Ok here is probably the noob of all noob questions..... I currently use a EJ De89 a Merkur 41C or a Parker shavette for my daily shaving occasionally throwing in my Dovo straight razor when time permits. I get a great BBS shave from all these razors. I also get no irritation or burn and the dreaded razor bumps have all but disappeared. Also above all I actually look forward to shaving I'm like a kid 3 days a week looking for the days I get to shave. my question is this what makes a razor a "aggressive" razor what are the benefits of using a more aggressive razor and if I am having great results with what most would consider a mild razor and great for beginner DE shavers why would one want to move on to the so called aggressive razor ? I actually bought the 41C open comb under the incorrect assumption it would be more aggressive as I wanted to see what all the hype was about. Nope the 41c was more gentle than my DE89. So sorry for the noob question but why an aggressive razor ? any input or use for said style razor and suggestions for a good aggressive razor are greatly appreciated.
agressive razors and why ?
- Thread starter Aschecte
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It is a "guy thing" sort of like seeing who can eat the hottest peppers without crying
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It is a "guy thing" sort of like seeing who can eat the hottest peppers without crying
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Scoville_scale#Scoville_ratings_of_peppers
Ohhhh is that all.... damn I can eat Bhut jolokia's like candi but I wouldn't recommend rubbing one on your face after you shave.... seriously is that all there is to it ? I thought maybe it was to reduce the number of passes needed or to rip a layer of the epidermis off your face or something...I'm a noob so I understand somethings fairly well with wet shaving but this aggressive razor thing just kinda baffled me.
Different strokes, what's best for you is whats best. The most aggressive shave for me a Futur set on 2 or 3. Some guys love thr r41, some guys like a very mild shave like a tech. And the peppers thing, well let's just say the razor burn the next day ouch
Some people have very tough beards (steel wool tough) and a razor that shows more blade will give them a closer shave so that they do not look like they need a shave right after shaving.
I will switch between any/all of my razors from the mildest one to the most aggressive one and not give it a second thought.
If you are looking for a more efficient razor take a look at either of the Merkur slant head razors. They are mild but very efficient.
here is a review I did on both of them a little while ago
http://badgerandblade.com/vb/showthread.php/301979-8-Pass-Shave-Using-2-Merkur-Slants
I would steer you into one of these before something like a Fatip or R41. Besides, should you find you do not like the slant, they sell very quickly on BST as a lot of people are out there who want to give them a try before moving into something more blood thirsty
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What's everyone's thought on the Merkur progress adjustable ? I really like the idea of a slant bar as well the progress though seems like it could go everywhere from mild to blood letting. So what's the verdict on the progress ?
Progress is a very nice razor. Easily could be the one and only razor you need.
At one time I had 5 custom progress razors which should give you an idea what I think about them
Now I am down to just one custom Progress but that could change any time now
I have very tough facial hair, yes steel wool tough, and a mild razor with 2 passes shaves me quite well.
progress is very popular here. it is the razor that i started with and it is hard for me to imagine a razor being more mild than the progress set on 1 but apparently some are. i never go above 2-3 on it. since the price has gone up as much as it has in recent years i'm thinking that a gillette adjustable is probably a better buy currently.
but, i see that you shave with a str8. i was under the impression that the angle of the str8 can be manipulated such that it is more agressive than any safety razor, and had assumed that the same was true of the shavettes like you have. are you not able to get a really aggressive shave with the shavette and str8?
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- #10
That is where my newb confusion comes into play with terminology..... Today I used my shavette and I would absolutely consider that a different shave than let's say my 41c or DE89..... The angle is very important with both my str8 and shavette probably even moreso with te shavette.... You can slice yourself fierce and get major razor burn very easily if you don't take your time with either. As far as a str8 or shavette being more or less aggresive ....: in my expierence no it is what is.... It will cleanly cut the hair off and mostly on the first pass.... I would say you have to be a lot more carefull with a straight than a safety razor so in that regard yeah I guess it could be considered more aggressive ..... I still am not convinced I understand what is meant by a more aggressive shave.
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- #11
Ok let me back up I just went on the wiki..... I guess this has to do with the amount of the blade that is exposed so yes a str8 or shavette is definitely aggresive..... I guess I'm kinda starting to get it... I can tell you today I got a way closer shave than with my DE.... Is that the only purpose of a more aggressive DE razor ? I guess the trade off would be possibly more irritation but a closer shave with less passes and maybe it would be better for heavier beard growth.... I'm completely guessing here.
It seems to be a mix of beard, skin and technique. It seems to this noob that an aggressive razor has the blade stick out more, more gap between the guard and blade and perhaps a different angle on the blade. I know with a smooth blade and a light touch an aggressive razor like a Gillette thin on 9 gives an awesome 2.5 pass bbs. I have well weathered skin and a wiry beard. That is why I like a razor with more bite. Just my $.02
Jim
Jim
My second, and current, razor is the Futur. I like it so much that I have no other razors in my den. I use it on 3 or higher and my beard disappears.
What is appealing to me about a more aggressive setup (this includes blade choice) is that you can accomplish the same work with fewer passes, leading to less chance of irritation from multiple passes. That's what I've found my skin prefers, anyway. If you have no problem achieving a close, comfortable, irritation-free shave over 3-4 (or more) passes with a mild razor, no reason to really try it except to satisfy your curiosity.
I will say that my initial reduction pass with a Feather + Futur cranked up to 4 or 5 is pretty phenomenal.
I will say that my initial reduction pass with a Feather + Futur cranked up to 4 or 5 is pretty phenomenal.
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