Gillette On Demand: Not Your Grandfather's Razor

Gillette On Demand: Not Your Grandfather's Razor

Why I was so excited when I found out Gillette has their own delivery service, Gillette On Demand.

On my 15th birthday, my grandfather (who was from the "old country" as they say) made me a gift of two of his prized and well-worn possessions that held a ton of meaning for him: a Brooks Brothers button down shirt and a Gillette "Super Speed" razor. True to his laconic nature, he presented them without ceremony, saying only: "You're becoming a man now. People are watching. Look your best."

Since that moment (which happened before I had any whiskers to shave!) Gillette has been my go-to to razor. I have remained fiercely loyal to this brand not because some Mad Man created a catchy slogan for it, but because it's a symbol of craftsmanship and manufacturing excellence and (forgive me) the American way. It's a symbol of my grandfather and all that he stood for.

Recently, I've been watching but have resisted the wave of home razor delivery services. Skipping a trip to the drugstore sounded great, and I was generally attracted to the convenience of the offerings, but there was no way I'd put down my MACH3 for some upstart brand. That's why I was so excited when I found out Gillette has their own delivery service, Gillette On Demand.

Gillette took their time to get their subscription offering right, but it was worth the wait: it's simple and effective and as solid at their 116-year old brand. Gillette is no fly-by-night internet startup, so I knew the product would be superior. What I didn't expect was the excellence and superiority of the internet-based offering. Gillette On Demand delivers me the quality razors I'm accustomed to without the hassle of long-term commitments, and the subscription service, which offers both internet and SMS (cell texting) functionality, is incredibly user-friendly.

With Gillette On Demand, I can pick from one of three razors (the disposable Sensor3, the MACH3 Turbo, and the Fusion ProShield) and get them sent to me based on how often I shave and how often I need fresh blades. It's exactly what I was looking for. My ideal facial hair changes week to week depending on what look I'm going for, so the ability to change up my order frequency is perfect. I got all the control of a Drugstore without ever having to leave my house.

Considering my sensitive skin and familiarity with razor burn, I decided to treat myself a bit and get the Fusion ProShield set. The ordering process was simple and straightforward and I was done in just a few minutes. The blades came shortly thereafter within a few days, and I was eager to try them out. Sure enough, shaving was a breeze as the blades sailed perfectly across the contours of my face providing a comfortable, clean shave… that would have made my grandfather proud. People are watching, and I'll look my best.

The ProShield is definitely not my grandfather's razor (the Super Speed was phased out in 1988, after more than four decades of service). It's a marvel of modern product research and manufacturing excellence. Right away, I was impressed by the firmness and stability of the handle. The ProShield's lubricated strips do as promised: they glide across my face in an amazingly frictionless way. The razor has a solid weight to it, not too heavy, but sturdy enough to inspire confidence effortlessly (think closing the door on a Beemer or Mercedes Benz). With other razors, I've had to do two or three passes before getting a clean shave, but this razor cuts through my beard with ease. It went really smoothly around my chin, which is always a tough spot for me to get. It's not an exaggeration to say that the ProShield has cut my morning shave time in half.

Not only do I get a quality shave with a Gillette On Demand, but I'm also not locked into a long-term commitment. Personally, I only shave a few times a week, but when I need a new set of razors, I just shoot a one-word text (BLADES) to Gillette and I get my next shipment in a few days. It beats time waiting in lines, and every 4th shipment is free. With Gillette On Demand, I get an incredible razor delivered right to my door. Gillette has always given me the best experience and the best shave. With Gillette On Demand, I get so much more than what I paid for: the best razor on the market delivered right to my door.

Update: Gillette is offering a special promotion. Follow this link to sign up with Gillette On Demand and get $3 off your first order today!*

*Valid for first-time customers for first order only. Offer terms subject to change.

Latest Articles from Topdust