Aggressive razor = Less irritation

[Matt P]

Gentlemen,

It has taken a bit of experimentation for me to come to this realization. Some would say it is obvious. For me it was counter-intuitive.

I get better shaves with less irritation from my aggressive razors (slant and Gillette New open comb). This is in comparison to various Gillette Super Speeds and adjustable razors.

I was a regular Slant user for a long time. I started collecting old Gillette's and as a result, started using them a lot.

I figured since my Super Speeds were "less" aggressive that I wouldn't have to worry about the burn as much. After a month of use and a corresponding month of neck burn, I had to rethink what I was doing.

I was getting the same closeness of shave with both types of razor, so what was the source of my burn? Then the clue bird came by for a visit.

I need fewer passes to get the same quality of shave with my slant or my open comb. For me, fewer passes means less irritation.

I can be so dense sometimes.

 

[SUMMERSRL]

Interesting theory. And, if it works for you all is well. As for me, my experiences are somewhat in conflict with yours. More aggressive = more irritation.

 

[Sodapopjones]

The only thing I seem to notice from less to more aggressive is the feeling of the actual shave process.

I don't get irritation either way, my face can even tolerate shaving with Williams.

What I do notice is the razor tends to drag with a less aggressive razor but it could just be me.

 

[JoeH]

I'm thinking that might be why I'm a bit sore right now. Just switched from a Fatboy to a SS. Needed a few go 'rounds to get a tolerable shave when the FB just took two.

 

[steveo]

I find a mild shave suits me best. One careful pass with a gentle razor

 

[WhosYerBob]

Interesting theory. And, if it works for you all is well. As for me, my experiences are somewhat in conflict with yours. More aggressive = more irritation.

Ditto from here. Using a Slant resulted in a lot of burning and top-cropped moles for me.

 

[Wil Dorenbos]

Maybe the same with me. I used to shave with a Rotbart 2000 (very mild shaver) and am now trying out a Feintechnik R1, which is aggressive. I get closer shaves (BBS) and I guess less irritation.

 

[dpmtherrien]

It just goes to show you how one has to find what works the best for them. When I first started wet shaving I'd follow the advice from other members, which was all good, and the advice from video's etc. I was doing a 4 pass shave, changing blades, razors, you name it, until I finally started doing things my own way.

I settled on my classic 1904's, safety bar and open comb, and my HD's, same set. I cut back to just 2 passes, WTG, and ATG, used no pressure, and lo and behold the shaves became excellent. Now there's no problem with anything, nicks and weepers are few, and razor burn is only when I get careless.

When one starts out in this wet shaving mistakes are made. But as time moves on and technique improves, quite fast too, shaving is really to be enjoyed.

 

[Azza]

More aggressive the better for me. Less irritation but yeah ----> more chance of nicks.

Aaron

 

[kingfisher]

I agree with the OP, and for me there's no question about it.

I posted about this awhile back, too, because I was so surprised.

To me the term "aggressive" is somehow not quite right. It makes it sound so scary. I always wanted to use the mildest razors.

Well, one day I just cranked the Fatboy a little wider (to a five) and gave it a whirl. Wow. Much better shave.

This morning I shaved with it on 6. Nice. I am discovering that I like two things in a DE: 1) aggression, and 2) a SHARP blade, the sharper the better.

 

[Wil Dorenbos]

More aggressive the better for me. Less irritation but yeah ----> more chance of nicks.

Aaron

All true!

 

[ShaveAddict]

For me too, whit a more aggressive razor i tend to have less irritation and nicks.
Maybe that's because less pass are required.

 

[Haiku]

I agree with the OP, and for me there's no question about it.

I posted about this awhile back, too, because I was so surprised.

To me the term "aggressive" is somehow not quite right. It makes it sound so scary. I always wanted to use the mildest razors.

Well, one day I just cranked the Fatboy a little wider (to a five) and gave it a whirl. Wow. Much better shave.

This morning I shaved with it on 6. Nice. I am discovering that I like two things in a DE: 1) aggression, and 2) a SHARP blade, the sharper the better.

I couldn't agree more. I started out looking for "mild" razors and never got a good shave. I then tried a fatboy at 3 and got irritation. Tried it at 5 and it was a bit better. I then read somewhere that more aggressive razors may work better for sensitive skin and tough beards, and I tried it at 7 and got BBS with no irritation at all. My fatboy now lives at 7 or 8 with the occasional shave at 9. I generally use a slant or an SE though, and I get great shaves with no irritation. For me, the more "aggressive" the razor, generally speaking, the better.

 

[gone down south]

There's kind of a bell-curve for me, where irritation goes down then back up as the aggressiveness levels increase. I've just about figured out where that sweet spot is, somewhere in the middle.

 

[leeparmet]

I would have to agree with the OP as well, I started with a Gillette SS Blue Tip and worked my way up to a Red tip, at the end of a year I found myself using a BP slant for both head and face. Less passes means less irritation. Even though this view was expressed on these boards, I still had to progress in my own way. I suspect this is very common, otherwise known as YMMV

 

[JPM]

My vote supports the theory. I'm using a slant now and getting a better shave and less irritation.

 

[Matt P]

I just wanted to pass on that I still enjoy using my Gillettes. I just make sure to limit the number of passes. So no need for any wise guys to post a request for me to mail them my razors for swift "disposal".

 

[h2oman]

+1

I Use a Gillette Slim. The first time I shaved I had it set to 4. It was not that great. The yesterday I got my blade shipment in. I put in an Iridium blade and moved the setting to 7. It was much better. Zero razor burn. I will shave with either an 8 or 9 today.

 

[rainman]

I agree with the OP. I only do one pass shaves now and this can only be achieved for me with a merkur progress on 12.

 

[Wil Dorenbos]

Maybe the same with me. I used to shave with a Rotbart 2000 (very mild shaver) and am now trying out a Feintechnik R1, which is aggressive. I get closer shaves (BBS) and I guess less irritation.

Now I am trying another German vintage razor: Upsal from Solingen. Also aggressive. I do get less irritation and better shaves. Will stick to it.