TracII vs. Atra

[DaveNJ74]

I use the TracII system a few days a week and was thinking of venturing into the world of the Atra. Is the Atra basically the same as the Sensor? I used the Sensor way back when it first came out in 1990 or so.
I read that the TracII is basically the best shave you're going to get with a cartridge razor and I agree so far.

 

[Den]

The Atra does have a pivoting head like the sensor but it's more like a Trac II with a pivoting head added in my opinion. It's definitely a great razor. Carts can be found fairly cheap also. You can get very cheap Atra compatible handles from eBay. The only issue is with these cheap handles is that there's no weight at all to them. It weights about the same as a disposable.

 

[DaveNJ74]

Thanks for the reply. I always saw them in the stores but never saw handles for them. I might look on ebay for a nice handle and give it a shot. I see the TracII and Atra carts everywhere but never see anyone buy them.

 

[michiganlover]

You can get very cheap Atra compatible handles from eBay. The only issue is with these cheap handles is that there's no weight at all to them. It weights about the same as a disposable.

In my opinion, that handle is near useless. It literally weighs about the same as a disposable bic, and is riddled with cheap construction (mine rattled like a cheap dollar store toy).

Much better to buy a quality handle like this one from West Coast Shaving:

http://www.westcoastshaving.com/Col-Conk-Chrome-Swivel-Head-Razor_p_385.html

Or post a WTB looking for the very nice vintage Gillette aluminum handled version.

I have both the Trac II, and Atra in my arsenal, and I am undecided which is better. I enjoy them both, and they both give great shaves.

I use the TracII system a few days a week and was thinking of venturing into the world of the Atra. Is the Atra basically the same as the Sensor? I used the Sensor way back when it first came out in 1990 or so.
I read that the TracII is basically the best shave you're going to get with a cartridge razor and I agree so far.

The Trac II was a no frills cartridge razor, so simplistic in design there was nothing to wear out. The non-pivoting head is loved by many of this board, as it best mimics a DE shave. The Trac II later had the famous lube strip added.

The Atra was the Trac II plus a pivoting head. Still pretty robust construction, and the vintage aluminum handles are great, having a decent amount of weight.

The Sensor is totally different than the Atra having spring loaded blades, which was a revolutionary concept. The handle was also the first (in my opinion) designed to have a failure point; Gillette wants to ensure their handles don't last forever, hoping you will then be forced to buy the newest and greatest of their offerings.

 

[Laughster72]

I really wish I'd kept my original Atra handle from the 80s.

 

[Den]

In my opinion, that handle is near useless. It literally weighs about the same as a disposable bic, and is riddled with cheap construction (mine rattled like a cheap dollar store toy).

I found that out the hard way obviously. I still use that handle as its the only one I have, but I want an all metal vintage one...like this.

 

[Slivovitz]

The generic Trac II style cartridges I've tried give me a rougher shave with more tugging than the generic Atra ones. Before getting into this whole injector/SE/DE thing, I was still using my Atra with the CVS branded cartridges. Those were presumably Personnas; they actually shaved better and lasted longer than Gillette's own brand. I don't know why they should be better than Personna's Twin II cartridges for the Trac II, but that was my experience.

I still have both of my mid-80s Atra handles. Went on a trip once and forgot the one I had, so I bought another and kept it as a spare. I also have a couple of Trac II handles. Not original Gillettes, but it's an easy design to copy, and they are good quality.

 

[kingfisher]

Trac II head doesn't pivot; Atra head does. Sensor is different, as John pointed out, above.

Comparing Trac II with Atra the advantage to Trac II is non-pivoting head; perhaps this allows the user to employ a lighter touch. The advantage of the Atra is that the Gillette-branded cartridges for the Atra are the smoothest cartridges available for any cartridge razor system (in my opinion). Even the first shave is smooth. Very nice cartridges.

Having said that, I have a bunch of the Personna cartridges for my Trac II so that is what I'm using right now.

 

[SUNA]

IMHO the Atra is a better razor than the Trac...again YMMV.

 

[michiganlover]

I found that out the hard way obviously. I still use that handle as its the only one I have, but I want an all metal vintage one...like this.

That's the same handle I have currently for my Atra. Solidly built, it would probably last for a good long time.

Those usually go for way too much money on Ebay (especially New In Box), but if you post a Want to Buy on the B/S/T you might find someone who has one they are not using, and wants to part with it.

 

[HoosierTrooper]

I really wish I'd kept my original Atra handle from the 80s.

I have my father in laws 1980 (A1) Trac II handle that my mother in law found packed away. It means a lot to me because he's a great guy who has always treated me well.

 

[knlgskr]

I have a Schick 2 Paul Revere handle (same as Trac 2) in Pewter with the blank blade for sale. If interested E-Mail [email protected] & I can scan to you.

Thank you,

Richard

 

[AlanL]

After 25+ years, I just gave up my Atra to return to DE. I still have two original Atra handles, so I have no complaints about their construction quality. True, they are light, but that's what a "modern" razor is. (Should I clean them up and BST them here?)

You can get some sort of generic replacement cartridges at Wal-Mart ("AutoPlus" brand) for about $2.50 per 10-pack. Never buy name brand refills.

As for a comparison to TracII, I prefer the Atra. Because the razor is light and you have to press it against your face, the angling of the head means that the blades are more often properly aligned to the skin. Therefore, the consistency of the shaves with an Atra is not so dependent on your technique.

 

[Mako72]

I have the aluminum handled atra my Dad gave me when I turned 13. I used it up until about 3 monthes ago when I went to DE. Definitely not a sensor IMHO! I still have a sensor handle they mailed me but that experiment lasted about the number of weeks it took to use the free carts then I went back to my atra.

Jay

 

[highball]

I just looked at my aluminum and plastic handled Atra's, the aluminum one has a F3 date code. Seems like I have had it about that long

 

[SUNA]

I have to find me a metal one...note the sig.

 

[Slivovitz]

This is for information, neither one of these is for sale. The all metal one below is an F2 (actually "2F" is the way it appears). The plastic gripped G2 (or 2G) next to it is basically the same quality; they hadn't added plastic to the head itself yet.

 

[Den]

The plastic one that looks like wood is sexy!!

 

[David6Eagle]

Just when I thought I had my RAD under control, I read this thread and just had to have a trac II.

My rationale: I'm going to resume traveling on business soon and while I plan to check my small suitcase and it's DE shaving equipment, I'm sometimes forced to make last minute changes and carry my bag on board. To avoid having to open my luggage and safely dispose of blades in the airport lobby, a trac II will safely pass through security. Sounds logical, doesn't it?

Found and ordered a Col. Conk Chrome double track handle at razors direct for $15. Love the simplicity of trac II design. Don't know how the vintage Gillettes are going to react to this new fangled whipper snapper joining the den, but they will have to get used to it.

 

[proxymoron]

Must be a generational thing going on here. I've got my father's metal Atra (and Trac II) handle(s) as well. Would have loved if he had held onto a DE but he was definitely of the faster=better mindset for shaves.