I've been shaving with DE razors for a long time ... since 1968. I know what I'm doing, but that doesn't mean I understand what I'm doing, particularly when it comes to razor specs. My three favorite razors -- a Tartara Masamune closed comb, a Henson AL 13, and an old Schick Krona -- all fall into (I guess) the "mild but efficient" category, but their specs (things like blade gap, blade exposure, and so forth) seem to vary (not wildly, but also not negligibly). For those of us who are not engineers, what are the best at-a-glance specs to look for when sizing up razors I might like? Are the absolute numbers important, or is it more a matter of ranges, below or above which a razor is likely to move out of my comfort zone, and if the latter, what would you say are the ranges to consider for "mild-ish" razors?
Questions on Razor Specs
- Thread starter wmlowe
- Start date
Toby's right, you need to consider the entire geometry of the head, you can't just measure something and know how it'll shave. Your best bet would be to ask for recommendations based on a razor you know you like. Chances are someone else will own it or have tried it and will be able to suggest others that feel similar.
Vittoria
Legendary Member
I agree at more the once or twice.
Cheers.
DesertIguana
Forum GOD!
Technique is more important then Tools.
Shaving is like a Sports, if you have no skills, you not going to be great at any sport.
JMHO
Shaving is like a Sports, if you have no skills, you not going to be great at any sport.
JMHO
Vittoria
Legendary Member
I agree with you in part about technique.
But razors are not all the same some are brilliant some are great and some are duds.
Also each person is comfortable with a certain type of razor as in mild , efficient and aggressive
This apply s to all types. DE and SE razors.
chazt
shave
Gentlemen, the OP is asking a legitimate question. Let’s not be glib or speak in platitudes. There is one design element that may provide the OP some insight; i.e., blade forward vs. blade neutral. In my experience this feature of DE razors is almost always a decent predictor of what I can expect from a razor in terms of face feel. ymmv
TobyC
Patriot
Exactly, I can shave with any razor and get a great shave.
Bob65
Forum GOD!
I'm not an engineer or a technician and frankly I don't want to get into too technical discussions.
Let's assume that our friend @wmlowe has the right technique, since he's been shaving since 1968 ...
There are some factors to consider when choosing a razor.
First of all, the frequency of shaving: if you shave daily, it's reasonable to go for a mild product, like a CC.
Conversely, if the intervals between one shave and the next are more diluted over time, perhaps choosing an OC is a choice not to be discarded.
Of course, then there are also the adjustable ones ....
The type of beard: I'm Italian, dark-skinned and with a very thick beard and a lot of regrowth.
I can easily shave with an aggressive razor because my regrowth is still important regardless of the hardware used the day before.
Then there are the "hybrid" razors like the PAA ascension, the Yaqi Mellon, just to give two examples; a middle ground between a CC and an OC: this could also be an option.
I can't help but mention the blade+razor combination: mild razor with aggressive blade and vice versa.
Lastly, I would say that it is also necessary to keep in mind that with a more aggressive razor, fewer strokes are needed to obtain the same results as a mild razor with more strokes.
Let's assume that our friend @wmlowe has the right technique, since he's been shaving since 1968 ...
There are some factors to consider when choosing a razor.
First of all, the frequency of shaving: if you shave daily, it's reasonable to go for a mild product, like a CC.
Conversely, if the intervals between one shave and the next are more diluted over time, perhaps choosing an OC is a choice not to be discarded.
Of course, then there are also the adjustable ones ....
The type of beard: I'm Italian, dark-skinned and with a very thick beard and a lot of regrowth.
I can easily shave with an aggressive razor because my regrowth is still important regardless of the hardware used the day before.
Then there are the "hybrid" razors like the PAA ascension, the Yaqi Mellon, just to give two examples; a middle ground between a CC and an OC: this could also be an option.
I can't help but mention the blade+razor combination: mild razor with aggressive blade and vice versa.
Lastly, I would say that it is also necessary to keep in mind that with a more aggressive razor, fewer strokes are needed to obtain the same results as a mild razor with more strokes.
Twelvefret
Forum GOD!
I dislike the concept of an aggressive razor. Some designs simply allow the blade to be more available which was the norm in 1930 (with straight razor use coming to an end), considering the GEM Micromatic, Barbasol Floating Head, and other single and double blade holders. Those folks mostly shaved daily because that was what was expected by employers and culture.
The advent of the late '40's and 1950's produced a time where a fast, effective, and safe shave was desired. This resulted in more safe, less effective holders.
The advent of the late '40's and 1950's produced a time where a fast, effective, and safe shave was desired. This resulted in more safe, less effective holders.