Any need for cartridge razor, even with DE/straight?

[GDCarrington]

Trac II and Atra (2 blade units) are still used. Sometimes due to time factors, sometimes due to travel issues (TSA), sometimes to support head shaving when the DE or Injector that I am using is too aggressive in my opinion to support my head shave. So yes, they are still needed.

[phillylion]

I still have a M3 left over from before I started DE shaving about a year ago. Every once in a long while, I'll use it after I shave and clean up and notice a small spot that I missed. I'll take care of it with a bar of soap and the M3. And then, there's the times, like a couple days ago, when I was running really late, and didn't have time for a DE shave (the razor I was currently using, loaded with a blade was my Muhle 2011 R41, which really can't be used when rushed). And also, another +1 here when traveling by air.

[PugslyCat]

Oh my goodness, no!! i have never even contemplated ever going back.

I had the some concerns about needing to keep a cart around when I first converted to DE. I figured the back of my neck would be better done with carts, but found that to not be the case. Consequently I wound up overstocked on Atra carts. I gave up my DE for Lent just to try and use some of them up. Other than that I have had not even considered giving up my DE on an ongoing basis.

I like and use a Trac II quite frequently. It gives me just as good of a shave as a DE, and with a whole lot less fuss. It's also basically a no frills cartridge razor, as it doesn't pivot, and has a mere two blades.

When I used my Atra (same carts as Trac II) I discovered that I could get a DFS easily and a BBS with a lot of work. For daily use I found that it was OK to use, but really didn't save any time. Most of the time and trouble is with making lather from a soap and applying with a brush as opposed to putting canned goo on your hand and slapping it on.

Wow, surprised at how many still use cartridges. I guess they still have their place, their primary role being convenience, which is probably why our whole fast-food, spray-tan society welcomed them with open arms in the first place. No, I'm not talking about anyone here, I'm talking about the people who use cartridges exclusively.

Actually, I believe we have a sizable minority of members who use carts regularly, but have learned about the great preshaves, lathering products, shaving techniques, and aftershaves most of us think of as part of our DE shaves.

On another note, does anyone here have a goatee and if so do you use a DE, straight, or cartridge to shape it, presuming you shape it? I have a Van Dyke style and am hoping I will be able to do it all with a DE/straight. I know that a three-blade cartridge does not lend itself too kindly for my upkeep.

For the last couple of years I have worn a Van Dyke in the spring and fall. The only problem I ran into with using a DE to trim it was that I totally removed it in the summer so as to have more open space to shave.

nope. If I couldn't check a bag, I'd take my DE and hope for a local pharmacy to have blades. (most do) If not, every hotel I've been to will give you a complimentary bic single blade disposable. I'd use that if I just HAD to shave.

I don't travel overnight on business anymore, and certainly no flying unless I'm the pilot, but I figure Toxic has a point. Every discount or drug store that I have been to in the United States that has any assortment of carts or disposables has one exactly one choice of DE blades as well. They may not be the best blades, but are functional and usually inexpensive. I could either mail the leftover blades home or start the "Blades I don't use by the end of the week PIF." Buying blades as you travel is going to get tiresome and expensive for a multi-leg trip with only a day or two of dwell time at each location. In that case, carts might be the way to go.

[eizan70]

I don't travel overnight on business anymore, and certainly no flying unless I'm the pilot, but I figure Toxic has a point. Every discount or drug store that I have been to in the United States that has any assortment of carts or disposables has one exactly one choice of DE blades as well. They may not be the best blades, but are functional and usually inexpensive. I could either mail the leftover blades home or start the "Blades I don't use by the end of the week PIF." Buying blades as you travel is going to get tiresome and expensive for a multi-leg trip with only a day or two of dwell time at each location. In that case, carts might be the way to go.

I agree, I find no instance where I would wish to use a cartridge in lieu of my DE. I take my DE with me when traveling, and if I don't have a checked bag I leave blades at home. Although I will admit that this is rare now since I travel with my two small children, so rarely travel without luggage now a days. In a worse case scenario I would have a couple of days growth, I very rarely miss a day at home, so a couple days growth on the road wouldn't kill me. It would probably just callous my hands from rubbing constantly on the stubble

[ricardo9505]

I still use my cartridge blades when I travel on a personal trip. I like roughin it so I take a small cream sample and my old mach 3. and I never have to worry about an accidental cut on the mach 3, though the shave isn't as smooth. I literally keep one in the car. with cream.

[DavidJeffery]

I still use a Mach3 for the times when I really need a shave in a hurry, as when I DE shave I like to take my time and enjoy it with a shower, lather then hot wet towel on face for a few mins, rise off with hot water, lather again and shave (three passes, plus any final patches that need a quick once over), then rinse, Alum block and allow to dry, cold water rinse, pat dry and aftershave.

I won't go back to cartridge shaving full time again, but for convenience and travel they are OK, and using one occasionally reminds me just how much I enjoy DE shaving.

[Alejandro1969]

No! No! No! No! No! No! No! Oh Mama Mia! Mama Mia! Mama Mia let me go. The multi-blade was a devil put aside by me, by meeeee, by meeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeee!
(I just couldn't resist!)

[chris.hale]

No! No! No! No! No! No! No! Oh Mama Mia! Mama Mia! Mama Mia let me go. The multi-blade was a devil put aside by me, by meeeee, by meeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeee!
(I just couldn't resist!)

Nice!

I've not touched my cartridge razor since I started DE shaving. I keep meaning to try it again to see if it's any better with proper soap and a brush but then I see my DEs gleaming on the window sill and I can't bring myself to do it.

[Nova316]

I tried using a Mach3 a while back and it feels like its peeling away the skin from my flesh. Its a horrible feeling compared to straight or DE that gives my skin a nice soft feeling. It does give me a really close shave but I don't enjoy the shave or the feeling afterwards. My gf uses Mach3 still, doesn't want to touch DE... Yet
So until then I gave her all my Mach 3 carts and razors
I use Bic disposables for when I travel via plane they seem to work quite well but do get clogged easily

[adios_mach_3s]

I shave the back of my neck once a week with a Mach 3. I'm sure I could do it with a DE, but I haven't tried yet. Maybe I will when my cartridges run out.

[thatsilverguy]

Short answer - No.

DEs fill in on vaca. I keep a stash of Trac2's for my Wife and just in case TSA becomes total butt-tards

[kingfisher]

I threw them all away except for the Bump Fighter Trac II handle, an Atra handle, and a Sensor Excel handle.

haven't used the Sensor in two years; don't have cartridges for it.

I use the Trac II when I don't have time (about once every other month) or when I travel. I also use it for clean-up of the tough spots under my jaw line.

[jwilock]

Does anyone still have the need for modern cartridge razors even with their DE and/or straight? I'm thinking goatees, nether regions (sorry, I had to go there), leg shaving for those hardcore road bikers, tattoo preparation, etc.

The first thing I do when I start to shave is use my cartridge razor on the area immediately beneath the nostrils. Can't get up there high enough with my DE. One I do the little tiny area I put down my cartridge and turn to my DE for the rest of the shave. Perhaps I should consider getting an injector for this small area?

[bobfarvour]

I use them on my head. Quicker and easier and does it in one pass.

[Alejandro1969]

Kill all carts!

[TheClassicGentleman]

Personally I would say there is no need for a cartridge razor; like a Gillette Fusion, when you have a double edge or single edge razor. I would suggest using different blades for different needs. For tattoo preparartion and shaving of the nether regions I would use the Personna Medical Prep. For leg shaving; if you're into that I would suggest the Personna Lab Blue; personally I use them with my everyday shaving routine. For goatees I would go with the Personna Barber blades.

As you may have guessed I am a Personna fan, they make very nice blades at a very affordable price.

When it comes to shaving; especially in the nether regions, I would suggest trying different soaps for the different areas. If you are actually going to shave your nether regions, use a soap that is for very sensitive skin as to that area is quite delicate.

[Goggles]

Actually, I believe we have a sizable minority of members who use carts regularly, but have learned about the great preshaves, lathering products, shaving techniques, and aftershaves most of us think of as part of our DE shaves.

i definitely fit into this category. the b&b community has greatly expanded the multitude of shaving options to me which include brushes, soaps, creams, pre-shaves, and especially aftershaves. but not safety razors or cut throats. i'll leave that to the experts

[5savages]

I love the Gillette Guard for travel. Cheap, light, and does a great job.

[MikeGJ]

+1 for air travel

[kingfisher]

i definitely fit into this category. the b&b community has greatly expanded the multitude of shaving options to me which include brushes, soaps, creams, pre-shaves, and especially aftershaves. but not safety razors or cut throats. i'll leave that to the experts

OK, but if you try a safety razor and keep using it for awhile, you BECOME one of the experts!