Tools of The Trade: A Review of the Mach3 Razor
Submitted by SharpMan Editorial Team on Monday 11th October 2010- Why you should own a Mach3 Shaver.
- How to take the pain out of shaving.
- Electric vs. blade.
The following is not an ad. It is the rantings of a SharpMan passionate about shaving. If you share this passion, read on:
Rocks to Blades. Ever since pre-historic SharpMan first realized women preferred a smooth face to being clubbed over the head and dragged back to the cave, the search for a better razor has been a tireless crusade. Looking to capitalize on these deep-seated shaving instincts, companies like Bic, Schik and Gillette have continually promised today’s modern SharpMan a closer, smoother, nick-free, non-irritating shave with ads featuring gorgeous women stroking some guy’s baby-smooth face. And what happens? We inevitably end up with the same old nicks and burn — and no woman stroking our faces. That is, until the Mach3. OK, so Gillette’s newest razor still can’t deliver the babe, but at least the shave finally lives up to the hype.
Meet the Mach. Combining three ultra-thin blades with a pivoting head and a non-slip grip, the Mach3 is the best thing to happen to shaving since hot water. Ask anyone who’s tried it. One SharpMan with particularly sensitive skin now swears by the Mach3 and says, "I love it. Every time I shaved [before the Mach3] I would slice up my face. I had to wait two or three days before I could even think of shaving again. Now I can shave every day, no problem." That goes for SharpWomen as well — the Mach3 is gender unbiased, shaving legs and "other areas" with a gentle, sensitive touch not found in most men’s razors.
The Evolution of the Modern Razor. Ten years ago a SharpMan had to use a single blade razor that carved out facial divots like a first-time golfer. More recently, the twin-blade "lift and cut" design was introduced, shaving closer and reducing blood loss, but still irritating the skin. The Mach3 is the next step in razor evolution. Unlike its twin-blade predecessors, the Mach3 doesn’t need to "pull" the beard for a closer shave. Instead, the three specially positioned blades extend gradually closer to your beard, shaving progressively closer in a single stroke. The pivoting head stays in contact with the face at all times (avoiding nicks around the chin and jaw line) and the raised rubber grip prevents drops and slips that can cause ugly gashes. Also protecting your face is a blue lubricating strip that gradually fades away, to remind you it’s time for a new cartridge (before you find out the hard way).
There Must Be a Catch, Right? Nope — although in the spirit of objectivity we should point out that the Mach3’s blades wear out fairly quickly, and it is the most expensive razor on the market. Priced at about $8, and $8 for each four-pack of cartridges at most drugstores, the Mach3 will cost you 2-3 times more than using a descent disposable. The twin-blade Schik FxProtector, the closest competitor, runs about $7, and $7 for each five-pack of blades. Like most things in life, you get what you pay for. I say, spend the extra dough; it’s well worth it.
Whether you choose to embrace the Mach3, or stick with your trusty Bic Original, check out the following SharpGrooming tips on improving your shaving experience:
The Painless Shave. Ideally, you should shave in a steam room ("ideally" also includes one of the "Friends" girls sitting beside you). Steam softens your skin and opens your pores, allowing the razor to move smoothly over your face. Assuming you don’t happen to have a steam room at home (or a $40,000,000 significant other) your shower is the next best thing. Here are four simple steps to a painless shower-shave:
Step 1: Take your time. Let the hot water and steam work on your face. Shaving should be the last step of your shower. Side note: Most "non-steaming" shower mirrors are more trouble than they are worth. Don’t bother buying one. You won’t need it.
Step 2: Lather up. Forget Clint Eastwood and prison movies. You should avoid "dry" shaving at all costs. Any brand of shaving cream will do, although we recommended one containing aloe for sensitive skin. (See The SharpShave for more details.) Avoid using soap to shave. It dries your skin and can rinse off too easily, causing the razor to catch on your face. Be sure to work the shaving cream into your beard for a few seconds before shaving.
Step 3: The Shave. Stick to the big areas: neck, cheeks, chin and mustache, using as few strokes as possible. Leave the sideburns alone for now. You’ll do more harm than good. Shaving up (against the hair) will provide a closer shave, but may cause irritation to more sensitive skin. Use the shaving cream as a guide. When it’s gone, you are done.
Step 4: Check your work. Get out of the shower and immediately check your work in front of a mirror before your face dries. Take care of your sideburns and go over any spots you may have missed. That should do it.
SharpMan Unplugged. Electricity is good for many things. It makes cold beer and Monday Night Football possible. It is not good for shaving. There was a time when electric razors were a viable option. Sacrificing closeness for comfort, the electric razor allowed the sensitive-skinned SharpManthe opportunity to walk out the door in the morning without toilet paper stuck all over his face. Unfortunately, besides providing a lousy shave, electrics often cause painful in-grown hairs. Think of them as the 8-track tape or Betamax of the male grooming world; a good idea at the time. After all, you can’t keep dragging your women back to the cave forever.
This article last updated on Wednesday 13th October 2010