2025 razor comparison after 1 year of wetshaving

[TronBonshavey]

After almost 1 year of wetshaving I have amassed a small arsenal of 6 different safety razors.
I do like them all, but don't want to keep them all , So I have started doing a pseudo scientific comparison to determine which of them I might sell in the new year ( vintage and modern included). I've found voskhods to be overall my favourite blade in the majority of my razors so I'm using them for the test. Basically going through 5 blades at 2 shaves each and tracking irritation, Nicks, general shave performance etc...

First in the rotation has been my razorock game changer with 76p plate, next will be the same with 68 OC plate. I already know that I will get rid of my rr bulldog handle because it's too heavy for me, and I have a spare base and top cap to sell with it. I have been using one of the lighter halo handles from RR whenever I use the GC. So the test is really between the 68OC and 76P plates ( a common comparison as anyone in the razorock threads will know).

Had my 10th shave with the 76p today. Here are the findings:
-Irritation/ nicks cuts: nicks have been few and far in between, just a couple when shaving off my goatee and moustache. Lower neck irritation does start to flare when I shave daily with it, best for 1.5 to 2 days growth for me. Overall I think this plate is slightly too aggressive for me and despite that, not as efficient as I would expect. Leaning on putting this one up for sale with he bulldog handle. But I will see how the 10 shaves go with 68 OC first.

More to come: Henson al13 mild, 90s Schick injector, Gillette flare tip superspeed, Gillette slim adjustable

 

[EclipseRedRing]

I tried to decide which razors to sell by evaluating each one using performance based criteria but I simply could not decide. Here is what worked for me - I use my razors in a random order, I choose whichever one I feel like using immediately before each shave, with the only proviso that I do not use the same razor for two consecutive shaves. It became apparent that I was using some razors much more than some others, for no reason other than I repeatedly chose them supposedly at random. It occurred to me that my choices were revealing which razors were my favourites and which were not. For some intangible reasons, which I do not understand and which do not matter, I simply preferred some razors over the others. I put the least favoured razors away in a drawer to see if I would 'miss them', in other words to see if I would get sellers remorse if I sold them. After a few weeks I could not even remember what razors were in the drawer so I sold them all; I have never regretted it.

 

[TronBonshavey]

I tried to decide which razors to sell by evaluating each one using performance based criteria but I simply could not decide. Here is what worked for me - I use my razors in a random order, I choose whichever one I feel like using immediately before each shave, with the only proviso that I do not use the same razor for two consecutive shaves. It became apparent that I was using some razors much more than some others, for no reason other than I repeatedly chose them supposedly at random. It occurred to me that my choices were revealing which razors were my favourites and which were not. For some intangible reasons, which I do not understand and which do not matter, I simply preferred some razors over the others. I put the least favoured razors away in a drawer to see if I would 'miss them', in other words to see if I would get sellers remorse if I sold them. After a few weeks I could not even remember what razors were in the drawer so I sold them all; I have never regretted it.

Very interesting method, sounds like it was effective for you! Since I got my slim I have been switching sort of randomly between my collection. The slim seems like the one I will definitely keep, but I am thinking my method will allow me to get more used to the differences in each razor and which I prefer over a longer period. Switching every day for me just made me feel like I wasn't really spending enough time with each razor, especially the newer ones in my collection.

 

[Ouelljas]

I did a very similar thing roughly 4 months ago. I also had half a dozen razors. I liked all of them to a certain extent, but consistently switching between different razors every evening was not allowing me to spend the proper amount of time with each one to figure out the best configuration for each razor. I wanted to narrow it down to a daily driver for the sake of consistency instead of trying to make a decision between 6 razors every evening. I shaved for 7 days with each, trying 3 different blades (Feathers, Astra SP and GSB). I went through my rotation a few times, eliminating a razor each time I did that. I ended up choosing the Gamechanger .68-P head paired with a vintage thick bar handle and a Feather blade as a daily driver. The .76-P head was also kept for the odd time I have multiple days of growth. I did receive a Timeless .68SB head as a Christmas gift that kind of threw a wrench into this whole thing lol. Initially, I thought this would end up becoming the new daily driver. After extensive testing and comparing to the Gamechanger heads, my conclusion is that the Timeless seems to shave closer to the 76-P than the 68-P. It has become my two days growth razor. The Timeless is a little more efficient than it gets credit for. It’s the most predictable razor I’ve used to date, very comfortable and smooth, same shave every single time, but it does have a little bit of blade feel, whereas the .68-P to me has virtually no blade feel unless it’s being handled at a pretty steep angle. Good luck on your journey sir, I will be following this one.

 

[dotKomo]

The only caveat I would proffer for your test is this. In my experience, some blades behave differently in different razors.

 

[BigJ]

Always fun to see how various razors stack up!! Thanks for sharing your journey.

 

[TronBonshavey]

The only caveat I would proffer for your test is this. In my experience, some blades behave differently in different razors.

Oh definitely! I have used multiple brands in all these razors aside from the injector, so I am aware how the voskhods perform in them already. I chose to use voskhods for the test because I find I get the most consistent performance from them overall, but then again, once I thin the herd a little, I may use a different blade brand for round 2

 

[NotBloomingAL]

The first DE razor I bought was the Rockwell 6s. I had moved on to other razors. So I tucked it away in a drawer thinking one day I'll sell or give it away. A year and a half ago I pulled it out for a last hurrah shave and marveled at how wonderful and smooth it was. So I kept it.

I pulled it out today -- after another year or so -- and with the '6' plate had another wonderful shave. I don't think I will ever part with it. It may not be as precision made as some of my other razors. But it shaves like a top tier razor. I don't think I can part with it or any of my other razors.

As time goes on, our technique gets better. Some of those razors tucked away may surprise you years down the line. I'd hate to let any of my razors go for that reason. ... Luckily, I don't have a ton of razors.

 

[TronBonshavey]

As time goes on, our technique gets better. Some of those razors tucked away may surprise you years down the line. I'd hate to let any of my razors go for that reason. ... Luckily, I don't have a ton of razors.

Yes! Improved technique is a big reason I wanted to do this test. Over the year I've tried a lot of different variations in all aspects of my shave routine, but I finally feel like I've really started to get consistent and efficient results so I want to do a reasonable length of time shaving with each razor and minimizing variables as much as possible. I definitely feel that my technique is still improving but I'm at a much more confident stage to evaluate which are currently the best for me, and which I could potentially live without/send to a new home.

 

[TronBonshavey]

Update Jan 24 2025: 1st shave with Razorrock Gamechnager 68 OC plate.

While i will still continue my experiment as planned, i can already tell i like this plate more than the 76 sb (using same handle and head).
Obviously YMMV goes without saying, but i find this plate to be the most efficient of the 2 plates. comparing directly to the 76sb plate, i find it somehow more efficient and aggressive but also smoother at the same time. I do pay a little more attention since it's my only open comb, but this is the first shave in a while I've gotten a true BBS with 0 stubble left, i mean seriously none, i checked .
i did suffer 2 small nicks being a little careless under my nose and on my lower neck, but nothing my post shave routine couldn't fix. I did 3 passes with castle forbes lime cream, alum and thayers, then b&m grand chypres balm ( balm and cream were xmas gifts from my better-half, also what i used for the previous 10 shaves with the 76) and i had 2 days of growth. Even though it was a little bit easier to nick myself, i still found overall less irritation during and post shave than with the 76 sb plate, and got a closer shave in the end with the same amount of passes.

I expect over the next 9 shaves with this razor and plate i will hone in on the technique even more and confirm my initial impression, so far this is the winner of the 2, will update again soon!

The 2 razors in my collection that will throw a wrench in this experiment are my gillette slim and my schick injector. The injector can't use the same voskhod blades obviously, and the slim is the only true adjustable (i guess GC is technically adjustable with the different plates but they don't come in a kit like Rockwell or w/e). Slim also has home field advantage of being the razor i've used the most recently, before i decided to do this comparison.

If i find for whatever reason the blades are not working for a particular razor i will substitute for a different blade brand, but as of now the old vosky's have been great.

 

[NotBloomingAL]

Your thread prompted me to use my GC .84 (yesterday). It's been a couple of years, at least, since I last used it. I was really surprised ... and not in a good way. I had a super close shave ... almost too close. I felt like I took off a layer of skin in some places. So I changed up and used the Rockwell 6s again today and it was a night and day difference -- super close, smooth with zero irritation. So perhaps you're on to something. Perhaps I may let my GC go at some point. But I'm going to test it again just to be sure.

 

[TronBonshavey]

Your thread prompted me to use my GC .84 (yesterday). It's been a couple of years, at least, since I last used it. I was really surprised ... and not in a good way. I had a super close shave ... almost too close. I felt like I took off a layer of skin in some places. So I changed up and used the Rockwell 6s again today and it was a night and day difference -- super close, smooth with zero irritation. So perhaps you're on to something. Perhaps I may let my GC go at some point. But I'm going to test it again just to be sure.

It's kind of like re-reading an old book or re-watching an old movie, you have memories but how accurate are they?
i think i could make this a yearly tradition, not necessarily always with the goal of selling anything, just seeing how my improved technique changes or doesn't change how i feel about the pieces i have.

 

[TronBonshavey]

Update Jan 28 2025: 3rd shave with the game changer 68 OC. I'm realizing this is a 2 pass max configuration for me, 3rd pass caused a little irritation last shave, today I went for 2 just with and against the grain( down and up) and have a perfect shave for an office day. No nicks, no irritation dfs-bbs. I usually skip a day between shaves except for Tuesday Wednesday when I go into the office. Will see if I can get away with only 1 pass tomorrow morning. But yes, definitely keeping this over the 76 sb. And honestly it might end up being the winner of the collection, that efficiency is amazing.

 

[TronBonshavey]

Update Feb 4 2025: 8th shave RRGC 68OC
Still getting consistently closer shaves with 68oc compared to 76sb, but also getting consistently more nicks, the small kind you don't feel happening but then discover after when they bleed. Both plates seem to be on the edge of too much for me with the voskhod blades, so I'm thinking I need to revisit both with some milder blades. My other blades currently are sharper than the vosky, so I'm thinking maybe astra or derby could be worth a try.
I think I will call it at 8 shaves for the gamechangers and move on to another razor, will revisit with milder blades.
So this experiment is not only helping me see which razors I may want to sell, but also helping me figure out which blade pairings will work the best for me

 

[TronBonshavey]

Update Feb 5: first shave with vintage Gillette SuperSpeed flare tip.
After close to 20 shaves with the gamechangers, I thought the next move should be to the more mild end of the spectrum, so it was either the flare or my Henson, and I chose to go vintage.
This was the first vintage razor I purchased, and what convinced me to get another, but I haven't been using it for a while. Going back to it reminds me just how good it is, this is an autopilot shave for me. Just mild enough that I can do 3 passes with no irritation, but efficient enough to make 2 passes work if I need to. It pairs so well with the voskhod blades. I didn't really need a 3 pass today since I shaved yesterday, but I went for it and the results are spectacular. My only down side with this razor is maneuvering around the nose to detail my moustache. Not that it's impossible, but a little trickier than GC due to the larger head and exposed end tabs.
Looking forward to the next 10 shaves with this combo, and next weekend when I'm playing some gigs out of town I think this will be the one in my dopp kit.

 

[Cannon Cocker]

Update Feb 4 2025: 8th shave RRGC 68OC
Still getting consistently closer shaves with 68oc compared to 76sb, but also getting consistently more nicks, the small kind you don't feel happening but then discover after when they bleed. Both plates seem to be on the edge of too much for me with the voskhod blades, so I'm thinking I need to revisit both with some milder blades. My other blades currently are sharper than the vosky, so I'm thinking maybe astra or derby could be worth a try.
I think I will call it at 8 shaves for the gamechangers and move on to another razor, will revisit with milder blades.
So this experiment is not only helping me see which razors I may want to sell, but also helping me figure out which blade pairings will work the best for me

Unless you need to sell those razors for financial reasons I would urge you to keep them as you gain experience and technique. Down the road what seems to be too much now may we’ll prove to be a great razor.

 

[TronBonshavey]

Unless you need to sell those razors for financial reasons I would urge you to keep them as you gain experience and technique. Down the road what seems to be too much now may we’ll prove to be a great razor.

Selling isn't 100% necessary, I just am trying to have some will power with this hobby and streamline the collection. Before getting into wetshaving there has never been a time in my life that I owned more than one razor. And there was a large portion of time I never even owned shaving soap or aftershave. Now I have 6 different razors and a whole shelf of products. Nothing wrong with collecting, not trying to shame anyone else, I just think it's too much to keep for me alone. I have often developed a collector mentality with other hobbies and it's something I am trying to work on. I may end up not selling any of these, but it like to potentially get rid of 2 or 3.

 

[DesertIguana]

Shaving with DE Razor is a Skill, Technique & Sharp Blsde is game changer.

A DULL Blade giveS bad results.

 

[TronBonshavey]

Update Feb 11 2025: 5 shaves in with Gillette Super speed flare tip.
The flare tip is a real winner for me and coming back to it has reminded me how much I love it. You'd the think the short handle and lighter weight would throw me off having just done 20 shaves with razorock GC, but after a shave or 2 I felt right at home with it. This razor seems to hit the Goldilocks zone for me, there's just enough blade feel to let me know when my angle is off, but not enough to make the shave uncomfortable. Even after 4 passes this morning, I have zero irritation, zero stinging and 0 remaining stubble! Felt so good after pass 4 I skipped alum and Thayer's altogether and went straight to my AS.
Before I started this experiment, this was one that I had considered selling. My logic being that surely I can emulate the feel of this razor with my slim adjustable. now I'm second guessing that logic... Maybe I don't even really NEED an adjustable at all if this fixed head can give me such consistently good shaves!

 

[Cannon Cocker]

Update Feb 11 2025: 5 shaves in with Gillette Super speed flare tip.
The flare tip is a real winner for me and coming back to it has reminded me how much I love it. You'd the think the short handle and lighter weight would throw me off having just done 20 shaves with razorock GC, but after a shave or 2 I felt right at home with it. This razor seems to hit the Goldilocks zone for me, there's just enough blade feel to let me know when my angle is off, but not enough to make the shave uncomfortable. Even after 4 passes this morning, I have zero irritation, zero stinging and 0 remaining stubble! Felt so good after pass 4 I skipped alum and Thayer's altogether and went straight to my AS.
Before I started this experiment, this was one that I had considered selling. My logic being that surely I can emulate the feel of this razor with my slim adjustable. now I'm second guessing that logic... Maybe I don't even really NEED an adjustable at all if this fixed head can give me such consistently good shaves!

This is what I was trying to get across in my post above. You my very well find this happening with other razors you have.