Double Edge Safety Razor vs. Gillette Fusion Proglide

[kingping]

Funny how the first thing I noticed in the pictures were the errant hairs stuck in the cartridge razor--reminding me of how much I hated to shave before my, um, enlightenment. I used to tap my disposable razors so hard on the sink trying to unclog them that I'd occasionally pop the head across the bathroom! Tap! Tap! Tap-damn!

De and straights work just fine for me.

[shuasdad]

I can shave one pass just as fast with a DE as I could with the Fusion. Having learned a multi-pass technique, it does a take a little longer, but not much. I wouldn't go back to the Fusion for speed. I didn't get good shaves with it, but maybe the techniques I've learned and practiced would improve the Fusion's performance as well.

Dunno, don't care to find out. Working on the challenge of straight razor shaving. Definitely having more fun than the Fusion ever provided.

[likehotbutter]

On a de forum? This is going to be biased lol

I always prefer my DEs but I still keep my cart around for those days when I have to rush out of the house pronto

[TheClassicGentleman]

I would have to say DE without question....I mantra I repeat alot to new members of the Brotherhood of the Open Comb is
"the BOTOC is more than a shaving group...it a group of like minded brothers that see our shaving as a metaphor for something greater, and that can see how even small shifts in one's life can create great things."

To me traditional shaving is more than getting a great shave, it is almost this alchemical process of taking something that was once a chore and transforming it into something we truly enjoy....from something as simple as 'shaving" we have found joy in the little things in life. Gentleman that is a great feat! I know for me I look forward to my daily shave, and the whole ritual involved in the process.

Do I get a better shave...yes...do I get less burn and irritation...yes....has it help me appreciate and see beauty in the details of things I once over looked...yes!

Oh...and to the Op....I'm a Twin also...and my twin brother is also on B&B.....maybe show him the before and after pics of my brothers face and the improvements made from traditional wet shaving.....see his post here.

LOL, thank you for the support and the letting me know about your twin. I just showed my twin your comment and he's like "Yeah, well".

Truthfully he feels that the Gillette is the right thing for him and he might change his mind but until he feels karma pulling him towards a double edge he'll just stick with the Gillette. Perhaps when I show him your brothers before and after pictures he'll definately change his mind.

[syngent]

i dont believe many of us would be here if we had a preference for the pro glide, that being said there are still some on here that use them with brushes and better software... i never personally had an issue with the proglide or the mach three they both gave me a wonderful shave,.. i began with a brush and cream a few years ago only got into the DE side in dec just passed just because i thought it was cool and had issues at first because i kept doing clean up with the pro glide,... i had to finally decide to tuck it completely away before i got the hang of the DE's and it took about a month before i got comparable results

[lancj1]

I will rock the boat. I love DE shaving but I also have an interest in shaving and products in general and sometimes pick things up to try, and rotate. I think the Gillette Fusion razor gives a fantastic shave, and I think high end modern canned products, such as Gillettes, are exceptionally slick and cushioning. Fusion hydrating gel best IMHO.

This week I have had a few days off DE and I have shaved with a Dorco twin blade, Atra replica, using Palmolive stick and this morning fusion gel. At present I am sat in the garden enjoying the sunshine before work sporting a BBS.

That said, in all my years, thirty five, of cart shaving I never heard of an ingrown and only got razor burn if I ran out of lubricant and did it wrong,

Like both, use both. ymmv

[stuart12dz]

I still use a Fusion for head shaving, but there's just something about using a 1948 Super Speed (my birth razor) that I just can't explain.

[Renato1]

Fusion cartridges are superior. They don't require any technique, they are less irritating, they are faster and they only require one main pass, and some little passes where one may have missed something. Learning curve is negligible.

DE baldes require a lot of technique, and even with that, someone with touchy skin can wind up nicking themselves. Learning curve is significant.

For me, the proof is in the Block of Alum - there are a lot more stings from using blades than from using Fusion.

But there's no challenge in Fusion. No having fun with different razors, different blade angles and different blade gaps.

It's a bit like comparing Windows and Linux.
Regards,
Renato

[Mad Man]

When I travel and use a cart with a brush and good lather I get astonishingly good shaves.

The secret? No pressure, multiple pass and no pressure.

Takes as long as DE but the cost...sheeeeesh!

[Sledgehammer39]

I much prefer DE razors to the modern Fusion Proglide razor.

[Oblique Human]

DE because they're better.

[Maxime D.]

In the world of today its all about friendly using. We drive automatic cars, movies plots are easy to understand, games require no skill and we eat frozen food. In a world like this, the safety razor is a rebel.

[ChiefBroom]

My first shave with a DE razor was back in November. I haven't shaved with anything else since. I've only skipped shaving on two days, but I also shaved twice on two days. I'll probably end up having to travel with a Proglide; I'm not looking forward to it. I do still use my old one to shave the back of my neck.

[TheClassicGentleman]

Fusion cartridges are superior. They don't require any technique, they are less irritating, they are faster and they only require one main pass, and some little passes where one may have missed something. Learning curve is negligible.

DE baldes require a lot of technique, and even with that, someone with touchy skin can wind up nicking themselves. Learning curve is significant.

For me, the proof is in the Block of Alum - there are a lot more stings from using blades than from using Fusion.

But there's no challenge in Fusion. No having fun with different razors, different blade angles and different blade gaps.

It's a bit like comparing Windows and Linux.
Regards,
Renato

I follow what you mean about a person with touchy skin, I have very sensitive skin and innitially I had cases where I nicked myself a few times. I usually only do 1-pass while shaving and today tried going towards the nose instead of with the grain . For the past week I had a smooth shave without nicks; I had the learning curve down . Then I had to go towards the nose, augh, 6-nicks and when I rinsed my face and put on the aftershave balm, my skin was on fire . Never again, I'll still stick with my double edge razor any day; its far more fun, I'll just go with the grain from now on.

[TheClassicGentleman]

My first shave with a DE razor was back in November. I haven't shaved with anything else since. I've only skipped shaving on two days, but I also shaved twice on two days. I'll probably end up having to travel with a Proglide; I'm not looking forward to it. I do still use my old one to shave the back of my neck.

You shouldn't have to travel with a proglide, Merkur makes a couple of travel double edge razor



One is a closed comb and the other is an open comb.
You can find them at classicshaving.com and other websites for around $40 +/-.

[kcspence]

Shaved with a Trac II most of my life. Got into "real" wet shaving a year or so ago.

DE is far superior, for me. Closer shaves. More enjoyable shaves. A pleasure instead of a chore. A community of enthusiasts in B&B who share my passion.

Is there a Trac II forum?

[Pietro]

I bought a Gillette fusion proglide midas edition yesterday at walmart because it looked nice. I shaved with it this morning and it has to be the closest shave that I have ever had. That being said, it is still not worth paying 4 dollars for each cartridge to shave with this. A mach 3 cartridge lasts me about 5 shaves and I bet the fusion proglide will be the same. My Merkur 38c does a good job and the ASR blades that I use and like cost about 16 cents a piece. Each ASR blade also last me 5 shaves so I will stick with my trusty 38C and maybe when I travel I will break out this gold fusion proglide. I really do think the fusion proglide midas looks very nice with the gold color.

[kingfisher]

I've never tried the Proglide. Might be the best razor ever invented by man, for all I know.

I did try the regular Fusion, and didn't feel is was better than the Mach3, which I didn't feel was better than the Sensor, which may have been slightly better than the Atra, which was about the same as the Trac II (IMO).

With that track record, I didn't have high hopes for the Proglide, so I didn't buy it.

For travel I use either Gillette Guard, Trac II, or Atra. I use a DE every day when I'm not travelling. In all likelihood I will never know whether the Proglide is superior, because I will never try it.

[Go West Young Man]

You shouldn't have to travel with a proglide, Merkur makes a couple of travel double edge razor
.

The travel issue isn't the size of the razor, it's that you can't carry DE blades with you on airplanes.

[Go West Young Man]

Hello Gentleman,

I was chewing the fat with my twin brother about shaving practices, he loves the Gillette Fusion Proglide, while I use a double edge safety razor exclusively. Even though my face has cleared up substantially ever since I started using a double edge safety razor, he sticks to his guns about the Gillette Fusion Proglide being better. I understand its all about personal choice;

Does your brother use the same quality lathering products, prep routine and advance shaving techniques you do? That more than the razor makes a bigger difference in the shave.