I'll have to hide this one from the missus (Gillette Fusion)

Member Name: Smokindave

Product:	Gillette Fusion
Date:	12/10/09 (138 review reads)
Rating:

Advantages: Very close shave, nice extras such as the precision trimmer bade

Disadvantages: Cost of replacement cartridges

Over the past few months I had become aware of the existence of a five bladed razor, on some deep subconscious level at least. This shows the power of advertising, as I cannot remember where I saw it, but the feeling that it existed grew stronger until finally one day while shopping in Tesco, I was presented with a full shelf promotional display of the new Gillette Fusion range. Not only that, but on a half price offer as well!

I lasted a couple more visits before finally succumbing to the temptations of the offer and purchased the Gillette Fusion Gamer at a total of £3.74 including two cartridges. Now I am not that naïve; I understand what I have done here. I have basically purchased this razor system for about the same price as the replacement cartridges. In fact I notice that the cartridges usually cost more than this, so why am I paying nothing for the razor? To get me hooked on this device of course. Then I will be forced to buy the replacement blades at full price forever and a day.

So I am justifying this as a small treat to myself. I think that I will use it for a few weeks until the blades become worn and then go back to my old cheaper brand. Well that was the plan at least. So what do you get for your money?

Packaging
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Now I have a love hate relationship with packaging, and continually contradict myself when looking at it. Let me explain. The Razor comes in the now standard rigid clear plastic moulding, revealing the product clearly within. There is a stylish silver cardboard insert with the name GAMER and Gillette Fusion is etched onto the front of the plastic case with its futuristic Orange insignia resembling something from Starfleet standard issue. While it is not the most extravagant packaging I have ever seen, one could imagine from an environmental point of view; there is room for downsizing. However the simple reality is that if packaging is reduced to its simplest and most ecologically viable conclusion then it will look substandard. The idea of purchasing something of quality begins with the packaging, and so it is the consumer that demands the substance and glitter. I digress.

Instructions
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Nothing too much to get excited about here as a fairly basic if not well laid out double sided card is all that is presented to assist in the assembly and operation. There are a couple of labelled colour diagrams of the razor and its features, which can be summarized as follows:

1) 5 blades spaced closer together to help reduce pressure vs. MACH3.
2) Enhanced indicator Lubricating Strip.
3) Flexible Comfort Guard.
4) 1 Precision Trimmer Blade.

The precision trimmer blade has 3 further diagrams showing some of the features of use which include sideburn under the nose and moustache trimming.

In addition there is some repetition on the back of the card regarding features 1 and 4 above, as well as some simple pictorial instructions of the blade assembly. The instructions look more substantial than they actually are because they are repeated in a further nine languages.

First Impressions
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So after a short battle with the packaging and I am in; within seconds the first cartridge is snapped into place and we are ready for action. I have to confess the razor looks very stylish with its white, blue and orange colour combination. It also has a very solid weight, making the razor feel satisfyingly substantial. Studying the cartridge itself and it does look impressive. Speaking from an engineering background, this is quite a technological achievement. I was half expecting the five blades to take up so much space that the cartridge would look cumbersome. But no, the blades are much smaller than the Mach 3 and spaced closer together. It all looks elegant and feels very good in the hand.

Performance
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So after a quick face wash in warm (not hot) water and I apply my budget shaving gel and it is time for the ultimate test. I almost feel like I am letting the side down with my cheap gel, but I am not stretching to the Gillette Fusion gel as well.

After just a few strokes with the razor and I can see what all the fuss is about. This razor feels great to use. There is virtually no drag and even in the difficult areas like around the chin, I can get a great close shave. The extra blades certainly seem to help as my shave seems to take less time than say the Mach 3 and it feels closer.

When I first read about the single blade precision trimmer, my instant thought was gimmick, but on using this feature I have to bow to the Fusion designers once again, as this is a very useful feature. Basically any man who shaves will know how difficult it is to capture those bits under the nose; well no longer as this single blade does a great job of sorting these bits out. Straightening off side burns is also a doddle.

The comfort guard is also a feature that I like; even after producing one of the closest shaves I have ever had my skin felt okay with minimum redness.

After over three weeks use now I see that the lubricating strip is telling me that it is running out (The blue colour is disappearing) and there are indications that the blades are no longer as sharp as they were. So I shall be moving over to my second blade shortly. I shave once a day virtually every day so I think that this has lasted well, all things considered.

Conclusions
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My original plan was to purchase the Gillette Fusion as a bit of a one off treat. I am starting to wonder what will really happen when the last of my two blades runs out. The truth is that I really like this razor. The quality of shave is the best I have ever had, the only issue now is the price of the replacement cartridges which of course I will have to pay full price for. On checking with Tesco and I find that the cost for 4 is £8.27, although they have an offer on at present at 2 packs for £14. This still works out at £1.75 each or £2.07 without the offer. With the Mach 3 coming in at £1.25 each, that is quite a jump in price. So although I can see where the extra money is going, am I going to make the ultimate switch to Fusion? Well, ask me again when I run out of blades, because at present I am sitting on the fence, or perhaps more appropriately my decision is dangling on a knife edge!

Summary: Fantastic razor for a great close shave, but expensive to run.