Gillette Fusion Manual Replacement Cartridges (8 Cartridges) Review.
"I'm impressed +READ for a blade-extending TIP!" 2006-12-23
By Jonathan Sabin (Ellenton, FL USA)
I've been very happy with the Mach III for the past few years --but then a Fusion razor and cartridge came in the mail and I figured I'd give it a try.
I'm probably a good one to test razors... see my photograph--not only do I shave my face, (though I typically have a goatee), but I also shave my entire head as well.
I've been using the same Fusion blade now --daily on my face, and just about every third day on my head-- and despite some claims to the contrary, it's still going strong... after almost three weeks!!
Why has my blade lasted this long, despite my pretty heavy usage? EVERY time I shave, after thoroughly rinsing the blade, I GIVE IT A QUICK SPRAY WITH SHOWER CLEANER. (Such as "Clean Shower" or any of the no-wipe cleaners that you spray after using the shower.)
Then I set the razor so it's standing with the cartridge end down.
This does two things. The shower cleaner ensures that no film of water remains to dry on the edges of the blades, leaving spots for microscopic rusty areas to form,) and standing the razor blade-side-down makes sure that gravity takes any debris or water that MIGHT be left on the blade, DOWN and AWAY from the blade edge, since the edge of the blades face UP when you have the cartridge down.
Prior to doing this on the Mach III blades, I'd also get about 3 or 4 good shaves out of a blade... but once I tried it, I got as many as 30. It makes a HUGE difference! I should also point out that I almost never get nicks and cuts. (I've been shaving my head for about 4 years, and I think I've nicked it shaving ONCE... .part of the reason is because I'm very careful about using my blade-cleaning technique.)
Note to Gillette... Send me a lifetime supply of Fusion cartridges and I'll consider removing the blade-life extending tip from this review! ;-)
- Jonathan Sabin
"Make a Blade Last 6 Months" 2008-08-26
By Michael P Dunphy (Columbia, SC)
The Gillette Fusion is a great blade but doesn't last long. I found a secret that makes a blade last 4-6 months. After shaving, rinse the blades well, knock the loose water from the blade by taping on a dry towel and then blow on it until it is very dry. Shaving does not make the blade wear out---rust does. Leaving the blade wet will lead to micro-rust in a few days so figure out how to dry it after using and it will stay very sharp for months. Try it and you will see.
"Blades Cut Very Close. Nice Razor" 2006-01-28
By M. Bernard (Los Angeles, CA)
When I first saw the ads on TV I thought it was a joke. Five blades!! I saw the item locally so I purchased it with the intention of shaving with it first thing in the morning. I am currently a Mach 3 user and I love it so I wondered if this Fusion thing would make a big difference. I honestly feel that the shave with the Fusion is of the same closeness at the Mach 3. However the Fusion has a HUGE bonus the extra blade (six) on the back of the shaving headto hit those stray hairs that remain under the nose that the Mach 3 normally misses. Also it is much easier to trim sideburns with the Fusion because you do not have to worry about hacking off a huge chunk with the mass of 3 blades with the Mach 3. A bit pricey and if the razor came at the same price as the Mach 3 I would commit to the upgrade, (Very Hard for guys to change hygeine products, we love the good old reliables). If you do not have a Mach 3 then I recommend purchasing the Fusion. Bottom line: Close shave, nice sideburn and stray hair trimmer, nice overall design of the handle, and a good looking razor. Thanks.
"Like driving an automatic car........" 2007-10-18
By great hands (San Diego, CA United States)
Incredible close shave everytime. Contrary to these other reviews, I found the blades last a long time even with my thick daily beard. You need to understand, these blades are light and very thin, so no pressure is needed to shave. Just like driving an automatic car for the first time, you can't feel everything in the road, but no effort is needed for a smooth gentle ride. Been using this Fusion system for a few months now and my skin is clear from gentle smooth shaves. These replacement blades are a little more costly, shop around you can find deals. The Fusion razor is so worth it. Excellent razor!!!!
"Smooth, comfortable, and long-lasting" 2008-11-10
By Richard Lane (Hillsborough, CA)
These blades are very comfortable, and the single blade on the back gets into every nook and cranny. When I shave every day, I can use an electric to keep up. When I'm on vacation or just don't care to shave every day, these guys do the job when I get around to it. If I use them exclusively, I get 30 days of use out of a single cartridge, whether I shave 30 times every day or 10 times every 3 days. My son has the power version, which is fun to use but doesn't seem to work any better.
By Jonathan Sabin (Ellenton, FL USA)
I've been very happy with the Mach III for the past few years --but then a Fusion razor and cartridge came in the mail and I figured I'd give it a try.
I'm probably a good one to test razors... see my photograph--not only do I shave my face, (though I typically have a goatee), but I also shave my entire head as well.
I've been using the same Fusion blade now --daily on my face, and just about every third day on my head-- and despite some claims to the contrary, it's still going strong... after almost three weeks!!
Why has my blade lasted this long, despite my pretty heavy usage? EVERY time I shave, after thoroughly rinsing the blade, I GIVE IT A QUICK SPRAY WITH SHOWER CLEANER. (Such as "Clean Shower" or any of the no-wipe cleaners that you spray after using the shower.)
Then I set the razor so it's standing with the cartridge end down.
This does two things. The shower cleaner ensures that no film of water remains to dry on the edges of the blades, leaving spots for microscopic rusty areas to form,) and standing the razor blade-side-down makes sure that gravity takes any debris or water that MIGHT be left on the blade, DOWN and AWAY from the blade edge, since the edge of the blades face UP when you have the cartridge down.
Prior to doing this on the Mach III blades, I'd also get about 3 or 4 good shaves out of a blade... but once I tried it, I got as many as 30. It makes a HUGE difference! I should also point out that I almost never get nicks and cuts. (I've been shaving my head for about 4 years, and I think I've nicked it shaving ONCE... .part of the reason is because I'm very careful about using my blade-cleaning technique.)
Note to Gillette... Send me a lifetime supply of Fusion cartridges and I'll consider removing the blade-life extending tip from this review! ;-)
- Jonathan Sabin
By Michael P Dunphy (Columbia, SC)
The Gillette Fusion is a great blade but doesn't last long. I found a secret that makes a blade last 4-6 months. After shaving, rinse the blades well, knock the loose water from the blade by taping on a dry towel and then blow on it until it is very dry. Shaving does not make the blade wear out---rust does. Leaving the blade wet will lead to micro-rust in a few days so figure out how to dry it after using and it will stay very sharp for months. Try it and you will see.
By M. Bernard (Los Angeles, CA)
When I first saw the ads on TV I thought it was a joke. Five blades!! I saw the item locally so I purchased it with the intention of shaving with it first thing in the morning. I am currently a Mach 3 user and I love it so I wondered if this Fusion thing would make a big difference. I honestly feel that the shave with the Fusion is of the same closeness at the Mach 3. However the Fusion has a HUGE bonus the extra blade (six) on the back of the shaving headto hit those stray hairs that remain under the nose that the Mach 3 normally misses. Also it is much easier to trim sideburns with the Fusion because you do not have to worry about hacking off a huge chunk with the mass of 3 blades with the Mach 3. A bit pricey and if the razor came at the same price as the Mach 3 I would commit to the upgrade, (Very Hard for guys to change hygeine products, we love the good old reliables). If you do not have a Mach 3 then I recommend purchasing the Fusion. Bottom line: Close shave, nice sideburn and stray hair trimmer, nice overall design of the handle, and a good looking razor. Thanks.
By great hands (San Diego, CA United States)
Incredible close shave everytime. Contrary to these other reviews, I found the blades last a long time even with my thick daily beard. You need to understand, these blades are light and very thin, so no pressure is needed to shave. Just like driving an automatic car for the first time, you can't feel everything in the road, but no effort is needed for a smooth gentle ride. Been using this Fusion system for a few months now and my skin is clear from gentle smooth shaves. These replacement blades are a little more costly, shop around you can find deals. The Fusion razor is so worth it. Excellent razor!!!!
By Richard Lane (Hillsborough, CA)
These blades are very comfortable, and the single blade on the back gets into every nook and cranny. When I shave every day, I can use an electric to keep up. When I'm on vacation or just don't care to shave every day, these guys do the job when I get around to it. If I use them exclusively, I get 30 days of use out of a single cartridge, whether I shave 30 times every day or 10 times every 3 days. My son has the power version, which is fun to use but doesn't seem to work any better.
