Has this happened to you?

[dpmtherrien]

For the past year or so, whenever I've done a DE shave I've been using my OC DE's, I have 3. While the shaves have been good I often seemed to experience a bit of irritation to which Ive attributed to trying to go a tad too fast and using too much pressure. Still the shaves were fine and almost always DFS. A couple of shaves ago I looked at my rotation consisting of 4 DE's, and at the end was my former go to DE the Merkur 1904 with the safety bar. Having not used it in quite some time I decided to go with it for that shave. Well to make a long story short, the shave was absolutely fantastic. One of the best DE shaves I've had in some time. I don't think I did anything different technique wise, but perhaps it was the safety bar? Anyway I've done a couple more shaves with the 1904, and they too have been really nice, no nicks or any irritation. I'm wondering if for me the safety bar is the way to go when I DE shave? And while the OC razors are nice, I've gotta say that I now find the safety bar to be a much nicer shave. Anyone else agree?

 

[alex2363]

For the past year or so, whenever I've done a DE shave I've been using my OC DE's, I have 3. While the shaves have been good I often seemed to experience a bit of irritation to which Ive attributed to trying to go a tad too fast and using too much pressure. Still the shaves were fine and almost always DFS. A couple of shaves ago I looked at my rotation consisting of 4 DE's, and at the end was my former go to DE the Merkur 1904 with the safety bar. Having not used it in quite some time I decided to go with it for that shave. Well to make a long story short, the shave was absolutely fantastic. One of the best DE shaves I've had in some time. I don't think I did anything different technique wise, but perhaps it was the safety bar? Anyway I've done a couple more shaves with the 1904, and they too have been really nice, no nicks or any irritation. I'm wondering if for me the safety bar is the way to go when I DE shave? And while the OC razors are nice, I've gotta say that I now find the safety bar to be a much nicer shave. Anyone else agree?

For me the Safety Bar is more smoother and less irritation, but it has it's setbacks. The final shave result is not the same as a OC or SE. The Safety Bar also prevents more nicks and cuts but what i seek is effective shave results even if i get a few nicks.

 

[DrAwkward]

For the past year or so, whenever I've done a DE shave I've been using my OC DE's, I have 3. While the shaves have been good I often seemed to experience a bit of irritation to which Ive attributed to trying to go a tad too fast and using too much pressure. Still the shaves were fine and almost always DFS. A couple of shaves ago I looked at my rotation consisting of 4 DE's, and at the end was my former go to DE the Merkur 1904 with the safety bar. Having not used it in quite some time I decided to go with it for that shave. Well to make a long story short, the shave was absolutely fantastic. One of the best DE shaves I've had in some time. I don't think I did anything different technique wise, but perhaps it was the safety bar? Anyway I've done a couple more shaves with the 1904, and they too have been really nice, no nicks or any irritation. I'm wondering if for me the safety bar is the way to go when I DE shave? And while the OC razors are nice, I've gotta say that I now find the safety bar to be a much nicer shave. Anyone else agree?

No. I get closer and more comfortable shaves with my OC razors. There are a few SBs that I like to use on occasion (such as the British Aristocrat #21), but I do not find that SBs result in less irritation.

 

[GUYGARR]

+ 1 . Oc razors seem to cut closer and effeciently . There are , however , some blades that I will not use with any oc , but then again I am new to DE shaving and have been shaving for 31 years .

 

[Mick]

I get about the same closeness with all razors I pick up.

None outperforms the other for me when it comes down to the final results

I did a side by side comparison between the Gillette Tech (mild safety bar) and the Muhle R-41 (modified open comb).

I got the same BBS shave with either razor.

http://badgerandblade.com/vb/showthread.php/284877-The-absurdity-of-Aggressive-VS-Mild

 

[JaxJim]

For the past year or so, whenever I've done a DE shave I've been using my OC DE's, I have 3. While the shaves have been good I often seemed to experience a bit of irritation to which Ive attributed to trying to go a tad too fast and using too much pressure. Still the shaves were fine and almost always DFS. A couple of shaves ago I looked at my rotation consisting of 4 DE's, and at the end was my former go to DE the Merkur 1904 with the safety bar. Having not used it in quite some time I decided to go with it for that shave. Well to make a long story short, the shave was absolutely fantastic. One of the best DE shaves I've had in some time. I don't think I did anything different technique wise, but perhaps it was the safety bar? Anyway I've done a couple more shaves with the 1904, and they too have been really nice, no nicks or any irritation. I'm wondering if for me the safety bar is the way to go when I DE shave? And while the OC razors are nice, I've gotta say that I now find the safety bar to be a much nicer shave. Anyone else agree?

In a similar vein, Paul, I've found that the safety bar allows me to get an irritation-free shave without having to pay close attention to what I'm doing, particularly insofar as pressure is concerned. Lately I've enjoyed great shaves from a couple of my more aggressive razors (2011 Muhle R41 and Gem OC Micromatic) as a result of really focusing on pressure. Candidly, I think the often-offered advice of "let the weight of the razor do the work" is still too much pressure for me. Rather, I've begun attempting to maintain only enough pressure to keep the blade in contact with my skin at the proper angle. The results have been close, irritation-free shaves, so I plan to stick with it.

 

[KCee]

I find OC's more aggressive or efficient as well. With 2 days growth I'd much rather use an OC, but if I use one every day I will generally irritate that trouble spot on the right side of my neck eventually. Maybe just my lack of consistent technique, but that is probably why the safety bar is there.

 

[Panama]

Shaving is like sitting, I want a chair to be comfortable. I do not want a chair that if I try hard, find the exact right angle and just the right position it is comfortable. I do not want my back to ache for a few hours if I get it wrong.

 

[DrAwkward]

I would say that shaving is like driving. I want a high performance machine with manual transmission and great tires. Of course, I drive a minivan ...

 

[kingfisher]

I'm a member of BOTOC, but lately I've been using safety bar razors exclusively. Right now I'm stuck on a Tradere SB. I absolutely love it.

 

[Fastfreddie3775]

I have the R41 , Sledgehammer and an assortment of open combs. With that being said, today I saved with a Schick Type E2 and got a FANTASTIC SHAVE.The nice part about the schick you don't have to be very careful with it. As opposed to may of the DE's where you really have to pay attention