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Different strokes
A gentleman emailed me a while back complaining about the Gillette Mach 3 razor. He had tried it, and was not happy at all with the results. The blades didn't stay sharp long enough, it was overpriced, and the shave was no closer than he got with other razors. In fact, he stated that he got better results with a single-blade disposable razor than with the Mach 3.
If you've read my
review of the Mach 3, you know that I'm a big fan (it's my personal favorite) and I consider them the best razor you can buy. And based on the feedback I get from visitors to this site, many people agree with this assessment. So why does this gentleman (and presumably others) get such a greatly different result?
The fact is that people are different, and what works for one person may not work for the next. For the gentleman complaining about the Mach 3, it's obviously not a good razor. Since he gets good results with a disposable single-blade, he should probably stick with that. It's actually a fortunate situation for him; single-blade disposables are quite cheap. For me, single-blade disposables cause significant irritation and lots of nicks.
When you read reviews, always keep in mind that a reviewer can only share their own experience; they can't tell you what you will experience. People are similar enough that often our experiences will be close, so it's worthwhile to look at what other people's opinions before we try a product ourselves.
When you're looking at trying out a new product, find as many reviews and see what other people say. The more information you have, the better; if many people offer similar opinions, it gives them more weight. If opinion is greatly divided, it makes your decision harder.
No matter how many reviews you read, though, the final test is in how you find the product yourself. Everyone else may think a particular product is fabulous, but if it doesn't work for you, it's not a good product for you.
Comments
I agree people are simply different. I have used the mach III, but stuck with the headblade after trying it.
I had the same problem with the Mach III. It would dull easily and didn't give a close enough shave. Then I tried a generic twin blade, followed by the Mach III and got better results. I figured since I already spent the rediculous amount for the Mach III, I might as well get some use from it! Although, it does do a great job on my beard.
I also have similar problems with my Mach 3. Perhaps the solution is the Mach 3 Turbo. Right now, I am using a Schick disposable. It's designed for beards, but it does wonders for the head...maybe because it's designed for the chin: a curved part of the body that needs a close shave.
Buy the blades at Sam's Club. You can get a pack of 20 Mach III blades for an excellent price. (You can also get a pack of the Mach III Turbo for a discount price.)
I use a product distributed by Total Shaving Solution. It's called the Razor Mate. It keeps your blades sharper using magnetic energy. You just place your blade on the magnetic field and it sharpens it. It actually works pretty good.
The hardness of your water is an often overlooked problem with keeping blades sharp. With moderate to extreme hard water, the shaving cream or gel forms a soap curd on the blade, keeping it from staying apparently sharp. Softer water doesn't form this soap film, so the blade can be used MUCH longer.
Before I installed a water softener, I had to change my blades once a week just for shaving my face, and they would be coated with soap scum in short order. After softening the water, I have gone a month or more with the same razor with no irritation, it still looks new, and cuts similarly to the first time. (Though I realize this is in the extreme.) You don't have to go out and spend the $600 for a whole-house water softener, they have shower-head units that can provide the same benefit. But if you do want to go down to Home Depot and pick one up for under $500, with a half-day's worth of simple plumbing you can be much happier with the feel of your skin and the closeness of your save. Your local water department can tell you the hardness of your water, or you can send it in for an inexpensive analysis to places like Plumbingmart.com. Either way, softer water means cleaner dishes, clothes, hair (for those who have it) and skin.
Hope this helps.
My personal experience with the
Mach III wasn't really stellar. I found that I was cutting myself more and the result wasn't as smooth. So I went back to my trusted and cheaper Sensor Excel.
the mach 3 is a good razor i use to live and die for it. but it would dull really quick with having to shave your head and face. the sensor excell is good also it has 2 blades and is alot cheaper then the mach 3. as of now the sensor is my wepon of choice
My only complaint about the Mach III is the price. But, to avoid bumps, get a great close shave day after day it's my number 1 choice hands down. Like the old saying goes...."you get what you pay for".
I've tried quite a few different razors (including the HeadBlade) and found nothing works as well as the Mach III. It irritates the least and gives the closest shave. The HeadBlade worked well but absolutely hacked up my head....
i use the mach 111 turbo and experience razor bumps after a day should i have to shave every day
Hey Tim,
Try using a shaving oil. I use to experience razor bumps as well, but since I started using a shaving oil there gone. This is what I do:
1) I take a shower and get my head really wet
2) I apply the shaving oil to my scalp right after the shower
3) I then shave in front of the mirror. The key is to keep your scalp wet, so what I do is splash water on my head each time I rinse out the blade
4) Go with the grain on the back and sides of your head where I assume it's most sensitive. Against the grain is okay on the top of your head(it is for me anyway)
That's about all I can say
Give it a try
I shave with the grain first, then go back and gently shave against the grain for a completely smooth head
Mach 3 is the king of razors!!!
I haven't had very many problems with the Mach III, save for when I cut myself; a Mach III cut is always three times the damage. Heh.
I have been shaving my head for 4 years now, I normally use my panasonic Sonic wet/dry razor, helps eliminate razor burn plus I shower and use Aveeno Shave Cream with mach III and now the the schick quattro. After shaving, I wash with soap and then with a Wal-mart product called Dermarest Psoriasis medicated shampoo plus conditioner and does it ever shine. I also shave while sitting in a steam room at the gym, great way to shave both face and head.
Im 46 and having been shaving for 30 years. For about 25 years, I had used the Gillette Trac Two, and always got a great, close shave. Ever since Gillette introduced the Mach III, the quality of the Trac Two blades went downhill. It seems to me Gillette purposely made the Trac Two blades inferior to what they had been in the earlier years, to get people to switch to the more expensive Mach III. It worked with me. I switched to Mach III and feel the shave is inferior to the old Trac Twos. So I switched back to Trac Two and also was not satisfied with their quality. I know I'm repeating myself, but I am almost positive, that Gillette actually decreased the sharpness of the old Trac Twos to induce people to switch to Mach III, which produces a worse shave than the old Trac Two.
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