Gillette Proglide Shield Review – Extra Glide, But Less Microfin Action
Gillette Proglide Shield Razor
The Gillette ProGlide Shield offers additional lubrication with its bottom lubrication strip, and this does help the razor glide. It is worth trying to see if the additional lubrication is best or whether the action of a larger microfin strip found on the ProGlide and Fusion 5 is more suited.
Pros
Provides a quick shave that is as close as a shave needs to get
A useful handle that provides plenty of grip and looks attractive
Two wide lubrication strips that provide plenty of glide
Flexible head movement
Leans toward being suitable for those with sensitive skin
Cons
The additional lubrication strip means the microfin strip is not as wide as on other razors
Cartridges are quite expensive
I’ve done this in the wrong order by covering the Gillette ProGlide Shield after using and reviewing the ProShield Power.
The Gillette ProShield Power is the same razor as the ProGlide Shield, with a handle that offers micro-vibrations.
So, the ProShield is basically an enhanced version that would have made sense to test out once I had used the standard ProGlide Shield (I hope that makes sense, and the order does not matter, really!).
The ProGlide Shield sits between the ProGlide and Gillette SkinGuard in terms of when it was made available and the design. If you compare the outer edge of the SkinGuard with the Shield, you’ll see they are the same.
I was pleased to see that the ProGlide Shield does offer something quite different from the ProGlide and SkinGuard. I thought it might not!
Video
If you need something more visual than my elegant writing offers, then check out the YouTube video that I created, which also shows a quick demo shave.
Description & Features
I bought a standard starter pack, which came with two blades plus the handle. I also got a cool razor stand!
- Blades: A five-bladed razor that Gillette states offers anti-friction.
- Precision Trimmer: An additional blade is positioned on the top back of the razor, designed to help users trim sideburns, under the nose, and other difficult-to-reach areas, as well as for styling.
- Lubrication: Every Gillette cartridge razor features a lubrication strip along the top that turns into a gel when wet. The Shield version of this razor also includes a lubrication strip at the bottom.
- Handle: The silver handle is equipped with rubberized sections, providing a firm grip during shaving.
- Flex Head: The head of the razor can flex back to approximately 60 – 70 degrees, allowing the blades to follow the contours of the skin.
- FlexBall: Gillette’s FlexBall technology allows the cartridge blades to move left and right, adjusting to the face’s various contours.
- Microfin Strip: Positioned at the bottom of the cartridge blade, the microfin strip gently prepares and slightly stretches the skin, helping the blade cut hair closer.
- Microcomb: The Microcomb, a hard-grooved plastic strip located just after the microfin strip beneath the blades, is designed to guide hair for a more precise shave.
Anything to Add About the Features?
Some of the features are quite standard, following the Gillette Fuson 5, and only differ slightly, if at all.
I have to admit to really liking that flay laying stand. It’s ideal for placing the razor in after use, which keeps the blade off surfaces, too.
Handle
The handle is much the same as the ProGlide, which is very comfortable in the hand, looks attractive, and has plenty of grip.
The handle also has the flex-ball feature that makes it a ProGlide, which supposedly moves when shaving along various contours, which I find gimmicky (I have never seen one move).
Flex Head
A useful aspect of this razor, which is a standard, is the flex head. Now, this does work (thinking about the flex-ball here–not doing much) and works very well when shaving along various contours.
Trimmer Blade
As with all razors after the Mach3, it has an extra blade on the top for trimming the sideburns and getting at those leftovers under the nose.
Blade Section
The blade section is what makes the ProGlide Shield different from the standard ProGlide.
The Shield totally makes sense to me as a lubrication strip sits under the blades. So, when shaving, the lubrication strip provides some lubrication before the blade cuts. It also has a wide lubrication strip on the top, like all other Gillette razors, but it is wider than Mach 3 and Fusion 5.
After the bottom lubrication strip, the microfin and microcomb strips help guide the hair and make the skin taut before the blade cuts–supposedly. I am not sure if the microcomb does its job, but I definitely experience the microfin making the skin taut, but not as much as the wider microfin strip on the Fusion 5.
Cleaning and Maintenance
I had no issues with the blades clogging at all while shaving. I rinse regularly, though!
I like to pat the blade section dry on a towel lightly to care for the blades and lubrication strip.
Gillette states the blades last for up to a month for the ProGlide shield. I get around 10 shaves out of the blades before they feel dull and the lubrication strips are worn. Gillette states that a user can get up to 20 shaves on other Gillette razors.
Shaving Experience
While testing out the ProGlide Shield, I was also testing out shave gels, including Bulldog Shave Gel. I used the razor on two and three days of growth and daily shaving (for consecutive 2 days).
I found the shaves all very comfortable and felt the difference in the added lubrication, which gave additional glide over the standard ProGlide.
What is missing, though, which the ProGlide and most definitely the Fusion 5 provide better, is the skin being made taut via the larger microfin section. So I get more glide but less help making the skin taut.
I shaved on two consecutive days to try out daily shaving, and I had no irritation. I would not do a third as I know I would have got a neck flare-up (that’s normal for me). However, suppose you normally shave daily and do not get irritation. In that case, the Shield should be fine, plus it has added lubrication, which is protective.
Head Shaving
As always, being a balding gent, I tried out head shaving with the Shield, and it was very easy, quick, and comfortable.
I do prefer the Fusion 5 overall when head shaving as it can make the skin and hair taut, which I find more helpful.
Value for Money
The blade replacements, according to the Gillette website, are the same as the cost of the standard ProGlide in the US but slightly more in the UK.
—Handle + 1 Cartridge Blade (approx.): $16.99 US, £15 UK, and €18 EU*
—4 Blade Refills: $20 US, £18.50 UK, and €20 EU*
*Prices vary a lot from store to store for the starter kits.
Mach3 Cartridges cost (4 pack): Approx $12 USD – £9 UK – €10 EU.
You can see we pay quite a lot more than we pay for mach3 replacement blades–nearly twice as much. That’s something to consider if saving money is a big thing for you right now.
Final Thoughts – Who do I recommend buys and uses the Gillette ProGlide Shield?
I was pleased to see that the ProGlide Shield does offer something different from the other Gillette multi-blade razors. That difference is extra glide, which will make the shave more comfortable for some guys.
The Shield leans towards being suitable for those with sensitive skin. However, the SkinGuard is best suited if a very mild shave is required to prevent irritation.
I like having a cartridge razor where the microfin rubberized section makes a difference. I get that from the standard ProGlide and, most definitely, the Fusion 5 (not the ProGlide Shield).
I would say if you are a Gillette user, just give it a go and see if it suits you. We are all different and can find one type of razor that is a much better fit for us than another, and we only find that out by trying.
If you are going to try the Shield, then you might want to consider trying the Gillette ProGlide Shield Power. That has a handle that provides micro-vibrations, and while that seems gimmicky–I found it does provide an effect, even if it is minor.
Related
Gillette SkinGuard Review – Does It Help Sensitive Skin Type Gents?
Gillette ProGlide Review – An Upgraded Fusion?
GilletteLabs Exfoliating Razor Review — is It Worth Buying?
Best Cartridge Razors – Tested and Reviewed
Gillette Mach3 Review – Are Three Blades Better Than Two?
Gillette Mach3 Turbo Review – Is It Faster or What?
