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RAZORBLOGGING: Okay, I shave with a Fusion ? actually, with Fusion blades in a fancy handle from T?

By Glenn Reynolds

RAZORBLOGGING: Okay, I shave with a Fusion — actually, with Fusion blades in a fancy handle from The Art Of Shaving — but now there’s the Fusion ProGlide. Is it better? Or just a gimmick?

UPDATE: Charlie Martin emails in favor of the ProGlide: “I’ve been using one for a couple of weeks, and I’ve got to say it’s pretty durn good. They’re not joking about the ‘gliding’ feel, even with my beard, which has the consistency roughly of the copper wire in a lamp cord.”

ANOTHER UPDATE: As always on this subject, the email pours in. A reader emails:

I’ve been using the Fusion Proglide Power for about a month now. While it doesn’t give me the shave my Sensor did before Gillette went with the awful “Comfort” blade (stupid Germanic ancestor facial hair (glad the ancestors got out of there though)), the blades give me a consistent shave longer than the original Fusion I had before, at least so far.

The power option so far seems to be about the same as the original Fusion Power, somewhat unneeded, but the Glide’s power button had a popular shade of blue illumination.

The Fusion Hydra Gel shaving gel (ultra sensitive) is a big step forward for Gillette, though. Rather than Alien Movie Egg Internal Green Slime colored like the previous Gillette gels I’ve tried, it is now blue, which at least for me is a lot easier to look at first thing in the morning.

Reader Merv Benson writes:

I have been alternating between the Schick Hydro 5 and the Pro Glide Power. I give a slight edge to the Schick although the Pro Glide comes pretty close if you use the special Gillette Hydro shave gel. The Pro Glide does have a much simpler trimmer application.

Reader Jay Johnson emails:

I shave my face and my whole head every day. I am on the cusp of reverting all the way back to the old double-edged razors. In the interim, I have abandoned completely the Fusion series of blades. I think they do not last an adequate amount of time, and they do a poor job of removing the shaved hairs from the cartridge, because there are too damn many blades in the thing.

Combined with the fact that they’re obscenely expensive and not that good, I have now reverted back (not a possibility of reverter) the 2 blade Gillette Sensor series. I find that the shave is excellent, the blades are reasonably cheap, and I’m not succumbing to slick advertising.

I also use Proraso shaving cream. That’s the kicker for me. It’s the absolutely best thing to lather on before running a razor across your face. You can get the private labelled “C.O. Bigelow” stuff in the tubes at Bath & Body Works.

Steve Adkins emails:

have been a fan of your site for some time, and I enjoy when you occasionally detour from politics into other subjects.

I use a Fusion razor and one of my greatest irritants is buying new blades. I turned to the internet for a solution to my problem. After a short search, I found a youtube video of a man explaining how he extended the life of his blades by simply swiping the razor(about 40 repetitions) in the opposite direction on some denim fabric after he was finished shaving. He used the pant leg from an old pair of jeans for this purpose.

I thought it was too good to be true, but worth a shot. On 9/1/10, I will reach the one-year mark with my current cartridge. I am amazed. This was certainly not my idea, but I felt compelled to pass it on to you.

That’s amazing. Reader David Himrich emails:

I shave with the King of Shaves Razor:

I found that the Fusion blades plugged up on me. This King of Shaves razor seems to clean out better and maybe that is why it seems to last longer. I use King of Shaves gel, too.

I’ve never heard of that one. Not too expensive, anyway. And, from a particularly brave reader, we get this:

I agree the modern safety blades are very good, but I have to say I’m a straight razor man myself. It takes time to get the knack (you’re lightly scraping, not slicing your beard), but it’s well worth it. I find it easier on the skin, it’s a better shave and you get cred with your woman for manliness. Besides, I won’t be sending Gillette any money since good straight razor lasts a lifetime. It also doesn’t hurt that cakes of shaving soap go for about a dollar.

Braver than me. And, of course, it’s another case of life imitating The Onion.

Full post as published by Instapundit.com on August 08, 2010 (boomark / email).