Review: Harry’s Razors – Men’s Shaving
Quick Review: After years of using Gillette Mach 3 I thought I’d give Harry’s Razors a try. In a nutshell, the Harry’s required far fewer strokes and was better than the Mach 3.
I’ve been shaving for a long time, and I’ve nearly always used Gillette. Having tried various Gillette razors, I settled with the Mach 3, which I feel gives a good shave at the best price, although the blades are still expensive.
I’ve seen Harry’s Razors advertised (a lot) in the UK, and a friend told me they are way better than Gillette. I sent off for the Harry’s Razor trial; here’s my review.
Who Are Harry’s
Harry’s is a large American company that started by selling shaving products on a subscription, but you can now pick up Harry’s razors from the big UK supermarkets, chemists and Amazon.
Are Harry’s Blades Cheaper Than Gillette
The Gillette Fusion5 is probably Harry’s razor direct competitor. A quick search on the Tesco and Sainsbury’s websites shows that the Gillette Fusion 5 blades are considerably more than the Harry’s blades. Also, comparing the Harry’s subscription with the Gillette subscription, the Harry’s blades are also considerably cheaper.
However, the Gillette Fusion 5 blades are rated as doing 20 shaves, while the Harry’s Razor is rated as doing up to 8 shaves. This would mean Harry’s razor blades work out to be more expensive per shave!
Gillette Mach 3 Vs Harry’s Razor
- Physically, the Harry’s razor handle and blade are quite a bit larger than the Mach 3. The photo below isn’t great, as it doesn’t show the size difference very well.
I don’t think the physical size of the handle makes much difference when shaving. If I’ve been using the Harry’s for a while and then switch to the Mach 3, it feels a little strange for a while, but I soon get used to it and vice versa.
- According to Gillette, the Mach 3 is good for about 15 shaves, while Harry’s says their razor is good for 6 to 8 shaves. I keep switching between the two razors and haven’t been keeping track of how many shaves I get from each blade. But I would definitely say I replace the Harry’s Razor blades more often than the Gillette Mach 3 blades.
Gillette Mach 3 Vs Harry’s
What’s the shave like
There’s no doubt that Harry’s razor does a great job, but so does my Mach 3. I’ve used both the Harrys and Mach 3 quite a bit, and the difference between the two isn’t massive. The only noticeable thing is that the Harry’s razor requires fewer strokes to achieve the same quality shave as the Mach 3. This is probably because the Harry’s has got two more blades (5 in total) than the Mach 3 (3 blades in total).
I usually shave every other day, but sometimes I don’t shave for a week, or if I’m feeling particularly crazy, I might not shave for a few weeks. I find that the Mach 3 is a smoother shave on longer stubble. The Harry’s feels like it’s yanking the hairs out. However, the Harry’s razor gets the job done quicker than Mach 3.
Pros: Harry’s Razor
- It’s a very good shaver – It cuts my stubble quickly and without requiring much effort.
- Fancy coloured handles – If you share a bathroom with others who also shave, having a razor with a brightly coloured handle helps ensure you don’t mix up your razors.
- Comes with a travel blade cover – It’s just a bit of plastic, nothing fancy, but does the job its designed to do.
Cons: Harry’s Razor
- Not great on long stubble, feels like it is pulling rather than cutting. Initially, I thought the pulling was due to the blade being a bit blunt, but it pulls even with a brand new blade.
- The Trial is a bit sneaky as it signs you up for a subscription. You can cancel straight away.
- The Harry’s razor blades don’t last as long as comparable Gillette razor blades.
- I find that due to the large size of the Harry’s razor, shaving under my nose is a bit awkward
How Long Do Harry’s Razor Blades Last
Harry’s claim that their razor is good for up to 8 shaves.
I’m using Harry’s razor blades for well over 8 shaves, probably getting close to about 20 shaves before I feel they need replacing. So, I think the 8 shaves that Harry’s is recommending is more about sales; they’re trying to encourage customers to buy blades more often, so they make more money.
The length of time a Harry’s razor blade lasts is going to vary quite a bit between individuals. Factors like the amount of stubble, thickness of stubble and shaving styles are all going to impact the number of shaves.
How To Clean Harry’s Razor Blades
I find that there are nearly always hairs stuck in between the blades after a shave, even with regular rinsing. The best method I’ve found for cleaning a Harry’s razor blade is to use a small soft brush (like the ones that comes with electric shavers) to clean out the hair when the razor is dry.
Conclusion: Harry’s Razor Review
I’ve been using a Harry’s razor alongside a Gillette Mach3 for over a year. The difference between the two isn’t that great, both do a good job.
Obviously, this review is based on my experience using the Harry’s razor. The way I shave and the type of stubble I have is going to be different from other men’s. I’d recommend that once your current razor blades need changing, give the Harry’s Trial a go. You might find that the Harry’s razor is better than your current razor.
