It is estimated that over 80% of Gillette® razor blade cartridges sold on eBay® are counterfeit. Also, the majority of cartridges sold at markets and through small Internet retailers are counterfeit.

The best way to assure you are purchasing authentic cartridges is to pay the extra money and buy from a large retail chain such as Wal-Mart or an established Internet business like amazon.com. In fact, the sale of brand name counterfeit goods on eBay has become so pervasive that it would be in your best interest to closely scrutinize all copyrighted or trademarked brand named items.

Unfortunately, you are probably reading this page because you suspect the Gillette cartridges purchased are counterfeit. If you purchased from the resources I listed above, there is a very good possibility you do have counterfeits.

It is impossible for a counterfeiter to manufacture a good replica of a Gillette razor blade cartridge without some defects due to the complexity in producing such a product. Dull performing blades, low quality materials/manufacturing and unclean cartridges are among the many telltale signs identifying counterfeits. With the introduction of Gillette’s Fusion™ and Fusion™ Power products, serial numbers are now imprinted on the cartridges to help make it easier to confirm authenticity.

The Gillette product comparisons below will help to determine if you do have counterfeits.

Gillette® Fusion™

This is a comparison between a Gillette® Fusion™ cartridge and a counterfeit. To determine if your cartridges are counterfeit, it is best to compare the serial numbers. Please click on images to view in a higher resolution.

All Gillette Fusion cartridges will have serial numbers located behind the blades under frame as indicated in picture to the left. The serial number will consist of one letter with four numbers on the left side and one letter with four numbers on the right side. This cartridge is inscribed with 2605Z on the left side and I4303 on the right side. The number 2 on left side is not visible in this picture. The Gillette Fusion 4 cartridge pack used in this comparison has the same serial number for all cartridges.

The counterfeit Gillette Fusion Power cartridge on the left will have no serial number on its cartridge frame as indicated in this picture.

There is a possibility counterfeiters will begin to print serial numbers on their cartridges but unlikely now. The next best way to determine if your cartridges are counterfeit is to inspect and compare the five razor blades.

The Gillette Fusion cartridge blades will be in perfect alignment as indicated by the picture to the left. The authentic blades are brighter in this picture and have a much cleaner appearance in comparison to the picture of the counterfeit cartridge below. To the touch, the blades are not loose in comparison to the counterfeit and are firmly set into the cartridge frame.

The counterfeit cartridge blades are out of alignment and loose to the touch. Also, notice the many dust particles and hair fibers covering these blades. Upon close examination of this picture, you will see rust on the third blade from the top of cartridge on right side.

Thanks to 8499guy who mailed to me one of his counterfeit Gillette Fusion cartridges purchased on eBay from joyjoycee and used for this comparison.

Gillette® Fusion™ Power

This is a comparison of a Gillette Fusion Power cartridge to its counterfeit counterpart. The best way to determine if you have counterfeit cartridges is to simply check if two serial numbers are on the counterfeit cartridge frame as indicated in the pictures below. Please click on images to view in a higher resolution.

The Gillette Fusion Power cartridge will have two different serial numbers located behind blades under frame as indicated in this picture. All serial numbers will consist of one letter followed by 4 numbers. On the left side in this picture, the serial number is B7194 and Y1301 on the right side.

The left serial number seems to be the same for all cartridges per their cartridge holder and will vary with the serial numbers on the right side. All cartridges in the 4 cartridge pack in my possession have the serial number, B7194, along with two cartridges having Y1301 and two having Y1201.

The counterfeit Gillette Fusion Power cartridge on the left will have no serial numbers on its cartridge frame as indicated in this picture.

Thanks to wild_wolf5 who mailed to me one of his counterfeit Gillette Fusion Power 8 cartridge packages purchased on eBay from readyfornapoli247 and used for this comparison.

Gillette® Mach3® Turbo

This is a comparion of authentic Gillette Mach3 Turbo razor blades to counterfeits. To observe their distinct differences, click on the pictures to view in higher resolution.

The cartridge holders are the most obvious pieces to ascertain if your cartridges are counterfeit. Gillette Mach3 Turbo cartridge holders have a serial number in the sequence of one letter, four numbers, one letter and two numbers (for example B9083H54). There is no serial number on counterfeit cartridge holders as indicated by picture on the left.

All authentic Gillette® Mach3® Turbo cartridge holders have a serial number on the right side of the cartridge. This cartridge holder’s number is D5316H21 and visible in this high resolution picture.

 

The middle blade on fake cartridge is obviously out of alignment and there are noticeable differences in frame alignment and design when compared to the Gillette Mach3 Turbo below. Note the uncleanness of these blades. This is an extreme example of one blade I received from chatoyaqui out of alignment but you will find other cartridges with irregular blade alignment to varying degrees.

The blades of the Gillette Mach3 Turbo cartridge are in good alignment as with all of their cartridges. Notice the circular markings on the blades differ from those on the fake cartridge. The blades on the Gillette cartridge were more reflective of light proving to be difficult in taking macro photograph without overexposure.

 

Dust and dirt particles can be seen on the counterfeit blades. The plastic frame is not as refined when compared to the Gillette cartridge below. The number on middle of fake cartridge frame, J8, is more pronounced than the 3J on the Gillette Mach3 Turbo cartridge. Also, note the letter J is different in appearance than the authentic cartridge as the fake is crossed at top like a capital T. The metal band on each side of the fake cartridge is bent and not properly aligned to the frame.

The Gillette cartridge is clearly much more refined and clean in appearance. It is apparent that this was manufactured in a clean room environment. The number/letter on this cartridge is 3J.

The seller advertised the Gillette Mach3 Turbo cartridges were factory sealed. Actually, the fake cartridges he was referring to were sealed by hand. It is important to note that the UPC code on one of the packaging boxes were verified by Gillette to be correct but could have been copied from another box. If you compare the printing on outside of fake box to an authentic box, if becomes visually apparent the print colors vary and splotched. You can easily open these packages containing fake cartridges by hand without too much tearing of the box’s interior whereas not true with the Gillette factory sealed box which can be viewed in last picture below.

Notice the different glue patterns among the two counterfeit packages. It is clear that both were done by hand instead of being sealed by a manufacturing process.

The image below is that of an authentic Gillette factory sealed box.