Is there any GOOD alternative to Gillette blades ?

Piliger

Superquinn charge €10.59 for FOUR Mach 3 Gillette blades !! FFS ........ Wikipedia says they cost ca 6c to make .....

Has anyone moved to another cheaper make ?

I tried the blades sold in Lidl ... but they cut me all the time.

GHOST MGG

i was the same a few weeks back piliger...so i bought myself a shaving pack..with a stainless steel razor,7 packs of blades of different types,shaving cream and brush and it cost me under 50 euros..i reckon it will last me at least 12 months.I havent looked back after using gilette rip off blades for yrs.

awec

Hey Piliger, the people of facial hair + hats are better placed to answer you here.

cgarrad

http://www.amazon.co.uk/Razorpit-RP-O-B-Razor-Blade-Sharpener/dp/B004W2UMDW/ref=sr_1_1?ie=UTF8&qid=1359573347&sr=8-1

Product Features
RazorPit removes the residues of hair and skin that make your razor blade feel dull
RazorPit makes your razor blade last for up to 150 shaves
RazorPit is made of recyclable materials that are also approved for use in the food industry
RazorPit razor blade sharpener works with all razor blades
Save up to 90 per cent on buying new razor blades and reduce polution

Gran Hermano

How does 100 blades for 10 euro sound plus a superior shave?

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=-qSIP6uQ3EI

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=-qSIP6uQ3EI

Sir Digby Chicken Caesar

i can shave with a blank white canvas?

Gran Hermano

Sir Digby Chicken Caesar wrote: »

i can shave with a blank white canvas?

You can try, but I'd recommend a DE or straight razor instead. :-)

MadsL

Piliger, you have just woken up out of the Gillette Marketing Matrix. You will be weak at first, but you will grow stronger, and you will learn the ways of the blade and fight the lie "The Best a Man can get".

What if I told you everything you were taught about shaving is wrong?

Welcome to Facial Hair and Hats. Come over to the sharp side, pick up a DE or straight and join the revolution.

Solair

I have tried a few different blade types and they all seem to cause me skin irritation / in-grown hairs except for Gillette.

I then gave a fairly high end Philips shaver a try for a while and that didn't really cut my stubble.

So, I ended up back with Gillette Mach 3 again.

I find the blades last ages though. Some people probably change them too frequently.

MadsL

Solair wrote: »

I have tried a few different blade types and they all seem to cause me skin irritation / in-grown hairs except for Gillette.

I then gave a fairly high end Philips shaver a try for a while and that didn't really cut my stubble.

So, I ended up back with Gillette Mach 3 again.

I find the blades last ages though. Some people probably change them too frequently.

Did you mean traditional double edge or straights? Or other disposables?

Solair

MadsL wrote: »

Did you mean traditional double edge or straights? Or other disposables?

Wilkinson Sword cartridges
Boots Own Brand cartridges
Straight edge
And BIC and a few other types of fully disposable. They all gave me skin problems!

The Philips shaver just left me with permanent designer stubble. Other than that it was ok.

I'd generally have serious stubble within 12h of saving. Two days gets me a bit of a designer stubble beard. Five days is an actual beard!!

kneemos

cgarrad wrote: »

http://www.amazon.co.uk/Razorpit-RP-O-B-Razor-Blade-Sharpener/dp/B004W2UMDW/ref=sr_1_1?ie=UTF8&qid=1359573347&sr=8-1

Product Features
RazorPit removes the residues of hair and skin that make your razor blade feel dull
RazorPit makes your razor blade last for up to 150 shaves
RazorPit is made of recyclable materials that are also approved for use in the food industry
RazorPit razor blade sharpener works with all razor blades
Save up to 90 per cent on buying new razor blades and reduce polution

Are you using the razor pit and how is it working for you?I bought one a while ago and am currently in the process of testing it.

Piliger

GHOST MGG wrote: »

i was the same a few weeks back piliger...so i bought myself a shaving pack..with a stainless steel razor,7 packs of blades of different types,shaving cream and brush and it cost me under 50 euros..i reckon it will last me at least 12 months.I havent looked back after using gilette rip off blades for yrs.

Can you expand on that ? A 'shaving pack' ?

Piliger

awec wrote: »

Hey Piliger, the people of facial hair + hats are better placed to answer you here.

Hi ... I am concerned that only people who don't shave mainly frequent this forum ? .... I was hoping to raise the topic with people who shave

Gran Hermano

Piliger wrote: »

Can you expand on that ? A 'shaving pack' ?

Something like this
http://www.shaving.ie/categories/Safety-Razors/Safety-Razor-Starter-Kits/

Piliger

cgarrad wrote: »

http://www.amazon.co.uk/Razorpit-RP-O-B-Razor-Blade-Sharpener/dp/B004W2UMDW/ref=sr_1_1?ie=UTF8&qid=1359573347&sr=8-1

Product Features
RazorPit removes the residues of hair and skin that make your razor blade feel dull
RazorPit makes your razor blade last for up to 150 shaves
RazorPit is made of recyclable materials that are also approved for use in the food industry
RazorPit razor blade sharpener works with all razor blades
Save up to 90 per cent on buying new razor blades and reduce polution

Are you saying you use this ? Do you sharpen Mach 3 type blades ? other blades ?

Piliger

Solair wrote: »

I have tried a few different blade types and they all seem to cause me skin irritation / in-grown hairs except for Gillette.

I then gave a fairly high end Philips shaver a try for a while and that didn't really cut my stubble.

So, I ended up back with Gillette Mach 3 again.

I find the blades last ages though. Some people probably change them too frequently.

I try to get some time out of them but they start to cut m after a week or so.

Piliger

Gran Hermano wrote: »

Something like this
http://www.shaving.ie/categories/Safety-Razors/Safety-Razor-Starter-Kits/

I guess those 'safety razors' scare me a bit

By the way I do sometimes electric shave ... but I always have to finish with a blade.

source

Piliger wrote: »

I try to get some time out of them but they start to cut m after a week or so.

If your growth is as thick as you say you'll need to change the blade more often than someone with less growth.

Try a DE razor, initial outlay can be steep but it's way cheaper in the long term (100 blades for €20). It'll also give you a much better shave once you find the blade that works best for you.

source

Piliger wrote: »

I guess those 'safety razors' scare me a bit

By the way I do sometimes electric shave ... but I always have to finish with a blade.

Nothing to be scared of, I cut myself more in one shave with a mach 3 than I have in a few years shaving with a safety.

Shpongler

Gibellini Shark 5 Blade razors from Lidl are pretty good, the refills are much cheaper than Gillette and they are as good if not better.

cgarrad

kneemos wrote: »

Are you using the razor pit and how is it working for you?I bought one a while ago and am currently in the process of testing it.

Piliger wrote: »

Are you saying you use this ? Do you sharpen Mach 3 type blades ? other blades ?

I shave once a week so I just get Fusion cartridges the odd time, the reviews on Amazon are really good though.

oscarBravo

Piliger wrote: »

I am concerned that only people who don't shave mainly frequent this forum ?

Read a few threads - you'll quickly realise that the place is full of shaving nerds.

MadsL

Solair wrote: »

Wilkinson Sword cartridges
Boots Own Brand cartridges
Straight edge
And BIC and a few other types of fully disposable. They all gave me skin problems!

The Philips shaver just left me with permanent designer stubble. Other than that it was ok.

I'd generally have serious stubble within 12h of saving. Two days gets me a bit of a designer stubble beard. Five days is an actual beard!!

A straight razor gave you skin problems? - I'm surprised, haven't had an ingrown hair since I switched to a straight.

kneemos

It seems to be horses for courses as regards razors,Gillette cartridges are like sandpaper on my skin yet Wilkinson cartridges give me the best shave I've ever had,weird.

evolving_doors

I find the tescos ones fairly ok (the one where you replace the heads “triple blade") once you buy the stick you can buy packs of 3 (think its 6 in every pack..for something like 3 euro fiddy... About every three months they are on special offer so I stock up..
I get about two goes out of them... Mine's a five o clock shadow so it depends on yer mug..
But ya gilette can kiss my ass goodbye.

Solair

MadsL wrote: »

A straight razor gave you skin problems? - I'm surprised, haven't had an ingrown hair since I switched to a straight.

Yup..

Straight razors, electric shavers (spent a stupid amount of money on that Philips thing with the 3D movement on the head. Made no difference and it will not cut my stubble in one pass. Ends up taking ages to get a proper shave with it. Tried wet/dry/with gel/without gel. No difference.

beardybrewer

This thread had a pretty good conversation on cartridge alternatives to mach3. It's also the thread that convinced me to give a DE razor a try. I'm very glad I did.

Lots of good suggestions in there, have a read: http://www.boards.ie/vbulletin/showthread.php?t=2056701377

I use Feathers with an Edwin Jagger DE89L safety razor with Proraso soap and after shave.

Once you use a DE razor, I think you will never go back to using mach3's, etc.

Piliger

While I am looking at alternatives .... does anyone have any info on the best prices available around Dublin for Mach 3 blades ?

Superquinn is €2.65 each for 4.

MadsL

Piliger wrote: »

While I am looking at alternatives .... does anyone have any info on the best prices available around Dublin for Mach 3 blades ?

Superquinn is €2.65 each for 4.

Unlikely, posters in this forum have abandoned the Mach3 shtick.

stevenmu

Solair wrote: »

Yup..

Straight razors, electric shavers (spent a stupid amount of money on that Philips thing with the 3D movement on the head. Made no difference and it will not cut my stubble in one pass. Ends up taking ages to get a proper shave with it. Tried wet/dry/with gel/without gel. No difference.

When you say "straight razor", do you mean one of these: http://www.shaving.ie/categories/Straight-Razors/

Because they look a lot scarier than a safety razor to me

markesmith

Joined the DE revolution myself just a couple of weeks ago. Bought a cheap Boots DE razor, pack of blades, and shaving soap (had the badger brush).

Shaving takes a little bit longer, and I've had a few nicks, but there's something very urrrrhhh-MAN about shaving with a DE.

Highly recommended. Spend €25-€50 at the start, then blades are as cheap as chips. Gonna upgrade the razor to a Merkur when finances permit.

MadsL

stevenmu wrote: »

When you say "straight razor", do you mean one of these: http://www.shaving.ie/categories/Straight-Razors/

Because they look a lot scarier than a safety razor to me

Yes.

I cut myself far more often with a "safety" razor than a straight.

beardybrewer

MadsL wrote: »

Yes.

I cut myself far more often with a "safety" razor than a straight.

That's interesting. Do you think it has something to do with the bigger surface area?

I would have through the opposite that a small blade was better adapted to keeping to the contours of your face.

Boy, those years of Gillette advertising with "moveable heads" really paid off, eh?

MadsL

I think I have more visual and tactile awareness of where the straight's edge is. Plus I probably have a tendency to be a bit more careless with a DE - and I usually use the DE when I'm late and rushing.

BBDBB

Unsure whether to post this here or in Ranting and Raving

Just sent this to Proctor & Gamble


I have to say Im not one of lifes complainers, very much an easy attitude to life, dont make waves. I buy Gillette Fusion because they give me the best shave, cheap? no. Expensive actually. But then you know that. But at 6am when I look blearily into the mirror I know I can rely upon a Fusion to give me a smooth shave before I head out to work or on the weekend when Ive missed a day it will cut smoothly through the extra bristle. As products go, Im usually pretty happy.

You sense there is a "but" coming dont you?

Well done, very astute.

I bought 10 blades for £20 at my local Asda. I have shaved with the first blade out of the carton a total of 4 times and on the 5th occasion I looked at the blade to discover that the lubrication strip was completely gone on one side and badly faded on the other. I know they arent supposed to last for ever, but come on, at least attempt to play fair here or lets forget the whole charade and I'll just send you a cheque twice a year for a bit of sandpaper. Im not impressed P&G, not in the least. Im a man, if thats the best I can get then I pity half the population. If the rest of the carton performs this badly then I dont think you and I will be meeting at 6am much longer. To coin a phrase, its not me, its you!

sincerely
BBDBB

hitemfrank

Let us know what response, if any, you get from them.

BBDBB

will do

one thing I would add is that they certainly dont make it easy to receive customer complaints on their website. There "Contact Us" is actually a link to a list of FAQ questions which then ask for feedback if the answer was useful. Poor PR from a major global company.

Piliger

cgarrad wrote: »

http://www.amazon.co.uk/Razorpit-RP-O-B-Razor-Blade-Sharpener/dp/B004W2UMDW/ref=sr_1_1?ie=UTF8&qid=1359573347&sr=8-1

Product Features
RazorPit removes the residues of hair and skin that make your razor blade feel dull
RazorPit makes your razor blade last for up to 150 shaves
RazorPit is made of recyclable materials that are also approved for use in the food industry
RazorPit razor blade sharpener works with all razor blades
Save up to 90 per cent on buying new razor blades and reduce polution

I bought this last week from Amazon - it is totally useless and a fraud imho. The reason is that the blades on Mach3 heads cannot actually make contact with the surface of this device because the guide-protectors at the sides and the pads on top and bottom are slightly raised - thus preventing any contact !!!!

kneemos

Piliger wrote: »

I bought this last week from Amazon - it is totally useless and a fraud imho. The reason is that the blades on Mach3 heads cannot actually make contact with the surface of this device because the guide-protectors at the sides and the pads on top and bottom are slightly raised - thus preventing any contact !!!!

I put the side of the razor over the edge of the razor pit using downward pressure,seems to work.You can also use a pair of jeans (look up youtube)though I havn't tried it.

funkyouup

I was gonna pick up a DE and try it as im gettin sick of mach blades, Has anyone ever used a DE with shaving oil, i just dont like foam or gel

Gran Hermano

funkyouup wrote: »

I was gonna pick up a DE and try it as im gettin sick of mach blades, Has anyone ever used a DE with shaving oil, i just dont like foam or gel

Have you tried proper shaving cream or shaving soap lathered and applied with a brush?
I wouldn't recommend oil on its own - will not provide enough protection.

Insect Overlord

funkyouup wrote: »

I was gonna pick up a DE and try it as im gettin sick of mach blades, Has anyone ever used a DE with shaving oil, i just dont like foam or gel

Haven't tried a shaving oil yet.

Try a soap. You can get a Palmolive soap stick in Tesco for about 70 cent. It's great stuff. You'd pick up a decent brush for a good enough price in Boots as well.

funkyouup

To be fair lads i havent tried a proper foam, just been using oil for years with a mach3 and a razorpit, i was thinking about just getting a cheap DE one and seeing how it goes.

Cienciano

Piliger, do what everyone is saying, get a DE razor. I was in the same boat as you (as were everyone that changed) - DE razors looked a bit scary. I had one bought for me and had it for about 2 months before I used it! But it's great, actually look forward to shaving now which is weird.

Piliger

Just an update ..
I am very reluctant to go the DE route though never say never ... It will be the last resort :P

So .. I have delved into the world of Boots. I bought a 'Blade3' Boots branded hand razor in Boots last week for about 5 quid (with two blades) and have been using it on and off. I often don't shave for two or three days at a time btw.

I have to say the Blade3 are not bad. NOT as good as Gillette. But not too bad. I need to press far more lightly to avoid cuts, and I also take care to shave slowly. I do end up sometimes with a few spots of blood on my face, but it's manageable. As with all blades I always have to shave my moustache with an electric .... no blade ever does that job for me.

When I am shaving after only one day, I have now reverted to an electronic razor, followed by a gentle glide over with a blade. The combination is very quick and easy and does the job.

Gran Hermano

Your fear and reluctance towards DE razors is totally unfounded.

If you really want to stick with cartridge razors try the twin blade Gillette Sensor - the model that was out before the Mach 3. Probably the last decent razor from gillette.

Piliger

Gran Hermano wrote: »

Your fear and reluctance towards DE razors is totally unfounded.

I get you. It's still on my mind :P

If you really want to stick with cartridge razors try the twin blade Gillette Sensor - the model that was out before the Mach 3. Probably the last decent razor from gillette.

I'll check that one too.

Great avatar btw

Scuba Ste

Just do it.

I got the boots DE razor about 5 months ago and while I ruined my face the first few times I got used to it and found it a much better shave. No ingrown hairs and far less irritation. Tried a few different blades and settled on one which got rid of irritation completely.

I got a new badger brush, cream and Edwin Jagger razor a month ago and the difference again on the boots razor is amazing.

I actually enjoy shaving now and haven't nicked myself or got any irritation since I got the new razor.

Just do it, you won't regret it.

beardybrewer

Gran Hermano wrote: »

Your fear and reluctance towards DE razors is totally unfounded.

If you really want to stick with cartridge razors try the twin blade Gillette Sensor - the model that was out before the Mach 3. Probably the last decent razor from gillette.

I've heard on another shaving obsessed site that the twin blade is the best disposable razor. Back when I used mach3 I used them weeks at a time.

A big benefit of DE shaving is that even the best blades are cheap. That means you can afford to change your blade twice a week.