Trac II trial

[DaveNJ74]

I came across a few threads about the old Trac II's so I thought I would give them a try. I just went out and purchased the Bump Fighter razor handle that comes with 2 cartridges for about $5.45. I also found Gillette Trac II Plus cartridges pack of 10 for $14.99.
The Bump Fighter handle is a little on the heavy side and seems to be made of a either a heavy plastic or a light steel. The system itself seems a little crappy. They dont sell the Bump Fighter cartridges separate so if someone does like to use these they always have to but an entire system every time they run out of cartridges.
I also came across Gillette Atra cartridges and was wondering if anyone can tell me what the difference is between them and the Trac II's. I have a 2 day growth and tomorrow Im going to give the Trac II Plus a whirl.

 

[luvmysuper]

The Trac II is a fixed head cart, the Atra was the first pivoting head razor from Gillette.

They are not interchangeable.

The Trac II is actually a pretty good system before they got crazy with the multiblade idea.

 

[DaveNJ74]

Thanks, they had both and glad I didnt buy it. It wouldnt have fit on the handle. If you are a fan of the Sopranos there is a scene where Uncle Junior is shaving in the shower and falls. It looked like he was using a Trac II with a chrome handle. Just throwing that out there.

 

[michiganlover]

The Bump Fighter handle is a little on the heavy side and seems to be made of a either a heavy plastic or a light steel.

The Bumpfighter is a combo of both plastic, and metal. The handle itself is heavy plastic. It has a metal piece (that actually holds the cartridge onto the razor) that is screwed into it.

The heaviness of the handle should be a good thing; it means the weight of the razor can do the cutting, and you won't need to apply very much pressure.

The original Gillette Trac II handle is actually quite lightweight when compared to the BumpFighter handle.

Anyway, the Trac II is one of the best cartridge razors ever made. It was simplistic, and simplistic is better.

 

[verdict]

In regards to the "Trac IIs are good cartridges", how are the Sensor ones? I believe they have the same number of blades.

 

[luvmysuper]

In regards to the "Trac IIs are good cartridges", how are the Sensor ones? I believe they have the same number of blades.

The Sensor was generally considered the last of the decent cart razors.

 

[DaveNJ74]

In regards to the "Trac IIs are good cartridges", how are the Sensor ones? I believe they have the same number of blades.

I used the Sensor primarily since I started shaving in 1990 or 1991. There was the Sensor and then the Sensor Excel which I think had a lube strip. I always had problems with my skin but knowing what I know now it was because of the shaving cream in the can and not proper wet shaving techniques.
Im sure now with the same Gillette Sensor and they way I shave now there would be no issues. I might even give it a try if I find one for a decent price. I think the cartridges for the Sensor are much cheaper than the MachIII's. Those are just way over priced and I think men are starting to realize that.

 

[DaveNJ74]

Ok, just shaved with the Trac II Plus with Bump Fighter handle. This gave a great shave and I think Gillette got it right the first time when it comes to the cartridge systems.
The Bump Fighter handle is a little awkward to use because of the angle it holds the Trac II cartridge. I can see tinkering around a few more times with this and see how it performs.
I used Truefitt & Hill's Lavender Shave Cream with GFT Violet Soap as a pre-shave and Truefitt & Hill's Grafton Aftershave. This was a good shave.
If the Trac II works out I might invest in a nice handle for it.

 

[kingfisher]

Yep. This is pretty much my everyday set-up. Bump Fighter with Trac II plus cartridges.

You'll get the feel of the Bump Fighter handle after awhile.


I get 10 cartridges for $10.99 instead of $14.99 by buying them at Bed, Bath, and Beyond.

 

[DaveNJ74]

Yep. This is pretty much my everyday set-up. Bump Fighter with Trac II plus cartridges.

You'll get the feel of the Bump Fighter handle after awhile.


I get 10 cartridges for $10.99 instead of $14.99 by buying them at Bed, Bath, and Beyond.

Thanks for the heads up on the Bed Bath and Beyond. Im going to stick it out for a week and see how it is. So far its nice.

 

[taffy]

I love these razors and first used a plastic handled one but then bought an old long handles brass one which is far better for the extra weight, the only cartridge i use now.

 

[Den]

A few days ago I made the decision to get rid of all the cartridge razors I had laying around and to have only one on hand....and that's the Trac II!! I get better shaves with the Trac II than I ever did with the Excel or any other Gillette/Shick cartridge razors.

 

[DaveNJ74]

Im still partial to the Mach 3 though but I think today the Trac II gave me a better shave. I think thats because the Trac II doesnt swivel. It has a fixed head.

 

[KiltedShaver]

I used a Trac II to learn how to shave. Made the journey to multi-blade cartidges, and have come back around and use a superspeed. It was a dream to learn with, and if I were to go back to a cartridge, the Trac II would be it. Have fun!!

 

[masonjarjar]

1. Yes, you can buy Bump Fighter cartridges separately. They sell 5 packs at Wal-mart for like $1.99 or something. I use them on occasion. No, not a BBS shave, but good for when you need to give your face a rest.

2. Try the Personna "Twin" cartridges from Wal-mart. 10 pack for around $4. I think they are superior to the Gillettes, and they don't have that annoying goo-strip on them. They fit any Trac II razor.

3. There is such a beast as Atra/Trac-II compatibile cartridges. Slide it or clip it, it works both ways. They sell them at random drug and dollar stores. Not the best choice in my opinion, however.

 

[DaveNJ74]

1. Yes, you can buy Bump Fighter cartridges separately. They sell 5 packs at Wal-mart for like $1.99 or something. I use them on occasion. No, not a BBS shave, but good for when you need to give your face a rest.

2. Try the Personna "Twin" cartridges from Wal-mart. 10 pack for around $4. I think they are superior to the Gillettes, and they don't have that annoying goo-strip on them. They fit any Trac II razor.

3. There is such a beast as Atra/Trac-II compatibile cartridges. Slide it or clip it, it works both ways. They sell them at random drug and dollar stores. Not the best choice in my opinion, however.

Thanks, I read the Personna's are far better. I will try them if I see them.

 

[sandmountainslim]

3. There is such a beast as Atra/Trac-II compatibile cartridges. Slide it or clip it, it works both ways. They sell them at random drug and dollar stores. Not the best choice in my opinion, however.

I actually really dig those interchangeable blades
They sell them at Dollar General and I believe they are made by Dorco.
Work well on Trac II and Atra.

Wp

 

[HoosierTrooper]

I have a 1980 (A-1) handle that belonged to my father in law that I've used to shave my head and my face a couple times. Works great. Someone described the Trac II as a two bladed injector, which is pretty accurate.

 

[shortgamer]

I love these razors and first used a plastic handled one but then bought an old long handles brass one which is far better for the extra weight, the only cartridge i use now.

I have a Trac II brass handle from the 80s that has lost most of the shiny brass plating. I found a replacement on ebay recently for <$10 delivered.

Until I started messing around with vintage Gillette DEs and blade combinations, I used the Trac II exclusively. The good thing about them is that you really don't have to concentrate much when you shave and you can use almost anything for lather. The cartridges last about a week.

 

[michiganlover]

I actually really dig those interchangeable blades
They sell them at Dollar General and I believe they are made by Dorco.
Work well on Trac II and Atra.

Wp

+1

I have had really good success with the Dollar General/ Dorco dual fit cartridges. And at $1.25 for 6 the price is almost impossible to beat (.21 cents each, nearly as cheap as DE blades).