Cartridge Razor Review

BIC Flex 5 Hybrid Review – Are The Savings Worth It?

The Bic Flex 5 Hybrid is next up on this campaign to find the best cartridge razors or, rather, which models are best suited for various men.

Recently, I have mostly covered cartridge razor reviews made by Gillette, including GilletteLabs Exfoliating and Gillette Fusion5. However, I got a break from Gillette and tested and used another brand of razor, the Harry’s Truman Razor.

My last memory of BIC razors was not my best razor experience. It was many years ago, with one of those old yellow and white disposables. The razor tore up my neck with irritation, and I got a good share of nicks. I also remember guys shaving their heads with them — what a mess!

Anyway, I am sure BIC has improved its razors since the yellow-and-white disposable effort of a razor days. We will see with the Bic Flex 5 Hybrid.

In this review, we will look closely at the all-important features, then test out the Flex 5 Hybrid facial shaving on various days of beard or stubble growth and head shaving. Then, finally, recommend who the razor would be best suited for — within the closing thoughts. 

Description & Features

The BIC Flex 5 and other cartridge razors usually come in various boxes and packaging, and they have a certain number of cartridge blades. If possible I go with a starter pack that comes with four blades, as one is not enough and if I buy a bigger pack and don’t like the razor its a waste of money i thought I was saving from buying bulk.

• Blades: The 5 flexible blades are what BIC names Nano Tech titanium-coated blades. 
• Precision Trimmer: Like many of the Gillette razors, the BIC Flex 5 has an extra blade on the top of the cartridge blade for trimming the sideburns, under the nose, and any other trimming needs.
• Lubrication: A lubrication strip above the blades containing aloe vera improves the lubrication on top of the soap, foam, gel, or shaving cream used. 
• MicroFin Strip: The name microfin strip comes from Gillette, a rubber-lined strip that aims to stretch the skin slightly before the blade cuts the hair. BIC mentions nothing about this in its specs and features.
• Balancing Sphere: The steel ball on the top of the handle holds enough weight to help balance out the weight of the razor. 
• Handle: The lightweight plastic handle has rubberized sections to promote grip. 
• Pivot Head: The blade head on the Flex 5 pivots around 40 degrees which helps the blade adjust to the various contours of the face while shaving.
• Changing blades: The blades can be clipped on when placed inside a blade cover. The steel ball at the top of the handle releases the blade. 

Anything to add about the Features?

The BIC Hybrid 5 Flex has a few features worth expanding on and giving my view.

Handle

The handle on a razor is always an essential part of the shave experience, alongside a good blade head and blades. 

The Flex 5 handle is somewhat light compared to other cartridge razors I have used. It has a similar design to the latest Gillette’s but has a fatter look and feel and does not match the quality of the Gillette Fusion 5 and ProGlide razor handles.

The ergonomics of the handle are good, and there is enough rubberized grip to help make the razor non-slip. There is also a small rubberized section under the steel ball button that releases the blades.

Pivot Head

The pivoting head on the Flex 5 is what I usually call a flex head on other cartridge razors because it flexes backward and forward.

The head on this razor pivots and kind of slides, unlike other cartridge razors I have used, which just move back and forth. I don’t see these differences affecting the use of the razor positively or negatively when comparing it with others. 

The head flexing in this manner is a very simple feature; however, it really helps to improve how the razor shaves over the various contours of the face. 

Lubrication Strip

The lubrication strip above the blades provides added lubrication while shaving. It’s a hard strip that gels when it gets wet, and the gel is applied to the skin between shaving strokes. 

On my first two shaves with the Flex 5, I had a lot of added lubrication from the strip and did not require as much shaving soap lather on my face. However, on the 3rd shave, I felt the lubrication from the strip wore quite a lot, and I needed more lather applied.

I noticed the lubrication strip at the top and the microfin strip at the bottom of the blades –both have quite a large gap between them and the blades. When I compared the gaps with other cartridge razors, I found that the gap was not so wide, and they look correct to be closer to the blades like on these other razors. 

The blade’s upper section and lubrication strip leave a large gap between the blades and shaving under the nose area. However, this is where the top trimmer blade comes in handy. 

Microfin Strip

The rubber strip under the blades on the Flex 5 is a very useful feature. The strip helps to provide a safer shave before the blades cut the hair and should stretch the skin slightly to enable the blades to cut hair closer to the skin.

Trimmer

The extra blade fitted on the top of the BIC Flex 5 Hybrid is a trimmer that can be used for cutting in the sideburns, shaving under the nose, and any other trimming that could be done with the blade.

It seems to be a must for this razor to have a trimmer blade for touching up the leftover hair under the nose.

If you have never used one of these cartridge razors with a trimmer blade on the top, it may seem a bit tricky to use at first; however, you’ll soon get the hang of using it. It’s just about using it at the correct angle!

Balancing Sphere

The balancing sphere (metal ball on the top of the handle) aims to balance the razor’s weight evenly. It does this very well, as I have balanced the razor out on my finger, and no other cartridge razor can do that.

Balancing a razor makes sense when using a safety razor, as these razors require less effort, or we should try and allow the safety razor to do some of the work for us. However, a cartridge razor has to be used with the user providing enough pressure, and the BIC Flex 5 razor’s weight does not assist the shave at all. This makes the weighted ball seem useless to me, apart from being a button to remove the blade. 

How Does BIC Flex 5 Hybrid Razor Perform and Shave?

I am glad someone asked. 

It’s the most important aspect, after all!

I had no expectations before shaving with the BIC Flex 5 and kept the expectations on the lower side of what I would get from a Gillette Fusion5 or ProGlide, as the Flex 5 is a cheaper razor option.

How Often Did You Shave with the Flex 5?

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. 

I first tried out this razor with three heavy-ish days of stubble. It cleared the beginnings of thick growth quite easily and felt reasonably comfortable. A little tugging felt, but that is quite normal, and it was not excessive.

Plenty of lubrication was available from the lubrication strip on the first three shaves so as not to have to use much shaving lather on the second pass. 

On the second occasion of shaving with the Flex 5, I had two days of stubble. On this occasion, I noticed I spent a little more time clearing up leftover patches than some recently used and reviewed cartridge razors. It was not demanding or annoying; it was just noticeable.

On the second shaving round, I noticed that when shaving sideways on the chin to the bottom lip area, the blades felt like they scratched the skin. I did not get any nicks or cuts, but I had to be mindful that I was shaving to prevent getting cut.

While I am not a daily shaving geezer, I give it a shot with the razor I test and review. Unfortunately, on this occasion, I picked up some neck irritation with the Bic Flex 5 on the first consecutive daily shaving day, so that was the first and last consecutive day I used it. 

Having irritation problems with shaving daily is quite the norm for me, and it’s in no way an isolated issue with this razor. However, I did feel the shave was quite rough on my attempt at daily shaving.

How Was Head Shaving with the Flex 5?

I’m a balding guy and can shave my head completely bald or to the bare minimum, with hair clippers (i.e., no comb). I test all cartridge razors out head shaving and also had a go with the Flex 5.

I got a smooth shave, and the Flex 5 was just as good as any other cartridge razor. 

The hair on most of our heads is quite fine, so a razor like the Flex 5 shaves through that type of hair easily and finds it much easier than cutting through thicker facial hair.

Good razor for head shaving!

Overall Shaving Experience?

It’s hard to shave with a razor without thinking of other razors and making comparisons. However, I had to keep in mind that the Flex 5 is cheaper than most of the Gillette’s and others.

Part of me did feel like I was shaving with a disposable razor and a product that lacked quality. I know cartridge razors are a type of disposable, but they are much better quality than the one-use throwaways.

I got good shaves, just as close as I get with other razors. However, I did not get the comfort factor I would have liked.

Cartridge Longevity

I have not found anything from BIC or anywhere else that gives an approximate amount of shaves a person can get from one cartridge blade. 

I felt the blade was done on the sixth shave, and I could quite easily change it on the fifth. Many guys get much more shaves out of the blades than I do.

Changing Blades & Blade Care

The blades on the Flex 5 clip on and off easily. A user can clip a new blade on straight from the cartridge pack, and clip it back on if needed by hand without the pack. Some cartridge razors are tricky to clip back on these days by hand, but the Flex 5 is pretty easy.

The push-button ball on the top of the razor releases the blade easily enough.

I like how a single cartridge cover with its blade can be clipped away from its four-pack. This is a small feature I find unique to BIC that I really like. 

There is not maintenance involved in taking care of a BIC Flex 5, however, rinsing the blade well after shaving and patting the blade on a dry towel will help maintain the blades and prevent the lubrication strip from gelling up.

Value for Money – Costs?

BIC can shine among its competitors with its lower costs, although Harry’s Razors also offer lower prices on their razors compared to companies like Gillette.

The razors and the replaceable cartridge packs are much more expensive on the BIC official websites. You’ll find them much cheaper in the larger stores and online.

Handle + 4 Blades: Approx – $11 USD, £9, and €8.

4 Blade Pack: Approx – $8 USD, £9, and €7.

Starter packs are sold with various amounts of cartridge blades within them, and prices can be reduced somewhat when buying a handle with more blades. However, a buyer should check if the razor suits them before spending too much on a large pack.

Final Thoughts – Who is the BIC Flex 5 Hybrid Razor Best Suited For?

The BIC Flex 5 Hybrid is not the best cartridge razor I have used, but it is not a bad razor. It’s a slightly lower-quality razor to me than others I have used and own; however, it costs less than others, so a reduction in quality is to be expected.

I would not recommend the Flex 5 for those with sensitive skin or gents that pick up irritation problems easily. Men with normal to tough skin are best suited.

Guys with normal to tough skin who wish to save a few bucks on their shaving and grooming budget might want to give the Flex 5 or any other BIC cartridge razors. However, for those looking for a more comfortable shave who are willing to pay a bit more — I would suggest you look elsewhere.

The title of this article asks if the savings are worth it (compared to more costly razors). Many guys who have bought the Flex 5 find this razor better than or just as good as the higher-priced razors, while others are willing to pay a bit more and dislike it for one reason or another. The razor could be worth the savings for some men, is the best answer!

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