Actually, I really do think those who like mild razors are limp-wristed candy asses.
You sure figured us out. No sneaking anything past you
You sure figured us out. No sneaking anything past you
...So, you guys that like the aggressive ones - whats the appeal?
My beard is wiry and it grows along my skin, which means aggressive safety razors are more effective and efficient for me than "mild" razors.
I think for about 75% of the folks it's a pissing contest situation, as you put it.
For a few people, however, I think their technique, coupled with their skin & beard, can get a closer shave in fewer passes with a more aggressive razor.
I also feel that many of those people would probably get *about* the same shave quality with a less "aggressive" razor *if* they paid just as much attention to blade angles, pressure, etc. when using the less "aggressive" razors.
They take an R41 or a Gillette Old/New OC razor and pay very, very close attention to blade angles, the use the cap of the razor to keep a low blade ange, not relying on the safety bar... When many of these same people go to a tech or other razor with a "mild" reputation, they begin using (relying on) the safety bar of the razor, so the blade angle of attack at the skin level is now different that it is when they are using the "aggressive" razor, or the adjustable turned up all the way, so their shave is not as close or it takes more passes, simply because the blade angle is not optimal.
The Feather stainless is a great example. If you "use it like a tech" it's almost as forgiving, and won't give you a much closer shave. On the other hand, treat it like you would a Gillette Old Type with the lower blade angle, keeping more of the cap in contact with your face, and it will mow down the whiskers every bit as close as an Old or New type OC razor. (You'll also get 2-3
X the blade life, since you aren't "bending" the edge of the blade backwards, but rather attacking the hair at a much more head-on angle.)
It's C: YMMV -- as with everything here. Not everyone has the same beard/skin/etc. Advantage/validity depends on whether or not you stand to benefit from it (or the opposite). Don't assume that your situation and preferences are universal.Does it have a good valid advantage, or is it a bit of a pissing contest?
Absolutely disagree. I have nothing to prove to anyone here nor to myself. I like the fact that learning how to use the new R41 has made every other razor child's play. I get superior shaves from it, better than anything else I've tried and I've tried quite a few DEs and one SE. It's a learning process with any of these razors and the R41 has a steeper learning curve than other razors, prompting many to give up, and that's fine. Lumping all of us happy '11 R41 owners together as masochists is short sighted at best.
I don't see any reason at all to use a razor that causes one any discomfort. I mean what for?
Unless its to be able to say "hey, look at me, I'm a big , strong, macho man who won't be seen using a whimpy, girly, sissy razor.