When it comes to cartridge razors, there is no shortage of selection. Not only do you have the stalwarts like Gillette and Schick, but in recent years we have seen new brands such as Harry’s, Solimo, and MicroTouch enter the scene.
Similar in both form and performance to the wildly popular Gillette Mach3, the MicroTouch Tough Blade is a suitable and affordable alternative.
In the review below, you will learn more about the MicroTouch Tough Blade and if it’s the appropriate razor to meet your needs.
Editor’s Note: We paid for the Tough Blade out-of-pocket. This article is not a paid review. This post contains affiliate links. Tools of Men is independently owned and operated. MicroTouch is not aware of this post before publication.
MicroTouch Tough Blade Packaging & Design Review
Here’s an overview of the packaging and design of the Tough Blade:
Packaging
Packaged like most standard cartridge razors, the Tough Blade includes the handle and a set of six starter blades…
…along with an endorsement from legendary Hall of Fame quarterback Brett Favre.
Prominently throughout the package, you will see that MicroTouch is proud to state that the Tough Blade is made in Germany:
Design
There are many components at play when reviewing and considering a cartridge razor. Here’s a complete design breakdown of Tough Blade:
Head Size
The razor head on the Tough Blade is noticeably smaller when compared to other popular brands. Here’s how the Tough Blade looks when compared to the beefy Schick Hydro Stubble Eraser:
And when set next to the comparable Gillette Mach3:
Given that it only relies on three cutting blades, the Tough Blade head is modestly sized compared to other modern cartridge razors available.
Handle
The Tough Blade contains a rubberized grip that is slightly weighted:
The rubber allows for better control when your hands are wet or covered with shaving cream.
Blades
As covered previously, the Tough Blade contains only three cutting blades, which as you will see in a moment, is very comparable to the Mach3:
Where the Tough Blade differs from modern cartridge razor brands is the absence of a precision trimmer for detailing:
While the Tough Blade head is relatively small, making clean or precise cuts particularly around the nose, sideburns, or goatee, it may take a few extra seconds to perform.
Replacement Blades
One of the strangest features about the Tough Blade is that replacement cartridges are not sold separately (at least online). Therefore, you must re-buy the handle to get additional cartridges.
This creates unnecessary waste, especially if your handle is perfectly fine. At $10 for a pack of six cartridges, at least the price is affordable.
Slender Profile
One striking feature about the Tough Blade is how flat the neck and razor head are. When resting on a flat surface, you can see that the razor head is essentially an extension of the neck:
To provide you with a better frame of reference, here’s how high the neck of the Gillette SkinGuard looks when resting on a flat surface:
As you can see, it’s a much more pronounced curve from the neck to the handle.
Proprietary Head
Like printer and ink, cartridge razor brands sell their handle for cheap and upsell you on the pricey refills. The Tough Blade contains a proprietary head fitting, so you are unable to swap between brands. Here’s a close up of the Tough Blade without the razor head attached:
And here’s a look at all the major brands next to each other:
Pivot
Like most cartridge razors, the Tough Blade offers a nice pivot:
This allows the razor head to remain in contact with the skin even when passing over the natural contours of your face.
Length & Weight
The MicroTouch Tough Blade is long. At 5.75″ in length, it is among the longest cartridge razors currently available:
Despite the long body, the Tough Blade is light. At 1.27oz (36g), it is one of the lightest razors available.
Here are key stats of other popular razor brands for reference:
| Razor | Weight (g) | Weight (oz) | Length (in) |
|---|---|---|---|
| MicroTouch Tough Blade | 36 | 1.27 | 5.75 |
| Gillette Mach3 | 35 | 1.23 | 5.4 |
| OneBlade Core | 66 | 2.33 | 4.5 |
| Merkur 34C | 77 | 2.72 | 3.3 |
| Schick Hydro | 43 | 1.52 | 5.6 |
| Gillette SkinGuard | 40 | 1.41 | 5.5 |
MicroTouch Tough Blade Performance Review
Before you see how the MicroTouch Tough Blade performs, here are a few important details you should know:
- Beard Length: 2 days length
- Pre-Shave Prep: Warm shower
- Pre-Shave Treatment: Proraso Pre-Shave Cream
- Shaving Cream: C.O. Bigelow Shaving Cream
- Skin Sensitivity: Mildly sensitive
- Facial Hair Type: Dense, mildly curly
Pre-Shave
Here’s how the facial hair looked before shaving:
Shave
And here’s a look at how the Tough Blade performed when shaving:
Post-Shave
Finally, here’s how the skin looked post-shave:
What We Liked
- For the price, the Tough Blade provides a cartridge-level performance for a disposable-like price. Kudos to MicroTough for delivering when it comes to value.
- Long passes with no clogging allowed the razor to glide through a dense and thick stubble without noticeable tugging, pulling, or irritation.
- Despite the handle being so long, it wasn’t too unwieldy. Men with larger hands should enjoy the added length for better control.
- While it doesn’t have a precision trimmer, the modestly sized head coupled with the thin profile allows the Tough Blade to get under the nose area without issue.
- The reduced number of blades will be welcomed by men who have sensitive skin.
- The Tough Blade may or may not reduce razor bumps; typically, fewer blades will equate to a reduction in ingrown hairs.
What We Didn’t
- Some light pressure may be needed given the weight. Be sure to have a steady hand when using and don’t try to overcompensate.
- While the lack of a precision trimmer isn’t a deal-breaker by any means, it does take some getting used to, especially if you are transitioning from a modern cartridge razor.
- We wish MicroTouch sold cartridge refills individually. Having to buy a new handle every time seems unnecessary.
Final Thoughts
The Tough Blade provides a pleasant shaving experience. If you have sensitive skin or are on a tight budget, then the Tough Blade should be a top consideration. It does what it was designed to do at an affordable price point.
