Gillette Sensor

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The Gillette Sensor is a line of safety razors released by Gillette in 1990. It was the first razor to have spring-loaded blades. Gillette claims that the blades recede into the cartridge head when they make contact with skin, helping to prevent cuts and allowing for a closer shave. The Sensor for Women was released around the same time as the Sensor. It is nearly identical to the Sensor in terms of technology, but contains a wider cartridge head. Although this reduces control, it also reduces the risk of cutting oneself. This is because women often cannot see what they are doing, and also shave larger areas of their body, and also more delicate areas than men.

An improved version, the Sensor Excel was released in 1995. The Sensor Excel is almost identical to the Sensor, but features "Microfins," a piece of rubber with slits at the top. Gillette claims that the Microfins help to raise facial hair making for a closer shave. Also, the Sensor's handle grip was redesigned somewhat for the Sensor Excel. However, the Sensor Excel is generally not seen as major breakthrough compared to other Gillette products. The Sensor Excel for Women is similar in design. Also, the Sensor Excel razor can fit with not only Sensor Excel cartridges, but original Sensor and Sensor 3 cartridges as well.

Unlike its predecessors, the Sensor handle is indurable; that is, it fails in ordinary use and must be discarded. This is due to wear of the moving, stress-bearing parts in the mechanism that attaches the blade cartridge to the handle. Previous products, to and including the Trac II, included "lasts a lifetime" durability in its attributes. Some consumers argue that this fact demonstrates "planned obsolescence" and detracts from the appeal of the product.