Followup on "Most Overrated Razor"

[Unclericky]

Greetings fellow wetshavers,

After reading a recent post about overrated razors, I found myself becoming increasingly confused. Here were all these razors that I have been hearing such great things about being trashed. What gives? I realize that we all have preferences and biases, but it all seemed a bit schidzophrenic to me.
I have been wet shaving for 45 years, mostly with cartridge razors, and for the last five years with a Fusion. The fusion has never cut me, and has always given BBS shaves. I don't believe it deserves the derision that it receives on this forum. Having said that, I am enjoying exploring double edge and straight razor shaving. I don't know why, but I know that I am going to stick with double edge razors from here on out.
Still, I have yet to get as good a shave as the Fusion consistently delivered.
So why are there so many seemingly contradictory opinions about double edge razors?

Now for a supplementary observation/question concerning the agressiveness of a particular razor. I read in many posts that the path to a good non irritating shave is to apply no pressure whilst mowing down the stubble. If one is applying no pressure to the blade against the skin, what difference does it make if the razor is aggressive or not? Isn't contact with the skin (at least in theory) with the edge of the razor all that matters?

If you good folks could help to clarify my thinking on these questions, I would be very grateful.
I have been using a Merkur classic for about a month now, currently with Feather blades.

I look forward to hearing you responses

Cheers,
Rick

 

[Kratos]

The angle of the blade affects the shave. More aggressive razors expose more blade, allowing for greater control over the angle. One pass with my highly overrated Fatboy(tee-hee, tee-hee) one setting 1 will differ greatly from shaving with it dialed up to 9.

 

[cricky101]

I don't understand the recent onslaught of threads about "overrated" and "underrated" razors, blades, soaps, creams, etc ....

Something that works well for me but maybe not others (eg:Merkur blades) is going to seem underrated to me.

Something that doesn't work well for me (but may work great for others) is going to seem overrated. (I can't get an irritation-free shave with a Fusion).

It's absolutely subjective and until one tries it for himself, there's no correct answer.

 

[Seamaster]

Shaving is 80% technique (at least). The rest is down to razor/blade. If anything's over-rated, it's the difference the latter makes.

 

[Shave Cat]

Rick,

For the purpose of my reply, I will define a razor's aggressiveness as how efficiently it removes whiskers in a single pass. That being the case, there are several factors in play. 1)The weight of the razor itself. 2)The spacing between the blade and the guard bar or comb. 3)In the case of a DE, the curvature and height of the razor's head, both of which affect the angle at which the blade protrudes from the razor. Depending upon an individual's skin and beard type, some razors may be too aggressive and be more apt to cause irritation. Conversely, some razors may be too mild for some individuals and not shave closely without an excessive number of passes. There's not a one size fits all with safety razors. Hope this explanation has been some help.

-Clarke

 

[tsmba]

For me, adjustable razors are overrated. Maybe for some skin types they have something to offer.

 

[Shave Cat]

You know, at any given time, I guess any product could be either over or underrated. It depends upon your point of view. If you like a certain product, but don't hear much about it from others, you might consider that product underrated. On the other hand, if it seems that a lot of other people like a product, but you don't, you'd probably feel that product is overrated. This is especially true with shaving products. There are so many variables involved.

-Clarke

 

[Unclericky]

I appreciate the feedback gentlemen.

While I'm not immune to hyperbole myself, I am sometimes blindsided by it, as in the "Overrated" posts.

All the best,
Rick

 

[mmack66]

i don't understand the recent onslaught of threads about "overrated" and "underrated" razors, blades, soaps, creams, etc ....

Something that works well for me but maybe not others (eg:merkur blades) is going to seem underrated to me.

Something that doesn't work well for me (but may work great for others) is going to seem overrated. (i can't get an irritation-free shave with a fusion).

It's absolutely subjective and until one tries it for himself, there's no correct answer.

+1

 

[bonusmarple]

Yes, you should not apply additional pressure that what is created by the weight of the razor. However, if you place the razor on your skin and do not add pressure, two things can effect the pressure that the blade is exerting. The weight of the razor and distance that the blade depresses the skin. Aggressive razors have more exposure and/or weight than less aggressive razors.

 

[Stubblefield]

I don't understand the recent onslaught of threads about "overrated" and "underrated" razors, blades, soaps, creams, etc ....

It gives posters something to talk about, I guess. I personally find them funny.

 

[wundergussy]

Threads like these seem inevitable considering we are a community dedicated to a lot of things that are mostly no longer in production...there isn't a lot of "news" to discuss, so subjective things will be a lot of the focus. They are enjoyable though!

 

[fighting69]

If I am trying to sell you a razor my item is definitely underrated.
If you are offering to sell me a razor then it is certainly an overrated model.


I am pretty sure I am underrated and most razors are the opposite
but I could have that backwards.

DC

 

[1OldGI]

IMHO ANY double edge is overrated. They are meek to the point of anemia and about as aggressive as a peanut butter sandwich. Again IMHO, the wetshaving world begins and ends with 3 letter G...E...M. Period. Were it not for my grotesquely mis-shaped gulliver my DE would have been gone a long time ago but I must give the devil his due, DE razors make great head razors. YMMV

 

[al7jj]

My wife has commented that fascination with razors is a typical male fascination with tools as objects of worship rather than something with which you fix things. She just borrowed my Merkur travel razor because she forgot to pick up a disposable at the supermarket this morning and I told her she was welcome to use it since I'm using a slant at the moment and she is travelling the next two weeks. In her view, ALL razors are over-rated -- you just shave with them.

 

[spinyeel]

IMHO ANY double edge is overrated. They are meek to the point of anemia and about as aggressive as a peanut butter sandwich. Again IMHO, the wetshaving world begins and ends with 3 letter G...E...M. Period. Were it not for my grotesquely mis-shaped gulliver my DE would have been gone a long time ago but I must give the devil his due, DE razors make great head razors. YMMV

 

[SRock]

Shaving is 80% technique (at least). The rest is down to razor/blade. If anything's over-rated, it's the difference the latter makes.

At least is right, I'd say it's about 95% technique!

 

[dreadpirate]

Well - I think the newer multi-blade pivot head razors are in many ways superior to the DE razor - it's just that I can have a VERY sharp DE blade for pennies a blade. When I used a $2.50 a blade razor - I tended to use the blade way past it's useful life and the quality of my shave suffered. So I am content with the added complexity (I think it's harder to use a DE versus a pivot head razor) of the DE in return for having a VERY sharp blade.

When it comes to a brush however - I think EVERY wet shaver should use a brush, regardless of razor used. It's better hygiene.

So in short - yes all the DE razors are overrated.

 

[bolocheung]

At the end of the day I would say that it is alot easier to get a descent shave with the newer multi-blades versus DE. I just get more enjoyment when taking my time with a DE. I still have an Atra & other twin blades that I use if I want a quick shave.

 

[curtis909]

My wife has commented that fascination with razors is a typical male fascination with tools as objects of worship rather than something with which you fix things. She just borrowed my Merkur travel razor because she forgot to pick up a disposable at the supermarket this morning and I told her she was welcome to use it since I'm using a slant at the moment and she is travelling the next two weeks. In her view, ALL razors are over-rated -- you just shave with them.

+1 for the wife...