Mach III revisted

[Lockedin]

Mach III - first shave on a new cartridge
TOBS St James cream
B&B Essential Boar
Captains Choice C O'9T AS

I recently found my Mach III while cleaning the bathroom, and yesterday decided to use it to see if there really is a difference in the quality of my shave.

The short answer is – Yes

I went through usual prep, installed a new cartridge from the tray in the razor holder, lathered up and went to it.

The razor felt a bit strange after DE & straight shaving – very light and no matter how I moved the handle, the head stayed flat against my skin. The shave was very easy and smooth - I didn't need to focus on angle (or keeping the tip of a blade out of my earlobe). I did notice that I had to use more pressure than usual to effectively shave a few spots on my throat as well as up on my head.

I do have one rather large criticism about the M3 head – the “lube strip” actually contacts the skin AFTER the blades pass – so what is it lubricating? Also, the residue that the strip left made it impossible to stretch my skin with my free hand and was difficult to rinse off.

I was left with a nearly DFS shave in the same amount of time it takes me with my FTSS or Slim. I had forgotten just how easy it is to shave with the M3, but also realized just how little control I have with it vs. a DE or Straight (though my control with a Straight still has a long way to go&#8230. Captain’s Choice Cat O’ 9 Tails let me know that I did have a bit of irritation.

Here’s where I feel the difference lies: At the end of the work day, I could feel about as much stubble as I usually have by next morning.

I'm not trying to slam the M3 at all - In fact I found it VERY easy to get a decent shave with. It was interesting to go back to the M3 for a day, but given that I didn’t save any time at all and the shave was not quite as good as I’ve become accustomed to (not to mention that an 8 pack of cartridges costs as much as 200 DE blades) – I think that it will be relegated to the back of the drawer again.

Of course - YMMV

 

[ajmanouk]

For me:

"Why do I DE shave...this cartridge is the same damn thing"

*next day*

"AHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHH INGROWN"

 

[nymtber]

I agree, Mach3 was never a BAD shave, but 5 o'clock shadow is long gone since switching to DE razors. I can remain smooth most of the day if I use a good blade and take my time. Usually, I am fine with a DFS though, as I don't have a lady friend to impress. I'm 6 hours into my shave, and my cheeks are still BBS Mach3 has nothing on DE for me.

I do use cheap personna disposables for keeping my neck trimmed and armpits shaved. No need for anything great there.

 

[Lockedin]

I was thinking of this thread before my shave this morning - I woke up with the same amount of stubble as I had at the end of the work day with the M3.

 

[Eeyore]

That is strange. The common complaint about those multi-blade cartridges is that they cut the hairs too close to the skin.
You would expect less stubble with the Mach3 then.

 

[Lockedin]

That is strange. The common complaint about those multi-blade cartridges is that they cut the hairs too close to the skin.
You would expect less stubble with the Mach3 then.

I've heard that too, but find that my DE & SR razors are getting MUCH closer, and comfortably. My thought is that the multiblade carts might scrape the skin more, but don't shave quite as close (sort of like my SR technique when I'm having an off day!).

I found that I cannot press hard enough to get a uniform BBS shave, especially the crease on the back my head and the soft areas of my throat. Since the head of the M3 floats and stays flat no matter how I hold the handle - I can't adjust the blade angle and I'm forced to press harder (and get irritation) to get a closer shave. Also, I noticed more of a scraping sensation from the M3.

That makes me wonder about the single blade fixed head disposables...

 

[ZJ68]

I do have one rather large criticism about the M3 head – the “lube strip” actually contacts the skin AFTER the blades pass – so what is it lubricating? Also, the residue that the strip left made it impossible to stretch my skin with my free hand and was difficult to rinse off.

I suspect most of the benefit of the lube strip is from going over the same place a second time without applying more lather.

 

[Cobra0369]

After I switched to DE wet shaving, I literally can not use a cartridge anymore. The other day I had to travel for work and due to my own incompetence, forgot to set my alarm. Alas, I was running late and I reached in my travel bag for my Gillette Fusion Pro Glide and Barbasol (keep them in there for emergencies). Well, you can guess the results: razor burn and ingrown hairs.

This was Sunday and I still have pockets of ingrown hairs that are not going away. That was probably the last time I use a cartridge.

 

[Jarick]

I've always thought the soap and brush was one of the best parts of the wet shave.

The cartridges do a fine job for me most of the time, but if I try and get BBS with anything other than WTG, it causes irritation. Then again, I've got irritation going ATG with DE's on the neck as well.

The other benefit of DE is that you get to do multiple passes with your wonderful brush and soap! It's hard to stop at just one and let that lather go to waste...

 

[Eeyore]

The other benefit of DE is that you get to do multiple passes with your wonderful brush and soap! It's hard to stop at just one and let that lather go to waste...

I need two passes with the Trac II as well, to get a good shave. Cartridges are no magical devices that deliver a BBS shave in a single pass

 

[PugslyCat]

I have been using up my old cartridges and disposable razors during Lent each year. What I found is that I can easily get a DFS or better with them if I shave the way I do with my DE. That means proper preparation and multiple passes. That was all well and good except I tend to get quite a bit of razor burn from the triple bladed cartridges and disposables if I do more than a two pass shave. Unfortunately I have some spots on my throat that need to be hit from multiple directions to get a close shave, so two or three passes is a given for me.

 

[Rothman]

Alright, I'm in. I'm going to throw on a fresh Schick Quattro titanium and see how it does. I remember really liking it. Shave quality was not in my list of reasons for switching. Results to follow....

 

[Eeyore]

I just saw what Gillette cartridges cost in the shop, and I nearly got a heart attack!

Incredible that they even sell at that price!

 

[Rothman]

Schick Quattro titanium revisit...
-Palmolive
-Vie long brush
-Cold water prep/shave

Dragged and pulled far more than I remember, was uncomfortable and even at one point a bit painfull.
BBS for sure. All around even in my problem areas with a very minor amount of burn. It was quite an unpleasant shave, the results were very good however. I won't be going back, I like to enjoy my shave and this didn't satisfy that.

 

[Lockedin]

Schick Quattro titanium revisit...
-Palmolive
-Vie long brush
-Cold water prep/shave

Dragged and pulled far more than I remember, was uncomfortable and even at one point a bit painfull.
BBS for sure. All around even in my problem areas with a very minor amount of burn. It was quite an unpleasant shave, the results were very good however. I won't be going back, I like to enjoy my shave and this didn't satisfy that.

+1

In all fairness, it was a lot better than the scrape fest I remember. But, as others have mentioned, though the razor was the razor was the same, prep, brush, cream and after shave are all relatively new to my routine and vastly improve the experience. I'm considering trying a fixed head single blade disposable to use as a travel razor.

 

[Jerry-built Hustler]

I do have one rather large criticism about the M3 head – the “lube strip” actually contacts the skin AFTER the blades pass – so what is it lubricating?

The lube strip originated with the Atra cartridge design. Back then, it made sense, since the plastic area above the blades ("after" the blades, when shaving) was actually the largest part of the cartridge, and could contribute to drag without optimum lubrication. Since the cream is being removed by the blades, that large area of plastic is dragging across dry-ish skin. I notice this even now when using no-strip Trac II cartridges, which have essentially the same head geometry as the Atra, minus the pivot. The strip actually does help minimize the drag in this area.

In my opinion, the strip became pointless with the introduction of the minimalist Sensor and later designs, where that part of the cartridge is so small, drag really isn't an issue. I guess Gillette kept it just because it was a feature they could trumpet. Plus, they managed to turn it into an indicator strip that told you to change the cartridge after 3 to 5 uses. Ironic, now, given that to justify the ridiculous price of the Pro-Glide, Gillette is claiming a cartridge can last up to a month of shaves.

 

[Eeyore]

The lube strip originated with the Atra cartridge design. Back then, it made sense, since the plastic area above the blades ("after" the blades, when shaving) was actually the largest part of the cartridge, and could contribute to drag without optimum lubrication. Since the cream is being removed by the blades, that large area of plastic is dragging across dry-ish skin. I notice this even now when using no-strip Trac II cartridges, which have essentially the same head geometry as the Atra, minus the pivot. The strip actually does help minimize the drag in this area.

Really? I hated that strip from the beginning, and have always used no-strip cartridges whenever they were available. I think they are still made for the East European market (but I don't think they are actively marketed there).

 

[coryforsenate]

I used a Mach 3 for years and it was okay. It's hard to get a bad shave with a Mach 3 but hard to get that BBS shave with no irritation (for me). I never shaved every day because of the irritation, which I'm sure was exacerbated by using harsh shaving creams. It was better when I switched to some quality creams.

But even on Amazon they're over $2/cartridge. So we're talking around $10/month, give or take depending on your beard type and shaving frequency.

 

[Jerry-built Hustler]

Really? I hated that strip from the beginning, and have always used no-strip cartridges whenever they were available. I think they are still made for the East European market (but I don't think they are actively marketed there).

There are two things I don't like about the strip: 1) when brand new, it is slimy and gummy; it takes a shave or two to get rid of that, after which, it's fine. 2) When the strip wears out, it starts to look ratty. But, I find I do like the way it helps with slickness. When my lather is spot on, and I keep the razor head good and wet, I don't really need the strip. The strip helps, though, when the lather is a little on the dry side.

Right now, the Atra is proving to be my favorite cartridge, even over the Trac II. I have yet to find any Gillette-made Atra carts currently in production that are not the Plus variety with the lube strip, so even if I wanted to go strip-less, I couldn't, unless I went off-brand. (Gillette does produce Trac II carts for the Indian market that do not have strips, but apparently not Atra.) I have some vintage no-strip Atra carts that came with a handle I got off eBay, but the blades were terrible. I would be open to trying a no-strip Atra if it is a Gillette-made cart that is as good as the Plus kind.

 

[linty1]

I still shave sometines with my mach 3 for those day I just feel like something different or dont have time but still need to shave.