I’ve never noted any advantage to using soap/cream. Some people claim it’s really irritating to shave with just water, but it’s never bothered my skin. Why have it if I don’t need it? I’ve also basked in the splendor of a rack pan completely filled with shaving cream caused something in the rack shifting during angles to press the button on the can. Does make your uniforms smell really nice for the rest of the underway, though.
As for just using the tips. Sometimes while you’re digging around in the dark you can’t find your regular kit, but have found the cartridge of spare heads. Or someone has stolen your regular kit and you have to dig out your back-up (which may not include a replacement handle) or you have to ask to borrow from someone else (and they’ll usually want the handle back). You need to shave, you have the actual business end of the razor in hand. Seems obvious.
I use the handle but i dont’ use soap or cream. Mainly because I find i get less irritation shaving in the shower under hot water. Shaving cream is pretty much useless if it doesn’t stay on long enough for me to complete my shave.
The Fusion never gives me irritation even without cream.
I use the powered Fusion razor, too, and also love it. And yes, the blade cartridges are interchangeable. You can use the regular type Fusion cartridges with the powered handle. No difference in shaves IME, and they fit perfectly.
I went from the Mach 3 to the Fusion razor and have to say the only improvement was the battery powered portion of the Fusion. I think there was a battery powered version of the mach 3 as well though. The extra razors did nothing for me, as the first two razors catch most of the hair that it shaves off, same as the Mach 3. The 4th and 5th razor doesn’t do anything IMO.
I’m only using the fusion now because there was a sale+coupon at an online vendor for the cartridges, got 16 for $24. Otherwise I was at the point of going back to the mach 3 and giving up the battery powered razor.
What I do to acquire refill cartridges is to visit my very generous father, who always gives me a bunch of his. So when Gillette introduces a new razor I need to wait until he upgrades before I do.
I just got the powered Fusion due to the advice in this thread. I’ve only used it a couple times, but it does seem a bit smoother. I’m not sure if I like it yet, though, because it’s almost too smooth, and I’m not sure how hard to push.
I do this, too, when I shave (electric usually though). Foam/gel/cream never seems to help much. If I have a mirror in the shower, I’ll do it in there with some soap, but otherwise it’s warm water in the sink.
I never would have bought the Fusion, and thought the whole thing sounded silly. But, they mailed me one and it turns out that it is way better than the shaver I used to use. It shaves very well and it cleans very easily. Now it is all I use. I can’t imaging buying the electric one - it seems awfully silly. But, if they were to mail me a free one…
I had a Mach 3, my mother got me the Fusion for an unexpected birthday present. While I wouldn’t have bought it on my own, I have to say it’s a pretty damn nice razor.
I went out and bought a Fusion Power today. I just shaved with it for the first time and it’s pretty damn nice. I upgraded from the Atra two blade. I’ve been using that same handle since I first started shaving almost thirty years ago. The vibrating head gets all warm against your face and feels really good.
Just a reminder-those blades will last nigh on forever if you clean and dry them completely after using. I use the hottest water possible and the hair dryer, and my blades last for weeks.
I have a fairly heavy beard, I went from the Mach 3 to the Mach 3 Power to the Fusion Power and then back to the Mach 3 power, don’t know why but I like the Mach over the Fusion.
