People talk about forgiving and unforgiving razors but that doesn’t mean that much to newbies looking to buy a first razor. Of course it’s quite self explanatory what is meant when the term is used. But what does that actually mean when looking at all these endless razors while trying to pick just one?
The first straight I bought and used was my 6/8 Thiers Issard S-C1937 and I had read that TI had very hard steel, but of course I had nothing to compare to and didn’t really know what that would mean in practice. The razor definitely felt like a good quality tool, but that’s all I could say about it.
And it took the head off a spot I have on my jaw line.
Then I got a 4/8 Ed Wusthof Extra Dreizack and it felt very light in the hand, and tbh I didn’t like the feel of it. The TI just felt better quality due to the weight. But when I shaved with the Wusthof, it changed my mind altogether. I loved shaving with it.
It also took the head off the spot I have on my jaw line.
I then got a 6/8 ERN Little Dorrit, cleaned it up and used it tonight. It felt completely different to the other 2 razors. I also really enjoyed this shave. I could hear it cutting each whisker. The blade steel is noticeably lighter/thinner than the TI. I really like this razor but it never gave me quite as close a 2 pass shave as the other 2.
This razor never took the head off of the spot on my jaw line.
Of course, the difference in shaves could totally be my technique as I am still a beginner, but I had a bit of an “aha!” Moment. I suppose my question is, is the fact the ERN never took the head off the spot a sign that it’s more forgiving? Are 6/8 solingen more forgiving than 4/8 Solingen due to the flex in the “height” of the blade and also more forgiving than 6/8 TI due to the flex on the blade because of the thickness.
So I’d be right in saying that the lack of “height” flex will be what makes wedge blades more difficult for a beginner?
And when we think about the Koraat with the belly, you’d be getting the “height” flex but lateral rigidity so getting the best of both worlds?
I know I’ve just missed your deadline for suggestions for beginner info @rbscebu but I wonder if there’s anything in these thoughts that may be worth including.
The first straight I bought and used was my 6/8 Thiers Issard S-C1937 and I had read that TI had very hard steel, but of course I had nothing to compare to and didn’t really know what that would mean in practice. The razor definitely felt like a good quality tool, but that’s all I could say about it.
And it took the head off a spot I have on my jaw line.
Then I got a 4/8 Ed Wusthof Extra Dreizack and it felt very light in the hand, and tbh I didn’t like the feel of it. The TI just felt better quality due to the weight. But when I shaved with the Wusthof, it changed my mind altogether. I loved shaving with it.
It also took the head off the spot I have on my jaw line.
I then got a 6/8 ERN Little Dorrit, cleaned it up and used it tonight. It felt completely different to the other 2 razors. I also really enjoyed this shave. I could hear it cutting each whisker. The blade steel is noticeably lighter/thinner than the TI. I really like this razor but it never gave me quite as close a 2 pass shave as the other 2.
This razor never took the head off of the spot on my jaw line.
Of course, the difference in shaves could totally be my technique as I am still a beginner, but I had a bit of an “aha!” Moment. I suppose my question is, is the fact the ERN never took the head off the spot a sign that it’s more forgiving? Are 6/8 solingen more forgiving than 4/8 Solingen due to the flex in the “height” of the blade and also more forgiving than 6/8 TI due to the flex on the blade because of the thickness.
So I’d be right in saying that the lack of “height” flex will be what makes wedge blades more difficult for a beginner?
And when we think about the Koraat with the belly, you’d be getting the “height” flex but lateral rigidity so getting the best of both worlds?
I know I’ve just missed your deadline for suggestions for beginner info @rbscebu but I wonder if there’s anything in these thoughts that may be worth including.