Thread: Irritation mach3 v. Straight

Here is something I noticed. When I used the mach3 or fusion it seemed like although I was getting a beyond close shave, part of my face was being taken off along with the hair. I wouldn't get irriteted per-se, but my face would kinda sting if I tried to do touch-ups. sometimes I could see dead skin on the blades mixed in with the hair. I do not get this problem when using a stra8.
The angle on the mach3's doesn't look that bad, so why would it feel worse?
well, aside from each stroke counting as 3-5 passes depending on the number of blades (maybe I just answered my own question).

Mach-3 is a flex-head razor, yes? Angle doesn't matter. That sucker stays flat on your face at an angle pre-determined by Gillette. And if that's not the right angle for you, well, too bad.

You also probably use a lot more pressure with your Mach-3. Having a bunch of blades jammed in close together means you have a harder time getting the hairs in between them. So, you bare down. And take off a couple layers of surface skin.

That is, assuming the thing is sharp. Which, unless you changed the blade fewer than 3 shaves ago, it probably isn't. So, since it almost certainly isn't very sharp, it's also probably pulling a lot, while making 3 passes simultaneously and taking off surface skin.

I have the same problem with my Venus (which is the direct equivalent of the Mach-3 for women). I friggin' hate that thing.

This is the major problem with multi blade cartridge razors.

What happens is that each pass of the razor actually runs three (or more) blades over your skin, which will lead to much more irritation and scrape off much more skin.

Also, because the blades are so close together they actually lift the hair up (basically the blades press down either side of the hair and make it stand up more) and cut it below the skin level. This results in a very close shave, but will lead to more irritation, ingrown hairs, razor bumps and spots.

Now consider a straight razor. It doesnt lift the hair up, we do that ourselves by stretching the skin, but it does not cut the hair below the skin as there is none of that pressing down either side of the hair.

Each pass of the razor is only running one blade over your skin. So you can do three passes with a straight and create no more irritation than one pass with a Mach 3.

You can also control the angle, as Cassie says, which means that you can get the perfect cutting angle at all times for your skin and hair growth.

We also use much less pressure, which reduces irritation. And we use good quality soaps and a brush to make lather, which gives better glide than the canned gunk and the brush really works the lather into the hair and lifts it ready for cutting.

The stropping also is a factor. As Cassie says, the cartridge razor probably isnt as sharp as it should be, unless its a new cartridge, which will mean more pulling and irritation. But a properly stropped straight razor will be absolutely ready to give you the best possible shave.

I also believe that the steel isnt as good in cartridge razors as it is for a straight razor. After all, a cartridge is designed to be used for two weeks of daily use, maximum? So no company is going to spend the money on the best quality steel if its going to end up in the bin in less than a fortnight. Whereas a straight is designed to last for decades, maybe even centuries, so the steels are top notch.

I will say that I have no proof of this, it just makes business sense to me. Why spend the money on the best steel if its going to be chucked away after a dozen uses? Plus they WANT people to buy more blades, thats where the money is, so thats another reason to use a lower quality steel: It means more sales because the blades wear out faster.

Basically, Gillette and others have cashed in on the convenience side of things, and are making shaving quicker. But what they've lost is the quality. Poor steel, lousy lather from a can and cartridges that increase, not reduce irritation.

Straight razors are light years, aeons, better than those plastic pieces of junk!

Stubear - I also wonder if the brush acts as an exfoliant, which removes dead skin and gives you a closer shave that way, rather than just scraping it off like a cartridge razor does? Running a brush over my my skin while lathering feels a lot like a slightly stiffer loofah. It's probably very good for your skin, and very helpful in getting a close shave.

I have read that the steel used for cartidge razors is often warped, and I know for a fact that as soon as you take them out of the cartidge they shatter like a piece of glass (I'm the curious sort - but that experiment almost hurt me quite badly). Even if you're delicate while doing it, they just have no internal support structure. Brittle as all hell, probably due to very low quality steel.

I very rarely change the head on my Venus. Yes, it does give me closer shaves with a fresh blade, but the irritation is so bad that it's just not worth it. That and it costs an arm and a leg. I actually dread having to fially put in a new blade. What's the point of having a close shave if your skin is on fire?

The act of working the lather in with the brush means that the brush hairs get under hair to be shaved and lift it up ready for cutting, as well as softening the skin and loosening/exfoliating dead cells as you say, which would add to the exfoliating effect of the razor. The time taken working the lather in also gives time for the hairs to soften as well. So it really is a much better way to shave than using a cartridge..!

That does also support my hypothesis that the blades are really poor steel! But remember, safety first..! I hope you didnt hurt yourself too badly? I always find that cuts from a razor bleed like stink! Must be the ultra fine edges. I sliced my thumb with my DOVO Black Star when I was cleaning it, and it took half a roll of loo paper plus a gallon of superglue to stop that one.

Nah. I've learned in my experiments with dangerous objects to do it over another surface, and if something goes wrong, just drop it. Don't try to catch it because if it's hot, sharp, or acidic, it's going to hurt you.

So, when it broke into a bajillion pieces the moment I unloaded it, I just dropped it onto the bathroom counter. And looked in horror at what I'd been putting on my skin. Bleh.

Thats true! Glad you were ok!

It seems like the worst injuries people get with these razors isnt shaving with them, but when we're cleaning them and doing work on them.

Or taking them apart to see how they work...! Hehe!

I've read many posts like this before, about people irritating with a Mach 3, Quattro, or whatever and not with a str8. I really find it hard to beleive, so I went back and used an old disposable in my draw. I had no trouble at all. I didn't prep, etc...I guess you were pressing to hard. That's true with any blade. Always let the blade do the work, stretch the skin, etc...you know the rest....Some people do have sensitive skin, but if you can use a str8 razor, I'm pretty sure you can use anything, and most people will not press a str8 razor into their skin. We all know what happens when you do that........IMHO

Honestly, even with a new blade, if I use the same pressure I would with a straight (i.e. none) they just don't cut. The blades are jammed so close together that they can't pick up hair on their own.

Besides that, LOTS of people here only do 1-2 passes due to sensitive skin. But a Mach-3 is 3 passes right away. Some razors even have 5 now. It's a nightmare.

I've actually noticed that the majority of people here think they have sensitive skin. Maybe we just have skin that's angry at us for so many years of abusive shaving.

Maybe your skin's a little tougher, I dunno. But I get razor burn every time a shave with a multi-blade razor, even if I use a fresh blade and as light a touch as would be effective (still heavier than a straight).

And for me, learning wet shave prep has made a huge difference. I've even started using it for my Venus razor, because it makes it slightly less painful.

Good for you. I'm glad you found something that works for you. Normally, it's quite opposite, and FWIW, I agree with you. Many people do think they have sensitive skin, and it's probably not the case, it's their technique. I've heard stories where folks claim that they went back to a Quattro and cut themselves up pretty good. Now, I find that hard to believe, unless you really pressed the razor into your skin. I get irriatated still, once in a while, if I'm not careful. The Alum block will let you know as soon as you touch it to your face...

Enjoy,

Rich