That said, echoing my comment directly above: I'd still recommend the Guard for all of the reasons that Gillette have brought this razor to market.
How sturdy is the guard? It looks like a cheap plastic handle that will snap when you try to put a new head on it. Don't think I've seen these on sale but may give them a go sometime.
I stand by what I've said already in this topic about the SkinGuard. Massively underwhelmed by it. Loads of stubble left, (that's) after 3 passes including some ATG & touchup, after morning shave, felt annoyed all afternoon & needed to shave in the evening.
To me it's barely of any use at all, in fact I'd probably only use it again as a ‘top up' shave before bed, but would still need to shave again the next morning.
I've just had a few shaves with the Fusion ProGlide Flexball and its way way better. Good prep, brush & cream, 2 passes (North to South & along jawline) & some post care gave an excellent shave. Still need to shave daily with carts, but this is once a day not feeling the need to twice like with the skinguard.
I came to starting DE after feeling irritation & a sore neck from Fusions. BUT I was using canned goo at the time. I agree that Fusions are expensive, but I really think they work well if used alongside good cream/soap etc. I even had a canned goo shave with the Fusion for comparison and it just felt horrible. No wonder I didn't stick with that before looking to change. Same carts with proper cream? Like chalk and cheese.
I've used carts for so much of my life that I think I'll always gravitate towards them. I've learned a lot from the whole process of DE shaving, but it seems that quality creams used with carts really work for my skin