Cartridges [including HeadBlade] better steel than disposables?

• Cartridges [including HeadBlade] better steel than disposables? by Gary~ on 29 Dec, 2012 03:17
• I have seen it alluded to on this forum that cartridges last longer than disposables. To make it clear what I am saying -- if one uses a Gillette Mach 3 cartridge one would get more shaves than if using a Gillette Mach 3 disposable. The same for schick Xtreme 3 etc.. Same brands and names.
  
  On the Gillette website today I read [ http://www.gillette.com/en/us/mens-style/truth-disposable-razors.aspx ] 'Disposable razors are meant for one-time use. Two tops. They always have been. The blades are made from inexpensive and flimsy steel that tends to spawn bacteria that creates microscopic grooves in the blades. And if you have ever had a dent in a car, you know that these grooves are where corrosion happens.'
  
  Gillette are not clearly stating in this article but are implying that the cartridge blades are not made from 'inexpensive and flimsy steel'. This would imply that cartridges would last longer.
  
  Is this just marketing BS or has anyone found that cartridges really are better? Also, how do the Headblade cartridges compare quality wise to the other sort of third party cartridges [eg Gillette] that the Headblade can use?
  
  Any info based upon your real world experience would be greatly appreciated.
• #1 by Gary~ on 01 Jan, 2013 19:10
• Just bumping it up. Maybe I've put this in the wrong spot? Surely there are some knowledgeable blokes out there. Otherwise, it's going to take me many, many months of experimentation.
• #2 by Beardman on 01 Jan, 2013 20:50
• I haven't used disposables, but I can get at least 7 shaves out of a cartridge. 1 pack of HB blades (4 pack) normally lasts me a bit over a month (I shave every 2-3 days)
• #3 by warhawk on 01 Jan, 2013 21:07
• Hi Gary:  I used to be a big fan of the Gillette Fusion and Schick Hydro5 cartridge razors.  I preferred the cartridges over the disposables.  I would get better shaves with the cartridges compared to the disposables.
  
  With that said... since April 2012, I have discovered DE razors and have gotten better shaves.  Since then... I have not looked back and enjoy the soothing, relaxing shave of a DE razor.
  
  WARHAWK
• #4 by Gary~ on 01 Jan, 2013 21:27
• Quote from: warhawk on 01 Jan, 2013 21:07

  Hi Gary:  I used to be a big fan of the Gillette Fusion and Schick Hydro5 cartridge razors.  I preferred the cartridges over the disposables.  I would get better shaves with the cartridges compared to the disposables.
  
  With that said... since April 2012, I have discovered DE razors and have gotten better shaves.  Since then... I have not looked back and enjoy the soothing, relaxing shave of a DE razor.
  
  WARHAWK
  

  
  Just to be clear here Warhawk, are you saying that you use a DE razor on your skull or just your face? If you use it on your skull does it take much longer and what about cuts and nicks? If you don't use it on your skull are you still using cartridges and which ones?
• #5 by warhawk on 01 Jan, 2013 21:29
• I DE shave both face & dome.
  
  WARHAWK
• #6 by Gary~ on 01 Jan, 2013 21:33
• Quote from: warhawk on 01 Jan, 2013 21:29

  I DE shave both face & dome.
  
  WARHAWK
  

  
  Wow, I take my beanie off to you.
  
  If I used a DE I'd be getting those Feather blades. I've been doing a bit of reading lately on the subject and it seems that they are the sharpest by far. I also saw some photomicrographs somewhere [200X I think] of the edges of straight razors and the only one that still looked really sharp at that magnification was the Feather.
• #7 by warhawk on 01 Jan, 2013 21:48
• Hi Gary:    I was always intrigued with shaving with a DE razor.  It took me about a week to get comfortable with my face shaves and about a month to get comfortable with my dome shaves.
  
  Yes... the Feather blades are notoriously known for their sharpness.  I love the Feather blades also.  Check out the Saftey Razor Section of the forum.  We have a handful of SBG members who love to shave with a DE or SE razor.  May I suggest you visit www.badgerandblade.com.  It is an excellent site and I have learned a lot from it's quality members.
  
  WARHAWK
• #8 by Switchy on 01 Jan, 2013 21:57
• Disposables not anymore.  I have used Fusion and Hdro 5, and old double edge razors only on my face.  I have 4 that have alot of history, but you might call them wall hangers like a old gun.  I do want to move up to a nice DE, but there are so many nice ones and different comments about them it is totally confusing.  Also on Blades.  At my age I have used many razors, straight, DE, SE, Knives, creams, brush's etc. and I personaly  like to keep it simple.  I enjoy reading all the posts about the many items a person can buy,  but like what works the best.  I am on a limited income and going to buy one more before I die.    Then go from there. Sure ain't going to go with me    Thanx.
  
  Be nice in one Thread called " Keep It Simple" !  2013 sounds like a great year for SBG !
• #9 by Dr-photo on 30 Jan, 2013 10:54
• i used to use gillette quattro cartriges until i came across wilkinson sword xtreme 3 pure sensitive disposibles, bought because they only had the large cartridge packs let in the store and i was a bit skint at the time. Ive never bought another cartridge since, face and dome with the same blade, washed well it lasts longer, doesnt clog up with residues etc