[This review was collected as part of a promotion.] Wow, what a smooth shave! I've always laughed at the increasing number of blades in razors. This coming from someone who has been using his 2-bladed Gillette Excel since he can remember. The Excel has always provided a clean, close shave but with the downside of raw, reddish, irritated skin. It was a consequence I accepted as just part of shaving.
Now, I'm eating my crow, with relish! The Gillette Fusion ProGlide with its 5 blades cuts cleanly and smoothly, whether I went with the grain or against (I usually do with first, then against on a second pass--everyone says go with but how can you get a close shave that way?). I felt no nicks, pulls, or cuts, and my face never felt raw. Applying Nivea After Shave Balm post shave, I did not feel any burn like I normally do. It's a good indication to me that my skin wasn't raked raw.
I also compared the ProGlide razor to my Norelco Coolskin 7775X electric shavor. I put in the new HQ8 replacement blades since the original HQ177 blades are no longer available. I found the HQ8 blades to be better than the HQ177: smoother and closer in my opinion. Many reviewers contend otherwise (I shave in the shower so perhaps others have different results because of different circumstances). I love my Norelco because it provides a smooth, close shave without irritation. But it takes time and a good number of passes to achieve the results. So in comparison to the Norelco, the ProGlide was equally smooth and close without the multiple passes and extra time.
The smooth shave really won me over but there were other great features about the ProGlide razor. The articulating razor head was excellent at pivoting itself around cheek bones and jaw lines. As a result, the razor stayed glued to my skin for a close shave. Weight and grip of the razor felt solid and good, not plasticky or cheap. Love the dark chrome and metal feel.
I haven't come to any conclusions on the FlexBall yet. I shaved without a mirror and didn't notice whether the FlexBall pivoted side to side as it was intended to. Perhaps it did to help navigate the contours of my face or perhaps it didn't and is just a marketing gimmick. I'll have to shave again, this time in front of a mirror to judge properly.
The ProGlide razor isn't perfect and here is its one flaw: the razor head is big. How can it not be with 5 blades? Gillette did a fantastic job of keeping the blades thin, thinner than the Excel blades, but they do still command a bit of real estate. They are also slightly wider than the Excel. So all of this translates to some difficulty shaving hair at and around the upper lip. I could only shave with the grain here and very carefully at that. The razor just felt a little tall for that small region. I also had slight difficulty under the jaw where the skin dips. Again, because the razor head is relatively large and not easily maneuvered there. I can see myself improving my technique with practice so this isn't a major issue, just an issue for my first time out.
I normally shave once a week, even with the Norelco. My skin usually requires a break before the next shave and shaving short stubble after a few days usually results in pain. But I am optimistic enough with the ProGlide experience that I will try shaving more frequently. If I am able to shave more often, then I can be content with a close enough shave rather than needing that super close shave. In fact, I would prefer to shave more often just so I don't look so scruffy by the week's end. Here's hoping...