Trac II vs Atra?

[stryker4526]

I see these two razors mentioned at times as being the only two cartridge razors that B&B approves of.
What's the difference between the two? I didn't start shaving until the Mach 3 was already a well-established thing, so I never did experience a Trac II or Atra or any other twin-blade cart. Why are these two the exception to the "carts suck" rule?

 

[PugslyCat]

There are actually a lot of guys that like the Sensor razors as well.

I think it's the same twin-bladed cartridge. The Trac II has it rigidly mounted and the Atra handle allows the cart to pivot. Other than that, no difference.

 

[HoosierTrooper]

I like them both and PugslyCat is correct, the Atra pivots while the Trac II blades are fixed in place. The Sensor is also very good as well, it's improvement over the Atra is that the blades are mounted on springs that allow the blades to flex.

 

[shave/brush]

I like the Trac II best because I feel that because the blade does not pivot you have more control over it. I like to change the angle myself. I never liked the Atra when it first came out and I still don't like blades that pivot. But to answer your question, these have only 2 blades per cartridge unlike the others that have 3 or 5 blades. I tried a 5 blade one once and I threw it away after one shave. The 2 blade type shave closer but YMMV.

 

[winston61]

I like the atra myself although it's getting more difficult to find carts. Wally World used to have them, but not now.

 

[jhh834]

I like the atra myself although it's getting more difficult to find carts. Wally World used to have them, but not now.

I believe those carts are still available at Walgreens and CVS. I could be mistaken about the Atra, but I know those stores have some of the older style razor cartridges.

 

[HoosierTrooper]

I like the atra myself although it's getting more difficult to find carts. Wally World used to have them, but not now.

CVS sells their brand that will work on both the Atra and the Trac II, they work very well for me. Also, Walmart carries the Wilkinson brand that works with both, $3.54 for 10. I've never used the Wilkinsons but michiganlover speaks very highly of them, and at $.35 a cart the price is right.

 

[GKC1]

This is an older thread, but I thought I'd mention that I saw some Trac II type cartridges at Dollar General for $2 for a 10-pack. At 20 cents each, they may be worth checking out.

 

[Eeyore]

This is an older thread, but I thought I'd mention that I saw some Trac II type cartridges at Dollar General for $2 for a 10-pack. At 20 cents each, they may be worth checking out.

Those may be Dorco blades. They are sold by "Kruidvat" in the Netherlands as well. I think they are a bit more expensive here (21% VAT)

Personally I think my vintage NOS Wilkinson cartridges are the best you can find.

 

[CFSoto]

I like the Trac II best because I feel that because the blade does not pivot you have more control over it. I like to change the angle myself. I never liked the Atra when it first came out and I still don't like blades that pivot. But to answer your question, these have only 2 blades per cartridge unlike the others that have 3 or 5 blades. I tried a 5 blade once and I threw it away after one shave. The 2 blade type shave closer but YMMV.[/QUOTE

+1 for this answer and opinion. I would add that the best Trac II blades on the market are,by far,the Merkur Twin Blades. More expensive but easily worth the extra bucks because they last so much longer. Craig

 

[GKC1]

This is an older thread, but I thought I'd mention that I saw some Trac II type cartridges at Dollar General for $2 for a 10-pack. At 20 cents each, they may be worth checking out.

Those may be Dorco blades.

Actually, it was Family Dollar, not Dollar General. We have both stores in our small town, and they are close to each other...so I sometimes get them confused.

 

[Sir Lurkalot]

If I'm not mistaken, the CVS branded carts are Personnas.