DE vs. Hydro
Posted: Mon Dec 10, 2012 11:23 am
In prior posts, I have mentioned my very favorable experiences with the Schick Hydro 3. I have found it to be far superior to any other cartridge razor that I’ve ever tried, and I’ve used many/most of them, starting back in the 1970s.
In recent months I have been shaving extensively with the Hydro, and I thought I would offer a quick summary of my DE / Hydro shaving comparisons.
In this forum, the first thing I would like to stress is that the Hydro truly does have wonderful blades. If these blades were made as DE’s, we’d all be raving about them. A large number of us came to SMF because of cartridge dissatisfaction and a belief that DE is a superior shaving system. For purposes of these comparisons, I’ve put aside that predilection, and just examined this (as honestly as possible) in terms of performance.
I compared the Hydro 3 to an optimal (for me) DE setup of my beloved late-40s Aristocrat and a NOS Gillette Platinum Plus blade.
So, here are my personal findings. As always around here, the usual “YMMV” applies.
Closeness
Hydro. The Schick provides a very close shave. I noted, however, that it is superior on large, flat surfaces (cheeks and neck, for example). It is not as good at nooks and crannies (lower lip, cleft chin, the corners of my jaw line), as the wide, flat shape of the head has trouble teasing stubble out of such places. Notably, it seems NOT to shave “too close” in the sense of causing ingrowns from below-the-skin shaving.
DE. My DE will shave nearly as closely overall, but with significantly more effort. In certain areas (as I noted) the DE can just nip in perfectly and get it done. However, in certain other areas, the DE doesn’t work as well, even after multiple passes and reductions.
Bottom line: Some pluses and minuses for each; about a net even, IMO.
Comfort.
Hydro. As many reviewers have commented, the Hydro sports a very large gel reservoir, which it dispenses liberally (especially in the early shaves). While some men don’t like the goopiness of it, in my experience it definitely adds to the comfort. As do the protective “bars” on the blades. My face doesn’t get red from a Hydro shave. Incidentally, I also find it impossible to cut myself with the Hydro, and damn near impossible to even get a “weeper.” I want to stress again, that I have not experienced ANY ingrowns, even after long, exclusive Hydro use (absolutely a “first” for me in the cartridge world).
DE. I do pretty well in terms of comfort with a DE, and goodness knows I’ve had decades of experience working with it. But, most days, I have some redness from it (even with all the best practices stuff) for an hour or two. I rarely cut myself, but I do often get weepers.
Bottom line: I give the Hydro a significant, but not overwhelming, comfort advantage over the DE.
Speed.
Hydro. Fast. Swoosh. As quick as you like. No gradual reduction. One fast XTG + very minor touch-up = Done.
DE. Well, most of us know how this goes. We take our time. It’s not a race. Multiple passes. Patience. All very well, but not always practical. The DE takes me nearly twice as long (say, 8-10 minutes instead of 4-5).
Bottom line: Hydro wins in this department by a wide margin.
TSA
Hydro. Approved.
DE. Disapproved.
Bottom Line: Game-set-and-match Hydro.
Price.
Hydro. Approximately $2.00 a cartridge.
DE. Anywhere from $.05 to $.50.
Bottom Line: DE wins in this department by a wide margin.
Clean, Straight Cuts Around Facial Hair.
Hydro. Like most multi-blades, it is hard to tell precisely where the cutting edge is hitting the skin. Gillette and Schick have tried various things to address this; the Hydro just punts. It’s not too easy to tell just what you’re cutting.
DE. Clean, straight lines on sideburns. Precise touch ups all the way around my moustache.
Bottom Line: DE wins in this department by a wide margin.
SUMMING UP:
I would say there is no clear winner. I wouldn’t sell either razor short, and I think each of them has its place.
If I am in the mood to take my time, do very careful cutting around my ‘stache and ‘burns, have that “old-timey” experience, etc., I really enjoy my DE. I also have a mild skin condition that causes me to get a certain amount of flaking on my face (seborrheic dermatitis), and the DE seems to do a better job of stripping that flakiness away.
However, in certain situations, I would always reach for my Hydro. Some examples: (1) I have an early morning meeting, and I don’t want to have any facial redness when I arrive. (2) I am in a hurry for whatever reason. (3) My face feels a little “roughed up” and I want a super-comfortable shave. (4) I am traveling by air.
So, I would urge my fellow SMF’ers to drop by your neighborhood drugstore and try the Hydro. I think it’s an especially good option for those with sensitive skin, and also for air travelers. I’m very pleased that it is on the market, I think it’s a great piece of kit, and I think any objective observer would have to agree that it has very high-quality (actually, outstanding) blades.
However, it’s not a clear winner in all categories, and I’m not evangelizing for it, nor am I suggesting that the DE be permanently retired or anything of the sort. Pros and cons all around, but I think it is a solid option that is worth taking out for a test-drive.
In recent months I have been shaving extensively with the Hydro, and I thought I would offer a quick summary of my DE / Hydro shaving comparisons.
In this forum, the first thing I would like to stress is that the Hydro truly does have wonderful blades. If these blades were made as DE’s, we’d all be raving about them. A large number of us came to SMF because of cartridge dissatisfaction and a belief that DE is a superior shaving system. For purposes of these comparisons, I’ve put aside that predilection, and just examined this (as honestly as possible) in terms of performance.
I compared the Hydro 3 to an optimal (for me) DE setup of my beloved late-40s Aristocrat and a NOS Gillette Platinum Plus blade.
So, here are my personal findings. As always around here, the usual “YMMV” applies.
Closeness
Hydro. The Schick provides a very close shave. I noted, however, that it is superior on large, flat surfaces (cheeks and neck, for example). It is not as good at nooks and crannies (lower lip, cleft chin, the corners of my jaw line), as the wide, flat shape of the head has trouble teasing stubble out of such places. Notably, it seems NOT to shave “too close” in the sense of causing ingrowns from below-the-skin shaving.
DE. My DE will shave nearly as closely overall, but with significantly more effort. In certain areas (as I noted) the DE can just nip in perfectly and get it done. However, in certain other areas, the DE doesn’t work as well, even after multiple passes and reductions.
Bottom line: Some pluses and minuses for each; about a net even, IMO.
Comfort.
Hydro. As many reviewers have commented, the Hydro sports a very large gel reservoir, which it dispenses liberally (especially in the early shaves). While some men don’t like the goopiness of it, in my experience it definitely adds to the comfort. As do the protective “bars” on the blades. My face doesn’t get red from a Hydro shave. Incidentally, I also find it impossible to cut myself with the Hydro, and damn near impossible to even get a “weeper.” I want to stress again, that I have not experienced ANY ingrowns, even after long, exclusive Hydro use (absolutely a “first” for me in the cartridge world).
DE. I do pretty well in terms of comfort with a DE, and goodness knows I’ve had decades of experience working with it. But, most days, I have some redness from it (even with all the best practices stuff) for an hour or two. I rarely cut myself, but I do often get weepers.
Bottom line: I give the Hydro a significant, but not overwhelming, comfort advantage over the DE.
Speed.
Hydro. Fast. Swoosh. As quick as you like. No gradual reduction. One fast XTG + very minor touch-up = Done.
DE. Well, most of us know how this goes. We take our time. It’s not a race. Multiple passes. Patience. All very well, but not always practical. The DE takes me nearly twice as long (say, 8-10 minutes instead of 4-5).
Bottom line: Hydro wins in this department by a wide margin.
TSA
Hydro. Approved.
DE. Disapproved.
Bottom Line: Game-set-and-match Hydro.
Price.
Hydro. Approximately $2.00 a cartridge.
DE. Anywhere from $.05 to $.50.
Bottom Line: DE wins in this department by a wide margin.
Clean, Straight Cuts Around Facial Hair.
Hydro. Like most multi-blades, it is hard to tell precisely where the cutting edge is hitting the skin. Gillette and Schick have tried various things to address this; the Hydro just punts. It’s not too easy to tell just what you’re cutting.
DE. Clean, straight lines on sideburns. Precise touch ups all the way around my moustache.
Bottom Line: DE wins in this department by a wide margin.
SUMMING UP:
I would say there is no clear winner. I wouldn’t sell either razor short, and I think each of them has its place.
If I am in the mood to take my time, do very careful cutting around my ‘stache and ‘burns, have that “old-timey” experience, etc., I really enjoy my DE. I also have a mild skin condition that causes me to get a certain amount of flaking on my face (seborrheic dermatitis), and the DE seems to do a better job of stripping that flakiness away.
However, in certain situations, I would always reach for my Hydro. Some examples: (1) I have an early morning meeting, and I don’t want to have any facial redness when I arrive. (2) I am in a hurry for whatever reason. (3) My face feels a little “roughed up” and I want a super-comfortable shave. (4) I am traveling by air.
So, I would urge my fellow SMF’ers to drop by your neighborhood drugstore and try the Hydro. I think it’s an especially good option for those with sensitive skin, and also for air travelers. I’m very pleased that it is on the market, I think it’s a great piece of kit, and I think any objective observer would have to agree that it has very high-quality (actually, outstanding) blades.
However, it’s not a clear winner in all categories, and I’m not evangelizing for it, nor am I suggesting that the DE be permanently retired or anything of the sort. Pros and cons all around, but I think it is a solid option that is worth taking out for a test-drive.