What is the best cartridge/disposable razor system of all time?

Thanks Missoni, looks interesting, I gave up on DE's because I couldn't shave quick enough and couldn't be doing with all of the paraphernalia that goes along with it.I will have to give this razor a try out; I note that it also has a swivel head that reacts similarly to the Sensor - thanks for the tip!
 
I'd say the GIllette Fusion 5 format. I hate to say that, but it really is their pinnacle setup now. I shaved almost exclusively with them for about a year. Heck! I took a GIllette SkinGuard Sensitive to over 50 shaves! The Flexball is where it's at, though. Easy shaves, no irritation, wash off and get about your day.

That said, the razor I take on holiday is a GIllette Guard. You can be as sloppy as you like with a Guard, pressure, no pressure, push way too hard, use bath soap, canned goo, foam or just a greasy face from last night's kebab. The Guard just works. Well.
 
I tend to use cartridge razors when travelling or when I need an ultra-fast shave. I'm still working may way through a few packs of Gillette Sensor (2-blades) with a small travel handle in my overnight Dopp kit. For more than one night away I go for any version of Mach 3, which is my favourite cartridge. Just the right number of blades and control for a fast smooth shave. I also like to use custom handles, just to make it feel a bit more 'special'. I get blades direct from Gillette, as you can get a lot of fakes and Gillette's own prices are just as good as anywhere else in my experience.
 
That's interesting Greybeard; may I ask where you get your Gillette Sensor - 2 Blade Cartridges from (not the Sensor Excel, which is a different experience entirely) and at what price. I have still got some left (as this is my favourite Cartridge system), but I was waiting until I return to India in order to stock up in bulk. I have tried the DE safety razor, but cannot be doing with all of the paraphernalia that goes with it and like to shave quickly without getting cut to shreds. Spent out on a top of the range Muhle (please excuse spelling if incorrect) c/w soaps, brushes, pre-shave, blades, etc, etc; but found the cartridge razor best for me overall. The Sensor - 2 Blade seemed consistently to give a very good shave and lasts; AND is as good as possible (for a cartridge system) for the environment, as one only needs to discard a fairly small cartridge as opposed to a complete razor etc.
 
That's interesting Greybeard; may I ask where you get your Gillette Sensor - 2 Blade Cartridges from (not the Sensor Excel, which is a different experience entirely) and at what price. I have still got some left (as this is my favourite Cartridge system), but I was waiting until I return to India in order to stock up in bulk. I have tried the DE safety razor, but cannot be doing with all of the paraphernalia that goes with it and like to shave quickly without getting cut to shreds. Spent out on a top of the range Muhle (please excuse spelling if incorrect) c/w soaps, brushes, pre-shave, blades, etc, etc; but found the cartridge razor best for me overall. The Sensor - 2 Blade seemed consistently to give a very good shave and lasts; AND is as good as possible (for a cartridge system) for the environment, as one only needs to discard a fairly small cartridge as opposed to a complete razor etc.
Sorry to disappoint you, whitesix, but I think the ones I have are Sensor Excel. Two blades with a lubrastrip thing and then the lower silicon strip that's supposed to prime the hairs to raise them for cutting or something. here's my travel razor and a blade: It's a TOBS handle I got from the ESC.
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I've just checked Gillette's own site for sensor blades (https://www.gillette.co.uk/razors-blades-trimmers/sensor.list?search=sensor) and it doesn't look like they sell the originals anymore, just the Excel and Sensor 3, which are the 3-blade version. If you want to extend the life of your cartridge blades, you can get small sharpeners I believe (but I can't say how effective these things are.) Also, I know there are quite a few people who simply strop the cartridge blade by running them backwards across their denim jeans. (I tried this, and along the back of a leather belt) and I think it had some effect...basically taking very fine unevenness off the edges of the blade. The principle is basically the same as a cutthroat razor. It won't give you eternally lasting blades but may give you a few extra shaves! Always worth a try! Let me know how you get on. If you're stuck for anything better, I can always PIF you some of my Excels(y)
 
Thanks Greybeard, some very useful information. Yes, the Excel has a larger rubber type foil c/w lubricating strip as opposed to the Sensor, which has a smaller foil and lubricating strip. It is understood however that these blades are still produced for the Indian market, but it does not look like I will be returning to India (to stock up) for the foreseeable future unfortunately.
 
Not saying this is the best cartridge system of all time (I already stated my preference) but this stands out for its innovative design and, for me at least, it really worked: The Avid4 Disposable.
I had a few of these when they first came out in the very early 2000's...I remember seeing them in FHM magazine and bought 3 or 4 to use for wild camping and long trail walks. Along with the recommended 'Skinglider' shaving liquid they made for an fantastic setup that packed away flat and unobtrusively.

Each unit comprises 2 razor handles clipped together.
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When detached each handle reveals 2 blades inside.

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The blade slots onto the thin point of the handle.


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They boasted 10 shaves per blade, so 40 shaves in the smallest, thinnest package available.
For me, it worked well and I used them on the Wainwright Coast-to-Coast, West Highland Way and Cumbria Way and other hikes.
This is my last one and still keep it in my ultralight backpacking gear.

These are no longer available as far as I'm aware, so mine might even be collectable!:cool::rolleyes:;)
 
I'm surprised that no one has mentioned the Feather F system as yet. For me, the MR3 Neo is by far the best cart ever made. The replacement Samurai razor is certainly unique (and somewhat ugly). It still does a good job and does accept MR3 Neo And FII Neo cartridges.
 
Gillette Good News! The original non-slime strip, non-wobble head, two blade. Used them for many moons. Good clean shaves every day. Shaving soap, shaving cream, bath soap, plain water, nice smooth mug every time! Quality control was a bit iffy: some bellied-up after three days, other times three weeks and counting.

On the opposite side of the spectrum, KAI KII. It is a fixed head two bladed cartridge. I picked on up on a whim a few months ago at a Diaso, (If you are unfamiliar, they are a Japanese discount chain.), and ... Let it be said that, although I have not tried it, a better use might be for potatoes. In fairness, I have had similar results with the KAI DE blades.

A disposable that should come with a warning is one of the Wilkinson Sword two blade products from Germany (full sized, not slim). I picked up a pack when I was Hamburg a couple three years ago, and if I had the touch of a safe-cracker or heart surgeon, I might have gotten a blood-free shave. I passed them on to a friend who got even worse results. I'd like to think it was my technique, but I had mucho years of wet shaving behind me at the time. Definitely too much razor for this little black duck.
 
Fusion 5 with the pivoting head is a very comfortable shaver and superb at getting in awkward areas - i still use one for quick shower shaves and just keep an eye out for any deals on any sort of Fusion 5 cartridge.

Have used Mach 3 in the past and remember that worked fine - am keen to try a Gillette Guard for a play sometime, because they seem to get great reviews

I find that after a DE shave, a very quick, light run over with a used Fusion 5 cartridge and plain water transforms the shave into a 100% BBS all over.
 
One thing that is very important to me is that whatever razor one chooses / uses, the whole shave / shave experience should be carried out with one razor only. One of the issues I found with DE SR shaving (which I gave up because I was useless at it and usually needed about 4 days for the cuts to heal between shaves) was the issue of shaving under / around the nose and especially around the thin strip of skin covering the septum. Invariably, these areas suffered cuts when DE shaving, which does not occur with a cartridge. I think that this may be due to the difficulty of getting the correct angle when the blade hits the skin at these difficult to get to areas and a larger domed head covering the DE SR blade.
 
Virtually every modern razor system delivers a good shave. Personally I am not a fan of Harry's or Bic.I have bought all the latest Bics, so need to give them a try. The Mach3, Sensor3 and Quattro are excellent value as disposables. I get excellent shaves from 70's/80's/90's fixed and pivoting twin blade carts. To prevent even the possibility of clogging, my first pass is with a Schick injector.
 
I like the fact that any Gillette Fusion 5 variation has the same fitting - so whenever Gillette bring out the latest "Hydro Nano Cryo-Freeze Cooling Mega Closeness..." variant , you just scout around the supermarkets and you will be sure to see some sort of deal to clear the shelves of one of the (many) previous iterations of the Gillette 5 blade swivel head cart.

Guaranteed non-fake too , if its from a big supermarket chain.

They are all basically the same cart, apart from the guard bar profile and the lube strip arrangement. The newer ones have (apparently) slightly thinner blades than the first variants, but its the same 5 blade arrangement on front and same edging blade on rear.

Really doesn't matter if they are Gillette 5, Fusion, Pro-Glide or any of the "Power" variants, they are all the same size and handle fitting.

Me, i don't care if they are blue, green, yellow or orange, so long as i can get them for under £2 a cart, i always keep my eyes out for them and often see 8 packs for around £1.50 per cart on the older and less-fashionable ones.
 
Virtually every modern razor system delivers a good shave. Personally I am not a fan of Harry's or Bic.I have bought all the latest Bics, so need to give them a try. The Mach3, Sensor3 and Quattro are excellent value as disposables. I get excellent shaves from 70's/80's/90's fixed and pivoting twin blade carts. To prevent even the possibility of clogging, my first pass is with a Schick injector.
I must admit that my rule of shaving is that the shave must be completed with one razor only. Excuse my total ignorance, but is a Schick Injector a cartridge / disposable razor (genuine question, I'm not aware)?

I have recently been using the Gillette Slalom 2 blade disposable and I must say that I am not particularly impressed with it. However, I will continue to use them until I have none left (I purchased a job lot in ASDA for £2.50 for a pack of 8 razors). I then intend to try out some of the options mentioned above; perhaps the Gillette Sensor 3 and the Gillette Guard. I'm keen to get a good / reasonable shave at an economic price, using probably 2 to 3 blades versions only. And, if all else fails, I still have 30 Gillette Sensor blades left for safe keeping, which have never disappointed. Again, my personal preference is a cartridge, as there is less to dispose of and therefore hopefully a little better for the environment. My proposed trip to India to pick up some Gillette Sensor type Blades (I believe they may be Vectors) will be unfortunately somewhat postponed for the foreseeable future.
 
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