Didn't we establish that your Regent was an outlier? I have a Senator and Ranger Tech which look nothing like that in terms of exposure, and my 53 Superspeed is so mild it's near useless on my head.The Tech has a steeper neutral angle. Because of that, assuming pressure applied as a constant between both razors, there would be more skin passing through that gap and at a steeper angle. All the more reason, I would think, it should be more effective than it is. It also explains why that, by the time I have whittled my way to a BBS shave, its not as comfortable a shave as my SC but the SC is also more efficient which translates into less time and hence, less irritation.
I agree. When it comes to blade exposure a .004" difference is massive. Add that .004" to an unsupported blade and they can be dangerous. Enter the R41 and, to a slightly lesser degree, my 1940's Regent.
I find the generational differences of Gillette TTO's quite interesting. The 1930's and early 1940's TTO razors are not the easiest tools to shave with. The late 1940's and early 1950's models have a different geometry and somewhat different design which I believe to be the optimum combination of smoothness and efficiency. Also evidenced by them being the favorites of @rabidus for quite a while.
I dont have a picture of one from that generation, but it might be pretty easy to tell where they fall between my 1940's Regent and my 1958 SS.
Regent.
View attachment 1120563
SS.
View attachment 1120562
Two very different razors.
My Regent has all the blade exposure I would ever need. In feeling, its more than my R41 and considerably more than my Grade but the blade is lacking support as is. When I added the tape strips to the blade tray it instantly became very quiet and very smooth, turning it into, I think, a late 1940's, early 1950's model. Because of such generous blade exposure it is extremely close shaving but because it lacks blade support, as is for me, its a very fine line and I really need to concentrate or I'll be bleeding.
My 1958 SS on the other hand is very much like using a Tech and if I couldnt feel the difference between them in my hand I may be able to tell them apart. The SS may be slightly more efficient.
My 1970's Lady Gillette is even milder than any of the three post war Tech's I've used.
If one was to add tape strips to the blade tray of a mid to late 1930's OC Gillette Sheraton or similar, it could become one of the smoothest and most efficient DE razors.
I really like my Regent and plan on using it often once my Perma-Sharps arrive. I'm curious how I'll get along with it ~2 years later.
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Shave #6.
