Art of Shaving Fusion Power razor costs $150, sports flashlight

Granted, today's newfangled razors and their associated disposable blades are pretty pricey, but if we're to pay $150 for a shaving tool that doesn't come with a lifetime supply of refills, there had better be some value-added features to pique our interest. Well specialty retailer The Art of Shaving may have done just that with its Fusion Chrome Collection Power Razor, which is essentially a vibrating metal handle for the latest five-blade Gillette offering that also happens to sport -- wait for it -- a built-in flashlight! That's right, never again will you show up for work all cut and bloody after the electric company has cut off the juice and you're forced to shave in the pre-dawn darkness. Forget about that family of fleas who have set up camp in your goatee: they'll skulk in the shadows no longer. And no more embarrassing trips to the hospital after an "oopsie" while trimming your bikini zone. Yes, friends, this is truly convergence at its best.

[Via Shaving Stuff]

[MrFuNKy76 @ Oct 18th 2007 1:23PM]

wow..I really need this!!! And at $150...pssh it would be worth it at twice the price!!

[roger_huston @ Oct 19th 2007 12:36PM]

Yea, I want one too. Also, this could be the hottest Christmas Gift of the Season.

This convergence stuff is great. Take a $10 razor, add a $1 LED light to it and charge $150 for the combination. Isn't convergence GREAT!!!

- Roger

[paragraph @ Oct 18th 2007 1:29PM]

First off, i'm convinced that the whole "power" razor gimmick doesn't do anything. Secondly... wtf... seriosuly? a light? Reeeealy? a flashlight?

I thought the trendy thing to do now is to go to a salon and get a shave with a single blade razor by a barber for $75? I thought that was the in thing... I guess i'm not hep to it any more.

[Slvrgun @ Oct 18th 2007 1:38PM]

You pay $75 for a shave? Try ten bucks at the local barber.

[paragraph @ Oct 18th 2007 1:42PM]

the person who pays $75 for a shave pays $300 for a haircut. I shave with a fusion (power acctually) but mine lacks the light.

next innovation i see is a 512mb flash drive with MP3 function.

[Afreet @ Oct 18th 2007 1:26PM]

Any new razor tech always reminds me of this, which is hilarious, and oddly accurate given that it was written when it was: http://www.theonion.com/content/node/33930

[Nith @ Oct 18th 2007 3:56PM]

Awsome article. Although I do have to say the Fusion was a great idea, not because it vibrates or has aloe stips but the combo of one blade and 5 together. I used to shave for years with Sensor Excel (2 blades) but I realized that it is much quicker with the Mach3, but I lost accuracy. I always have some type of facial hair and it is impossible to keep it neat and the lines straight when you have too many blades. So i got fusion and Im really happy with it. But a flashlight?!!!! If you can afford the new razor at 150$ you can afford a lightbulb...

Oh and never use Shick. The blades s**k b@lls

[rzlmlchm009 @ Oct 18th 2007 1:28PM]

Nah, I think I'll pass. This thing will blind me while trying to trim my unibrow.

[zfurie @ Oct 18th 2007 1:33PM]

I thought they were called monobrows...

[culbeda @ Oct 18th 2007 5:40PM]

Agreed. I feel like sap enough for paying $25-30 for a nose hair trimmer with a light. I still see spots when I close my eyes.

[Javi0084 @ Oct 18th 2007 1:32PM]

I'm still waiting for a built-in FM radio or audio player.

[Martin @ Oct 18th 2007 1:47PM]

One word: ridiculous

[Maestro @ Oct 18th 2007 1:37PM]

For my money, the Fusion is the worst design to hit the razor business in a long time. They should have stopped with the Sensor.

About 6 months ago I switched to Schick (had used Gillette my entire life) and I couldn't be happier. Not to mention the savings!

[newgalactic @ Oct 18th 2007 1:39PM]

That's so absurd. Not because of the flashlight, no. But because everyone who's ever shaved their face knows that what's needed is an anti-fog mirror attachment. Seriously, that light would be covered by shaving cream after the first pass.

...rookies.

[Neon Jebus @ Oct 18th 2007 1:40PM]

I was just talking with a friend about the Fusion vs. Mach 3. We both felt that we had a better shave with the Mach 3 than we ever have with the Fusion. The only features I like on the Fusion are the single blade feature and that lotion like strip that seems to last a lot longer than the stip on the Mach 3.

[Miguel @ Oct 18th 2007 2:30PM]

I also got a better shave with my Mach 3 Power than my Fusion Power, though my plain o' Fusion that I throw in my travel bag--I once ran out of juice with my Mach 3 Power travelling with it 'cause during transit, it tripped the button, so what the Hell's the point--shaves better than a plain ol' Mach 3. Unfortunately, I tossed my Mach 3 because, ballyhoo, five blades must be awesome. How untrue and foolish of me.

[alex @ Oct 18th 2007 1:42PM]

Oh and don't forget that they are also selling accessories $100.- stand and $75.- brush
All that for a vibrating razor with an LED light ( for $125 they'll sell you a non vibrating non LED version )

I think this will fall into the stupid Christmas present category.

[Brian McBride @ Oct 18th 2007 1:42PM]

Finally I can stop ducktaping my mag lite to my razor!

[Maestro @ Oct 18th 2007 2:33PM]

Wow. In Doom3 you can't even use your flashlight and gun at the same time! But a razor and a light!? Someone call iD!

[Saint Dumb Ox @ Oct 18th 2007 1:48PM]

Holy Cow....what next? Will they put a camera in a phone?!?

Wait...

[JoePerri @ Oct 18th 2007 2:17PM]

If you want to learn how real me shave go here: http://www.badgerandblade.com

[Rick @ Oct 18th 2007 3:52PM]

For the inventors of the Phone Fingers comes.....

[Argot @ Oct 18th 2007 2:14PM]

Pretty nifty idea. I like it. I would also like something similar on my toothbrush. Just for fun.

[Kurt MacD @ Oct 18th 2007 2:26PM]

Sheesh, don't you guys know, this is a standard Star Fleet federation 5 blade PHAZER. The led is for when you're crawling along the edge of a Vulcan crator in the pitch black while you're looking for Captain Picard.

[Syd @ Oct 18th 2007 2:34PM]

At that price, it better come with a software development kit (SDK).

[Anthony Huff @ Oct 18th 2007 3:02PM]

Someone's playing way more bioshock then they are supposed to.

[bjrcboy @ Oct 18th 2007 3:04PM]

I love art of shavings products... Shave with a single blade from them but yeah never found their mach 3/fusion handles worth the price.. i mean 100-200 bucks for a "balanced" razor hahahah!

[Pavan @ Oct 18th 2007 3:27PM]

Or you could wait for one of those Bed, Bath & Beyond 20% coupons and pick up a Braun Pulsonic that cleans itself for $50 more...it's so great I'd almost choose it over my Tivo to take to a random deserted island! However, I think this is the only razor that allows you to get the maximum benefit of your Pear cables..any other one will distort the magnetic interfields which render your music undanceable!

[mike @ Oct 18th 2007 3:51PM]

i'd like to subscribe to your newslettar

[helloworld @ Oct 18th 2007 4:09PM]

Aww, takes the fun out of shaving in the dark.. because that's what people do isn't it.

[Wolfticket @ Oct 18th 2007 4:17PM]

Screw the light, I want more blades!
However, I sometimes wonder why they don't make the first blade cut as close as the 5th one and get rid of the rest...
Not very often though.

[Z @ Oct 18th 2007 4:31PM]

$150 for a Fusion razor? OK, let me explain why this is tremendously stupid.

1.) Anyone looking for a really good shave, won't spend $5 on a Fusion, let alone $150.

2.) A flashlight in a razor is an idiotic gimmick, and completely useless and unnecessary. Men have been shaving just fine for thousands of years without flashlights, and I never remember once having to ask someone to stand next to me and point a flashlight on my face in order to shave. Ever heard of turning an overhead light on? I mean, this isn't just idiotic, this flashlight idea is like "corpse stupid"... as in, "no brain waves present". We're not shaving in the dark.

3.) The fact that they have to integrate more idiotic features like a freakin' flashlight tells you that the Fusion razor isn't that good to begin with. Because if it was, the quality and effectiveness of the razor would speak for itself (and sell itself) - it wouldn't require some stupid gimmick.

4.) The Art of Shaving over-prices everything they sell.

5.) If you're willing to spend $150, go to Amazon and buy yourself what's called a "safety razor" (not a "straight-razor"). In fact, buy a Merkur Futur Adjustable Double Edge Safety Razor. It's $60, German made, satin-finish so you don't have to worry about fingerprints, and the best freakin' razor you'll ever buy and use in your life - and one that'll last you a lifetime. Not to mention, it takes a standard-type razor blade as a refill (more on that below), so you'll always be able to find refills and use it - even fifty years from now.

Merkur also makes a four-piece version that includes the same Merkur Futur razor along with a matching shaving brush, bowl, and stand for $175 (a much better value than spending $150 on a stupid Fusion that uses cheap, crappy blades).

After you buy the Merkur Futur, then what you do is buy yourself a ten-pack of platinum-plated stainless steel double-edged blades (Merkur sells those, too), which are made of MUCH better steel than the crap found in the $2.00 cartridges you buy now. And because this ten-pack of blades is only five bucks, and the blades are double-edged, it's like buying twenty blades at 25 cents a piece. Not a bad price if you ask me. I'd rather pay 25 cents a blade, than $2.00 per.

Not to mention, these blades are not only cheaper to buy, they will give you a MUCH better shave than these crappy four and five-blade monstrosities (and better than ANY cartridge you'd buy in a store, regardless of how many blades), AND they'll last MUCH longer. If you shave your whole face everyday, a ten-pack of double-sided razors will last you six months. Even longer if you shave less of your face and/or less often. Five bucks for six months or more worth of even better shaves? That too, sounds good to me. Imagine all the money you'd save not having to spend a fortune to keep Gillette (or Schick) in business. More money for you.

The only thing left to buy is a bit of shaving soap or shaving gel (and some shaving oil or aftershave lotion if you wish), and all of you already know that. Then you're set.


So there it is, Chief. Your choice:

1.) Shave old-school, shave wisely, and effectively, (you know, like a "grown-ass man". Or just imagine how the "Godfather" might shave, LOL).

or...

2.) Waste your money on this gimmicky, overpriced Fusion junk with costly, low-quality refills and shave like a chump.

[PK @ Oct 18th 2007 5:01PM]

No offense, but did this idea *really* warrant a 600 word comment explaining to us why it's tremendously stupid?

[Z @ Oct 18th 2007 6:14PM]

@PK

Well, obviously I felt it did, otherwise I wouldn't have bothered. It also included a lot of advice about a better product - you'd probably know that if you bothered to actually read what I wrote. I mean, this is a DISCUSSION forum, and like anyone else I like to share what I know and think.

You gotta problem wit dat, Einstein?!

But just like all things on the internet, no one put a gun to your temple to read any of it, so I don't know why you're so troubled about it that you felt it necessary to ask me a stupid rhetorical question. You ever hear of just diverting your attentions elsewhere? Do you work for Art of Shaving or know someone who does?

What's really creepy here, is that you actually COUNTED the number of words that I wrote.

Oh, yeah, and "no offense".

[PK @ Oct 18th 2007 6:37PM]

Z -

I did read your entire post and thought it was excessive for a brief post about an obviously ridiculous item. I was curious as to how excessive it was so I pasted your text into a text editor and ran a quick "Word Count" - doesn't sound too scary to me.

You're exactly right about "no one putting a gun to my head" online and forcing me to read your entire comment - I never claimed otherwise. I freely read what you posted here and added to the discussion with my take on your comment. And I concluded that a 600 word comment which 1) explains to Engadget readers in 5 laborious points why this razor is "tremendously stupid" and 2) spends over half the post giving superfluous details about a competing product wasn't warranted.

No offense taken.

[Grant @ Oct 18th 2007 6:52PM]

+5 Irony!

[Z @ Oct 18th 2007 7:08PM]

@ PK

What are you, the comment police? Take a hike, troll!

Is this your first time on the internet?

You don't like that I posted all I did and refer to my comments as superfluous, but then give yourself latitude to continue on making and rationalizing your your own stupid comments which are the most superfluous of all, and which have nothing to do with what Engadget even posted. The fact that you're undoubtedly voting for your own comments is just the icing on the cake.

Yeah, irony indeed.

If you're having a bad day, quit acting coy about it and take it out somewhere else.

Idiot.

[KC @ Oct 18th 2007 4:42PM]

I think the built-in flash light is a great idea. All you are thinking of is to shave yourself... but this would be great to shave the girlfriend...

[Grant @ Oct 18th 2007 6:53PM]

yeah,
i hate how hairy her back get.
Damn bloodhounds.

[tpp @ Oct 18th 2007 6:16PM]

A $150 razor better come with 7 blades!

[sam @ Oct 18th 2007 6:13PM]

For $150, you can buy a darn nice electrical shaver.

And for less then $20 you can buy a nice traditional shaver. Omit the light, which /obviously/ costs $120.

[Clyde @ Oct 18th 2007 6:16PM]

This is going to be this Christmas season's Furby, Tickle Me Elmo and Wii all rolled into one. I've been doing pricing on vibrating penlights and those go for a couple hundred easy. This comes with a razor, as well, so that's just sheer genius. I'm buying a case of these suckers and will look forward to selling each on one ebay for thousands.

[Grant @ Oct 18th 2007 7:00PM]

Does anyone else find that 5 blade razors rape their face?

I use a power mach 3 and tried a 4 blade razor to only find that it irritated my skin more than if i went over area twice.
Then foolishly when a 5 blade came out i thought the fusion would somehow be better.
Well, 1 shave later i went back to the mach 3 again, 5 blades sucked even harder than 4. Theres too much blade area to judge where your shaving, it is like a square inch of blades exposed.
So, i'm sticking with my mach 3 power, and i like the power razors, the vibrating (while i doubt it "gets a closer shave" like the claim) feels great and makes shaving without it just feel like your scraping some shit off your face with some sharp metal.

[digitallysick @ Oct 18th 2007 8:19PM]

My regular fusion razr doesn't shave worth a damn, the blades just "pull" hairs out. The batter operated vibrating razr is garbage. About the best are the disposable ones. Also any 4 blade razr seems to just pull out hairs instead of cutting them, im guessing due to surface area

[readerr0 @ Oct 18th 2007 9:22PM]

I think you may be getting bad results because your shaving with your razr phone instead of an actual razor...

[Lars Groeger @ Oct 18th 2007 10:36PM]

Well i first laughed at the Light too. But then i realized that if I shave under none daylight...under typical 100 Watt lamps, I very often do not see bad shaven areas. As soon as I look in a Mirror under daylight or neonlight these areas are clearly visible.......So maybe this is what the cold / white Light lamp on the razor is for...... supplying cold/neon/daylight like Light.
This could be an explanation. Anyway 150 $ is waaaay too much....
Normally this things work like inkjetprinters....Low Price for Hardware but killerprice for refills. But you know there are always people out there willing to spend there overfloating money stash.

[james cordero @ Oct 19th 2007 1:08AM]

Please note the the correct name of the store is..Gillette The Art of Shaving New York. This is just a Gillette store similar to other manufacturers such as Bose, Apple, Gateway, Dell. I swear I spend a lot of money on things I do not need, but even I cannot make myself spend that much money on a razor that uses there normal blades. And I agree, the fusion is too much blade, hard on the face, Mach 3 is still there best followed by Sensor.

[TRB @ Mar 10th 2008 12:24PM]

I have ONE word for this item - BULL !!!!!