Gillette hopes men say gimme 5, 5 blades on 1 razor

BOSTON (AP) ? Gillette (G) fired the latest shot in the blade wars Wednesday, introducing a men's razor that features five blades, one better than competitor Schick's four-blade model.

 

Fusion will come in both standard and battery-powered versions.

AP

 

The razor, called Fusion, also has a facial hair trimmer on the back. It will come in both standard and battery-powered versions and is expected to be available in stores in North America in the first quarter of 2006, the company said.

 

Peter Hoffman, who runs Gillette's razor and blades business, said the company expects that Fusion will break the sales records previously set by Gillette's Mach 3 brand of razors, which has three blades.

 

"But it's not just about the number of blades," Hoffman said. "It's how closely they are positioned together, the flexible comfort guard. All the technology combines to make a great shave."

 

Since its launch in 1998, the Mach 3 brand has sold 450 million razors and makes up 30% of the global shaving market, Hoffman said.

 

The announcement line comes as Gillette awaits approval of its planned acquisition by Procter & Gamble (PG).

 

Gillette Chief Executive and President James Kilts said Fusion will "continue to drive our category leadership."

 

Fusion has one more blade than rival Schick's Quattro.

 

The Fusion razor and two cartridges will cost about $10, and Fusion Power, with one cartridge and battery, will cost about $12. A four-pack of Fusion cartridges will cost $12 to $13 and a four-pack of Fusion Power cartridges will be $13 to $14, Gillette said.

 

 

 

Personally I'm waiting for the Mach 10. :plain

This story brings two thoughts to mind:

 

1. Like 20 years ago when twin blade razors first came out Saturday Night Live did one of their commercial spoofs on the "Triple Head Razor", a razor with three blades. The tagline of the commercial was "The Triple Head... because you'll believe anything."

 

2. You're going to have to take out a 2nd mortgage to buy the cartridges for thise new piece of innovation. The Mach 3 blades are already expensive as hell.

Personally I'm waiting for the Mach 10. :plain

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Or the Quintippio razor (15 blades) like on that COMMERCIAL

This story brings two thoughts to mind:

 

1. Like 20 years ago when twin blade razors first came out Saturday Night Live did one of their commercial spoofs on the "Triple Head Razor", a razor with three blades. The tagline of the commercial was "The Triple Head... because you'll believe anything."

 

2. You're going to have to take out a 2nd mortgage to buy the cartridges for thise new piece of innovation. The Mach 3 blades are already expensive as hell.

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Mach 3 > all

that's f***** crazy

 

it looks like it could scrape off bone marrow

I use a jagged piece of broken glass to shave.

Can't wait for the new commercials with Colby from Survivor Australia!! "Four blades? Uh-uh."

I remember a spoof about a razor with like 10 blades and an animation showed each blade tearing a layer of flesh. Not sure where though...pretty funny.

 

I have that M3 Power razor, but I still buy the cheaper blades for the reg mach 3. I'm glad I grew a beard....much cheaper.

that's f***** crazy

 

it looks like it could scrape off bone marrow

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haha, you watch too much Jay Leno :thumbup .

Until they make an electric razor that doesnt cost an arm and a leg and actually gets a close, smooth shave, Ill spend money on a quality manual blade like this.

I use a Mach3 Turbo Type R VTEC. I've always been a fan. It's far better than the Quattro STI-VR Type A.

I use a Mach3 Turbo Type R VTEC. I've always been a fan. It's far better than the Quattro STI-VR Type A.

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Sounds like youre comparing an Acura with an Audi.

 

I'll continue to just trim my beard.

I have an more expensive electric razor because blades are scurry.

After the 4th blade, the next one is going straight for the skin.

that's f***** crazy

 

it looks like it could scrape off bone marrow

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I think MadTV did a parady of this a few years ago. Really funny at the time, but it looks like its going to come true :o

If WalMart has a special price on it I'll try it. I always just by the razors anyway instead of replacement blades, they're much more cost effective.

I remember a spoof about a razor with like 10 blades and an animation showed each blade tearing a layer of flesh. Not sure where though...pretty funny.

 

 

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Early Madtv :thumbup

ill go out in a limb and say that 80% of you dont need to shave

You know the bic two bladers are good enough...anything more is just marketing bs (which many seem to buy into).

Original Mach3 is where it's at

I have an more expensive electric razor because blades are scurry.

How often do you shave, once a month?

I have an more expensive electric razor because blades are scurry.

How often do you shave, once a month?

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Every other day... :mischief

I have an more expensive electric razor because blades are scurry.

How often do you shave, once a month?

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Once a week, just so I don't look too schlepy. I used to twice a week before I got too lazy and then this summer I gave up all together and looked completly hippyish.