Most Helpful Customer Reviews
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76 of 82 people found the following review helpful:
4.0 out of 5 stars
Nice Shave But I'll Stick With The M3 Power, February 6, 2006
I have been using Gillette's Fusion Razor for a few weeks now and it's a nice razor with some pros and cons compared to Gillette's other blades. Gillette has some of the nicest products on the market, and I expected the Fusion to blow me away, but unlike the jump that was made when the Mach3 came out, I was not as excited after my shave as I was for the hype beforehand.
The Good
- The 5 blades are very smooth and glides across the face easily.
- Shaving time IS reduced with this new razor.
The Bad
- With so many blades, I felt like I was shaving off layers of skin. I feel there is a limit to how many blades are realistic, and this felt like it was too big for my face and I could seriously cut myself if I wasn't careful.
- Shave isn't much better than the Mach3 Turbo. While shaving my skin felt really smooth, but my hairs grew back just as quickly as they did with the Mach3 Turbo (no noticeable improvement).
- This razor is SO big I found it hard to get around facial areas like I could with the Mach3.
- The lotion strips on the M3 Power feel better and seem to last longer than on the Fusion razor.
- Design and look of the Fusion isn't as slick or nice as the M3 Power.
- Blades are no longer interchangeable. They went with a new interface for putting blades in that seems to take a step back, and having to buy the new razor to work with the new blades was a sneaky move in my opinion.
- The single blade on the back is useless. It's very hard to get the angle correct, and it barely gets anything off. The M3 Power got in tight spots just fine.
In conclusion, I plan to stick with my M3 Power. 3 blades seems to be just the right amount for getting in all areas on the face. While it might take a shave or 2 more to get all the hairs off then it does with the Fusion (on the large surface area portions of my face mind you), the M3 Power just seems safer in general.
This is more like 3 1/2 stars. Yes it's a nice shave, but it's not worth all the hype or additional financial burden this new blade will put you back.
**** RECOMMENDED
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81 of 88 people found the following review helpful:
2.0 out of 5 stars
The Ugly Truth Gillette Doesn't Want You to Know, January 11, 2008
If you read the description closely of the Gillette Fusion product as put out by Gillette, you will see that Gillette doesn't actually claim that you get a closer or even better shave. They very cleverly use terms like "a better way to shave" or "30% closer blades", and there is a reason for this. The reality is that very little (if any) improvement in the actual shave itself has been made since the 3-blade systems. And Gillette knows this through their own internal research. Their studies show that customers can't discern the difference between 3-blade and Fusion systems. It is all just perception. However, Gillette with these newer hyped blade systems is able to charge a lot more for the replacement blades and reap higher profit margins than the older blade systems. The reason I know is that I have a cousin high up in one of these companies.
Here is another interesting tidbit you probably didn't know about all of this. Have you ever wondered why the original blade that came on the actual razor you purchased seemed to last much longer than any of the replacements. Well there is a reason for this too. The blades that go with the razor packages actually come from a different stock, which are made much sharper to give a better shave and last much longer. Gillette doesn't want folks to get a bad first impression. As you probably know, they don't make money on the razors. The real money is with the replacement blades. And the blade stock used on the replacement blades is inferior and much duller to get folks to replace them faster.
With the significant price difference between the older 3-blade systems and newer ones like Fusion, folks really are better off saving their money and sticking with the older systems.
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25 of 27 people found the following review helpful:
5.0 out of 5 stars
Best shaver I've ever had., October 24, 2006
I'm cursed with sensitive skin and a tough beard. I'll break out or rash up if my skin gets irritated, so I have to carefully prep for shaving. After years of trial and error, I've finally settled on a good shaving cream system: Cetaphil Skin Cleanser for a base, then Kiss My Face Moisture Shave as a supplement. For post-shave comfort and to prevent breakouts, I use a product like Clean&Clear Dual-Action Oil-Free moisturizing lotion. However, the weak link up until now has been the actual shaver. With the Gillette Fusion Power, I've finally found the right one.
I've used Gillette since they gave my unit free razors during the first Gulf War (I was in the Marines at the time). They've gotten the job done, but a 3-blade system is ultimately inadequate for my beard and skin type. It doesn't take long for the blades to start cutting my face and neck, especially since I take forever to change blades. I dreaded looking in a bathroom mirror at work and seeing dried blood spots (not to mention getting blood stains on my collar). Electric shavers don't work for me either - too hard on my skin, and I'd have a five-o'clock shadow around 2PM.
So, when I saw Gillette touting their new 5-blade system, I gave it a shot. I was initially skeptical about the powered aspect due to my issues with electric shavers. But the Fusion Power is the happy exception. At first I struggled a bit getting the battery cap off of the end. But once I mastered that maneuver and got the battery in, I was set. It takes one AAA-battery that seems to last a decent interval (the low-battery indicator is a nice touch). And even if the Fusion Power runs out of juice, you can still shave with it. The shaver glides over my face, and the vibration feels good - kind of like a pick-me-up in the morning. The five blades really nail my beard, and even tough spots like my chin and jaw line remain cut-free. I also like the one-blade trimmer on top - very handy for evening out my sideburns and zapping those stray whiskers right under my nostrils.
My only issue is the expense of the blades. But I can make them last a lot longer than the old 3-blade razors while still getting a great shave. And most importantly, I rarely get those annoying cuts anymore (if I do, it's more because of rushing or clumsiness than anything else). Ultimately, the result is worth the higher price. The Gillette Fusion Power is the best shaver I've ever tried. Highly recommended.
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