Flattest blade DE?

[scottcw]

I purchased an Ikon H2O about a year ago. Aside from the loose tolerances between the head and the base, I recently noticed that the blade is slightly curved when the head is tight. I inquired with a Tradere dealer, who informed me that the Tradere also has a slight blade curve. Is there a DE (Pils?) that has a perfectly flat blade when tight? Should I care?

As a side note, I revisited my Gillette head/Ikon bulldog handle combo this morning and I think I removed several layers of skin. I'm hooked on the (semi) flat blade design now.

 

[Jussi]

A part of the idea of DE-razors is that the blade bends when the razor is tightened, thus both keeping it in its place and forming a nice curve to be easier to shave with. That way, as well, it won't rattle inside the razor head and won't flex the wrong way (which would result into a massive cut).

Should the blade be designed to stay straight, it would have to be thicker and more rigid to work at all.

 

[mdevine]

If you want a straight blade, a SE razor may be for you.

 

[pipskicks]

Or a straight razor. I'm not 100% sure, but I thought the reason they were "safety razors" (over the straight edges at the time) was because they were angled so you couldn't mess that up like you could with a straight and cut yourself. I thought the mach 3 etc built on that.

 

[bakerbarber]

Really41 lays the blade flat.

 

[JeffOlson]

I may be wrong, but I don't think the curvature of the blade has anything to do with the quality of the shave, just the geometry of the shave (assuming the blade is held equally firmly). A flat blade is going to require the razor's handle to point toward the wall when shaving one's cheeks, whereas a curved blade will allow the handle to drop more toward the floor.

 

[Shave_Rat]

I may be wrong, but I don't think the curvature of the blade has anything to do with the quality of the shave, just the geometry of the shave (assuming the blade is held equally firmly). A flat blade is going to require the razor's handle to point toward the wall when shaving one's cheeks, whereas a curved blade will allow the handle to drop more toward the floor.

+1

A flat blade in a DE head would then require you to hold the razor handle a pretty severe angle, uncomfortably so for at least some of us.

 

[Niles]

If you want a straight blade, a SE razor may be for you.

+1

 

[_JP_]

The curvature of the blade in the head of the razor is by design. Nothing to worry about.

 

[Mick]

SE will be the straightest blade as it is the thickest blade so it does not need to be bent to hold its shape and not buckle when used like an DE would do without the bend to it.

You could always try this razor if you want a straight DE blade

 

[DICE]

^^^scary^^^

 

[Ski-Patroller]

My impression is that Mekur Razors curve the blade more than most others. I think that is one reason I like the Futur and Progress so much. The angle is more like the Shick injectors I shaved with years ago.

 

[josroge]

I think the curve has less to do with blade angle and more to do with reinforcing the blade. It seems that a flat blade could be relatively flimsy compared to one that is curved. The curvature of the blade seems to give it a bit of back bone most likely enhancing the quality and accuracy of the shave.

 

[celestino]

The Pils lays the DE blade very flat. Probably, the doing the best job of any DE.
If you want a blade that has no curve, any SE razors, Cobra Classic or injector razors will have that.
Failing all of this, a shavette, or a straight razor will be your best option.

 

[Kostas1]

Every once-in-a-while, I'll be in the mood for a super-aggressive feeling shave. When these moods "pop up", I place a Gillette Silver Blue blade in a Gillette Red Tip Rocket, make sure it is only tightened enough that the silo doors ever-so-slightly hold the blade in place (almost flat), triple-check my lather and face prep (to make sure everything is optimal), and then proceed to give myself the scariest/closest shaves I have ever received.

That said, I'm a little confused by the OP saying they removed a few layers of skin...doesn't sound comfortable. Then, stating that they are hooked on semi-flat blade design.

 

[scottcw]

That said, I'm a little confused by the OP saying they removed a few layers of skin...doesn't sound comfortable. Then, stating that they are hooked on semi-flat blade design.

It was a bit of hyperbole from switching back to a standard head after a long period shaving with a semi-flat head.

The reasons for not doing a completely flat blade make sense. So I take it the Pils has the least curvature of any of the usual suspects?

 

[Jussi]

I think the curve has less to do with blade angle and more to do with reinforcing the blade. It seems that a flat blade could be relatively flimsy compared to one that is curved. The curvature of the blade seems to give it a bit of back bone most likely enhancing the quality and accuracy of the shave.

This. It, also, allows the blades to be made with less material.

 

[_JP_]

I think the curve has less to do with blade angle and more to do with reinforcing the blade. It seems that a flat blade could be relatively flimsy compared to one that is curved. The curvature of the blade seems to give it a bit of back bone most likely enhancing the quality and accuracy of the shave.

No.

When mounted in the head of the razor the blade is supported by the edges of the head. There simply isn't enough blade poking from the head to curl or roll.

The reason for curving the DE blade is to affect the angle that the blade meets the skin. The curve causes the blade to meet the skin at a more shallow angle so that it glide across the skin instead of biting into it. That reduces irritation. The SE and Injector do the same thing with a different design. When either one is used as designed with the head of the razor flat against the skin (some will argue against that) the blade is near parallel to the skin. Same affect as with the DE with edge glint across he skin.

 

[mmack66]

Latest model R41. The blade is nearly flat.

 

[Codfish]

From the interview with Andreas Müller, designer of the Mühle R41:

Q: Badger and Blade member have commented that the head of the new R41 holds a blade flatter than other razors and less dish-shaped. Does this contribute to the razor's effectiveness and aggressiveness?

A: “It definitely does. The tension of the blade does effect the performance of the razor considerably. The R41 is designed for advanced DE users who know how to handle such a tool. It´s for wet shavers who appreciate a very direct and straight shave. It´s definitely not a DE for beginners, and it was never meant to be such.”