How Many Shims to Add?

[Greg788]

Using Kai blades with the edges cut off as shims, how many should I use to try out shimming an overly-mild razor (Feather ASD2)?

Each blade is ~ 0.010" thick, of course. Not sure if each DE blade shim automatically adds 0.010" blade gap? In theory that seems true?

 

[StewB]

I think the answer is, "however many shims you need to get the shave quality you want."

 

[huck1680]

I used one in my Valynor and am happy with that...maybe I'll try two to see how that goes. That's what you should try as well...start with one.

 

[LeroyR]

Why try to fix someone else's mistake? That's too expensive of a razor to shim, just sell it and buy one you like more.

 

[psfred]

Blades are somewhere between 0.004 and 0.005" thick. And adjustable razor is a better solution than shims I suspect.

 

[VerbaVolant]

The number of shims you could use is directly proportional to the value of the torque you are willing to apply when tightening the head. If you know what I mean. At some point you will say, darn, this is hard to close/tighten.
I played with shims and, if I would play again, I wouldn't use more than one. That is because I don't want to put that much load on the threaded post. I have been wrong before so...

 

[ERS4]

Based on my experience with the AS-D2, about one or two shims can give you a noticeable change in the razor's personality. It doesn't take much; and it doesn't put a huge amount of pressure on the thread, stainless steel razors are definitely strong enough to handle these.

Please feel free to use it directly.