the Henson, but ultimately it wasn't something I needed to do. I already have a drawer full of DE razors that I get good shaves from, but being able to get a decent shave from a cartridge is useful for travel, so to me there was a bit more value to be had persevering with that.

I have actually grabbed a few other cartridges to try - a Gillette Guard (which has no right shaving as well as it does for a flimsy bit of plastic designed for use in developing countries with low access to clean water) and a Gillette PII. I haven't shaved with that one yet.

I may not have been clear with what I was trying to say.

If one looks at the razors as falling along a "characteristic spectrum," with the Mach3 at one end of the line and the DE89 at the other end, then IMO the Henson does not belong at either end, not smack dab in the middle, and not closer to the Mach3 -- much closer to the DE89 than the Mach3. At least, that is the way they come across to me.

It also looks like I misunderstood your Henson experience when I tossed out my enabling comment. I should stay off the keyboard when my coffee titer is low, I guess.

The different tastes we all have are interesting. I also tried the Guard, but did not like it. Same for the PII. But I do like the Mach3, and the Sensor Excel. One thing I have learned here is that before I grab something to try because someone says how much they love it, I try to see what else they love and if their tastes seem to be like mine.

 

[Goblin]

If one looks at the razors as falling along a "characteristic spectrum," with the Mach3 at one end of the line and the DE89 at the other end, then IMO the Henson does not belong at either end, not smack dab in the middle, and not closer to the Mach3 -- much closer to the DE89 than the Mach3. At least, that is the way they come across to me.

Fair enough - I think if a cartridge razor sits at 0 and a traditional DE at 100, the Henson is around 25. That's more in terms of how I find the shave - obviously in terms of form the Henson is more like a DE. But it's all very personal.

The different tastes we all have are interesting. I also tried the Guard, but did not like it. Same for the PII. But I do like the Mach3, and the Sensor Excel. One thing I have learned here is that before I grab something to try because someone says how much they love it, I try to see what else they love and if their tastes seem to be like mine.

That's very true, and if I had learned that many years ago I would probably not own nearly so many razors!