Mini Review: After a fortnight with the Gillette Fusion Power, I'm not impressed.

[dug777]

Been alternating between my old Mach3 and the Fusion Power for the last fortnight, after putting a new Turbo blade on the Mach3 to make the comparison fair.

Looks and feel:

Side by side the Fusion Power looks like a cheap and clunky toy compared to the Mach3 (original silver metal one).

In my hand it feels tacky, lightweight and unnecessarily large compared to the Mach3.

Shave:

In terms of results, the Fusion Power does a great job, almost on par with the Mach3 and Turbo blades. I haven't noticed any difference between them going against the grain on most of my face, but I'd give the edge to the Turbo blades going with the grain on my upper lip.

The vibration doesn't appear to make the slightest bit of difference to the quality of the shave, as far as I can tell. I also find it makes it hard to tell if you're getting the pressure and angle right, if that makes any sense?

Image:

My better half thinks it looks like a garish kids toy

Conclusion:

It delivers an excellent shave, but doesn't manage to surpass the Mach3 with Turbo blades in any way, and it looks and feels considerably cheaper and nastier.

Not exactly a ringing endorsement I suppose

 

[coldmeat]

Originally posted by: dug777
The vibration doesn't appear to make the slightest bit of difference to the quality of the shave, as far as I can tell.

you had to buy it to realize that the vibration is just a sales gimmick?

 

[dug777]

Originally posted by: coldmeat

Originally posted by: dug777
The vibration doesn't appear to make the slightest bit of difference to the quality of the shave, as far as I can tell.

you had to buy it to realize that the vibration is just a sales gimmick?

I've seen people on here excitably protesting to the contrary, but yeah, I had always been sceptical

 

[Captante]

I use the Mach 3 Turbo with the vibration mode & while its not revolutionary by any means, I do seem to get a more comfortable shave with it on ... I've never tried the Fusion power, but I did use a none-vibrating 5-blade version & hated it because it was just too big for my face.

 

[Tiamat]

Originally posted by: Captante
I use the Mach 3 Turbo with the vibration mode & while its not revolutionary by any means, I do seem to get a more comfortable shave with it on ... I've never tried the Fusion power, but I did use a none-vibrating 5-blade version & hated it because it was just too big for my face.

Same here. M3power with Mach 3 turbo blades seems to be the sweet spot for me. The Fusion cartridge is just too big to properly shave the mustache area for me...

 

[dug777]

Originally posted by: Rubycon

Originally posted by: coldmeat

you had to buy it to realize that the vibration is just a sales gimmick?

A lot of folks fall for things that vibrate and are sorely disappointed. Of course I'm not talking about razors.

:shocked:

 

[Perknose]

Huh. Imagine that.

The latest hideously overpriced, shiny plastic gimmick razor doesn't work all that well after all.

OP, I salute you!

Like the whiny, annoying guy in the dangerously overcrowded life raft intentionally given the short straw and hastily thrown overboard so the available rations will last that much longer... or, say, a doorstop in an office building... you fill the vitally important behind the scene roles that allows the rest of us to get on with the simple business of living! :beer:

 

[Queasy]

I got the non-vibrating Fusion because I couldn't find any blades for my Mach 3 and like it. I find that it gives me a better shave than my Mach 3. Now to find some cheap, genuine blades before I run out.

 

[91TTZ]

I still use my original Sensor.

 

[ponyo]

I'm still using the free Quattro I got from the Hot Deals forum. One razor usually last me years.

 

[I Saw OJ]

Originally posted by: Naustica
I'm still using the free Quattro I got from the Hot Deals forum. One razor usually last me years.

WTF

Instead of shaving I think all you need is to dip your face in some milk, and have a cat lick the fuzz off your face.

 

[ponyo]

Originally posted by: I Saw OJ

Originally posted by: Naustica
I'm still using the free Quattro I got from the Hot Deals forum. One razor usually last me years.

WTF

Instead of shaving I think all you need is to dip your face in some milk, and have a cat lick the fuzz off your face.

If you air dry your blades after each use, your blade won't dull for years. Just use a hair dryer or rubbing alcohol to dry your blades after each use.

 

[DanTMWTMP]

damn...i'm going to have to disagree w/ the OP completely.

i shave really really hard along my neck so that when I feel my neck w/ my fingers against the grain, I want to feel as little stub or hair as possible, and have it shaved w/ no razor burn.

I've tried every single thing out there, and nothing comes close other than the fusion power. I thought the build quality is pretty good. Of course, The fusion is too big for the area btwn mouth and nose.


But the bottom line is, the fusion power (even including the fusion nonpower) is the closest thing ever to getting that baby smooth feeling on my neck w/o irritation. I want it to feel baby smooth both ways all along my neck.

 

[Tiamat]

Originally posted by: DanTMWTMP
damn...i'm going to have to disagree w/ the OP completely.

i shave really really hard along my neck so that when I feel my neck w/ my fingers against the grain, I want to feel as little stub or hair as possible, and have it shaved w/ no razor burn.

I've tried every single thing out there, and nothing comes close other than the fusion power. I thought the build quality is pretty good. Of course, The fusion is too big for the area btwn mouth and nose.


But the bottom line is, the fusion power (even including the fusion nonpower) is the closest thing ever to getting that baby smooth feeling on my neck w/o irritation. I want it to feel baby smooth both ways all along my neck.

That marks the biggest strength of the Fusion/Fusion Power design. Shaving under the neck is what it does best.

 

[Tylanner]

I've noticed when these blades get dull, they are totally unusable.

At least these old mach3 blades still cut, just not as close.

 

[Whisper]

I've definitely noticed an improvement in shaving when using my Fusion as compared to my Mach 3. The latter almost always took at least two passes (in both directions--with and against the grain) for a smooth result, while the former takes only one. The vibrating is also quite nice, and this coming from a guy that had made it a personal goal never to use a battery-operated razor.

Edit: As for the blades, I've always used mine for ~3 months before changing. I of course notice an immediate difference when I put the new ones on, but the used ones still do a good job up to, and likely beyond, the point at which I switch them out.

 

[Dunbar]

I've found cheap 2-blade disposable razors work better than the Mach3. They also last longer and cost a lot less. More blades does not necessarily make a razor better.

 

[dug777]

Originally posted by: DanTMWTMP
damn...i'm going to have to disagree w/ the OP completely.

i shave really really hard along my neck so that when I feel my neck w/ my fingers against the grain, I want to feel as little stub or hair as possible, and have it shaved w/ no razor burn.

I've tried every single thing out there, and nothing comes close other than the fusion power. I thought the build quality is pretty good. Of course, The fusion is too big for the area btwn mouth and nose.


But the bottom line is, the fusion power (even including the fusion nonpower) is the closest thing ever to getting that baby smooth feeling on my neck w/o irritation. I want it to feel baby smooth both ways all along my neck.

Since I don't have to shave vast areas of my neck I'm not in a position to agree or disagree with you there.

I usually use my chin as a benchmark in a similar fashion, and I honestly can't tell the difference between the Fusion (vibrating or non-vibrating) and the Mach 3 with Turbo blades there.

However, your judgement is called into serious question if can say with any honesty that you think the build quality of the Fusion Power is 'pretty good'. It's cheap, shiny, tacky and garish plastic

EDIT: and as has been mentioned, the blade on my Fusion Power is already noticeably blunter than the Turbo blades, with exactly the same amount of use.

 

[Aharami]

been using it for 6 months now. I love it. Much better than Schick Quattro

 

[paulney]

People who don't like the Fusion because of the size - get a bigger stiffer upper lip
Seriously, there's an extra blade on the other side - you can use it not only for whiskers, you know.

 

[stonecold3169]

I really can't stand the fusion, which is too bad because I love the mach3 and mach3 turbo blades.

The biggie for me is for whatever reason these blades clog like crazy. The first time I shave with a new blade its great, but then after that I can't even get an average shave without getting frustrated. Its weird because I don't have any of these issues with any other razor... these just aren't designed to last as long as the mach3s I guess

 

[KingGheedora]

Sensor XL > Mach3

 

[secretanchitman]

Mach3 Turbo Champion (just a different colored Mach3 Turbo) is still the best for me IMO.

 

[Fenixgoon]

fusion > mach3 >>>>>>>>>>>>>>>> schick quattro (wtf the thing is a POS for me). i still want a traditional, old school razor though

 

[mrSHEiK124]

Originally posted by: Fenixgoon
fusion > mach3 >>>>>>>>>>>>>>>> schick quattro (wtf the thing is a POS for me). i still want a traditional, old school razor though

For real. Doubt I'm going to buy any more Fusion cartridges though (bought 16 for $37 at Sam's), thinking about getting one of those Norelco's that dispenses lotion on yo face.