R1 Ninja Green Razor: Mach3 Shave Guide and Care Tips
By Official Bolin Webb | Luxury Men's Razors | Published: 2026-10-15
Category: How-to Guides
A step-by-step routine for shaving with the R1 Ninja Green razor and Gillette Mach3 blades, plus simple care habits that keep the finish and handle in good shape.
Quick answer
Load a Gillette Mach3 cartridge onto the R1 handle, shave after a warm shower using light pressure and short strokes, then rinse and dry the razor fully before storing it. For the Ninja Green finish, wipe the handle with a soft dry cloth rather than leaving it wet on the sink or in a damp washbag.
Why the R1 Ninja Green Handle Changes Your Routine
The R1 is a weighted handle designed around Gillette Mach3 cartridges, so the shave itself follows standard Mach3 technique. What changes is how you treat the handle between shaves. The R1 is primed and painted to an automotive finish, which is what gives the Ninja Green colour its depth, and that finish is the part most likely to suffer from careless storage. A razor left sitting in a puddle of water or tossed into a washbag with loose metal items will show it long before the blade does.
If you are comparing the Ninja Green option against other R1 colours, the shaving process is identical across the range. The difference is cosmetic, so choose the colour you actually want to see on the shelf every morning rather than expecting a different shave.
Match the Blade to the Handle Before You Start
The R1 takes Gillette Mach3 cartridges and nothing else. Mach3 is a three-blade system, and the supplied product information notes three-blade technology for sensitive skin. If you have Fusion5 cartridges at home, they will not fit this handle. Check the cartridge you are holding before you try to click it on, because forcing a mismatched cartridge is the fastest way to damage the connector.
A fresh cartridge matters more than any technique adjustment. If the blade tugs or you need repeated passes over the same spot, replace it rather than pressing harder.
Drying and Storage Habits That Protect the Finish
After rinsing, shake the razor and stand it upright so water drains away from the cartridge. If your set includes a stand, use it, since the razor is held clear of standing water instead of lying flat on a wet surface. When you travel, keep the razor in its case rather than loose in a washbag, where keys, zips and coins can scratch the painted handle.
Avoid abrasive cleaners, scouring pads and alcohol-heavy sprays on the handle. A soft damp cloth is enough for everyday marks, followed by a dry buff. The blade cartridge is the part that needs rinsing and drying; the handle mainly needs to stay dry.
Your Step-by-Step R1 Ninja Green Shave
- Shower or warm the skin first: Shave straight after a warm shower, or hold a warm damp cloth against your beard for a minute. Warm water softens hair and makes the first pass easier on sensitive skin. Checkpoint: if you are rushing out the door and cannot warm the skin, shave with the grain only and accept a slightly less close result.
- Apply a proper lather: Work shaving cream or gel into the beard rather than spreading a thin film. A cushioning layer lets the Mach3 cartridge glide instead of skipping. Common mistake: shaving over dry or half-lathered skin and then blaming the blade for irritation.
- Click a Mach3 cartridge onto the R1 handle: Line the cartridge up with the connector and press until it seats. Do not force it. If it does not click, you are probably holding a non-Mach3 cartridge. Checkpoint: a correctly fitted cartridge sits flush and does not wobble when you press it lightly.
- Shave with the grain using light pressure: Use short strokes and let the weight of the R1 handle do the work. Rinse the cartridge under running water every few strokes so cut hair does not clog the blades. Common mistake: pressing down to chase a closer finish. Pressure causes razor burn; a fresh blade causes closeness.
- Re-lather before any second pass: If you want a closer result, reapply lather and shave across the grain on your cheeks and jaw. Leave the neck and any irritated areas at one pass. Checkpoint: stop at two passes. A third pass on the same spot rarely improves the result and usually costs you comfort.
- Rinse cool and pat dry: Rinse your face with cool water, then pat rather than rub with a clean towel. Rinse the cartridge thoroughly from the back so debris clears the blade gaps. Next step: apply a simple moisturiser or aftershave balm while the skin is still slightly damp.
- Dry and store the razor upright: Shake off excess water, wipe the painted handle with a soft dry cloth, and stand the razor in its stand or case with the cartridge facing up and away from standing water. Checkpoint: if water is pooling around the base of the handle, move the razor. That is what dulls the finish over time.
Product Facts
- R1 Monza Red Shaving Set with Stand - Gillette Mach3 Razor: R1 Monza Red Shaving Set with Stand, fitted with Gillette Mach3 blades and supplied with a black R1 gravity stand. If you want the stand-based drying routine described above, this set includes the stand rather than requiring a separate purchase.
- R1 Argent Shaving Set with Case - Gillette Mach3 Razor: R1 Argent Shaving Set with Case, fitted with Gillette Mach3 blades and supplied with an award-winning case. A case is the practical answer to the travel-scratch problem, so this set suits anyone who shaves away from home regularly.
- R1 Graphite Shaving Gift Kit - Gillette Mach3 Razor: R1 Graphite Shaving Gift Kit, supplied with an award-winning case, a black R1 gravity stand and one Gillette Mach3 blade. This covers both storage scenarios in one purchase, so you can use the stand at home and the case when travelling.
