DE/SE Razor Audio Feedback

[cpacamper]

All SE/DE razors provide audio feedback of some kind.

I have experienced the "ringing" of a 1966 Gillette Tech as it shaves, and the loud, deep sound a Gem Pushbutton makes, with it's large, mostly hollow head and stiff SE blade creating an echo effect as the blade slices through my whiskers.

I find audio feedback a great tool to help me learn each razor's audio feedback "sweet spot", and I can say with certainty that a Gem Pushbutton provides great audio feedback, and I would rate that characteristic a "10" in a review of the Pushbutton, if that characteristic was a choice.

How do you feel audio feedback plays a role in your shaves, and do you think an "audio feedback" razor review rating category would be useful to you?

 

[Early Morning]

Feedback helps me gauge how much bristle I've removed per stroke. However, it is just a secondary consideration if I am contemplating the purchase of a new razor. It's pretty subjective. I really like highly sonorous and audible razors. With an SE like the Gem 1912, I tend to notice more of a crunchy sound with a slight shrilling ring afterwards. Open Comb DE razors seem to make more of a ringing sound all the way through. Each of us may perceive razor onomatopoeia a little differently.

 

[hrossroth]

Feedback helps me gauge how much bristle I've removed per stroke. However, it is just a secondary consideration if I am contemplating the purchase of a new razor. It's pretty subjective. I really like highly sonorous and audible razors. With an SE like the Gem 1912, I tend to notice more of a crunchy sound with a slight shrilling ring afterwards. Open Comb DE razors seem to make more of a ringing sound all the way through. Each of us may perceive razor onomatopoeia a little differently.

Beautiful descriptive language. I had an interesting experience with the Ikon slant. I had heard that it was quite noisy. I agreed with this my first shave. When I realized that the head could crank on a few more turns most of the audible feedback was muted. It became just a mild slant for me. With my go-to razor I appreciate the islands of stubble that sing out once found. Moving on it is an indicator of success. I feel more feedback, in what ever form, is usually helpful.

 

[es99]

How much do folks out there let audible feedback guide their shave? I don't mean in the context of blade angle, but rather in terms of judging when you are "done" with your shave. So, in other words, do you keep going with additional passes until you no longer hear anything?

 

[StephenP83]

When I first started, audible feedback played a much larger role in my shaving routine than it does now. In the beginning, I relied on the feedback to let me know that I had the correct angle and that I was actually cutting hair. Now, I don't need that feedback. I never used feedback to let me know when I was finished. I know I am finished when I rub my face and it feels BBS.

 

[es99]

I guess part of why I ask is that after three passes--with, across in one direction, then across in the other*--there are still places where I could get more/hear cutting if I keep going. But if I do, I risk burn.

*Can't go ATG

 

[ByMyBeard]

I don't know if it'd make a difference, but I do find I enjoy that part of a DE shave. In fact, I try to shave in a quiet environment to enjoy it more.

 

[es99]

Bump! Anyone else have thoughts? I'm really struggling with whether to use this as a barometer for when I'm done.

 

[August West]

Great post David.

**bump**

 

[BikeRider]

I find my Muhle R41 gives a lot of audio feedback, compared to my previous razor, a DE89. On the first pass the R41, makes a loud rasping sound as it cuts through the stubble. On subsequent passes it is far quieter, apart from those areas where there is still stubble, eg under the jaw. As these areas are hacked down, they too are silenced. The silence is a pretty good indicator of a BBS.
The DE89, on the other hand was fairly quiet most of the time, sometimes I couldn't tell whether it was shaving or not. It was, but I had to touch the skin to find out.

 

[es99]

[ QUOTE=BikeRider;5753008]I find my Muhle R41 gives a lot of audio feedback, compared to my previous razor, a DE89. On the first pass the R41, makes a loud rasping sound as it cuts through the stubble. On subsequent passes it is far quieter, apart from those areas where there is still stubble, eg under the jaw. As these areas are hacked down, they too are silenced. The silence is a pretty good indicator of a BBS.
The DE89, on the other hand was fairly quiet most of the time, sometimes I couldn't tell whether it was shaving or not. It was, but I had to touch the skin to find out.[/QUOTE]

So you go until silence?

 

[BikeRider]

[QUOTE So you go until silence?[/QUOTE]

Yes, all I hear is the sound of the razor moving across the skin, no cutting sound.

 

[phillylion]

I like the feedback from my Progress. Similar to what I got from my old 2011 R41, but a much smoother shave.

 

[oldtrout]

I enjoy shaving in a quiet environment. A few of my razors really sing, the ATT and Futur come to mind.

 

[santamariasteve]

I'm aware of audio feedback during shaving, but I don't pay much attention to it.

It can mean you are shaving efficiently, but it also can mean you have a dull blade. It needs to be interpreted accurately.

In the big picture I think audio feedback is over stated and over rated.

 

[jamesspo]

I don't get much from audio feedback. The audio you get in shaving is mostly from the blade vibrating, and amplification of that through the razor itself. If the resonant frequency of the razor head is close to that of the vibrations on the blade, you'll get sound. Different razors have different amounts depending on their geometry, but I've not noticed any difference in ability to get good shaves from one with a lot of audio vs one that doesn't.