Cartridge Razor Review

Gillette Fusion5 Review – An Aggressive Close Shave

Next up on the cartridge razor campaign up for review is the Gillette Fusion5. The first five-blade razor of its kind came on the market in 2006.

The Fusion5 joined the best cartridge razor roundup results page for its quick shaving results and ability to deal with heavy growth and tough skin.

The last cartridge razor I reviewed was the Gillette SkinGuard, a razor for sensitive skin types that have issues with razor burn, razor bumps, or other skin irritations. The Fusion5 is a very different razor, although some very close similarities exist between them.

The Fusion5 within the Gillette range of cartridge razors followed the number one most popular Gillette Mach3 razor that first came on the market in 1998. The most significant change the Fusion5 had was five blades rather than three.

This review will look closely at the all-important features and test out the razor for facial shaving on various days of beard or stubble growth and head shaving. Then finally, recommend who the Gillette Fusion5 would be best suited for within the final thoughts. 

Video

The YouTube video I created for the Fusion5 might provide some additional information, and/or the visuals might help you out.

Description & Features

The razor may comes with a handle and various amounts of blades, and different packaging. For example, the Fusion5 I bought came with seven cartridges, but I could have bought one much cheaper that came with one blade; however, one was not enough, and no other options were available, like a four-pack set.

• Blades: Gillette states the five blades have an antifriction coating that enables the blades to last up to 20 shaves. They also say that the five blades are evenly spread, which reduces skin bulge, and these blades sit on springs to move with the irregularities of the skin.  
• Precision Trimmer: Since the Mach3, Gillette has added an extra thin blade on the top and back of the cartridge called a precision trimmer. Gillette states this blade can be used to cut in sideburns or any other difficult areas like under the nose and shape around beards. 
• Lubrication: The top section of the cartridge has a hardened lubrication strip, and when a user wets, it gels up. After gelling, the strip provides added lubrication to a users existing lubrication (i.e., shaving foam, soap, gel, or cream). After a number of shaves, the strip fades and no longer provides sufficient lubrication.
• Handle: The metal handle is lightweight and has rubberized sections to provide enough non-slip grip when shaving. The handle I have is a slick black color.
• Flex head: The head flexes back to around 60 – 70 degrees, enabling the razor blades to shave along the various contours of the skin, and to get the best blade angle.
• Microfin Strip: The microfin strip at the bottom of the cartridge blade prepares and slightly stretches the skin before a blade cuts the hairs.
• Changing blades: A small push button on the top of the razor easily releases the blade, and then a new blade is best attached via the cartridge case. 
• Interchangeable: Some of the Gillette blades and handles are interchangeable, which includes the Fusion5 with the SkinGuard, and ProGlide.

Anything to add about the Features?

First off, I like the modern black look with the orange strip around the blade release button and the matching orange microfin strip on the bottom of the cartridge. This is just cosmetic stuff, though!

After recently testing and using the Gillette SkinGuard, I like the simple single lubrication strip along the top, unlike the SkinGuard, which has a large one along the bottom (great for some users, though).

The microfin strip along the bottom of the blade is significantly larger than what we find on the Mach3. While I am not sure this adds any improvement compared to the Mach3, it does not cause any problems either.

The big feature of this razor is the five blades. I will be honest: I never desired to use a five-bladed razor and found the Mach3, and its three blades are good enough. I also took the path of using traditional safety razors, and they use only one blade, so the thought of five blades did not enter my mind.

I find the ergonomics are very good on the handle, although I still favor that curve the Gillette Mach3 offers. The Gillette Fusion5 is more straight than the Mach3.

I have no complaints about the grip the Fusion5 handle offers. Plenty of rubberized grip makes sure the razor does not slip when in use.

The simple flex head feature helps shave along the various contours on the face. While the flex head simply moves backward and forward, it significantly improves how the razor shaves. The flex head is one reason these cartridge razors work better for me when head shaving than with a safety razor (they are solid with no movement).

The Fusion5 also has a trimmer blade at the top and back of the cartridge blade. I don’t need to trim as the razor works fine cutting in sideburns and under the nose without the trimmer, but I have tried it out. After trying the trimmer out, I found that it cuts in the sideburns very well and can help get the line more accurate. The trimmer might make a good feature for those shaping around various beard styles, especially a goatee beard.

How Well Does Gillette Fusion5 Perform And Shave?

I had no real expectations or idea about how the Fusion5 would shave. Would five blades make the shave better, as Gillette states? Well, we shall find out!

How Often Did You Shave with the Fusion5?

Anyone who has followed my electric shaver or razor reviews will know I usually test them out on a three or more day growth, two days of growth, and then daily shaving. However, on this occasion, with the Gillette Fusion5 review, I did not even attempt daily shaving.

The reason I did not attempt daily shaving was that on the first shave with the Fusion5 I had three days of growth, and I found the razor aggressive and knew it would create neck irritation when shaving daily. 

The aggressiveness of the Fusion5 is much higher than the Mach3 and loads more than the Gillette SkinGuard I recently shaved with. This is absolutely fine, as I like an aggressive razor (you can see I shave like a charm with a Muhle R41) on two or more days of growth.

With two or more days of growth, the Fusion5 hacks away the hair and stubble very quickly, and the shave is super close. 

I get more tugging with the Fusion5 than the Mach3, but this is fine and requires a user to take slower strokes.  

Lubrication 

The lubrication strip at the top of the cartridge blade provides a lot more lubrication than I thought it would. And, like the SkinGuard razor I recently used, I had to use less shaving cream lather. 

I still like to use traditional shaving soaps and creams with these cartridge razors as they are just much better quality than the canned foam stuff. However, I have to keep in mind that I don’t need to apply a thick layer of lather.

I do get some of that gooey gel effect from the strip, especially when the Fusioin5 blade is new. However, after about the 5th shave the lubrication strip offers less gel-like lubrication that is noticeable.

How Was Head Shaving with the Fusion5?

As a balding guy, I sometimes shave my head down the scalp, especially with a new shaver or razor to test out for a review. The Mach3 has been the number one so far for many years that gets me the closest and most comfortable head shave.

The Gillette Fusion5 did blow me away with how fast it shaved my head and how close the shave was. In addition, it was much more efficient than any other razor I have used.

If I need a very close head shave, then the Fusion5 is my new go-to razor. It has beaten the rest hands down, and the aggressiveness mentioned in this article is only a benefit when head shaving, as the head does not get the same irritation issues as the face.

Do You Have Any Dislikes?

I don’t particularly appreciate that I cannot use a lot of lather on the face due to the lubrication already provided by the lubrication strip. However, it is not a deal breaker, and I have learned to adjust to using less.

If I were a daily shaver, then I would not be happy with the aggressiveness of the Fusion5. However, I only ever shave daily for razor reviews as my skin is not a fan of daily shaving, and I like the aggressiveness a lot when I have two or more days of stubble.

I am not a big fan of how the Gillette razors that followed the Mach3 are a bit more tricky to replace a blade. The Fusion5 and others require the user to clip the blade on from the cartridge pack, whereas the Mach3 can also be attached manually. But, again this is not a deal breaker, and I have learned to adjust.

Overall Shaving Experience?

The Gillette Fusion5 gave an impressive shave that was quick and very close. It definitely gives a faster shave with fewer strokes than the Mach3 or SkinGuard razor.

While I love this type of aggressiveness in a razor, I see guys with more sensitive skin possibly having irritation issues. 

Cartridge Longevity?

Gillette states the blades can last up to 20 shaves, which is considerably more than Gillettes previous razors. Then they also say they last up to a month, but I would say the number of shaves as a measurement would be more accurate than a time period (everyone does not shave the same amount of times monthly).

Since picking up a Fusion5 I have only had five shaves, including a head shave. The lubrication strip gel has reduced somewhat, but I am okay with that as I can use more of my shaving soap. I will see how it goes, and I estimate ten shaves until the blades lose their comfort and begin to dull too much.

How dense the beard is, hair thickness and skin toughness are some aspects that affect how long a person can use the same blades. It differs from person to person.

Caring for the Blades

There is not much to do in terms of the maintenance of a Gillette Fusion5. What helps keep the blades and lubrication strip in better condition is keeping them dry after shaving. Dabbing the blades lightly on a towel and keeping them away from water and damp does the trick.

Value for Money – Costs?

The Gillette Fusion5 costs quite a bit more for the start-up five cartridge pack and the five-blade pack refills than the Mach3. The difference is around 20% more for the Fusion5.

*Cost (handle + 4 blades): Approx $19 + USD – £14 + UK – €16 EU.

*Cartridges cost (4 pack): Approx $15 USD – £12 UK – €15 EU.

*Prices can vary from store to store, depending on the country and the razor’s packaging.

Whether that price increase is worth it will depend on what the individual benefits from the quicker shave they get from the Fusion5. Maybe the person also gets more shaves from the Fusion5, which will save on cartridge costs long term.

Personally, I think how well the Fusion5 shaved my head justifies paying the extra. However, if a cartridge razor were to join my regular facial shave routine, then I am not sure I would switch from the Mach3, but then again, that head shave was something else.

I would recommend that most guys purchase the set, which comes with four blades. It only costs slightly more than a single blade and handle set, and then other sets with more cartridges increase the cost quite considerably for a person just trying out the Fusion5 (a little cautious as money could be wasted if a person does not like the razor).

Final Thoughts – Who is the Gillette Fusion5 Best Suited For?

After reviewing and using the Gillette SkinGuard just before the Fusion5 I got a very different contrast in razors in terms of shaving speed, aggressiveness, and comfort. Very interesting and different shaves!

I see the Fusion5 as a razor for those with normal to tough skin that is not irritated easily (not sensitive skin types). Also, guys who shave every three or more days with decent whickers appearing are likely to benefit from the added aggressiveness of this razor. 

If you are using the Mach3 at the moment and you don’t need the extra 20% (unless you get more shaves from a Fusion cartridge) costs, then sticking with the Mach3 might be best.

If you shave your head then the Fusion5 is well worth trying — just to see how fast and close it shaves compared to others.

Next on the journey of cartridge razor reviews is the Gillette ProGlide, which looks a lot like the Fusion, but there are differences that we can explain in the article.

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