Gillette Mach 3 - a great razor on it's way to the scrapheap? (Gillette Mach3 Blades)

Member Name: chrisc92

Product:	Gillette Mach3 Blades
Date:	09/07/09 (31 review reads)
Rating:

Advantages: New blades give smooth "clean" shaves

Disadvantages: In later years they seem to blunt quicker than they used to

I've been shaving now for a number of years initially with the guidance of my dad buying a single bladed razor.

I've tried using electric and battery versions but they really don't give me a good shave and they irritate my skin - but I did use them extensively while I was at Polytechnic.

I moved on to a twin blade (Gillette Sensor) a little while later and found it offered a more comfortable sensation on my face.

I've used the Mach 3 triple bladed razor for several years (and it's slightly more expensive twin the Mach 3 Turbo, as at one point I did have one of each - probably a Christmas present or something).

When I first used the blades (that are available in most supermarkets in 5 or 8 cartridge packs) they made a significant difference to my shaving experience and coupled with the Gillete Series shaving gel gave me a pretty smooth feel. I have found it works out cheaper to buy the cartridges in 8 packs rather than 5 as the cost per blade is lower - currently being sold on Amazon at £9.74 for 8, larger sizes are also being sold such as 12 and 20, but extremely expensive. Amazon's price is very similar to that of my local Asda, so it doesn't seem to be an issue where you buy them.

Well, the Mach 3 has been out a while now, and its been superceeded by the Fusion and Wilkinson Sword's 5 bladed version, so what do they do? You've guessed it, they make the blades blunter so they last less time and persuade you to buy a "better" product. I used to be able to use a blade for about a month before they went blunt, now 2-3 weeks is a struggle, and I'm lucky if I get a smooth feel after my second shave.

(As an aside, my son bought one of the new fusion razors, which snapped in half the first time he used it).

Replacing blades is easy as there is a push "switch" at the top centre of the handle which takes less than a second to remove and replace.

After many years I'm becoming disappointed, with the blades? No, with the company. When the twin and triple blades came out the companies advertise how each blade would cut that much closer - so how much closer can they go? It all seems to me like a lot of hyoe, especially as many have said that the best shave they've ever had was with a cut-throat razor at a barbers.

I love the razor, but I wish they'd bring back the quality and lower those damned prices before we need a mortgage to buy them.

Summary: Are we being manipulated into buying the most up to date products?