On the properties of aluminum razors and their associated phenomena

[taiga]

Dear B&B members,

During my very first Al Henson shave I felt like the razor was sucking up all my skin and whiskers into it; for a lack of a better term I will name this “the vacuum effect”.

While many members cite the Henson as being a great razor for ATG and irritation free shaves, my experience was rather the opposite, with vacuuming and dragging, especially on my neck.

A week ago I was reading a thread where another member also mentioned the same vacuum effect!

This has provoked my interest in aluminum razors, and whether they share several distinct phenomena in comparison to razors of other materials.

Has anyone else experienced the vacuum effect? Was it limited to Al Hensons, or was it found in Ti Hensons as well? Is the vacuum effect found in other aluminum razors as well?

In regards to the dragging (dragging, not smoothly sliding, occasional jumps), I’ve eliminated as many parasitic factors as I could (ex. Bad preshave, bad lather, dull blade) and the only thing I can conclude is that perhaps this was caused by my obsession with chasing BBS, in other words, shaving at an aggressive angle too close to my skin, at a place where the whiskers lie close to parallel with my face (i.e. chin).

Nevertheless I cannot help but wonder if perhaps there exists a correlation between the vacuum effect, and the subsequent dragging.

I have been interested for a long time in acquiring an Al Guerrila and the Karve Bison, but I am worried that they may share the same phenomena as the Henson, if indeed the phenomena described here above are commonalities among aluminum razors.

 

[spacemonkey42]

Nevertheless I cannot help but wonder if perhaps there exists a correlation between the vacuum effect, and the subsequent dragging.

What you are feeling is drag. There is not a vacuum effect, unless you are hooking your shop vac up to your razor. Surface tension wants to hold the razor in place and friction resists the motion - these combine to make it feel that way. They add resistance to your razor stroke.

Drag like you are experiencing can happen with razors with larger flat surfaces. I've felt it a couple of times with my original stainless Winning razor, more so than with Hensons. The way I've found to eliminate that drag is to adjust the lather to suit these razors. Go for a shallow depth of very slick lather. Do not use mounds of dense yogurty fluff, that will surely not work well with the Henson. Also angle the safety bar off your skin just a tiny bit. That decreases the contact area and therefore the drag. Experimenting with these additions to your technique will reduce/eliminate the drag you felt.

 

[Alex Jr]

If I go a little bit steeper with my Henson + (yes it’s possible despite what people say) the drag is significantly reduced or even eliminated.

Try it.

 

[Frito Ray]

“the vacuum effect”.

unless you are hooking your shop vac up to your razor.

Quick…Hurry up and patent that before Gillette hears of it!

 

[gsurko]

I've never experienced this situation at all. Aluminum is my favorite razor metal.

 

[sarimento1]

Having enjoyed both Henson and Karve razors, I've never had any negative or 'vacuum' effect.
TBCH, I've since sold the Henson but still bring out the Karve at times.
Personally, I prefer the moderate 'heft' of a brass or stainless DE razor.

 

[VerbaVolant]

...unless you are hooking your shop vac up to your razor. ...

Quick…Hurry up and patent that before Gillette hears of it!

Too late for that

 

[Old Hippie]

I agree: large flat planes are prone to stiction. I've had it on occasion with an older Gem razor, which is nickel plated brass. I've not noticed it with stainless razors, even with my Wolfman WR3 which is a Gem-style razor nor with the Blackland Sabre when I had one of those.

Aluminum is the worst, though. It's not usually a problem for me as I don't have many aluminum razors as I like a little more mass. Stainless is my preference in that regard. I have a Focus Slim Al -- a western-style folding shavette -- that is all aluminum. Even though it's very narrow, I have noted some increased stiction when my lather's not totally on point.

Your options are to quit buying aluminum razors , build slicker lather, or accommodate with technique. Or all three, of course.

O.H.

 

[Markdad2]

I have the Guerrilla in Aluminum. Nothing like the Henson as far as the "striction".

 

[Lockback]

I don't own an aluminum razor partly because I do worry a bit about the drag. I have a couple of razors (my Pearl Flexi is one) that have a matte finish and they don't glide over my face the way the chrome plated Zamak razors I own do. I've heard the same issue with the Rockwell 6C (chrome) vs the Rockwell 6S (matte stainless). Many prefer the chrome version because it glides more easily, superior material notwithstanding.

 

[BobbyB]

is the KCG razor aluminum?

 

[spacemonkey42]

is the KCG razor aluminum?

No, the head is chrome-plated zinc alloy.

 

[StewB]

I have heard of this "vacuum" (some call it "suction") effect in regards to the original Yates Winning and the Henson, but I have not been able to reproduce it myself. It has something to do with technique, I would guess. Seeing as the Winning v1 is stainless steel, I don't think this feeling depends on the razor's metal.

 

[BobbyB]

No, the head is chrome-plated zinc alloy.

Thank you!

 

[lasta]

I agree: large flat planes are prone to stiction. I've had it on occasion with an older Gem razor, which is nickel plated brass. I've not noticed it with stainless razors, even with my Wolfman WR3 which is a Gem-style razor nor with the Blackland Sabre when I had one of those.

Aluminum is the worst, though. It's not usually a problem for me as I don't have many aluminum razors as I like a little more mass. Stainless is my preference in that regard. I have a Focus Slim Al -- a western-style folding shavette -- that is all aluminum. Even though it's very narrow, I have noted some increased stiction when my lather's not totally on point.

Your options are to quit buying aluminum razors , build slicker lather, or accommodate with technique. Or all three, of course.

O.H.

If we want to geek out about it, of the frequently used razor materials, steel is the worst.

Brass best, followed by aluminum.

Coefficient of Friction Equation and Table Chart

Table of static and dynamic friction coeffcient and friction equations given in imperial and SI metric units.

www.engineersedge.com

But I agree, surface area and polish makes a bigger difference than raw materials.

 

[thombrogan]

I’ve had it more with Karve’s brass Overlander than with their aluminum Overlander or Henson’s AL13+.

When I don’t press the razor’s cap too hard into my skin, the problem goes away.

 

[StewB]

If we want to geek out about it, of the frequently used razor materials, steel is the worst.

Why?

(Genuine question, not trying to be argumentative)

 

[lasta]

Why?

(Genuine question, not trying to be argumentative)

Hi Stew,

The linked chart shows coefficient of friction between different materials. Aluminum on steel, brass on steel, steel on steel etc (doesn't have to be steel, it's just the most frequent). Lower number means less friction.

 

[StewB]

The linked chart shows coefficient of between different materials. Aluminum on steel, brass on steel, steel on steel etc (doesn't have to be steel, it's just the most frequent). Lower number means less friction.

Thanks for the clarification (you were referring to a chart). I guess that doesn't matter to me in terms of "face feel." I enjoy using stainless steel and brass razors. I don't prefer aluminum because it just feels too light and "cheap" to me (just a weird bias of mine).

But in any case in terms of the original question: No, I haven't experienced the "vacuum" or "suction" effect.

 

[BigJ]

What you are feeling is drag. There is not a vacuum effect, unless you are hooking your shop vac up to your razor. Surface tension wants to hold the razor in place and friction resists the motion - these combine to make it feel that way. They add resistance to your razor stroke.

Drag like you are experiencing can happen with razors with larger flat surfaces. I've felt it a couple of times with my original stainless Winning razor, more so than with Hensons. The way I've found to eliminate that drag is to adjust the lather to suit these razors. Go for a shallow depth of very slick lather. Do not use mounds of dense yogurty fluff, that will surely not work well with the Henson. Also angle the safety bar off your skin just a tiny bit. That decreases the contact area and therefore the drag. Experimenting with these additions to your technique will reduce/eliminate the drag you felt.

Thanks for a great explanation!!