Hi, first post here. Found the site whilst googling my shaving problems! I'm Dave and I'm a cartridge user <dons tin hat and hides in corner>
I like to be clean shaven and get easily irritated by stubble. I'm a long term cart user, and for years used Wilkinson Sword Protector 3D Diamond (think they're just called 'Protector 3' now) carts. I can't say I had a problem as such with the shaves, perhaps as I'd used them for so long I fancied a change, thought that technology must have moved on in the 20 years I'd been using a 3-blader and/or was sucked in by marketing, but I somehow ended up buying a Gillette Fusion Flexball Proglide Power razor. All the stuff it boasted seemed pretty good. . . until I saw the state of my face and the price of a pack of 4 carts! I'm not really sure why I've persevered with the stupid things for so long (about 5 months) but during said time I seem to have constant burn, bumps & ingrown hairs under my jawline - on the chin and to the sides to of it. Like a red rash that just won't go away. I don't recall my face ever looking like that whilst using 3-bladers, and it's only really through the internet that I've realised it's the 'multi blade madness' of these 5-bladers that is highly likely to be causing my problems. I've been using the 'Chill' version of the Fusion carts which are meant to lubricate before & after slicing your face. I've been getting 8-10 shaves out of one before changing, but it pains me to throw away £3.75 every time I chuck one out and pay £15 a month for a 4 pack when I'm not even getting a decent result out of them.
For years I used the WS Protector 3-blade carts without even any pre-shave face wash prep or moisturiser or anything like that, just what I believe this community calls 'canned goo' Nivea sensitive shave gel & then same ASB afterwards. I've tried all sorts whilst trying to stick with these 5 blade Fusions: adding Nivea face wash & moisturiser to the arsenal, going a day or two each week without shaving in the hope that things will clear up, but still I get the rash burn, bumps & ingrowers. I'm probably pushing it getting the 8-10 shaves from a cart anyway, I think others may change after half that, but then that's doubling the cost and I'm not sure it would help that much anyway, as I used my old carts for weeks at a time without issue.
So, given that I am getting dreadful value for money for a crap shave, what do you suggest as the way forward? In the meantime I've just come back from holiday and couldn't wait to dig out my old WS razor & a fresh 3-blade Protector cart upon my return. The relief felt immense upon returning to the old friend, and just one day in the redness & bumps have begun to fade. To me this confirms that the Fusion 5-blade carts are no good for me. So I am pretty much ready to bin the face shredders and am debating whether to stick with the faithful old WS 3's or make a total change to DE shaving - something I have never done once before.
So, a few questions:
Is 5 blades really too many? (I've probably already answered this, for me personally anyway) & why are the Fusion carts so popular (they seem to be everywhere) if they're not actually that good? Marketing I guess !
Would I really notice a big difference from a more traditional 3-blade cart to DE shaving?
Time is not a massive issue for me, I am happy to take my time to get a good shave. Initially I'd like to save money from buying extortionate carts, but from what I've perused on here so far, I may end up spending the same or more on DE shaving anyway! So, I may not save much in the long run but will be happy to invest in stuff if the end result is pleasing!
Any advice and/or tips on basic DE startup kit appreciated. Sorry if this was a bit long-winded but this has been stressing me out for a couple of months & I'm just pleased to have found a place where I can get help!
Thanks for your help,
Dave
I like to be clean shaven and get easily irritated by stubble. I'm a long term cart user, and for years used Wilkinson Sword Protector 3D Diamond (think they're just called 'Protector 3' now) carts. I can't say I had a problem as such with the shaves, perhaps as I'd used them for so long I fancied a change, thought that technology must have moved on in the 20 years I'd been using a 3-blader and/or was sucked in by marketing, but I somehow ended up buying a Gillette Fusion Flexball Proglide Power razor. All the stuff it boasted seemed pretty good. . . until I saw the state of my face and the price of a pack of 4 carts! I'm not really sure why I've persevered with the stupid things for so long (about 5 months) but during said time I seem to have constant burn, bumps & ingrown hairs under my jawline - on the chin and to the sides to of it. Like a red rash that just won't go away. I don't recall my face ever looking like that whilst using 3-bladers, and it's only really through the internet that I've realised it's the 'multi blade madness' of these 5-bladers that is highly likely to be causing my problems. I've been using the 'Chill' version of the Fusion carts which are meant to lubricate before & after slicing your face. I've been getting 8-10 shaves out of one before changing, but it pains me to throw away £3.75 every time I chuck one out and pay £15 a month for a 4 pack when I'm not even getting a decent result out of them.
For years I used the WS Protector 3-blade carts without even any pre-shave face wash prep or moisturiser or anything like that, just what I believe this community calls 'canned goo' Nivea sensitive shave gel & then same ASB afterwards. I've tried all sorts whilst trying to stick with these 5 blade Fusions: adding Nivea face wash & moisturiser to the arsenal, going a day or two each week without shaving in the hope that things will clear up, but still I get the rash burn, bumps & ingrowers. I'm probably pushing it getting the 8-10 shaves from a cart anyway, I think others may change after half that, but then that's doubling the cost and I'm not sure it would help that much anyway, as I used my old carts for weeks at a time without issue.
So, given that I am getting dreadful value for money for a crap shave, what do you suggest as the way forward? In the meantime I've just come back from holiday and couldn't wait to dig out my old WS razor & a fresh 3-blade Protector cart upon my return. The relief felt immense upon returning to the old friend, and just one day in the redness & bumps have begun to fade. To me this confirms that the Fusion 5-blade carts are no good for me. So I am pretty much ready to bin the face shredders and am debating whether to stick with the faithful old WS 3's or make a total change to DE shaving - something I have never done once before.
So, a few questions:
Is 5 blades really too many? (I've probably already answered this, for me personally anyway) & why are the Fusion carts so popular (they seem to be everywhere) if they're not actually that good? Marketing I guess !
Would I really notice a big difference from a more traditional 3-blade cart to DE shaving?
Time is not a massive issue for me, I am happy to take my time to get a good shave. Initially I'd like to save money from buying extortionate carts, but from what I've perused on here so far, I may end up spending the same or more on DE shaving anyway! So, I may not save much in the long run but will be happy to invest in stuff if the end result is pleasing!
Any advice and/or tips on basic DE startup kit appreciated. Sorry if this was a bit long-winded but this has been stressing me out for a couple of months & I'm just pleased to have found a place where I can get help!
Thanks for your help,
Dave
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