*REVIEW* Gillette Fusion Power (No Joke)

[joel]

http://badgerandblade.com/gallery/displayimage.php?imageid=1370

The Mach III power advertisements didn't impress me much... the whole concept seemed stupid, and I wasn't falling for it. The shick quattro? Oh PUH-LEAZE.... 5 blades, a huge strip to raise the hair on ones face, a single blade on the back for under the lip and sideburns and a gooey conditioning strip to boot? Talk about over-engineering.... but wait, how about a super dooper "Fusion sonic" engine to power the S.O.B. and then polish it off with a battery status indicator - just to beat a dead horse? What a joke.... but no - really it exists and I have the pictures to prove it... this sucker was just too stupid NOT to try.

http://badgerandblade.com/gallery/displayimage.php?imageid=1371

Ok.... so you open this "kit" (and it is a kit) and this is what you get...

http://badgerandblade.com/gallery/displayimage.php?imageid=1372

So how do you work this them thar thang?

http://badgerandblade.com/gallery/displayimage.php?imageid=1373
http://badgerandblade.com/gallery/displayimage.php?imageid=1374
http://badgerandblade.com/gallery/displayimage.php?imageid=1375
http://badgerandblade.com/gallery/displayimage.php?imageid=1378

Ok - so push the button and shave away - big deal. Uhhh.... yeah.... 5 big deals.

http://badgerandblade.com/gallery/displayimage.php?imageid=1377
(Notice the blade in the BACK)
http://badgerandblade.com/gallery/displayimage.php?imageid=1376

This razor shaves like nothing else I have ever experienced... feels incredibly weird. As you drag it across your face it seems to draw VERY slow and requires a fair amount of effort... unlike anything I had ever used before. Not that it hurt at all, or even seemed like it was skipping... it just seemed like you were pulling an oar in a vat of hard butter... strange I though - seems like they use cheap ass blades... but then I felt my face - and to my surprise - it had taken a tremendous amount of hair off of my face with ZERO irritation. Well to cut the huffery out and get to the point - 4 passes later, and I feel this razor is outstanding. No elaborate explination necessary - 4 passes with this fusion provided me with a smoother, more comfortable shave than 4 passes with my Merkur Vision loaded with a Feather PT.... yeah, I am impressed too.

Special notes - this razor sucks when the little whiz bang motor is OFF. Surprisingly the motor makes a WORLD of a difference - enough so that I would NOT use this razor in the unmotorized form. Also - this is the FIRST gillette cartridge razor that did NOT tear my face off, or punish me with ingrown hairs - but with ALL of this said... I have only used this razor ONCE - and I shaved with it this evening (I didn't shave this AM) - so I will update this post - and possibly my results over the next few days.

Bottom line - My initial impression is that this sucker could VERY WELL knock my vision off the top of the moutain and become my daily shaver.... seriously - I am stunned too.

[Nick]

Thanks for the very detailed review Joel *cough*blasphemer*cough*. :wink:

What's the price for the razor, and the replacement cartridges?

-Nick

[obsessis]

I can't see myself shaving with that. The colors, packaging, vibrating turns me off. Not to mention when the Mach3 came out everyone would joke that next they'd make a Mach4 or Mach5 and it actually happened.

I also think the DE razors are much classier and the 'old-school tradition' is very nice.

I'm interested to see how many shaves you get out of the single blade and how much they cost as well.

[joel]

I can't see myself shaving with that. The colors, packaging, vibrating turns me off. Not to mention when the Mach3 came out everyone would joke that next they'd make a Mach4 or Mach5 and it actually happened.

I also think the DE razors are much classier and the 'old-school tradition' is very nice.

I'm interested to see how many shaves you get out of the single blade and how much they cost as well.

Dunno what the blades cost.... truth be told - I purchased it just for kicks, thought i'd use it once, then pitch it. I'll keep you posted on how long the blades last - but don't knock it till you try it :wink: If this razor keeps delivering the stellar results it has today (again - only used it once) I may be setting aside my DE's and straight razors for weekend "luxury" shaves. Almost disheartening.... as is the Will G soap is making me seriously contemplate selling a bunch of my shaving creams/soaps.

[obsessis]

what's the will g soap?

[joel]

what's the will g soap?

See Link 1 (http://badgerandblade.com/vb/showthread.php?t=1034)

See Link 2 (http://badgerandblade.com/vb/showthread.php?t=1263)

If you browse some of the older posts - especially the pictorials, you'll find info on almost everything.

[atnight]

Joel- you are SO extreme!!!!:tongue:

I'm sure people were curious though and it's cool that you tried this.

I tried the Mach 3 power long ago, and the vibrating did improve the shave. It was the last stop I took before moving to DEs. They just seem to do a better job to manage my tough beard that grows in many directions and sensitive skin.

As for your shave, I'm not surprised. Those things always give a pretty decent first shave. It's after that when the razor typically drifts into suckitude. And after two or three shaves max, you're considering using a new cartridge. The information I'd like to hear is how many shaves you get with one cartridge, considering that like many of us, you're a four pass guy.

I know the cartridges for the Mach 3 razors cost $20 for 4. Unless there's promotional pricing, I can't imagine the Fusion™®™® cartridges being any cheaper. That and mediocre shaves after the 1st one have driven me away from the plastic Gillette scene.

Again though, pleased you took the time to review this item. I'm also at a loss to what Gillette's R&D will reformulate to get everyone to buy after this razor 'cools off'.

[ouch]

Fusion? I'll have to quote Ralph Kramden-

"I'm calling Bellvue, cause you're nuts!" :001_tt1:



Seriously, please keep us updated.

[Scotto]

Glad to see we are keeping an open mind here. Let us know if it continues to please!

[RVL Saratoga]

Damn, that orange thing is bizzare; looks like the bastard child of RoboCop and the Burger King.

OK, based on your review, I'll have to grab one and give it a go. However, even if it's great, I can't see myself facing that damned thing every morning. An new Honda Accord will absolutely smoke a Jag XK120 on the track, but I'll pick the Jag every time.

Cheers,
Robert

[threeputt]

It took guts to take this plunge for our benefit, my hat's off to you for that Joel. One thing I'd be curious about....grow your whiskers for 3-4 days then fill us in how how it performs :wink: I'd wager you could make half a stroke (if you could get that far), let go, and the razor will actually hang on your face. This is the major benefit of single cutting edges to me, and always has been. Did you use the new fancy gillette (vibrating?) shaving cream with it, or stick to the good old badger and cream/soap?

Jeff

[Joe Lerch]

I, too tried the Fusion, and I've been using it for a few days now. I usually don't do that, but I heard so much about what a problem the cartridge razors are after a few days that I had to do that. My reaction has been the same as yours, except I never felt that resistance you talk about. With the motor this has to be the smoothest, most comfortable shave ever.

It was also surprisingly close after 3 passes. My closeness problem with pivoting head razors has always been that you can't control the blade angle to shave really close. That's where the trimmer blade on the rear comes in. When you use it the head doesn't pivot, so you have a great single blade for final touchups.

It seems Gillette has a real winner here (I hate that!). Finally, the average guy can get great shaves wihtout learning skills. All he has to do is avoid pressing on the razor and he'll get close shaves without nicks.

The one rub is the price of the cartridges. Four cartridges seem to run about $14!

[Webro]

This razor would need to give a close shave ,it has five blades!!!!!!:confused:

It is bordering on being rediculous,:tongue_sm what will be next six blades?

As for the battery vibration, anyone I have asked about this has said it is a novelty thing.

The reason I myself started to use a DE was because of the simplicity of the razor, and the quality of the shave.Of coarse!!! a five blade razor will give as good a shave, it would need to with all those blades, but what will the cost of the razor and blades be

Lets keep it simple and kick this razor into touch:biggrin:

[ERIC]

My hat's off to Joel, not only do I admire your open mindedness to try that baby, but what I admire the most is the "balls" to admit to your brother wet shavers how much you like it. It took an open mind for any of us wet shavers to try the DE, that being said I bought one today, I'll use it tomorrow, and I'll post my honest opinion tomorrow. Thanks Joel for all of you great insight. Yes Steve, Ted and Matt I'm trying it. ERIC

[Rik]

Nice review Joel,

I'm afraid this razor would result in serious bodily damage for me if not instant death. :a46:

After making such a convincing case of how much money we would save by my not having to buy cartridges etc. and ending up spending a generations worth of cartridges on DEs, str8ts, brushes, creams, and so forth, SWMBO would kill me with my dullest razor and live happily off of the life insurance if she ever caught me with using a cartridge razor.

:behead:
.
.

[rtaylor61]

Damn, that orange thing is bizzare; looks like the bastard child of RoboCop and the Burger King.

OK, based on your review, I'll have to grab one and give it a go. However, even if it's great, I can't see myself facing that damned thing every morning. An new Honda Accord will absolutely smoke a Jag XK120 on the track, but I'll pick the Jag every time.

Cheers,
Robert

Robert,

Can't say I blame you. Everyone should own at least one Ford Taurus in their life!

[rtaylor61]

Damn, that orange thing is bizzare; looks like the bastard child of RoboCop and the Burger King.

OK, based on your review, I'll have to grab one and give it a go. However, even if it's great, I can't see myself facing that damned thing every morning. An new Honda Accord will absolutely smoke a Jag XK120 on the track, but I'll pick the Jag every time.

Cheers,
Robert

Robert,

Can't say I blame you. Everyone should own at least one Ford Taurus in their life!

Randy
Certified Silver Honda Salesman

[acoldspoon]

I tried the Fusion too. Three times with a days worth of stubble each time.

Day one: Great clean shave. Cleaner than with my DE, though I am new to the DE. No razor burn. Couple nicks. Had to get used to the face sucking quality of the Fusion, not exactly an enjoyable feeling.

Day two: Clean shave, about on par with my DE. No razor burn. Not easy to shave my upper lip.

Day three: Crappy shave, razor burn. Switched to mt Merkur Progress mid-shave.

Day four: Fusion was tossed into the back of my medicine cabinet. Great DE shave was had.

So, it lasted one more day than an M3. It gave me two days without burn or bumps, which the M3 could never do for me. I always got bumps and burn with the M3 if I got a close shave.

But here's the thing. Fusion blades cost over $3 each in bulk. I just can't pour $1.75 in blades into each shave. When I strike gold, I might consider one. Till then, the DE gives almost as good a shave, and I can afford the shave. Maybe when I switch from Merkur blades to Feathers, I will be able to surpass the Fusion. That goes ditto for when my DE form improves.

[Joe Lerch]

This razor would need to give a close shave ,it has five blades!!!!!!:confused:

It is bordering on being rediculous,:tongue_sm what will be next six blades?

As for the battery vibration, anyone I have asked about this has said it is a novelty thing.

The reason I myself started to use a DE was because of the simplicity of the razor, and the quality of the shave.Of coarse!!! a five blade razor will give as good a shave, it would need to with all those blades, but what will the cost of the razor and blades be

Lets keep it simple and kick this razor into touch:biggrin:
Have you tried the razor or is this all rumor you have heard?

Vibration is not new. I have a vibrating DE in my collection which is quite old, but it doesn't realy work. In the M3P and Fusion, the vibration is very gentle and, somehow, tuned to the razor. it results in an extremely smooth and comfortable shave.

Don't make assumptions about the shave provided by multiple blades. It is not better then a single blade DE. But the Fusion is probably as good as a DE that is not loaded with a feather blade.

[Joe Lerch]

I tried the Fusion too. Three times with a days worth of stubble each time.

Day one: Great clean shave. Cleaner than with my DE, though I am new to the DE. No razor burn. Couple nicks. Had to get used to the face sucking quality of the Fusion, not exactly an enjoyable feeling.

Day two: Clean shave, about on par with my DE. No razor burn. Not easy to shave my upper lip.

Day three: Crappy shave, razor burn. Switched to mt Merkur Progress mid-shave.

Day four: Fusion was tossed into the back of my medicine cabinet. Great DE shave was had.

So, it lasted one more day than an M3. It gave me two days without burn or bumps, which the M3 could never do for me. I always got bumps and burn with the M3 if I got a close shave.
Since I had heard about this happening with multiblade razors I was looking for it and shaved with the Fusion for five days straight, trying it with different products.

I noticed no irritation, even at the end, and there was no accumulation of irritation. It felt like I could do as many passes as I wanted every day and would not get irritation. For me that's a big deal. I don't think you'll find many people with more sensitive skin than I have. I actually have a skin condition and apply medication every day. So, my skin reacts to everything.

The only requirement for using the Fusion successfully was using a light touch- no pressing.

[HlSheppard]

Well guys,

I just bought one (the "power" version) and will use it first time tomorrow. We'll see!

Thanks Joel for the review (I'm actually excited to try this bugger!)

[guenron]

Well guys,

I just bought one (the "power" version) and will use it first time tomorrow. We'll see!

Thanks Joel for the review (I'm actually excited to try this bugger!)
Hey Howard,
Good show. I think you are exhibiting those qualities that separate us from the animals. (The setup, now the shot!) Consumerism!:001_tt2: Yes, even though Gillette responded to the complaint that I had several years ago with the trimmer blade, I just can not bring myself to use a razor with five regular shaving edges. What can I say? I guess I am just too flipping old..:blushing:
Hope you enjoy it..:yesnod:

[Austin]

Ron, that's a little sarcastic but you have a point. I will not be buying one of these razors because all the cool kids are doing it. I just don't believe in them and will not be parting with my cash for it. So I'm with you Ron. :cool:

[HlSheppard]

:a47: Sarcasm? HERE??? The hell you say... :quickdraw

I'm spending the $11.99 in the name of experimentation.

I don't see the Futur of the Slant going anywhere any time soon. To be honest, the refills are too damned expensive!

Of course, I could ask Charles to reveal your 2005 order tally if you want to talk about consumerism, Ron...:blushing:
Pot. Kettle. Black. 'Nuff said.

[AACJ]

Ron, that's a little sarcastic but you have a point. I will not be buying one of these razors because all the cool kids are doing it. I just don't believe in them and will not be parting with my cash for it. So I'm with you Ron. :cool:

Andrew,
Are you saying Joel and Howard are cool?? :eek: :wink:

[joel]

I have shaved with this sucker for a few days now and have a little more experience/insight.

First let me re-iterate... this thing (at least for me) is very medeocre without vibration. Flick on the "power" and it magically improves the quality of the shave. So far I have received all but one clean, smooth and lasting shave from this razor... on the third day - I got a little overzealous and made literally 8 passes with this sucker (5 of which against or against/across the grain) and got WAY too close a shave. Now - to qualify this, it wasn't that I necessarily got irritation - so much as the shave I got was too close - in that since the fusion pulls up the hair and cuts below the skin, I got a bunch of ingrowns having cut so far below the skin. I fault this to the user (me) and not the implement. Thus far, I have received shaves that are on par with a GOOD DE, in a fraction of the time, with little to no effort - using Will G's Shea Butter soap.

Do I think this will replace my DE's? No. No no no. I cannot justify the cost of blades, and I think DE's are just plumb more fun. I will say however - I will ALWAYS have a Fusion Power and a fresh blade or two around however, for days when I am in a massive rush, and can only spare a minute or two for a close shave.

All in all, I would say this Gillette Fusion Power is a VERY GOOD razor. Not excellent, but it is mighty good, and if I had a seal of approval - I'd give it a stamp :wink:

[atnight]

So how many good shaves did you get from one cartridge?

[Austin]

Andrew,
Are you saying Joel and Howard are cool?? :eek: :wink:

You know it! :biggrin:

[joel]

So how many good shaves did you get from one cartridge?

Dunno yet...

[roughrider]

Will the regular Mach3 cartridges fit this model?

[HlSheppard]

Will the regular Mach3 cartridges fit this model?

Nope - not even close.

[HlSheppard]

Well, I had my first shave with the Fusion Power this morning.

I used Will G. shea butter soap and here's what I found:

Basically everything about the razor (physically) has already been written. It's plastic and plasti-chrome. The powered model has a slightly heftier feel (due to the battery/motor/et. al.).

I only used it in "vibrate" mode this morning. I did 3 passes with the Will G. soap and my little Chubby 1 in Best badger.

Likes:

GREAT shave!
No nicks, cuts, razor burn, etc.
Almost "idiot proof"

Dislikes:

Almost "idiot proof"
VERY hard to feel what's going on with the shave or razor
incredibly slimy "lube strip" YUCK!
Expensive to replace blades
Embarassing to admit on this forum that I got a great shave!

No kidding, folks - had I done my "normal" four pass routine I would have been every bit as glass-smooth as four passes with my Feather equipped Slant Bar or Futur. I did NO stretching of the skin - basically just pulled the thing across my face.

The little "6th blade" on the back does seem to work fine for touch up once you figure out what angle the blade sits at.

I know that Will G.'s soap is incredibly thick and moisturizing. However, when I rinsed my face in-between passes; that damned goo left on my face from the "lube strip" felt like I had been attacked by sea slugs. It was actually disgusting to me. I actually did almost a full pass with only water and the "goo" and there was PLENTY of slickness for touch-ups, etc. Either way, I'd rather just stick to the cream or soap I'm using that day, thank you.:18:

When shaving against the grain you really feel a weird resistance as the blades are catching the hair. I'm sure I'm not describing this correctly, as there is not one bit of pulling or pain involved. You just really feel that the razor is cutting some whiskers. Someone (Joel?) stated that it almost feels like you could let go of the razor and it would hang there and that's a very apt desciption (albeit not true). Still, comfortable in every way.

So far, no ingrowns or negative effects, whatsoever. Although I get these whenever I got TOO smooth, no matter what type of razor I use. For my face, the price of "lightbulb smooth" is usually a few ingrowns.

Anyhow - I'll keep shaving with it for a couple of days and see how the blades hold up. Overall, I'm ashamed that I'm so damned impressed with the shave this thing gave me. All I can say is, wow - it pains me to admit it! :nonod:

Again - there is NO WAY that I could stay married after finally convicing my wife how much money DE's saved over "shaving systems." Granted, she doesn't know that we have a mortgage payment worth of creams, soaps and brushes!:blushing: But this damned contraption certainly delivered the goods.

[obsessis]

i wouldn't mind using my mach3 or a sensor for a quick shave.

[Nick]

Thanks for the review Howard. Don't worry, we don't think any less of you. :biggrin:

-Nick

[HlSheppard]

Thanks for the review Howard. Don't worry, we don't think any less of you. :biggrin:

-Nick

<sniff, sniff>

Thanks... I love you, man!

<awkward "man-hug">

[robofunk]

it has been interesting to watch this thread develop.

i think that in the end, when all is said and done, gillette has a loser on its hands. the cost is simply far to great for the average shaver to pursue, and gillette has been known to have a "new and better" motif going for their products. eventually i think they will hit a wall and have to head back to the drawing board.

i'm a typical guy with a typical beard, and had to stop using the m3 due to intense irritation. i don't see how a few more blades would make the situation better. perhaps if gillette has something on their hands that is state-of-the-art and AFFORDABLE then i will take the plunge and buy the product. for right now i will enjoy cheap DE blades and my adjustable gillette from the '60s (back when they were right on the money).

-dan

[HlSheppard]

Dan,

You're absolutely right. I would really consider having this razor as part of my normal rotation were it not for $3.50 per cartridge (or something like that).

My face responds very well to this razor (as it did with the M3). I get an "autopilot easy" shave that's VERY good. Can I get closer with a Slant Bar? Absolutely. But it requires more time and skill than most guys are willing to invest in the morning.

If I had the issues like you, and obviously others, have with irritation - I wouldn't even consider this razor. I can irritate my face MUCH easier with a DE than I can with this razor, however.

[joel]

Wait till the blades hit flea bay...... a few months ago my dad picked up FIVE HUNDRED (500) Mach III blades, BRAND NEW all of them in sealed retail packaging for UNDER $50 shipped.... he basically has a lifetime supply - for $50. The Fusion blades will be bad at first... but in 6-8 months they'll spread like herpies.

[reginald-van-gleason]

I can't see myself shaving with that. The colors, packaging, vibrating turns me off.

Here Here.

I wouldn't be caught dead with anything that LARGE that VIBRATES :eek:

[joel]

Here Here.

I wouldn't be caught dead with anything that LARGE that VIBRATES :eek:

Oh fooey.... you're from San Francisco.... you know you like it :lol: :lol: :lol:

[reginald-van-gleason]

Joel, touche :thumbsup:

But of course, I only use a str8!:a20:

(actually I only use a DE but it wouldn't work for the joke/pun)

[MJB]

Wait till the blades hit flea bay...... a few months ago my dad picked up FIVE HUNDRED (500) Mach III blades, BRAND NEW all of them in sealed retail packaging for UNDER $50 shipped.... he basically has a lifetime supply - for $50. The Fusion blades will be bad at first... but in 6-8 months they'll spread like herpies.

The only concern here is what are you getting? The blades he purchased may have likely been stolen and then resold. Many stores now have removed Gilette blades off the shelves and you have to ask for them at the front counter or come with permanently attached retail store stickers so ou know if you get them from another retailer that they are stolen.

MJB