Grooming · Razor comparison
Harry's Plus vs Original: Razor Handles, Blades and Feel
In this guide
A refill pack looks familiar, but the word Plus changes which Harry's handle it fits. If you already own an Original razor, a new cartridge purchase can become a decision about replacing the whole system. Harry's Plus also changes the pivot, head and handle feel. This comparison explains the practical differences between the current U.S. systems, including what reviewers liked, what users found less comfortable, and when keeping your existing setup makes sense.
Start with the cartridge system
Harry's Original Blade Refills fit the Original system, previously known as Truman or Winston. Harry's Plus Blade Refills fit Plus handles only. The two names identify separate connections, so match the refill family to the handle you actually own.
| Decision | Harry's Original | Harry's Plus |
|---|---|---|
| Refill identity | Original Blade Refills | Plus Blade Refills |
| Handle compatibility | Original system, including Truman/Winston | Plus handle only |
| Pivot design | Flex hinge | Spring-loaded pivot |
| Head choice | Your familiar Original cartridge | Compact redesigned cartridge |
| Handle decision | Keep a compatible Original handle | Use the weighted metal Plus handle |
| Shared blade features | Five blades, lubricating strip, rear trimmer | Five blades, lubricating strip, rear trimmer |
| Switching commitment | Stay within your existing system | Change the handle and refill family |
Read the full family name before comparing pack counts. A large Original refill pack is useful only if you are staying with that system. A Plus refill pack also needs the matching handle; the shared Harry's branding does not establish compatibility.
Keeping Original and trying Plus are different purchases
Check your handle and an existing refill box first. If they belong to the Original system and the shave suits you, another Original refill pack lets you keep the same setup. If you choose Plus, plan the purchase around its compatible handle and cartridges together.
This is the clearest inconvenience of switching: leftover Original blades still belong to your Original handle. Keep the two families separated in storage so a travel bag or bathroom drawer does not turn refill selection into guesswork. An opened cartridge with an unfamiliar connection deserves a label check before attachment.
That distinction also improves the comparison with other razors. Our Mach3 versus Fusion5 guide covers another buying decision, while grooming deals lets you compare the exact product and selected variant.
Plus changes the pivot and head feel
Harry's U.S. system comparison describes the Plus as a compact cartridge with an advanced pivoting system and a premium metal handle. Both families share five-blade technology, an aloe-based lubricating strip and a precision trimmer on the back. Blade count alone therefore gives you little reason to switch.
The practical question is how the changed head follows your usual shaving path. Sharpologist reviewer Jay Harrell liked the Plus cartridge's attachment stability and trimmer during his own use. Treat those as specific observations from his review, then consider whether attachment feel or detailing is a problem in your current setup.
If your existing razor already follows your jaw comfortably, the promise of a different pivot is less compelling. If maneuvering the head repeatedly interrupts your routine, the redesigned system gives you a concrete feature to assess.
Weight is a preference you will notice every morning
The Plus metal handle adds another change alongside the new head. InsideHook's Maxwell Stafford found the Plus easier to use after a month of shaving, but also described its handle as heavier and bulkier. His comparison gives you a useful tradeoff: a more substantial feel can suit one person and feel cumbersome to another.
Original handles have included different models and materials over time. Judge the one in your hand rather than assuming that every Original handle feels identical. Think about grip when wet, reaching around the jaw, and whether you prefer a light tool or a more weighted one.
A change in weight is most relevant when it solves an existing annoyance. An upgrade label by itself tells you little about that preference.
User reports explain why an upgrade is personal
The Harry's Plus discussion on Reddit includes both enthusiastic owners and people who returned to Original. Some describe a smoother feel; others report needing repeated passes or finding the new pivot harder to control. Those are individual experiences, not a reliable prediction for your own face.
Read a report for the part of the routine it describes. A complaint about maneuvering the rear trimmer is different from a complaint about the main cartridge. Likewise, preferring a heavier handle is different from liking the blade feel. Separating those details makes the feedback more useful than a single overall verdict.
Value includes the handle you already own
Compare the purchase as a complete setup: compatible handle, correct refill family and the number of cartridges you will actually use. Keeping an Original handle that works well can be the better fit even when Plus has features you like on paper.
For a switch, choose a manageable first purchase before committing to a large stock of unfamiliar cartridges. Assess whether the pivot, grip and detailing step suit your routine. Our SkinGuard versus Fusion5 comparison offers another perspective on choosing between cartridge designs.
FAQ
Do Harry's Plus blades fit Original handles?
No. Harry's specifies Plus handles only. Its Original refill page separately limits those blades to the Original system, including the former Truman and Winston models.
Does Plus have more blades?
Both systems use five-blade technology. The connector, pivot, cartridge design and handle are the more useful differences.
Can I keep using my Truman or Winston?
Harry's current Original refill page names Truman and Winston as part of the Original system. Match that system when buying replacements.
Will Plus give everyone a better shave?
Published reviewers and users disagree about the changed feel. Consider the specific feature you want to improve, especially pivot control, grip and the rear trimmer.
Verdict
Keep Harry's Original if your compatible handle and cartridge already suit you; choose Plus when its compact head, pivot and weighted handle address a specific preference. Switching means buying into a different refill connection, so include that commitment in the decision. The shared five-blade format makes the upgrade a question of design and feel, rather than blade count.
Pick Original if
- You want to keep a comfortable, compatible handle.
- You already have Original refills to use.
- You prefer the familiar head and pivot feel.
Pick Plus if
- You want its compact redesigned cartridge.
- You prefer a weighted metal handle.
- You are ready to change the handle and refill family together.
More to explore: Gillette Mach3 vs Fusion5: Blade Feel, Detail and Refill Fit · Gillette SkinGuard vs Fusion5: Blade Feel, Rinsing and Use · How to Use Proraso Shaving Cream: Green Tube Lather Guide