This week Conor Popelooks at disposable razors.
Wilkinson Sword Xtreme 3
€4.49 for 6, 75 cent per razor
Highs: This is the fanciest and most high-tech looking of the razors we tried. It has a "dual comfort system" (which means the aloe vera and vitamin E gunk that is to be found on all the razors has been split into two separate strips, although we couldn't tell if it made a blind bit of difference). The handle is coated with comparatively thick rubber and has a slight curve for a steadier grip. It is also the heaviest of the brands reviewed.
Lows: These are the most expensive "cheap" blades we happened upon - and that was while they were on special; at their normal price they'd cost over a euro a razor. Given that the best (and only good) thing about using disposable blades is their low cost, we couldn't help wondering what the point of these is.
Verdict:Pricey and pointless
Star rating:
Bic Sensitive 3
€2.49 for 8, 31 cent per razor
Highs: For many people, Bic makes the definitive disposable razors and, apart from the introduction of a slightly curved handle, a third blade and the ubiquitous aloe vera/vitamin E strips, these haven't changed for years. They are widely available and delivered an OK shave.
Lows: Mind you, the blades did get clogged up quite quickly and the strips of "soothing" unction were on the short side. And what is it with disposable razor companies and the word "sensitive"? Just by saying it is "sensitive" doesn't make it so. In fact, we struggled to think of something less sensitive than a cheap plastic razor chipping away at your face.
Verdict:Familiar and cheap
Star rating:
Gillette Blue II Plus
€5.49 for 10, 55 cent per razor
Highs: There is a little bit of rubber on the handle, which should give this better grip when wet, and the strip of aloe vera and vitamin E is slightly more robust than similar strips found on the other brands.
Lows: While Gillette make some fine razors, this is not one of them and it is a long, long way from being the best a man can get. There is very little to separate it from the Aldi razors (right) except the price. We are not sure how Gillette could justify charging over five times more than the German retailer for a product that is almost exactly the same. We also had to worry when one of the key selling points was that it came in a "Zip-Pak" - a bag with a plastic zipper - as if that's going to make up for this product's shortcomings and inflated price.
Verdict:Ridiculous
Star rating:
Regal Fixed Head Razors from Aldi
€1.29 for 12, 10 cent per razor
Highs: This is a very old-school razor which looks like it has come straight out of the 1980s without any modifications at all. These are all about the price, however - they are remarkably cheap and, while we initially brought it to our throat with some trepidation, they were actually fine. It doesn't deliver the closest shave you're ever likely to get - or come remotely close to doing so - but if you're not that bothered, then these are hard to beat.
Lows: The fixed head isn't all that good for dealing with a curved face and the handle is on the short and stubby side. The strip of aloe vera started to look a little ragged after one shave and we found the claim that it was made with the "finest quality steel" hard to swallow.
Verdict:Cheap and fine
Star rating:
Tesco Speed 3 for 4
€3.49 for 4, 87 cent per razor
Highs: This was one of only two brands tried that had a flexible head, which allowed us to manoeuvre it around the face in a pretty fearless fashion. It was also very easy to clean, with precious little shaving foam being left between the blades after a quick rinse. The curve on the handle is quite pronounced and made it look a little like a cobra getting ready to strike, which might not be the best stylistic flourish to go for when designing a razor blade. Whatever about that, it did deliver the closest shave, by a whisker.
Lows: The blade is on the small side and as a result more strokes will probably be needed to get the job done.
Verdict:The best shave we got
Star rating:
