i had my first shave of life with fusion proglide. My neck became all red with ingrown hair. thought my skin was not used to it thats why it became red. after 4 or 5 shaves i bought mach3 and never had ingrown hair again and no irratition.
@@awaist_tauqir I had the same issue when I started shaving, I even went against the grain once, it hurt so bad that I couldn't rest my face on my hand. I started shaving with a Mach 3 and my skin irritation went away after a few days without changing my razor.
Thanks for your review! Cartridges are not extremely bad in performance. Easy to use, I see why they have people swearing by them. Personally, I believe the 3 blades cartridges to be the best middle ground in Cartridges razors. They shave fairly well and they will give you less irritation compared to a 5 blade. The main issue with them is clogging. The construction of the cartridge, the blade gap makes them hard to rinse. This situation creates also problems when you like your lather a little more "compact". The razor clogs easily and the blades don't cut hair as intended and you need to apply pressure. These razors were designed to be used with canned goo not our type of shaving soap/cream and a brush. Lastly, ingrown hair. Depending to the type of growth you have the may aggravate the appearance of ingrown hair. On my face and neck, they are terrible. My hair grows along my skin and doesn't "stick out" and curl. The cartridge will pull the hair out of the skin, cut the hair and let it go back where the tip of the hair is now under the skin. Plus for me, the tip of the hair is cut in an angle and will grow under the skin, creating tons of ingrown hair. As for your observation for getting a closer shave with the cartridge vs DE, you are right but this come from the fact of the hair going back under the skin with cartridges compared to be cut at skin level with a DE. Depending on your type of hair, this might not be the best thing.
Dartmouth Shaving - Great info and analysis. I did say to myself that if I did it again, I’d thin out the lather quite a bit more. It’s been over a week since I did the shave and fortunately, I don’t have any ingrown hairs... yet. . I’ll keep an eye out. ☺️
When I used the Mach3 cartridges, I used to deal with the clogging problem by keeping an old toothbrush nearby. Each time I rinsed the cartridge I would then pass the bristles of the toothbrush parallel to the gap between the blades at an angle in a sweeping motion to clean the gap. Fortunately I don't have this problem anymore.
Straight razors are a work of art. I think you hit the nail on the head with your car analogy, of course new cars are superb, with all the bells and whistles, but driving a vintage, there's no comparison. for the ease and convenience of a "fancy multi blade cartridge" they do have their place, however i know what i prefer.
Saving money with straights, that was my original intent. 20 straights later averaging $150.00 apiece and 30 soaps I’ll never have to buy again but you do get roped into buying that next product. Fortunately for 3 years I haven’t bought anything. Love your advice, keep it coming.
Atleast your collection has a value attached to it that is more than the intrinsic, utilitarian value of the razors. You'd never collect used disposable cartridges would you? :)
Great video and appreciate your honest feedback on those. I got into using a DE four years ago and then a straight razor, because at the age of 45 I was still having severe acne. I don’t know for sure, but I think it was something in those comfort strips that was causing them because once I switched and started using good quality soaps, my acne all but disappeared.
The Gillette Mach 3 and Mach fives have all been the end of me shaving. I now go two to three months without shaving just cleaning up with my clippers and living with that type of stubble because as one of the others commented it pulls and rips hairs and leaves me with profound razor burn and ingrown hairs. No matter how much I leather what I use for aftershave just absolutely shreds my face and neck area. Which is why I now am investing in straight razors and what shave products to get started down that path and hopefully be able to enjoy shaving again also forgot to add I could only use the cartridge once and have to throw it away. Fit touched my face again it would instantly feel as though it was ripping out here so absolutely no repeat shaves on cartridges and that gets super expensive
@@drmatt357 I'd bet most of the people with these stories are just straight up geniuses. Probably the same people who do edge leading strokes on a leather strop then wonder why it doesn't work. Soak their magnesia bonded Choseras then wonder why they crack. Assemble their DEs with the plate upside down and wonder why it ain't working right. Then you have the geniuses who just repeat whatever claims DE razor dealers are making. Swear on some hidden secret lost knowledge of the old days, because everyone knows everything was better in the old days. Just drive a 50 year old car and see how much better and more comfortable and safer and faster and more economical and efficient it is than the junk we produce today.
This was fun to watch. Really liked your analogy on it. You hit the nail on the head at the end. I’m an old school fanatic and it so much fun to match skill and experience against technology that is at the point where no experience or skill is needed. “It’s all in the challenge” ! Great video thanks again !
To those that still have smooth skin as this guy has, they can get by with electric razors, but as you age and your skin is not as smooth and show some crevices, a blade like this would be better than the electric shaver...I know.
Hi, Matt! When I’m in a hurry I shave with them in the shower…decent shave. Thanks for bringing up the topic. I’ll send you a SR in the next few days. Best!
For all of you that love the Fusion other than the "trimmer" blade on the backside (I personally hate it and have cut my nose with it too many times when shaving above my lip) Gillette has a line out for the ladies called"Joy" and they are the same 5 blade cartridges minus the "trimmer" blade and MUCH less expensive than the regular "Fusion" cartridges (YES the "Joy" cartridges DO fit the Fusion handles)
Sorry one more comment LOL. My son is a captain in the Air Force and has to shave daily. He grew up using razors like mine and also suffered from razor burn and exedra. The past two years he switched to a DE and is not been too awful bad he just left this morning from visiting us for Christmas before his 4th deployment and I turned him on to the straight razor idea. So I'm going send him one of my gold dollars I just bought to use while he's over there. He's looking forward to it.
Nice video. I use straights, DE's and cartridge razors from time to time. The cartridge razors provide a nice, close, comfortable shave. The problem I have with them is the cost.
I thought you were going to have a home-alone moment when you went through four passes with the cartridge and then went for the aftershave. And yes, you cannot hone those things too and that to me removes 99% of the reasons to have shave as a hobby: it goes back to becoming a chore. I normally use them while I am traveling because there are more convenient. Be careful with the trimmer, I had a nasty cut under my nose with one of those things. Nice video as always Doc.
Ramon Murillo - Thanks Ramon and yes you nailed it. To us, this is a hobby where as most other people it’s a chore. No way do they want to spend 15-20 minutes shaving. I’ve come to realize and accept that the older we get, the fewer things we enjoy or appreciate and this is one of the few things that I do enjoy and it’s my time.
Nice shave,and video! I use Gillette fusion proshield flexball chill or mach3 turbo. I shave my head 3 times a Week with gillette fusion proshield flexball chill or proglide flexball and mach3 turbo. Proshield with 2 lubricating strips is the best.proglide flexball is fantastic, mach3 turbo is superb. The best razor 3 blades. In my video i use this razor.i've Been shaving my head with 17years and i am 35years old. Gillette the a man can get
Been using the fusion (powered, buzzy model) for years. The upside is speed. On a daily basis, single pass against the grain (including the noggin) takes the same time as a three pass on the face. For thoas that don't vet full life out of the blades, stropping the cart on the back of your arm 20 times polishes the edges a bit but the skin oil slows oxidation. Some of the old de honing gadgets were pretty impressive. Shaving is a thing, we use the tools that suit best. Thanks for the informative vids...gotta get back to honing...cheers
I've been using one for years too. As a makeshift vibe for the ladies. That's what it's actually for. It does jack shit to improve any kind of shave. WTF do you need a vibrating razor for? It's a sex toy.
Shave looks good, thanks for the demo. With the cost of the blades, it’s just hard to justify not using a DE or a straight. The different finishes off the stones is an add plus for the straights.
I switched to DE shaving about a year ago from using Gillette Fusion Proglides. Honestly, I got consistent BBS shaves from the Proglides and it was fine at the time (And I imagine now it is fine too if I tried it again). It is not as bad as people say it is (unless if you have sensitive skin, I don't and I also never got ingrown hairs as far as I know). Like I get great shaves from DE and the Proglides. Only thing is the feel of DE shaving, the whole process, just feels more satisfying to me and it became more of "when can I shave again" versus the "well I gotta shave now." The challenge of DE shaving though is it took months for me to really get a consistent BBS shave, but now I love it. People say you save more by switching to DE. I kind of disagree because you will be enjoying it so much you want to buy more razors, more brushes, more soaps, and it starts to become like the same price. Of course if you choose one razor and that's it, yeah it is cheaper, but let's be realistic here, DE or straight razor shaving is too enjoyable to not get more razors.
I agree with you 1000%! Cris who has a channel, Another Cut Above, does DE shaves said the exact same thing about the cartridges. He said he can get a closer shave with a cartridge but enjoys the the DEs for the same reason you stated. He said that people who say they don't shave close are talk'n shit!😆
What I liked about cartridge blades is I never cut myself no matter how fast or sloppy I shaved. But they got priced out of my budget & I'm happy with my safety razor now. If I don't hurry I don't get cuts & it shaves closer & MUCH cheaper than my 5 blade cartridges. I'm curious now about straight razors & might give one a try.
Great video doc!!! I used too shave with those style razors and just got tired of the expensive cartridges, so went too a DE for bout a year, then started using a straight razor. I’d send it to a buddy (Scott) too touch it up for me, then got curious on how too hone Watch a bunch of videos of course your videos lol, then Scott turned me into the right direction and boy was I on top of the world when I get my first good shaving edge, then boy it was on from then, it just feels great when you shave off your own edge, now no,looking back. Thanks for the videos!!!
Lucas Huff - Your absolutely right Lucas. And I learned a bunch from Scot as well. I call him Eagle Eye as he has an eye for spotting awesome coticules.
You're right Nick, they do. The problem is guys come from using these to straight razors or DEs and they're used to using lots of pressure and nick themselves up.
At71years of age no need 2 shave every day But saying that I find shaving every 4to 5 days with a tallow base soap and i switched 2a synthetic brush gives a great lather and a Gillette pro glide 5 blade cartridge I get a great close shave it’s all about the preparation oh yes rinse blade with hot water when finished then use hair dryer 2 get rid of water on blades u will find your cartridges will last longer about 10 shaves give or take my beard is quite corse and grey now lol.My shave den a mixture of 30 soaps and creams mostly tallow based soaps I like them the best a Parker adjustable razor .Still like the pro glide the Best and15 synthetic brushes Yaqi and Razorock 26 to 30 mm easy to use and easy to clean .now saying that I won’t live long enough 2 use all my soaps and creams lol .And on that note all I can say 4 my money Gillette works best for me THANK You From an old shaver
Great review, Personally I've shaved with high end DE razors. Never with straight edge. High end cartridge razors are the way to go. Very little razor burn and closer shaves than DE. Can make mistakes without shredding your face. Only drawback is the expense.
ed3432 - Thanks for the comment. Strangely, I ran across a guy at the local art fair selling a strop for cartridge razor’s. He said you could easily stretch them to 100+ shaves with it. 😱
Dr.Matt, I enjoyed the video and was quite surprised to see you take the risk. I would like to offer an additional perspective. I learned on a straight with my dad but let it go until ~10 months ago. Your videos on sharpening have made the straight experience sublime. I currently use a hand forged Japanese straight honed on a JNAT daily and because I am anticoagulated, use a Gillette after the first nick, if it occurs. I have learned that safety razors are designed to not quite touch the skin and hence require many more passes as you demonstrated. Additionally they produce a bit more irritation associated with the numerous short strokes but will not nick unless an area of your skin protrudes very locally. Hence they are great for travel and for the man on blood thinners but will never shave as close, at least for me. If you doubt my assessment that the multi blade safety razor does not quite contact the skin, try making passes diagonally, lateral to medial, on your neck. It works well without nicking but try this with a straight and you will slit your throat. Thanks for all the videos and look at a multi blade under your microscope. I think you will find that they are not nearly as sharp as a well honed straight, my experience anyway. Dr. Greg
Gregory Wille - Thanks Doc. You gave it away with the “lateral to medial” reference 😜 I am aware they don’t touch. That’s one of the hardest things for the cartridge shavers to change when trying to go to DE or SR. With the cart twhen they want to get closer, they push harder (because the blades never really touch) ... and as you know, especially with a straight, that’s trouble!
hey, you made an interesting comment. I am still in the learning phase with straight razor shaving. I wasn't able to do an across the grain shave on my neck without a lot of nicks and cuts, total mess. I thought about just skipping that, at least for the neck area. It is informative to hear an experience razor mention not shaving across the grain in the neck area.
Great video, as always. I travel a ton for work and hate to check baggage, so when I'm on the road I am limited to cartridge razors due to the TSA. I never do an against the grain pass, it just hurts too much. I can't wait to get home and get a close comfortable shave with a straight.
Nice review! However, many of us rely on maintaining the illusion (for ourselves and others) that straights, DE's and SE's are cheap regardless the number accumulated or the tools and time to keep them tuned.
antilogism - Thank you Sir! I had to laugh at the “and others” part. Reminds me of the meme that said, “My biggest fear when I die is that my wife will sell my stuff for what I told her I paid for it!”😂😂😂
I used to use the battery version of that razor. Believe it or not I got about 9 months on 1 cartridge. I would make sure to clean the water off of it with a towel. Or use a hairdryer to get the water off.
Wet shaving was used as a term to differentiate shaving with your traditional shave soap and water between shaving with a electrical shaver. So I guess shaving with shaving soap and using a cartridge would still be considered wet shaving, or maybe not. Really I don’t know😂
Wow, AWESOME shave Dr Matt, 😌 I nearly rushed out and bought 10 when you showed that the head can rotate in not one but two directions 😱 I so don’t miss squirting a glob of gel into the palm of my hand, chucking a lurid lump of plastic into the sink or trying to unclog the 20 blade every 30 seconds. All totally soul destroying. Saying all that, I love my all polarising shavettes, and lots of people don’t like those things, and they don’t even like it when I offer to fix their technique for them so they can get the same results I do 🤣
Dave Card -LOL Dave. You totally got it! One of the reasons I did this was because many of the SR guys gave me such a hard time for my shavette videos saying I was a traitor, I just thought I’d make their head explode doing this. Cheers Mate and thanks for tuning in. 😁
drmatt357 ha ha, that’s hysterical 🤣 well done Dr. Matt, those people just make me laugh, they take themselves far too seriously, I know I’ve upset a couple by getting as good a shave as they can achieve using only a £2.99 shavette.
Cartridge razors are good but they get a bad mouth in the wet shaving community. I have had the best shaves from the cartridge razors at home. I used to use a Gillette Mach 3 turbo. And it was amazing. It was too expensive. I shifted to the inexpensive ones and they sucked. I got a a few razors and finally have settled on a Gillette Open comb vintage one. It gives me a close shave. Not as close as a mach3 turbo. But now I know how to shave properly. Wtg, xtg, 2xtg. That's how I do. I really never had Ingrow hair problems with cartridge razors. I had ingrown hair on the right side of the neck. That's because the first shave would be from top to bottom and the bottom to top. I never knew about shaving with and against the grain. I had more ingrown hairs with saftey razors than cartridge. But now I'm used to Gillettes open comb saftey razor. The main reason I use it is because I shave once in 5 days or 4 depends. Most cartridges would clog. On fact my DE Adjustables also clog. So i just use one open comb razor. I am not a fan of bbs or bss. I want a shave that's close with out nicks. And the open comb razor gives me a close yet comfortable shave.
Muhle r41 would get you close to the straight razor shave. It’s been awhile since I used a cartridge razor but if your feeling stubble still I’d say a r41 would be a closer shave. I can get that bbs with it in trouble areas.
I really think that if that cartridge is supposed to last a month it would have to be just one pass per day only, not 3 or 4! I’d expect that after a couple weeks of multi passes daily that cartridge would be chewing on your face! I guess I’m not a true straight razor “purest” in that my favorite daily method is 2 passes with my straight razors AND a third clean up pass with a favorite DE where I go across my neck area (which is against the grain for me). That gives me a true BBS shave that I personally like. Like you, I have really enjoyed learning to hone my own blades and love the performance I can get out of them after working on them myself. I am still a newbie at that particular art but have found the information from your videos and some others to be super helpful in how to do it. It’s fun, kind of in the same way as tying flies is for a fishermen- some people just want to fish while others enjoy the art of creating their own “lures”... to each his own.
I use the Mach 3 occasionally, It's not a bad razor, it shaves very well and it plenty sharp, so easy to use and maintain. It's just that I can't use it daily, but neither can I stand the thin flimsy modern DE blades for every day use. SR for me daily. But the Mach 3 has it's place and use for me, although I only stick to one pass with them. I should give the injector razor a try though, they're quite good as well.
I went from a Gillette Mach 3 to a Mühle Saftey Razor and then to Dovo Shavett's and finally to a Böker Edelweiss Straight Razor, what a long journey but Straights are the best way togo!
I hear Gillette got involved in some of those “‘me too” issues recently. Half the men in America said they were throwing away their Gillette razors, and the other half said “me too.”
Everybody has their own idea of a good shave, and it's likely that what constitutes that for me would be unsatisfactory for another. For example my problem with cartridge razors was the tugging. The pulling of the whisker taught by successive blades caused tremendous irritation and a sort of pinkish weeping from the follicle that was unrelated to abrasion, or ingrown hair. I had to wear a beard for years. A moderate to aggressive DE with Feathers was able to shave my whiskers without pulling and was a godsend. A very keen straight will do likewise. For many that would be too sharp and uncomfortable. While I sometimes, more for my wife's benefit than my own, do a three pass shave with touch-up usually I do one or two passes tops because my perfect shave is to look reasonably well groomed with maximum comfort. Something that used to be out of reach.
@@drmatt357 I haven't. A few years ago, as part of a groomsman's wedding day prep, we all went for a straight razor shave at a local barber that advertised the service. Well they all use disposable blade razors now and I don't recall the brand but it wasn't a particularly good shave either in terms of closeness or comfort. It kind of put me off the idea, but thinking about it now it stands to reason that one of a type that would accept a blade that is a proven performer for me could do better.
But Dr. Matt, how many of us can sharpen our straight razor like you? I'm guessing very, very few. As usual great video. I too have recently given my cartridge a try after 6yrs DE and Straight razor shaving exclusively. I like to use it when really stressed for time. Then again my clean up routine for the others takes time. Thanks again and keep up the good work.
That was fun to watch Matt. An honest view of what is simply another way to remove the unwanted hair from ones face. I personally don’t get into the stigma of cartridge razors being evil but I must agree... I’ll stick to the straights! 👍
Great video Dr. Matt but you could not pay me to shave with one of those ever again. The last pack of those blades I bought went into the trash because they were duds.
Hey Doc, I agree with Jordan. The suburban comment was the best. What a great premise for a video. I have always held that razor or the mach 3 as the comparison in my shaves whether DE or straight. It's great to have your opinion on that subject. I also wonder how many years I can keep it up. I watched my dad grow old and not even able to shave with anything but an electric. Now THAT'S when it's time to die!
You must have a light beard I have to go so slow using my proglide or it pulls like crazy! Can only go this fast using a skin guard, mach 3, or of course the venerable DE.
Honing your own with some light restoration will save money compared to carts, even with the odd natural stone thrown in. Most of my razors were less than 5 bucks from ebay.
Supposedly it's called "wet" shaving because of electric shaver marketing in the 50s. I've heard some say that goop from a can never makes full contact with your skin, it sits atop a chemical layer of petroleum based lubricants that repel water, so is not "wet", though I'm not sure how accurate that it...
Doc, after so many videos in your master bath, you need to show how messy / clean the sink is! I know it's your bath tub but I always try to make it a gun safe in the background.
Yes sir Matt! "Everyone" well almost everyone say they start De or straights to save money, because the cartridges are $$$$. Lol. In 5 years time a man will have thousands in brushes, soaps, De, straights, stones etc. .. My dad is 66 and he only uses the Mach 3 and barbersol. And damn he shaves everyday with zero irritations. I wish I could do that with a Mach 3 and plain old canned shaving cream. Man the money I would have saved. Man I haven't used one of those things in 🔟 years. I started De shaving, and man those things gave me ingrown worst than a Mach3. So 1.5 years ago I went to traditional straights, but not for the cool factor. More like a last solution thing to try to stop ingrowns, and low and behold best damn shave I ever got!! Lol. That is when I got around that steep learning curve. Some people are lucky that they can shave with a cart razor without getting irritations. Damn I ain't learned to hone yet, so there is another steep learning curve, and money for stones. 👍Good points you made on this subject!!!
Michael Shults - Thanks Mike. I was told the Mach 3 shaves better than these. I did notice some drag with this. I’m thinking there’d be less with 3 blades. They figure more blades may shave better but there has to be a point of diminishing returns and I’ll guess 3 is it.
I really think that if that cartridge is supposed to last a month it would have to be just one pass per day only, not 3 or 4. I guess I’m not a true straight razor “purest” in that my favorite method is 2 passes with my straight razors AND a clean up pass with a DE where I go across my neck area (which is against the grain for me). That gives me a true BBS shave that I personally like.
Would love to see a follow up the next day of this shave. I use or should I say used that cartridge razor for the last two years here in Australia and it’s the best shave I have ever had. You just can’t cut yourself with them it’s super fast so very handy as I’m always late with the kids.BUT the shaving rash and ingrown hairs I get from shaving with a cartridge razor is insane. Since switching to straight razors I haven’t had an ingrown or shaving rash. So I deal with a bit more of a tug with my straight razor and spend the time to shave at night now ready for the next day. Won’t go back to cartridges but do still use that when I’m late to do a quick run around the chin or too lip etc
Nick Sharples - Did the shave over a week ago Nick and didn’t/don’t have any issues. Maybe if I used it for several weeks, problems may arise but I never got ingrown hairs from the 2 blade I used for decades.
Well I've gone back a bit further with the Gillette Sensor, normally i've used Schick's Hydro 5 but as of late somethings changed and I get horrible razor burn. Ever since I went to the Sensor things have been a breeze, Oh and using Nivea for Men. Nice video......it's what ever works for people in my opinion.....and for gas...well.. I used to have a SRT 6.4 Hemi Challenger, so I know lol
They certainly are fancy now. when I was working I kept a single blade BIC disposable in the shower block for when I showered after work, I used one for 9 months by just stropping it on my palm, although it was getting pretty blunt in the end. I thought two blades were sufficient, now they have five, but the clogging would be a major annoyance with those, which doesn't happen with straights. These razors are terrible when you have 4+ days growth, as they keeping getting loaded up, not with a straight though, one swoosh and all the hairs are chopped down, not close, but no more beard. As to it being cheaper, I suppose it could be, but I bought a heap of stones, razors and other stuff, so I could probably buy a lifetime supply of single bladed BIC's, for what I have outlayed so far. I only started using straight's because I really like sharpening stones and thought straight razors would be the best way to compare them, I much prefer to use a disposable or something similar, just because its easier and quicker, and don't really care about BBS (I hope that's right), I usually only do one and sometimes two passes with a straight which gets close enough for me. Thanks.
Perhaps you can get a Fusion cartridge to last a month, but the performance will be nowhere near that of a fresh blade. There's even a big difference for me after just 5 or 6 shaves.
What a great review bro. I shave my beard every other day using this same Gillette 5 blades. How many days or how many times would you suggest this should be used before having it swapped? I would appreciate any responses. Thank you
As far as how many uses, that's going to be individual. Some guys get a few others get dozens. There are some things you can do to increase the blades life and one is to rinse the blade with distilled water (have a spray bottle by your sink) as that will prevent hard water deposits from forming at the edge. The other is to "strop" the blade and you can do that on your forearm. Some people sell an actual strop but I don't think it's necessary. There are videos on how to strop a cartridge razor.
Nice shave Dr Matt 🤘😃🤘 Cartridge razor give you a nice shave but there is something that you miss when you use a cartridge razor. When you manage to hone a razor an shave with it you find something you cant explane. Maby happines satisfaktion or something i dont know. A cartridge razor is ok but a straight razor you honed by your self gives a much more closer shave and much more satisfaktion. 🤘😃🤘 Have a great day and take care. 🤘🎩🤘
Ehh doc it's whetshaving not wet whet shaving is when you whet your razor on a rock or strop for sharpening just thought I'd share love your vids cheers
probably wouldn't try straight razor if i didn't sharpen kitchen knives, it's quite different though so might not matter much. was really unhappy with my gillette fusion, 4 blades costed like $30 and it generally tugged and skipped a lot and left me with razor burns, it was a pretty close shave, other cartridge razors seemed better but can't find blades for them. safety razors seem a bit mediocre, too much effort to go from full beard to smooth skin, but only mild irritation, think maybe more aggressive ones could be nicer.
I can get awesome shaves with anything...de razors, se razors, mach iii etc. But nothing beats using a straight razor because the honing part is just so huge to me. When I shave with anything that uses a disposable blade, I feel I'm missing half the fun.
Exactly Nick! If I could figure out how to fiddle with or improve the edges on that 5 blade dealy by taking them to a stone... it might be a different story. 😆
There's just something about removing hair from your face with a piece of metal that you've sharpened which could, in the wrong hands, take your head off. You need technique, practice and nerves of steel* We 'have' to shave, so why make it a chore? Why do it as fast as you can? Why not make it something you enjoy? I think the cartridge razors take that enjoyment away. I don't buy the cost and waste notion, It's cost me way more in straights. *Pun intended 100%
Try that again with the powered version most people think it’s a gimmick but I swear by it’ so much more comfortable and closer i’ve tried everything top dollar Gillette powered razors powered are by far the most closest comfortable shave you get there just very expensive after the fourth shave you can tell it’s not as sharp
Thanks for the comment Ginger but I'll never try one of their products again. Since they got "woke", I'm out with my toxic self! I was actually thinking of pulling the video as I don't want to give them anything but... I like the ME part too much. 😉
Nice video Matt. Here are my thoughts on this. An occasional shave with a cart is probably going to be ok for most. The problem arises as subsequent uses of the same razor start to pile up. It's nearly impossible to clean in between the blades, the strips get gunked up, you often have to apply a good deal of pressure when shaving some areas. The problem with shaving in general is the lack of instruction and method. Most people just push out some foam from a can, and push the razor along their face without any real method or plan. Razors can range quite a bit in price as well. The less expensive ones with fewer blades will require even more pressure and be super lightweight. I used 2 blade disposable razors for years. When I developed bad rashes on my cheeks from shaving, I started using Bigelow cream in a tube (Prorasso) and cheap badger brush, used very light pressure, and shaved only with the grain. This made a tremendous difference, and was my method for about 3 years. Still I wanted to try a safety razor for the reasons mentioned at the start of my comments. Geo videos, Mantic, and some others led me to a local AOS store. I may find myself using a cart once a very long time, but I still use a good soap and brush, along with a post shave balm. I will close by saying that people should use what works for them, and the cart may be fine for some.
There Will Be Blood - I thought about that if that’s how it worked. That’s why I looked at the Gillette website. Thought maybe they’d say you only need one pass which is equivalent to 5 but they didn’t.
I am definitely in the category you mocked early in your video. I threw this plastic x blade in the garbage about a year ago. I was shaving one evening and the Fusion was doing the usual tugging on my hair and clogging. I finally finished that shave and threw the POS in the garbage. I then switched to DE safety razor shaving, all the troubles vanished. I enjoyed shaving again. Yes DE safety razor shaving can be much cheaper than cartridge razors. The fushion does not get closer than a DE safety razor, unless you don't know what you are doing with a DE. The fushion is good for cartridge razors, but no way is it better than DE razors lol. The car analogy is bad. New cars outperform old models in every category, cartridge razors don't.
DE razors are good for quickly taking down heavy growth because modern carts have a tendency to clog. In every other objective measurement modern carts vastly outperform. They're not cheaper either, unless maybe your time is worth $7.25 an hour.
@@jeffhicks8428 The only advantage carts have is that you are less likely to be cut by them. DE and SE safety razors outperform carts in every way. If you are getting closer shaves with carts, then you are doing something wrong. And yes, you can shave just as fast with a safety razor.
I was shocked when I tried the 1930's Schick injectors after many years of straight razor shaving. IMO the injector is closer and smoother than the Fusion. The Fusion fins seem to create a drag and the shave is nowhere near as smooth and close. The injector can leave a slight burn feeling in some areas unless you use preshave oil, but its so good that I've been alternating with my straights. The single blade on the Fusion is great for trimming around my mustache under my nose and you have to be a wreckless idiot to cut yourself with a Fusion so it DOES have some nice features especially if you are a speed shaver! I have one on hand for the occasional quick touch up.
One thing I did notice with the razor that I didn't discuss in the video was the drag you mentioned. I think that's because there's 5 blades. I've heard the Mach 3 shaves better and I'll bet it's because there's less resistance due to the 40% reduction of blade contact.
@@drmatt357 I also think because of the closeness of the 5 blades & shaving cream build up on a pass that some hairs are slid over thus the closeness with a single edge ( depends on your beard). If you've never tried the injector I think you would be pleasantly surprised. A nice one on Ebay (1935 brass Imperial)with 7 injector blades will set you back about $30-35. I thought it was just a gimmick based on the original idea of Schick. But these injectors are for real. Like you, I went from double edge safety razors to straights & learning to sharpen them. You have always been interesting, helpful & informative. I appreciate your vids. Like its said: " If you don't ENJOY your morning shave, you aren't doing it right!" PS Besides Declaration Grooming soaps, I'm curious about your other favorites. I have about 4 others. Jim
I’m looking to switch from electric shave to razor shave. What razors would you recommend? I usually use the cheap ones from the £ store for my stomach and chest
I wouldn't use Gillette because they can raise your estrogen level which will turn you into a girl. Bic, Schick, Dollar Shave club are all better alternatives.
DrMatt357 yh because that makes sense. I heard dollar shave club customer service is terrible and expensive. They take your money and don’t send you the items half the time
i go both ways if i need to shave everyday i dont do DE...oh you have save money on the multi-blade just search on TH-cam how t sharpen multi-blade i´ve tried them all seems to work i stop counting after89 uses you cant get close under your nose that's what the single blade also is for like edging your sideburns..use the single-blade under the nose
Even a Monday morning shave is a bit rougher with multiblades. Still, Fusion is way better with that than the old Atra and Trac-II---I remember having to beat the whiskers from them against the sink.
Dr. Matt, I think that you're going to have to try this again. You forgot to use your daughters shave cloth to stretch out the skin. I've found that they make a very big difference to the shave. I wonder if it would have made it any closer a shave. I've always found the straight razor gives a shave like no cartridge ever can. I went from having to shave twice a day to shaving every other day. I agree with you on the sharpening aspect. There's a great feeling of pride and accomplishment when you can sharpen your own razor, and then take it to your face! That's a talent that I'm proud of. Plus my wife loves how sharp all the kitchen knives are now too!
Thanks Michael. I realized I didn't use the cloth after I watched it. They don't suggest you pull the skin but yeah, I guess I will have to try it that way. Thanks for watching.
I liked your video for your jolly presentation style. But also, for the fact that we could see into the next room while you were shaving. So often shaving videos are filmed in a tiny bathroom that looks like some sort of prison cell! 😊
thanks for the review found your channel by accident and so glad I did not going with Gillette now i will stick with my single blade .. Thanks a lot ...
@@drmatt357 I used Bic single blades a long time out of habbit due to flight restriction on DE blades, then went back to the DEs just too get a better shave after I found the right blade Persona.
Wet shaving = All things that are NOT an electric razor! Thanks Dr. Matt for going to the 'dark side' for all of us who will NEVER go back! Steal quality matters!
Dude it's called flexball for a reason do a single storke what's the point of buying a 20$ proglide when you short stroke shave like with a 3$ straight razor
3 passes?!?! For a fusion that’s 5 strokes per pass! That’s a lot of razor passes. One pass should be enough for any multi blade cartridge user. If it’s not possible, you need to move to a different cartridge type (e.g. From Fusion to Mach3) or go back to DE/cut-throat shaving. Fusions can be really comfortable if used correctly but they wear quickly and are ridiculously expensive. To me this makes them very bad value.
I tried the last of those 17blade bs things some 20 years ago... and I'm not turning 40 any time soon. They usually get the job done alright in the first second and third shave.... but somewhere down the line you run into little pimples.... infections and nasty cuts.... plus it feels like borrowing the ladies' armpit razor all the time - which is weird! (As though you're showering with "Guava Strawberry Shampoo"... you're pretty darn sure noone notices in the afternoon at least..... but you can't help wondering if someone does notice and might think you're Boy George!
Tim Ludwig - If my math is right then (and as you can see, it rarely is) that means you pitched these in your teens. That makes you way ahead of the curve. Well done Mate!
@@drmatt357 My father had one which he had bought as a young man (liking western movies) ...so I got one as soon as I had to shave (that phrasing obviously is a pusb for a 14 year old. 😊 My first Dovo Bismarck was my Easter present 1995 bought in Girona Spain on holiday.
The shop in Spain unfortunately doesn't carry straight razors any more (I checked this Easter vacation) and I didn't know that there was a recent revival (or however you might want to call it) until I went to a "knives and grinding trade fair" in Solingen two or three years ago. (I had expected hunting and kitchen knives and was surprised that they had quiete a number of straight razors on display.) There they told me to take a look at internet forums and TH-cam if I wanted to learn to sharpen my razors myself.... (which I otherwise wouldn't really have thought of...because I didn't think that the majority of 70 year oldes would make YT videos about "old crafts" 😊
Hey Dr Matt! What kinda dr?? First time I ever came across ur channel its pretty cool. First video I seen was that crazy slash u gave urself. That right there is why I won't use a straight razor. Just regular gold plated aristocrat for me lol. And a gold mekur 34g
Jeez man. If I shaved like that my face would be on fire for a week. You can get a speeding ticket for shaving that fast.
i had my first shave of life with fusion proglide. My neck became all red with ingrown hair. thought my skin was not used to it thats why it became red. after 4 or 5 shaves i bought mach3 and never had ingrown hair again and no irratition.
It's not that fast (if compared to this particular razor demonstration) -- /watch?v=HnQ1Rk68ygw&t=3m08s
@@awaist_tauqir I had the same issue when I started shaving, I even went against the grain once, it hurt so bad that I couldn't rest my face on my hand.
I started shaving with a Mach 3 and my skin irritation went away after a few days without changing my razor.
wow, i shave twice as fast as him... guess it all depends on how sensitive your skin is.
@Coen Wilder bull of shit dude .
Thanks for your review!
Cartridges are not extremely bad in performance. Easy to use, I see why they have people swearing by them. Personally, I believe the 3 blades cartridges to be the best middle ground in Cartridges razors. They shave fairly well and they will give you less irritation compared to a 5 blade.
The main issue with them is clogging. The construction of the cartridge, the blade gap makes them hard to rinse. This situation creates also problems when you like your lather a little more "compact". The razor clogs easily and the blades don't cut hair as intended and you need to apply pressure. These razors were designed to be used with canned goo not our type of shaving soap/cream and a brush.
Lastly, ingrown hair. Depending to the type of growth you have the may aggravate the appearance of ingrown hair. On my face and neck, they are terrible. My hair grows along my skin and doesn't "stick out" and curl. The cartridge will pull the hair out of the skin, cut the hair and let it go back where the tip of the hair is now under the skin. Plus for me, the tip of the hair is cut in an angle and will grow under the skin, creating tons of ingrown hair.
As for your observation for getting a closer shave with the cartridge vs DE, you are right but this come from the fact of the hair going back under the skin with cartridges compared to be cut at skin level with a DE. Depending on your type of hair, this might not be the best thing.
Dartmouth Shaving - Great info and analysis. I did say to myself that if I did it again, I’d thin out the lather quite a bit more. It’s been over a week since I did the shave and fortunately, I don’t have any ingrown hairs... yet. . I’ll keep an eye out. ☺️
When I used the Mach3 cartridges, I used to deal with the clogging problem by keeping an old toothbrush nearby. Each time I rinsed the cartridge I would then pass the bristles of the toothbrush parallel to the gap between the blades at an angle in a sweeping motion to clean the gap. Fortunately I don't have this problem anymore.
I agree, five blades on your face is too much.
Straight razors are a work of art. I think you hit the nail on the head with your car analogy, of course new cars are superb, with all the bells and whistles, but driving a vintage, there's no comparison.
for the ease and convenience of a "fancy multi blade cartridge" they do have their place, however i know what i prefer.
Saving money with straights, that was my original intent. 20 straights later averaging $150.00 apiece and 30 soaps I’ll never have to buy again but you do get roped into buying that next product. Fortunately for 3 years I haven’t bought anything.
Love your advice, keep it coming.
Kevin Corkery - 3 years, well done.
Atleast your collection has a value attached to it that is more than the intrinsic, utilitarian value of the razors. You'd never collect used disposable cartridges would you? :)
Great video and appreciate your honest feedback on those. I got into using a DE four years ago and then a straight razor, because at the age of 45 I was still having severe acne. I don’t know for sure, but I think it was something in those comfort strips that was causing them because once I switched and started using good quality soaps, my acne all but disappeared.
Scott Crye - Great tip Scott and thanks for tuning in. 😁
How can you have severe acne at age 45?
The Gillette Mach 3 and Mach fives have all been the end of me shaving. I now go two to three months without shaving just cleaning up with my clippers and living with that type of stubble because as one of the others commented it pulls and rips hairs and leaves me with profound razor burn and ingrown hairs. No matter how much I leather what I use for aftershave just absolutely shreds my face and neck area. Which is why I now am investing in straight razors and what shave products to get started down that path and hopefully be able to enjoy shaving again also forgot to add I could only use the cartridge once and have to throw it away. Fit touched my face again it would instantly feel as though it was ripping out here so absolutely no repeat shaves on cartridges and that gets super expensive
I've heard these horror stories before and most are remedied with wet shaving be it DE, shavette or straight razors. Good luck on your journey.
@@drmatt357 I'd bet most of the people with these stories are just straight up geniuses. Probably the same people who do edge leading strokes on a leather strop then wonder why it doesn't work. Soak their magnesia bonded Choseras then wonder why they crack. Assemble their DEs with the plate upside down and wonder why it ain't working right.
Then you have the geniuses who just repeat whatever claims DE razor dealers are making. Swear on some hidden secret lost knowledge of the old days, because everyone knows everything was better in the old days. Just drive a 50 year old car and see how much better and more comfortable and safer and faster and more economical and efficient it is than the junk we produce today.
This was fun to watch. Really liked your analogy on it. You hit the nail on the head at the end. I’m an old school fanatic and it so much fun to match skill and experience against technology that is at the point where no experience or skill is needed. “It’s all in the challenge” ! Great video thanks again !
jbgearhead - Gauging by your handle, I figured you could appreciate the analogy 😏. Thanks for tuning in.
All it takes is an occasional shave with my electric razor to remind me how effective these cartridges are.
To those that still have smooth skin as this guy has, they can get by with electric razors, but as you age and your skin is not as smooth and show some crevices, a blade like this would be better than the electric shaver...I know.
Hi, Matt! When I’m in a hurry I shave with them in the shower…decent shave. Thanks for bringing up the topic. I’ll send you a SR in the next few days. Best!
For all of you that love the Fusion other than the "trimmer" blade on the backside (I personally hate it and have cut my nose with it too many times when shaving above my lip) Gillette has a line out for the ladies called"Joy" and they are the same 5 blade cartridges minus the "trimmer" blade and MUCH less expensive than the regular "Fusion" cartridges (YES the "Joy" cartridges DO fit the Fusion handles)
Sorry one more comment LOL. My son is a captain in the Air Force and has to shave daily. He grew up using razors like mine and also suffered from razor burn and exedra. The past two years he switched to a DE and is not been too awful bad he just left this morning from visiting us for Christmas before his 4th deployment and I turned him on to the straight razor idea. So I'm going send him one of my gold dollars I just bought to use while he's over there. He's looking forward to it.
Nice video. I use straights, DE's and cartridge razors from time to time. The cartridge razors provide a nice, close, comfortable shave. The problem I have with them is the cost.
Thanks for sharing this test, I’d recommend to stretch the skin exactly the way you are doing with a straight and de razor.
I thought you were going to have a home-alone moment when you went through four passes with the cartridge and then went for the aftershave. And yes, you cannot hone those things too and that to me removes 99% of the reasons to have shave as a hobby: it goes back to becoming a chore. I normally use them while I am traveling because there are more convenient. Be careful with the trimmer, I had a nasty cut under my nose with one of those things. Nice video as always Doc.
Ramon Murillo - Thanks Ramon and yes you nailed it. To us, this is a hobby where as most other people it’s a chore. No way do they want to spend 15-20 minutes shaving. I’ve come to realize and accept that the older we get, the fewer things we enjoy or appreciate and this is one of the few things that I do enjoy and it’s my time.
for my own person this is most comfortable razor machine :)
Nice shave,and video! I use Gillette fusion proshield flexball chill or mach3 turbo. I shave my head 3 times a Week with gillette fusion proshield flexball chill or proglide flexball and mach3 turbo. Proshield with 2 lubricating strips is the best.proglide flexball is fantastic, mach3 turbo is superb. The best razor 3 blades. In my video i use this razor.i've Been shaving my head with 17years and i am 35years old. Gillette the a man can get
Been using the fusion (powered, buzzy model) for years. The upside is speed. On a daily basis, single pass against the grain (including the noggin) takes the same time as a three pass on the face. For thoas that don't vet full life out of the blades, stropping the cart on the back of your arm 20 times polishes the edges a bit but the skin oil slows oxidation. Some of the old de honing gadgets were pretty impressive. Shaving is a thing, we use the tools that suit best. Thanks for the informative vids...gotta get back to honing...cheers
Petro 45acp - Thanks for tuning in Petro and dig your handle!😏
I've been using one for years too. As a makeshift vibe for the ladies. That's what it's actually for. It does jack shit to improve any kind of shave. WTF do you need a vibrating razor for? It's a sex toy.
Shave looks good, thanks for the demo. With the cost of the blades, it’s just hard to justify not using a DE or a straight. The different finishes off the stones is an add plus for the straights.
Agreed Bob. I think for many of us it has become a hobby so as George Carlin said, interests are free, hobbies cost money!
Brilliant thoughts at the end of the vid! Still to get around to a straight but you’re thoughts on it all are very true!
Thanks Cris. Don't know how brilliant but just some thoughts.
I switched to DE shaving about a year ago from using Gillette Fusion Proglides. Honestly, I got consistent BBS shaves from the Proglides and it was fine at the time (And I imagine now it is fine too if I tried it again). It is not as bad as people say it is (unless if you have sensitive skin, I don't and I also never got ingrown hairs as far as I know). Like I get great shaves from DE and the Proglides. Only thing is the feel of DE shaving, the whole process, just feels more satisfying to me and it became more of "when can I shave again" versus the "well I gotta shave now." The challenge of DE shaving though is it took months for me to really get a consistent BBS shave, but now I love it. People say you save more by switching to DE. I kind of disagree because you will be enjoying it so much you want to buy more razors, more brushes, more soaps, and it starts to become like the same price. Of course if you choose one razor and that's it, yeah it is cheaper, but let's be realistic here, DE or straight razor shaving is too enjoyable to not get more razors.
I agree with you 1000%! Cris who has a channel, Another Cut Above, does DE shaves said the exact same thing about the cartridges. He said he can get a closer shave with a cartridge but enjoys the the DEs for the same reason you stated. He said that people who say they don't shave close are talk'n shit!😆
What I liked about cartridge blades is I never cut myself no matter how fast or sloppy I shaved. But they got priced out of my budget & I'm happy with my safety razor now. If I don't hurry I don't get cuts & it shaves closer & MUCH cheaper than my 5 blade cartridges. I'm curious now about straight razors & might give one a try.
Great video doc!!! I used too shave with those style razors and just got tired of the expensive cartridges, so went too a DE for bout a year, then started using a straight razor. I’d send it to a buddy (Scott) too touch it up for me, then got curious on how too hone Watch a bunch of videos of course your videos lol, then Scott turned me into the right direction and boy was I on top of the world when I get my first good shaving edge, then boy it was on from then, it just feels great when you shave off your own edge, now no,looking back. Thanks for the videos!!!
Lucas Huff - Your absolutely right Lucas. And I learned a bunch from Scot as well. I call him Eagle Eye as he has an eye for spotting awesome coticules.
I totally agree he’s got the eye for spotting them. He’s also the best brush maker I’ve seen.
I have a super nice Fili I’m thinking of getting rid of, it’s a 14 Double Temple, real nice clean blade, box and all.
email me drmatt357@hotmail.com
Contrary to straight razors, these things work nice when you apply some pressure: you'd get a closer shave that way
You're right Nick, they do. The problem is guys come from using these to straight razors or DEs and they're used to using lots of pressure and nick themselves up.
At71years of age no need 2 shave every day But saying that I find shaving every 4to 5 days with a tallow base soap and i switched 2a synthetic brush gives a great lather and a Gillette pro glide 5 blade cartridge I get a great close shave it’s all about the preparation oh yes rinse blade with hot water when finished then use hair dryer 2 get rid of water on blades u will find your cartridges will last longer about 10 shaves give or take my beard is quite corse and grey now lol.My shave den a mixture of 30 soaps and creams mostly tallow based soaps I like them the best a Parker adjustable razor .Still like the pro glide the Best and15 synthetic brushes Yaqi and Razorock 26 to 30 mm easy to use and easy to clean .now saying that I won’t live long enough 2 use all my soaps and creams lol .And on that note all I can say 4 my money Gillette works best for me THANK You From an old shaver
Great review, Personally I've shaved with high end DE razors. Never with straight edge. High end cartridge razors are the way to go. Very little razor burn and closer shaves than DE. Can make mistakes without shredding your face. Only drawback is the expense.
ed3432 - Thanks for the comment. Strangely, I ran across a guy at the local art fair selling a strop for cartridge razor’s. He said you could easily stretch them to 100+ shaves with it. 😱
Thats what you call an honest review, thank you Sir👍🏻
Dr.Matt, I enjoyed the video and was quite surprised to see you take the risk. I would like to offer an additional perspective. I learned on a straight with my dad but let it go until ~10 months ago. Your videos on sharpening have made the straight experience sublime. I currently use a hand forged Japanese straight honed on a JNAT daily and because I am anticoagulated, use a Gillette after the first nick, if it occurs. I have learned that safety razors are designed to not quite touch the skin and hence require many more passes as you demonstrated. Additionally they produce a bit more irritation associated with the numerous short strokes but will not nick unless an area of your skin protrudes very locally. Hence they are great for travel and for the man on blood thinners but will never shave as close, at least for me. If you doubt my assessment that the multi blade safety razor does not quite contact the skin, try making passes diagonally, lateral to medial, on your neck. It works well without nicking but try this with a straight and you will slit your throat. Thanks for all the videos and look at a multi blade under your microscope. I think you will find that they are not nearly as sharp as a well honed straight, my experience anyway. Dr. Greg
Gregory Wille - Thanks Doc. You gave it away with the “lateral to medial” reference 😜 I am aware they don’t touch. That’s one of the hardest things for the cartridge shavers to change when trying to go to DE or SR. With the cart twhen they want to get closer, they push harder (because the blades never really touch) ... and as you know, especially with a straight, that’s trouble!
hey, you made an interesting comment. I am still in the learning phase with straight razor shaving. I wasn't able to do an across the grain shave on my neck without a lot of nicks and cuts, total mess. I thought about just skipping that, at least for the neck area. It is informative to hear an experience razor mention not shaving across the grain in the neck area.
Great video, as always. I travel a ton for work and hate to check baggage, so when I'm on the road I am limited to cartridge razors due to the TSA. I never do an against the grain pass, it just hurts too much. I can't wait to get home and get a close comfortable shave with a straight.
Word!😉
Thanks for your honest review. You confirmed my own experience.
My pleasure
Nice review! However, many of us rely on maintaining the illusion (for ourselves and others) that straights, DE's and SE's are cheap regardless the number accumulated or the tools and time to keep them tuned.
antilogism - Thank you Sir! I had to laugh at the “and others” part. Reminds me of the meme that said, “My biggest fear when I die is that my wife will sell my stuff for what I told her I paid for it!”😂😂😂
It's only "cheap" if you don't understand basic economic concepts like opportunity cost.
I used to use the battery version of that razor. Believe it or not I got about 9 months on 1 cartridge. I would make sure to clean the water off of it with a towel. Or use a hairdryer to get the water off.
Wet shaving was used as a term to differentiate shaving with your traditional shave soap and water between shaving with a electrical shaver. So I guess shaving with shaving soap and using a cartridge would still be considered wet shaving, or maybe not. Really I don’t know😂
Wow, AWESOME shave Dr Matt, 😌
I nearly rushed out and bought 10 when you showed that the head can rotate in not one but two directions 😱
I so don’t miss squirting a glob of gel into the palm of my hand, chucking a lurid lump of plastic into the sink or trying to unclog the 20 blade every 30 seconds. All totally soul destroying.
Saying all that, I love my all polarising shavettes, and lots of people don’t like those things, and they don’t even like it when I offer to fix their technique for them so they can get the same results I do 🤣
Dave Card -LOL Dave. You totally got it! One of the reasons I did this was because many of the SR guys gave me such a hard time for my shavette videos saying I was a traitor, I just thought I’d make their head explode doing this. Cheers Mate and thanks for tuning in. 😁
drmatt357 ha ha, that’s hysterical 🤣 well done Dr. Matt, those people just make me laugh, they take themselves far too seriously, I know I’ve upset a couple by getting as good a shave as they can achieve using only a £2.99 shavette.
Really appreciate this video! God bless Dr. Matt
I think you should try Gillette skinguard which is best Gillette razor I came across.
Cartridge razors are good but they get a bad mouth in the wet shaving community. I have had the best shaves from the cartridge razors at home. I used to use a Gillette Mach 3 turbo. And it was amazing. It was too expensive. I shifted to the inexpensive ones and they sucked. I got a a few razors and finally have settled on a Gillette Open comb vintage one. It gives me a close shave. Not as close as a mach3 turbo. But now I know how to shave properly. Wtg, xtg, 2xtg. That's how I do. I really never had Ingrow hair problems with cartridge razors. I had ingrown hair on the right side of the neck. That's because the first shave would be from top to bottom and the bottom to top. I never knew about shaving with and against the grain. I had more ingrown hairs with saftey razors than cartridge. But now I'm used to Gillettes open comb saftey razor. The main reason I use it is because I shave once in 5 days or 4 depends. Most cartridges would clog. On fact my DE Adjustables also clog. So i just use one open comb razor. I am not a fan of bbs or bss. I want a shave that's close with out nicks. And the open comb razor gives me a close yet comfortable shave.
Good stuff! I agree...and Lord I've compared. Nothing like shaving off an edge i put on a straight. Thanks for the video.
Chuck B. - Ain’t that the truth Chuck! Thanks for tuning in.
Muhle r41 would get you close to the straight razor shave. It’s been awhile since I used a cartridge razor but if your feeling stubble still I’d say a r41 would be a closer shave. I can get that bbs with it in trouble areas.
I really think that if that cartridge is supposed to last a month it would have to be just one pass per day only, not 3 or 4! I’d expect that after a couple weeks of multi passes daily that cartridge would be chewing on your face!
I guess I’m not a true straight razor “purest” in that my favorite daily method is 2 passes with my straight razors AND a third clean up pass with a favorite DE where I go across my neck area (which is against the grain for me). That gives me a true BBS shave that I personally like.
Like you, I have really enjoyed learning to hone my own blades and love the performance I can get out of them after working on them myself. I am still a newbie at that particular art but have found the information from your videos and some others to be super helpful in how to do it. It’s fun, kind of in the same way as tying flies is for a fishermen- some people just want to fish while others enjoy the art of creating their own “lures”... to each his own.
Michael Gray - if I really want it smooth on my neck under my chin I’ll also grab a DE as that is a weakness with a straight razor.
I use the Mach 3 occasionally, It's not a bad razor, it shaves very well and it plenty sharp, so easy to use and maintain. It's just that I can't use it daily, but neither can I stand the thin flimsy modern DE blades for every day use. SR for me daily. But the Mach 3 has it's place and use for me, although I only stick to one pass with them. I should give the injector razor a try though, they're quite good as well.
I went from a Gillette Mach 3 to a Mühle Saftey Razor and then to Dovo Shavett's and finally to a Böker Edelweiss Straight Razor, what a long journey but Straights are the best way togo!
I hear Gillette got involved in some of those “‘me too” issues recently. Half the men in America said they were throwing away their Gillette razors, and the other half said “me too.”
Dude, that is hilarious!!! 😂
Everybody has their own idea of a good shave, and it's likely that what constitutes that for me would be unsatisfactory for another. For example my problem with cartridge razors was the tugging. The pulling of the whisker taught by successive blades caused tremendous irritation and a sort of pinkish weeping from the follicle that was unrelated to abrasion, or ingrown hair. I had to wear a beard for years. A moderate to aggressive DE with Feathers was able to shave my whiskers without pulling and was a godsend. A very keen straight will do likewise. For many that would be too sharp and uncomfortable. While I sometimes, more for my wife's benefit than my own, do a three pass shave with touch-up usually I do one or two passes tops because my perfect shave is to look reasonably well groomed with maximum comfort. Something that used to be out of reach.
James White - Good to hear James. Have you ever tried a shavette with your favorite DE blade?
@@drmatt357 I haven't. A few years ago, as part of a groomsman's wedding day prep, we all went for a straight razor shave at a local barber that advertised the service. Well they all use disposable blade razors now and I don't recall the brand but it wasn't a particularly good shave either in terms of closeness or comfort. It kind of put me off the idea, but thinking about it now it stands to reason that one of a type that would accept a blade that is a proven performer for me could do better.
But Dr. Matt, how many of us can sharpen our straight razor like you? I'm guessing very, very few. As usual great video. I too have recently given my cartridge a try after 6yrs DE and Straight razor shaving exclusively. I like to use it when really stressed for time. Then again my clean up routine for the others takes time. Thanks again and keep up the good work.
You're welcome George and thanks for posting!
That was fun to watch Matt. An honest view of what is simply another way to remove the unwanted hair from ones face. I personally don’t get into the stigma of cartridge razors being evil but I must agree... I’ll stick to the straights! 👍
Whatever it takes!
Great video Dr. Matt but you could not pay me to shave with one of those ever again. The last pack of those blades I bought went into the trash because they were duds.
Stephen Davidson - ya know, I watched a Ken Surfs video and he tried one and it was a new blade that was a dud. Guess it happens.
What a blast from the past haven't used one of those in 8 years. Oh yeah I remember why the replacement blades cost $35 bucks.
Hey Matt, try the supply razor. Injector type, works very well.
Is it a single blade Walt?
drmatt357
Yes a single blade! Injector.
Hey Doc, I agree with Jordan. The suburban comment was the best. What a great premise for a video. I have always held that razor or the mach 3 as the comparison in my shaves whether DE or straight. It's great to have your opinion on that subject. I also wonder how many years I can keep it up. I watched my dad grow old and not even able to shave with anything but an electric. Now THAT'S when it's time to die!
Not time to die. I look forward to becoming a burden to my kids. It's called payback Bitches!
😂😂😂
Why didn’t you use the top trimmer blade for under the nose that’s the general purpose of it.
You must have a light beard I have to go so slow using my proglide or it pulls like crazy! Can only go this fast using a skin guard, mach 3, or of course the venerable DE.
Honing your own with some light restoration will save money compared to carts, even with the odd natural stone thrown in. Most of my razors were less than 5 bucks from ebay.
Supposedly it's called "wet" shaving because of electric shaver marketing in the 50s. I've heard some say that goop from a can never makes full contact with your skin, it sits atop a chemical layer of petroleum based lubricants that repel water, so is not "wet", though I'm not sure how accurate that it...
UN OH - Great info. Thanks for the reply. 😁
Gillette contour with twin blade is the best easy razor by Gillette. I'm using it from the '80s when I don't have time for a straight razor shave.
The slickness of a soap/cream prevents cartridges from getting a bbs shave, it's much easier to get a bbs shave with canned foam with a cartridge
Doc, after so many videos in your master bath, you need to show how messy / clean the sink is! I know it's your bath tub but I always try to make it a gun safe in the background.
Yes sir Matt! "Everyone" well almost everyone say they start De or straights to save money, because the cartridges are $$$$. Lol. In 5 years time a man will have thousands in brushes, soaps, De, straights, stones etc. .. My dad is 66 and he only uses the Mach 3 and barbersol. And damn he shaves everyday with zero irritations.
I wish I could do that with a Mach 3 and plain old canned shaving cream. Man the money I would have saved. Man I haven't used one of those things in 🔟 years. I started De shaving, and man those things gave me ingrown worst than a Mach3. So 1.5 years ago I went to traditional straights, but not for the cool factor. More like a last solution thing to try to stop ingrowns, and low and behold best damn shave I ever got!! Lol. That is when I got around that steep learning curve. Some people are lucky that they can shave with a cart razor without getting irritations. Damn I ain't learned to hone yet, so there is another steep learning curve, and money for stones. 👍Good points you made on this subject!!!
Michael Shults - Thanks Mike. I was told the Mach 3 shaves better than these. I did notice some drag with this. I’m thinking there’d be less with 3 blades. They figure more blades may shave better but there has to be a point of diminishing returns and I’ll guess 3 is it.
I really think that if that cartridge is supposed to last a month it would have to be just one pass per day only, not 3 or 4. I guess I’m not a true straight razor “purest” in that my favorite method is 2 passes with my straight razors AND a clean up pass with a DE where I go across my neck area (which is against the grain for me). That gives me a true BBS shave that I personally like.
Would love to see a follow up the next day of this shave.
I use or should I say used that cartridge razor for the last two years here in Australia and it’s the best shave I have ever had. You just can’t cut yourself with them it’s super fast so very handy as I’m always late with the kids.BUT the shaving rash and ingrown hairs I get from shaving with a cartridge razor is insane. Since switching to straight razors I haven’t had an ingrown or shaving rash. So I deal with a bit more of a tug with my straight razor and spend the time to shave at night now ready for the next day. Won’t go back to cartridges but do still use that when I’m late to do a quick run around the chin or too lip etc
Nick Sharples - Did the shave over a week ago Nick and didn’t/don’t have any issues. Maybe if I used it for several weeks, problems may arise but I never got ingrown hairs from the 2 blade I used for decades.
Well I've gone back a bit further with the Gillette Sensor, normally i've used Schick's Hydro 5 but as of late somethings changed and I get horrible razor burn. Ever since I went to the Sensor things have been a breeze, Oh and using Nivea for Men. Nice video......it's what ever works for people in my opinion.....and for gas...well.. I used to have a SRT 6.4 Hemi Challenger, so I know lol
They certainly are fancy now. when I was working I kept a single blade BIC disposable in the shower block for when I showered after work, I used one for 9 months by just stropping it on my palm, although it was getting pretty blunt in the end.
I thought two blades were sufficient, now they have five, but the clogging would be a major annoyance with those, which doesn't happen with straights.
These razors are terrible when you have 4+ days growth, as they keeping getting loaded up, not with a straight though, one swoosh and all the hairs are chopped down, not close, but no more beard.
As to it being cheaper, I suppose it could be, but I bought a heap of stones, razors and other stuff, so I could probably buy a lifetime supply of single bladed BIC's, for what I have outlayed so far.
I only started using straight's because I really like sharpening stones and thought straight razors would be the best way to compare them, I much prefer to use a disposable or something similar, just because its easier and quicker, and don't really care about BBS (I hope that's right), I usually only do one and sometimes two passes with a straight which gets close enough for me.
Thanks.
mark cahoon - There’s no right or wrong. Which ever you prefer. Thanks for stopping by. 😁
Perhaps you can get a Fusion cartridge to last a month, but the performance will be nowhere near that of a fresh blade. There's even a big difference for me after just 5 or 6 shaves.
What a great review bro. I shave my beard every other day using this same Gillette 5 blades. How many days or how many times would you suggest this should be used before having it swapped? I would appreciate any responses. Thank you
As far as how many uses, that's going to be individual. Some guys get a few others get dozens. There are some things you can do to increase the blades life and one is to rinse the blade with distilled water (have a spray bottle by your sink) as that will prevent hard water deposits from forming at the edge.
The other is to "strop" the blade and you can do that on your forearm. Some people sell an actual strop but I don't think it's necessary. There are videos on how to strop a cartridge razor.
Really interesting. I was going to do the very same (well) video, but you beat me to it. I still have a cartridge razor so I might take it for a spin.
Nice shave Dr Matt
🤘😃🤘
Cartridge razor give you a nice shave but there is something that you miss when you use a cartridge razor. When you manage to hone a razor an shave with it you find something you cant explane. Maby happines satisfaktion or something i dont know. A cartridge razor is ok but a straight razor you honed by your self gives a much more closer shave and much more satisfaktion.
🤘😃🤘
Have a great day and take care.
🤘🎩🤘
Well said Matti and I agree 1000%!
Ehh doc it's whetshaving not wet whet shaving is when you whet your razor on a rock or strop for sharpening just thought I'd share love your vids cheers
Thanks Johnny!
probably wouldn't try straight razor if i didn't sharpen kitchen knives, it's quite different though so might not matter much.
was really unhappy with my gillette fusion, 4 blades costed like $30 and it generally tugged and skipped a lot and left me with razor burns, it was a pretty close shave, other cartridge razors seemed better but can't find blades for them.
safety razors seem a bit mediocre, too much effort to go from full beard to smooth skin, but only mild irritation, think maybe more aggressive ones could be nicer.
I can get awesome shaves with anything...de razors, se razors, mach iii etc. But nothing beats using a straight razor because the honing part is just so huge to me.
When I shave with anything that uses a disposable blade, I feel I'm missing half the fun.
Exactly Nick! If I could figure out how to fiddle with or improve the edges on that 5 blade dealy by taking them to a stone... it might be a different story. 😆
You actually look a lot like Matt Sydal , what do they say about first names ?
There's just something about removing hair from your face with a piece of metal that you've sharpened which could, in the wrong hands, take your head off. You need technique, practice and nerves of steel* We 'have' to shave, so why make it a chore? Why do it as fast as you can? Why not make it something you enjoy? I think the cartridge razors take that enjoyment away. I don't buy the cost and waste notion, It's cost me way more in straights.
*Pun intended 100%
I think you pretty much summed up the resurgence of wet shaving. Thanks for the comment.
Try that again with the powered version most people think it’s a gimmick but I swear by it’ so much more comfortable and closer i’ve tried everything top dollar Gillette powered razors powered are by far the most closest comfortable shave you get there just very expensive after the fourth shave you can tell it’s not as sharp
Thanks for the comment Ginger but I'll never try one of their products again. Since they got "woke", I'm out with my toxic self! I was actually thinking of pulling the video as I don't want to give them anything but... I like the ME part too much. 😉
I think a lot of cartridge shavers use gel or foam shaving cream.
Scott Johnson - That's cuz they don’t know any better. 😜. Thanks Scott
drmatt357 poor bastards.
Nivea shaving cream is far smoother than the pansy perfumes & wool fat soaps.
Nice video Matt. Here are my thoughts on this. An occasional shave with a cart is probably going to be ok for most. The problem arises as subsequent uses of the same razor start to pile up. It's nearly impossible to clean in between the blades, the strips get gunked up, you often have to apply a good deal of pressure when shaving some areas. The problem with shaving in general is the lack of instruction and method. Most people just push out some foam from a can, and push the razor along their face without any real method or plan. Razors can range quite a bit in price as well. The less expensive ones with fewer blades will require even more pressure and be super lightweight. I used 2 blade disposable razors for years. When I developed bad rashes on my cheeks from shaving, I started using Bigelow cream in a tube (Prorasso) and cheap badger brush, used very light pressure, and shaved only with the grain. This made a tremendous difference, and was my method for about 3 years. Still I wanted to try a safety razor for the reasons mentioned at the start of my comments. Geo videos, Mantic, and some others led me to a local AOS store. I may find myself using a cart once a very long time, but I still use a good soap and brush, along with a post shave balm. I will close by saying that people should use what works for them, and the cart may be fine for some.
Great post and thanks for sharing your knowledge with all of us Ronnie!
Multiply the number of passes x number of blades - ouch!!!
There Will Be Blood - I thought about that if that’s how it worked. That’s why I looked at the Gillette website. Thought maybe they’d say you only need one pass which is equivalent to 5 but they didn’t.
I am definitely in the category you mocked early in your video. I threw this plastic x blade in the garbage about a year ago. I was shaving one evening and the Fusion was doing the usual tugging on my hair and clogging. I finally finished that shave and threw the POS in the garbage. I then switched to DE safety razor shaving, all the troubles vanished. I enjoyed shaving again. Yes DE safety razor shaving can be much cheaper than cartridge razors. The fushion does not get closer than a DE safety razor, unless you don't know what you are doing with a DE. The fushion is good for cartridge razors, but no way is it better than DE razors lol. The car analogy is bad. New cars outperform old models in every category, cartridge razors don't.
DE razors are good for quickly taking down heavy growth because modern carts have a tendency to clog. In every other objective measurement modern carts vastly outperform. They're not cheaper either, unless maybe your time is worth $7.25 an hour.
@@jeffhicks8428 The only advantage carts have is that you are less likely to be cut by them. DE and SE safety razors outperform carts in every way. If you are getting closer shaves with carts, then you are doing something wrong. And yes, you can shave just as fast with a safety razor.
No entiendo nada de lo que dices pero me has caído bien toma tu like
I was shocked when I tried the 1930's Schick injectors after many years of straight razor shaving. IMO the injector is closer and smoother than the Fusion. The Fusion fins seem to create a drag and the shave is nowhere near as smooth and close. The injector can leave a slight burn feeling in some areas unless you use preshave oil, but its so good that I've been alternating with my straights. The single blade on the Fusion is great for trimming around my mustache under my nose and you have to be a wreckless idiot to cut yourself with a Fusion so it DOES have some nice features especially if you are a speed shaver! I have one on hand for the occasional quick touch up.
One thing I did notice with the razor that I didn't discuss in the video was the drag you mentioned. I think that's because there's 5 blades. I've heard the Mach 3 shaves better and I'll bet it's because there's less resistance due to the 40% reduction of blade contact.
@@drmatt357 I also think because of the closeness of the 5 blades & shaving cream build up on a pass that some hairs are slid over thus the closeness with a single edge ( depends on your beard). If you've never tried the injector I think you would be pleasantly surprised. A nice one on Ebay (1935 brass Imperial)with 7 injector blades will set you back about $30-35. I thought it was just a gimmick based on the original idea of Schick. But these injectors are for real. Like you, I went from double edge safety razors to straights & learning to sharpen them. You have always been interesting, helpful & informative. I appreciate your vids. Like its said: " If you don't ENJOY your morning shave, you aren't doing it right!" PS Besides Declaration Grooming soaps, I'm curious about your other favorites. I have about 4 others. Jim
You need to try the battery powered one it does get much closer
If that is "going to the darkside", what does that make shaving with an electric razor?
Warblerab 295 - Pure unadulterated evil!😉
What of soap is that drmatt
I’m looking to switch from electric shave to razor shave. What razors would you recommend? I usually use the cheap ones from the £ store for my stomach and chest
I wouldn't use Gillette because they can raise your estrogen level which will turn you into a girl. Bic, Schick, Dollar Shave club are all better alternatives.
DrMatt357 yh because that makes sense. I heard dollar shave club customer service is terrible and expensive. They take your money and don’t send you the items half the time
i go both ways if i need to shave everyday i dont do DE...oh you have save money on the multi-blade just search on TH-cam how t sharpen multi-blade i´ve tried them all seems to work i stop counting after89 uses you cant get close under your nose that's what the single blade also is for like edging your sideburns..use the single-blade under the nose
What did you use to style your hair in this video bro?
albert enistein - I only use coconut oil. Good for your scalp and also a DHT blocker.
@@drmatt357 thank you my friend
They're great if you shave everyday...Try a cartridge razor after 3,4 days growth.
Even a Monday morning shave is a bit rougher with multiblades. Still, Fusion is way better with that than the old Atra and Trac-II---I remember having to beat the whiskers from them against the sink.
Dr. Matt, I think that you're going to have to try this again. You forgot to use your daughters shave cloth to stretch out the skin. I've found that they make a very big difference to the shave. I wonder if it would have made it any closer a shave. I've always found the straight razor gives a shave like no cartridge ever can. I went from having to shave twice a day to shaving every other day. I agree with you on the sharpening aspect. There's a great feeling of pride and accomplishment when you can sharpen your own razor, and then take it to your face! That's a talent that I'm proud of. Plus my wife loves how sharp all the kitchen knives are now too!
Thanks Michael. I realized I didn't use the cloth after I watched it. They don't suggest you pull the skin but yeah, I guess I will have to try it that way. Thanks for watching.
I liked your video for your jolly presentation style. But also, for the fact that we could see into the next room while you were shaving. So often shaving videos are filmed in a tiny bathroom that looks like some sort of prison cell! 😊
Moggridge - Thanks Mate! I agree. Most shave videos are pretty boring on a lot of levels. Just trying to do my part. 😉
thanks for the review found your channel by accident and so glad I did not going with Gillette now i will stick with my single blade .. Thanks a lot ...
DEMOGORGON DEMOGORGON - Oh, you’re so toxic! Glad to have you aboard Mate!
Have you ever tried the fusion 5 proglide power ? I wondered if this power ! Is a gimmick or whether this does improve the shave, ie closer smoother
Give it a try and report back!
DrMatt357 yes give it a try and let me know
Hey bro it’s Jon your so funny 😆 how are you make your video today enjoy your video my friend thanks for sharing your awesome stuff with us today
My pleasure funny Guy!
It’s much more comfortable too
How would it work with a 2-3 day beard? The blades just clog up?
mark warnberg - it might. I’ve had a lot of guys tell me the best cartridge is the 3 blade because they won’t clog and will minimize irritation.
@@drmatt357 I used Bic single blades a long time out of habbit due to flight restriction on DE blades, then went back to the DEs just too get a better shave after I found the right blade Persona.
Wet shaving = All things that are NOT an electric razor!
Thanks Dr. Matt for going to the 'dark side' for all of us who will NEVER go back!
Steal quality matters!
Old school (traditional shaving) all the ways buddy!
I experience so many razor bumps and cyst on my jawline every time I use those 😵
Finally, a non biased review. Subcribed
Ethan Larsen - Thanks for the sub Ethan and welcome aboard. 😁
Dude it's called flexball for a reason do a single storke what's the point of buying a 20$ proglide when you short stroke shave like with a 3$ straight razor
Let me know where I can get a $3 straight razor... I'm there!!
6:10 cool technique- use tongue to push-out area between lower lip/chin for better/safer razor access. Thanks for a safer technique.
3 passes?!?! For a fusion that’s 5 strokes per pass! That’s a lot of razor passes. One pass should be enough for any multi blade cartridge user. If it’s not possible, you need to move to a different cartridge type (e.g. From Fusion to Mach3) or go back to DE/cut-throat shaving.
Fusions can be really comfortable if used correctly but they wear quickly and are ridiculously expensive. To me this makes them very bad value.
I tried the last of those 17blade bs things some 20 years ago... and I'm not turning 40 any time soon. They usually get the job done alright in the first second and third shave.... but somewhere down the line you run into little pimples.... infections and nasty cuts.... plus it feels like borrowing the ladies' armpit razor all the time - which is weird! (As though you're showering with "Guava Strawberry Shampoo"... you're pretty darn sure noone notices in the afternoon at least..... but you can't help wondering if someone does notice and might think you're Boy George!
Tim Ludwig - If my math is right then (and as you can see, it rarely is) that means you pitched these in your teens. That makes you way ahead of the curve. Well done Mate!
@@drmatt357 My father had one which he had bought as a young man (liking western movies) ...so I got one as soon as I had to shave (that phrasing obviously is a pusb for a 14 year old. 😊 My first Dovo Bismarck was my Easter present 1995 bought in Girona Spain on holiday.
The shop in Spain unfortunately doesn't carry straight razors any more (I checked this Easter vacation) and I didn't know that there was a recent revival (or however you might want to call it) until I went to a "knives and grinding trade fair" in Solingen two or three years ago. (I had expected hunting and kitchen knives and was surprised that they had quiete a number of straight razors on display.) There they told me to take a look at internet forums and TH-cam if I wanted to learn to sharpen my razors myself.... (which I otherwise wouldn't really have thought of...because I didn't think that the majority of 70 year oldes would make YT videos about "old crafts" 😊
Hey Dr Matt! What kinda dr?? First time I ever came across ur channel its pretty cool. First video I seen was that crazy slash u gave urself. That right there is why I won't use a straight razor. Just regular gold plated aristocrat for me lol. And a gold mekur 34g
Loved that Suburban joke lmao
roller - always fun to melt a few snowflakes!😆