FOT Forum

The Best Show on WFMU => Mike And His Ilk. => Topic started by: B_Buster on December 22, 2009, 12:31:57 PM

Title: The Gillette Fusion
Post by: B_Buster on December 22, 2009, 12:31:57 PM
I'm about to give the Gillette Fusion the test. I haven't shaved in a couple days (hey, I'm on vacation!), so it will be a true test. If you don't hear from me again it will mean that I sliced my throat open and bled out (Thanks, Tom!).
Title: Re: The Gillette Fusion
Post by: jbissell on December 22, 2009, 12:41:28 PM
I had a 10 day beard that I shaved last night with the Fusion and managed to not kill myself.  The key is to use a good shaving cream and a nice brush.  It's a pain in the ass to get the hair out from between the blades though, since they're packed together so tight.
Title: Re: The Gillette Fusion
Post by: erechoveraker on December 22, 2009, 01:00:07 PM
You guys are totally making me want to shave now, even though I swore I wasn't doing it again until Saturday morning.
Title: Re: The Gillette Fusion
Post by: B_Buster on December 22, 2009, 01:47:36 PM
Well, I didn't die. I did draw some blood beneath my nose and had to reach for my reliable 2-blade Sensor Excel to remove a stubborn whisker just below my septum. On the open plains of my face and neck, the Fusion did a pretty good job.
Title: Re: The Gillette Fusion
Post by: Omar on December 22, 2009, 02:05:41 PM
Blood?  Septum?  Hair-clogged blades?  This thread is disgusting and I propose that it be removed!
Title: Re: The Gillette Fusion
Post by: jbissell on December 22, 2009, 03:16:55 PM
Well, I didn't die. I did draw some blood beneath my nose and had to reach for my reliable 2-blade Sensor Excel to remove a stubborn whisker just below my septum. On the open plains of my face and neck, the Fusion did a pretty good job.

C'mon, Mike, that's what the single blade on the back is for! The detail work!

I hate that dumb thing.
Title: Re: The Gillette Fusion
Post by: hugman on December 22, 2009, 03:21:55 PM
you gotta look at shaving like golfing. you get a whole bag of implements, and preferably, a shaving caddy to lug it for you and help you decide. You use the fusion for the long drives, pull out the sensor for the delicate chip shots, etc.
Title: Re: The Gillette Fusion
Post by: erika on December 22, 2009, 03:50:38 PM
My husband says this stuff is worth the price. He buys expensive shaving cream and then uses cheap razors and all is well. (Double blade, pivot-head)

http://www.theartofshaving.com/

Title: Re: The Gillette Fusion
Post by: B_Buster on December 22, 2009, 05:20:33 PM
Wow. I didn't even notice that single blade on back. Tom didn't give me the manual. I'll give it a try the next time.
Title: Re: The Gillette Fusion
Post by: effecT on December 23, 2009, 08:41:45 AM
i have gone electric and never looked back
Title: Re: The Gillette Fusion
Post by: buffcoat on December 23, 2009, 09:44:28 AM
i have gone electric and never looked back

Me, too.  The shave is 3/4 as good and takes 1/2 the time and 1/8 the mess and doesn't irritate the hell out of my skin.
Title: Re: The Gillette Fusion
Post by: Bryan on December 23, 2009, 10:44:16 AM
i have gone electric and never looked back

Me, too.  The shave is 3/4 as good and takes 1/2 the time and 1/8 the mess and doesn't irritate the hell out of my skin.

Thirded. When I've been lazy and have a few days growth, I don't have to kill a $7 blade cleaning it up.
Title: Re: The Gillette Fusion
Post by: buffcoat on December 23, 2009, 10:55:46 AM
i have gone electric and never looked back

Me, too.  The shave is 3/4 as good and takes 1/2 the time and 1/8 the mess and doesn't irritate the hell out of my skin.

Thirded. When I've been lazy and have a few days growth, I don't have to kill a $7 blade cleaning it up.

The clipper can get through anything.  If I had an aluminum beard, I bet it would cut through that.


I have a Braun 7000 self-cleaning series.  Bad ass.  I keep trying Norelco stuff but it's garbage.  I wanted the wet-dry one that put shaving gel on your face to be better, cause it sounded like a cool idea, but it's awful.
Title: Re: The Gillette Fusion
Post by: Christina on December 23, 2009, 11:00:27 AM

The clipper can get through anything.  If I had an aluminum beard, I bet it would cut through that.


I have a Braun 7000 self-cleaning series.  Bad ass.  I keep trying Norelco stuff but it's garbage.  I wanted the wet-dry one that put shaving gel on your face to be better, cause it sounded like a cool idea, but it's awful.

Okay, guys ... answer a question for a female ... how come all guys don't use electric? Those who do use electric razors say pretty much what you guys say here. why don't more guys use them? what's the drawback? I thought it might be $$ but they can't be that much anymore, right?
Title: Re: The Gillette Fusion
Post by: Bryan on December 23, 2009, 11:26:32 AM
They're pretty expensive up front. I bought a low-ish end one for about $130. I expect you can pay a lot more, but you wouldn't want to pay much less. But compared to constantly buying expensive blade refills, it's definitely cheaper.

I was just talking to a hirsute friend who claims to have killed two electric shavers with his beard. That may be one reason.

But basically - I don't know. For me, it's better in every way, including cost.
Title: Re: The Gillette Fusion
Post by: Martin on December 23, 2009, 11:40:51 AM
I use a hair trimmer once a week or so to keep my moustache + beard in check. Other than that, no maintenance. Never used a razor.

Beard!
Title: Re: The Gillette Fusion
Post by: Big Plastic Head on December 23, 2009, 11:48:05 AM
I would like to recommend shaving soap and a brush paired with your favorite razor (Mach III here). Using a brush with the soap warms the face and whiskers as Tyrone suggested. Also, a bar of shaving soap lasts me six months shaving every day. It is incredibly less expensive and you aren't throwing away an empty shaving cream can into the landfill every month.
Title: Re: The Gillette Fusion
Post by: Mark in Helsinki on December 23, 2009, 01:34:12 PM
Well, I didn't die. I did draw some blood beneath my nose and had to reach for my reliable 2-blade Sensor Excel to remove a stubborn whisker just below my septum. On the open plains of my face and neck, the Fusion did a pretty good job.

Hey! The first time I used the Fusion I cut *my* under-nose! It really bled like hell, too.

It is big and kind of weird to get used to, but at those prices, I'm not about to toss it in the garbage until I run out of blades.

The Fusion Power (the one that vibrates) does actually help to get rid of the soap and hair when you rinse it. I think that is the main feature of the vibration.

It does a good job, but I would have done just fine with the Excel.

I think Gillette has hit the wall on this evolution. I mean how many more blades do they really need?
Title: Re: The Gillette Fusion
Post by: buffcoat on December 23, 2009, 02:47:37 PM

The clipper can get through anything.  If I had an aluminum beard, I bet it would cut through that.


I have a Braun 7000 self-cleaning series.  Bad ass.  I keep trying Norelco stuff but it's garbage.  I wanted the wet-dry one that put shaving gel on your face to be better, cause it sounded like a cool idea, but it's awful.

Okay, guys ... answer a question for a female ... how come all guys don't use electric? Those who do use electric razors say pretty much what you guys say here. why don't more guys use them? what's the drawback? I thought it might be $$ but they can't be that much anymore, right?


If you like a really close shave, that's almost impossible to get with an electric.  Also, I think a lot of guys tend to stick with what their fathers did.  Shaving for some is a ritual, not a blah part of the morning routine as it is for me.

Title: Re: The Gillette Fusion
Post by: jbissell on December 23, 2009, 03:57:14 PM

The clipper can get through anything.  If I had an aluminum beard, I bet it would cut through that.


I have a Braun 7000 self-cleaning series.  Bad ass.  I keep trying Norelco stuff but it's garbage.  I wanted the wet-dry one that put shaving gel on your face to be better, cause it sounded like a cool idea, but it's awful.

Okay, guys ... answer a question for a female ... how come all guys don't use electric? Those who do use electric razors say pretty much what you guys say here. why don't more guys use them? what's the drawback? I thought it might be $$ but they can't be that much anymore, right?


If you like a really close shave, that's almost impossible to get with an electric.  Also, I think a lot of guys tend to stick with what their fathers did.  Shaving for some is a ritual, not a blah part of the morning routine as it is for me.


I have an electric that I received as a gift that I hardly use because it just doesn't give me a close enough shave. Sometimes it's handy for knocking down a lot of hair fast and then I'll bring in the razor to finish it off.
Title: Re: The Gillette Fusion
Post by: Bryan on December 23, 2009, 04:43:45 PM
True. I'm a slob, so I don't really care about a tidy shave.
Title: Re: The Gillette Fusion
Post by: nec13 on December 23, 2009, 07:28:35 PM
I own both a Gillette Fusion and a Norelco. I prefer the Fusion because I get a closer shave and because it's far less time consuming to shave with a manual, at least for me. The primary drawback with a manual razor is that it tends to cause more nicks and cuts.
Title: Re: The Gillette Fusion
Post by: B_Buster on December 23, 2009, 10:14:09 PM
It's official! This is the manliest thread on the entire board!
Title: Re: The Gillette Fusion
Post by: fonpr on December 23, 2009, 10:49:28 PM
It's official! This is the manliest thread on the entire board!

I pluck my beard.
Title: Re: The Gillette Fusion
Post by: colonel panic on December 24, 2009, 12:19:28 PM
I recently switched from the Fusion to a waterproof electric after being anti-electric for decades; electrics always burned my face.

In a hot shower, I use this oil stuff as a pre-shave and this method produces a surprisingly close shave.

Where the plan falters is the sideburns; they just get continually longer until trimmed w/ an old Fusion (I now look like the drummer from http://onemanoneview.files.wordpress.com/2009/02/the-kentucky-headhunters.jpg (http://onemanoneview.files.wordpress.com/2009/02/the-kentucky-headhunters.jpg)). Also, razor burn is always a possibility especially near the corners of my mouth.
Title: Re: The Gillette Fusion
Post by: effecT on December 24, 2009, 12:33:33 PM
It's official! This is the manliest thread on the entire board!

I pluck my beard.
With your fingers?
Title: Re: The Gillette Fusion
Post by: kiemzi on December 24, 2009, 12:54:26 PM
onion jokes always come true:

http://www.theonion.com/content/node/33930
Title: Re: The Gillette Fusion
Post by: Harpsichord on December 26, 2009, 05:03:33 PM
I use a cheap Merkur razor (http://www.amazon.com/Merkur-Classic-Safety-Razor-Straight/dp/B000LY2AKI) with a box of Derby Extra's (http://www.amazon.com/Derby-Razor-Blades-Stainless-Double/dp/B001ZV67YQ) I've been working my way steadily through for a year now.  It's a nice, close shave and it works just fine even with a week or two of beard growth.  Really easy to clean too.
Title: Re: The Gillette Fusion
Post by: Sarah on December 27, 2009, 08:00:42 AM
It's good to know you males can be as boring as women about this kind of stuff.  Don't get me wrong--I don't begrudge it at all.  Hell, I don't have to read this thread if I don't want to. 
Title: Re: The Gillette Fusion
Post by: buffcoat on December 27, 2009, 11:50:27 AM
It's good to know you males can be as boring as women about this kind of stuff.  Don't get me wrong--I don't begrudge it at all.  Hell, I don't have to read this thread if I don't want to. 

Way to talk yourself into a corner and then back out.
Title: Re: The Gillette Fusion
Post by: Sarah on December 27, 2009, 01:57:44 PM
I figured you'd all throw a big fat hissy fit if I didn't temper the observation.
Title: Re: The Gillette Fusion
Post by: buffcoat on December 27, 2009, 04:24:53 PM
I figured you'd all throw a big fat hissy fit if I didn't temper the observation.

Tempered, like the steel blades of the Gillette Fusion.
Title: Re: The Gillette Fusion
Post by: ChrisRawk on January 01, 2010, 10:46:29 PM
I've been growing a beard since mid-December and I gotta say that not shaving has been nice.  I know I'm going to have to eventually, though.  It just feels like a chore I'm putting off because, at heart, I really don't want to do it.  Anyone else find themself in this kind of bind? 
Title: Re: The Gillette Fusion
Post by: Smelodies on January 02, 2010, 01:36:24 AM
I too haven't shaved for a while, but it's coming off Monday morning.

Back to work.  
Title: Re: The Gillette Fusion
Post by: Sarah on January 02, 2010, 08:04:05 AM
I know I'm going to have to eventually, though.

Why?
Title: Re: The Gillette Fusion
Post by: ChrisRawk on January 02, 2010, 08:13:34 AM
I know I'm going to have to eventually, though.

Why?

I'm starting to look like Brian Wilson during his "lost years".  I also need to
slim down too, you see.  And stop spending entire days in
bed.
Title: Re: The Gillette Fusion
Post by: ChrisRawk on January 05, 2010, 03:18:25 PM
I finally relented and shaved.  I've got a comedy show Wednesday night and didn't want to Go with the "Jam Band Fan/Al Queda" look.
Title: Re: The Gillette Fusion
Post by: chuck from cedar rapids on January 14, 2010, 02:25:29 PM
I'm a fan of the Fusion - my one complaint is that the razors are costly and dull quickly. I usually change mine weekly and I shave almost every day.

I really only shave after a hot shower as my skin is sensitive. A dull razor is like shaving with a weed-whacker. I've tried a lot of different shaving creams but I prefer the 99 cent Gillette stuff that comes in the red can. A good aftershave lotion can do wonders for the condition of my skin.

I really do need to upgrade my shaving game - brush, soap, and a safety razor. That would be some real next-level shaving.
Title: Re: The Gillette Fusion
Post by: Pat K on January 14, 2010, 02:41:14 PM
I finally relented and shaved.  I've got a comedy show Wednesday night and didn't want to Go with the "Jam Band Fan/Al Queda" look.

You made the right decision. You look pretty clean-cut and all-American in your avatar photo.
Title: Re: The Gillette Fusion
Post by: Mark in Helsinki on January 14, 2010, 02:49:46 PM
I'm a fan of the Fusion - my one complaint is that the razors are costly and dull quickly. I usually change mine weekly and I shave almost every day.

I really only shave after a hot shower as my skin is sensitive. A dull razor is like shaving with a weed-whacker. I've tried a lot of different shaving creams but I prefer the 99 cent Gillette stuff that comes in the red can. A good aftershave lotion can do wonders for the condition of my skin.

I really do need to upgrade my shaving game - brush, soap, and a safety razor. That would be some real next-level shaving.

Whoa... you braggin'?

Those things cost 2 bucks apiece!

When I first really started to need to shave daily I bought one of those old-timey double edge razors and I thought I was the coolest.

(http://www.luxury-razors.co.uk/wp-content/uploads/merkur-570-chrome.jpg)

After about a year of that I tried one of the Gillettes (probably only 2 blades) and realized shaving did not necessarily have to include going to the hospital for a plasma pick-me-up.
Title: Re: The Gillette Fusion
Post by: chuck from cedar rapids on January 14, 2010, 05:20:42 PM

Whoa... you braggin'?

Those things cost 2 bucks apiece!

When I first really started to need to shave daily I bought one of those old-timey double edge razors and I thought I was the coolest.

(http://www.luxury-razors.co.uk/wp-content/uploads/merkur-570-chrome.jpg)

After about a year of that I tried one of the Gillettes (probably only 2 blades) and realized shaving did not necessarily have to include going to the hospital for a plasma pick-me-up.

I'm not bragging at all! I've tried keeping the blades around longer but the quality of the shave goes downhill rather quickly.

It costs a fortune, that's why I'm looking into other shaving options. Thinking about how much money I've spent on blades makes me cringe.
Title: Re: The Gillette Fusion
Post by: Mark in Helsinki on January 14, 2010, 07:14:34 PM

Whoa... you braggin'?

Those things cost 2 bucks apiece!

When I first really started to need to shave daily I bought one of those old-timey double edge razors and I thought I was the coolest.

(http://www.luxury-razors.co.uk/wp-content/uploads/merkur-570-chrome.jpg)

After about a year of that I tried one of the Gillettes (probably only 2 blades) and realized shaving did not necessarily have to include going to the hospital for a plasma pick-me-up.

I'm not bragging at all! I've tried keeping the blades around longer but the quality of the shave goes downhill rather quickly.

It costs a fortune, that's why I'm looking into other shaving options. Thinking about how much money I've spent on blades makes me cringe.

My advice is go for some 1990's Style sensor. It will save your face and pinch less in the pocketbook.
Title: Re: The Gillette Fusion
Post by: thom on January 14, 2010, 09:04:01 PM
Are you powerjammers telling me that all this internet shavingnerd hooplah over those damn safety razors and badger brushes is bologna?

Is that what all you powerjammers are telling me?
Title: Re: The Gillette Fusion
Post by: ChrisRawk on January 14, 2010, 09:43:59 PM
I finally relented and shaved.  I've got a comedy show Wednesday night and didn't want to Go with the "Jam Band Fan/Al Queda" look.

You made the right decision. You look pretty clean-cut and all-American in your avatar photo.

I've been told I should be in movies, but I don't see it personally.
Title: Re: The Gillette Fusion
Post by: chuck from cedar rapids on January 16, 2010, 08:34:40 PM
Are you powerjammers telling me that all this internet shavingnerd hooplah over those damn safety razors and badger brushes is bologna?

Is that what all you powerjammers are telling me?

I've heard that they are the real deal. I'm just waiting until I can free up some funds to upgrade my shaving apparatus. Those brushes are pricey!
Title: Re: The Gillette Fusion
Post by: Joe Rogaine on January 17, 2010, 12:32:45 AM

The clipper can get through anything.  If I had an aluminum beard, I bet it would cut through that.


I have a Braun 7000 self-cleaning series.  Bad ass.  I keep trying Norelco stuff but it's garbage.  I wanted the wet-dry one that put shaving gel on your face to be better, cause it sounded like a cool idea, but it's awful.

Okay, guys ... answer a question for a female ... how come all guys don't use electric? Those who do use electric razors say pretty much what you guys say here. why don't more guys use them? what's the drawback? I thought it might be $$ but they can't be that much anymore, right?

I use a Remington electric razor and love it. It doesn't quite get as close as a regular razor but it gets really close enough to where it doesn't matter. My problem is finding one with a sharp enough beard trimmer if my beard grows over an 1/8 inch it struggles to cut it. Ive used cutting oil and everything to keep it sharp but it just doesnt cut it. The one i have was about $70.

(http://images.chemistdirect.co.uk/images/productimages/large/remington_titanium_mainsrechargeable_shaver_silverblack_ms580035632444.jpeg)



Title: Re: The Gillette Fusion
Post by: methanolcereal on January 17, 2010, 01:13:09 AM
Related, but off topic: Does it irk anyone else that EVERY razor commercial (either electric or manual) show some dude shaving who barely has a beard, I swear its some alopecia-suffering dude shaving. I'm not quite Galifianakisian in my beard, but it can get pretty thick. When they show someone with a minimal amount of stubble shaving and boast of how close their razors shave, I just don't believe it.

That being said I use a three blade Schick or Gillette. To be honest, I forget which.


Okay, guys ... answer a question for a female ... how come all guys don't use electric? Those who do use electric razors say pretty much what you guys say here. why don't more guys use them? what's the drawback? I thought it might be $$ but they can't be that much anymore, right?

I don't have the cash to make the investment w/ an electric. Plus, mostly everyone I know with an electric doesn't have very thick facial hair so I don't trust their anecdotal evidence.
Title: Re: The Gillette Fusion
Post by: buffcoat on January 17, 2010, 10:07:01 PM

The clipper can get through anything.  If I had an aluminum beard, I bet it would cut through that.


I have a Braun 7000 self-cleaning series.  Bad ass.  I keep trying Norelco stuff but it's garbage.  I wanted the wet-dry one that put shaving gel on your face to be better, cause it sounded like a cool idea, but it's awful.

Okay, guys ... answer a question for a female ... how come all guys don't use electric? Those who do use electric razors say pretty much what you guys say here. why don't more guys use them? what's the drawback? I thought it might be $$ but they can't be that much anymore, right?

I use a Remington electric razor and love it. It doesn't quite get as close as a regular razor but it gets really close enough to where it doesn't matter. My problem is finding one with a sharp enough beard trimmer if my beard grows over an 1/8 inch it struggles to cut it. Ive used cutting oil and everything to keep it sharp but it just doesnt cut it. The one i have was about $70.

(http://images.chemistdirect.co.uk/images/productimages/large/remington_titanium_mainsrechargeable_shaver_silverblack_ms580035632444.jpeg)






It's annoying, but you should get a separate beard trimmer.  I've never found an electric trimmer attachment that was any good for trimming an actual beard - just sideburns, getting you started if you have about a 4-day beard, that's it.
Title: Re: The Gillette Fusion
Post by: Joe Rogaine on January 18, 2010, 02:21:06 AM

The clipper can get through anything.  If I had an aluminum beard, I bet it would cut through that.


I have a Braun 7000 self-cleaning series.  Bad ass.  I keep trying Norelco stuff but it's garbage.  I wanted the wet-dry one that put shaving gel on your face to be better, cause it sounded like a cool idea, but it's awful.

Okay, guys ... answer a question for a female ... how come all guys don't use electric? Those who do use electric razors say pretty much what you guys say here. why don't more guys use them? what's the drawback? I thought it might be $$ but they can't be that much anymore, right?

I use a Remington electric razor and love it. It doesn't quite get as close as a regular razor but it gets really close enough to where it doesn't matter. My problem is finding one with a sharp enough beard trimmer if my beard grows over an 1/8 inch it struggles to cut it. Ive used cutting oil and everything to keep it sharp but it just doesnt cut it. The one i have was about $70.

(http://images.chemistdirect.co.uk/images/productimages/large/remington_titanium_mainsrechargeable_shaver_silverblack_ms580035632444.jpeg)






It's annoying, but you should get a separate beard trimmer.  I've never found an electric trimmer attachment that was any good for trimming an actual beard - just sideburns, getting you started if you have about a 4-day beard, that's it.


Which one would you suggest i need one that will stay sharp. Some of the ones ive had arent even sharp out of the box.
Title: Re: The Gillette Fusion
Post by: buffcoat on January 18, 2010, 11:03:40 AM
Wow, called on it so fast.


I had a beard for like 10 minutes.  The one I had was adequate but nothing good, I think it was about $13 at Target.  Maybe you more bearded FOTs can help?