Question about the use of aggressive razors.

[Teddyboy]

Let me preface my question by stating that I personally consider a "smooth" shave as one where you do not feel the blade too much. However, we are all aware that you've got to feel it a bit, but not too much. With an aggressive razor, in my experience, I always feel the blade, sometimes more than I like or feel necessary. I assume that aficionados of e,g., R41 and Fatip, and the like feel their respective blade edges quite significantly.

My questions are:

1] Do aggressive razor users experience what they would call a "smooth" shave?
2] How do you reconcile obviously feeling the blade edge and yet considering the shave "smooth"? To me it is a contradiction.
2] Assuming you accept feeling the razor's edge to a significant extent, what do you consider a "rough" shave?

Thanks in advance for your comments. I really look forward to hearing what you say.

 

[dcobranchi]

My Slim stays on 9 all the time. A "rough" shave is one that tugs and pulls. A smooth shave goes through stubble like a warm knife through butter. So, it's all about the blade. For me, using the Slim on its most aggressive setting means that I can get a BBS shave without having to push hard on the razor or doing too many passes and too much touch up. A more aggressive setting, for me, means an easier, closer shave.

 

[ALATRON]

I use a high setting on my progress. If the shave was rough I wouldn't shave this way. On the other hand, is it necessary? Is it necessary for me to drink my own urine? No. But it's sterile, and I like the taste.

 

[Azarius]

My questions are:

1] Do aggressive razor users experience what they would call a "smooth" shave?
2] How do you reconcile obviously feeling the blade edge and yet considering the shave "smooth"? To me it is a contradiction.
2] Assuming you accept feeling the razor's edge to a significant extent, what do you consider a "rough" shave?

Thanks in advance for your comments. I really look forward to hearing what you say.

1] Yes. Although very blade dependent.
2] By pairing a very smooth blade with an aggressive razor.
3] A rough shave for me is one that tugs, pulls, or causes my face to feel raw afterwards.

On Gillette adjustables I keep my razor dialed to 9. A prefer an aggressive open comb for about 50% of my shaves as I find them to be more efficient. On the flip side, I love mild razors with very sharp blades.

The great thing about this hobby is finding the razor/blade combo that works best for you.

 

[oldbluelight]

I use a high setting on my progress. If the shave was rough I wouldn't shave this way. On the other hand, is it necessary? Is it necessary for me to drink my own urine? No. But it's sterile, and I like the taste.

It can also be used to irrigate wounds. However a high degree of contortion might be required for dealing with nicks and razor burn.

 

[RailroadMan]

Wow. This degenerated quickly. I understand what the OP is saying, I just sold my r41 and FaTip. However, I did it to buy a Titan. It really is a YMMV thing, I think.

 

[rajagra]

There are two ways to control the aggressiveness of a razor. Rely on the safety bar, or control blade angle and pressure with your hand.
The latter option is always available.
For example, if you move the handle away from the face until only the razor cap and blade are touching the skin, then the safety guard - and the aggressiveness that it defines - becomes irrelevant.
You could even saw off the guard, and still shave safely and smoothly this way.

 

[Gordy2]

The only razor I tried that I thought was very aggressive was the R-41 (2011) and it also gave me the roughest shave as it tugged and had blade stutter no matter which I blade I tried (from Med Preps to Feathers). I traded it. I have two Fatips and the Tradere OC that I consider aggressive (I have to be sure to have the right angle on every swipe or turn or I will get cut) but they do give me excellent smooth shaves. I really can't say I feel the blade at all, maybe I numb after 54 years of shaving. When ever I get a rough shave, blade stutter, sticking, harsh rough shaving, I change the blade out and that usually solves the problem. With the Fatip and Tradere I usually use just a certain blade that seems to work best with them all the tiime. Some razors I have seen mentioned as aggressive by SOME e.g. Slant and Old type come to mind I don't really find aggressive at all.

 

[El-a-Menthol]

Maybe you use pressure since you're costumed to mild razors?
Technique and angles is also important, but also a smooth blade.
I use Astra SP's in my Fatip for that reason and not Feathers, since Feathers, to me, are not very smooth.
With the proper lather, angle and blade and zero pressure I hardly feel the blade.
But smooth to me is more effortless glide without tugging.
The less you realize you're shaving the more smooth the shave is to me, as long as the result is nick-less, irritation free BBS or close to it.
YMMV.

 

[El-a-Menthol]

I agree with almost all of the above comments. It's rare I agree with almost all comments on B&B.
The ones I don't agree with I simply don't agree fully with and only disagree or experience parts of it differently.
Some have described it very well.

 

[jamesspo]

To me smoothness (or roughness) has nothing at all to do with feeling the blade on my face. The blade's there to cut hair, after all. What makes a smooth shave is cutting the wiskers without pulling or tugging and a smooth glide of the blade over the skin. This has to do with prep, lather and pressure control. A razor with a lot of exposure does need a bit more care to control pressure, but to me that's worth it for the gain I get, which is primarily to allow for a wider choice of blade angles in which the blade is touching your skin. By your definition of smooth, no straight shaver would ever be able to get a smooth shave, which I can tell you is not the case, and from personal experience.

 

[Teddyboy]

I appreciate everyone's comments. It has helped me think this through. Basically, I have to modify my criteria for a smooth shave depending on the mildness or aggressiveness of the razor.

 

[Teddyboy]

To me smoothness (or roughness) has nothing at all to do with feeling the blade on my face. The blade's there to cut hair, after all. What makes a smooth shave is cutting the wiskers without pulling or tugging and a smooth glide of the blade over the skin. This has to do with prep, lather and pressure control. A razor with a lot of exposure does need a bit more care to control pressure, but to me that's worth it for the gain I get, which is primarily to allow for a wider choice of blade angles in which the blade is touching your skin. By your definition of smooth, no straight shaver would ever be able to get a smooth shave, which I can tell you is not the case, and from personal experience.

Agreed.