Fellors, aside from technique and prep and lathering, is the razor or the blade or both more important? Im wanting to spend a tiny bit of money and want opines on should I get a slant or just different blades for my 38C? Is the razor or blades more important?
Razor, Blade, or Both?
- Thread starter Burnside
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I guess it depends on why you think you need to make a change. Are you having to add more passes than your skin can take because your razor isn't efficiently cutting through your beard? Are you walking away from the mirror bleeding like you've been in a knife fight?
If it were me, I would start with a blade sampler or two, simply because of cost and the fact that they are easily disposable. If you start with the razor and don't like it or it doesn't solve the problem, then you're stuck with $50 of hardware to get rid of.
If it were me, I would start with a blade sampler or two, simply because of cost and the fact that they are easily disposable. If you start with the razor and don't like it or it doesn't solve the problem, then you're stuck with $50 of hardware to get rid of.
Agreed. Blades sure can make a difference and are definitely the cheaper of the two options. I would say some razors will make a bigger difference, but as stated above, it may not be for the better and can be expensive.
- Thread starter
- #4
Not bleeding just trying to get a smoother shave. My shave that I get now is good, 38C with Red Personna, but looking for a little smoother one. Thanx
To be honest I personally would suggest an adjustable. I recently switched to Feather blades, first in my SS Flaretip (feels a touch milder than my Fatboy on 3) and they gave a nice shave, not amazing but nice. I then switched to my Fatboy and the Feathers at 3 gave better results than in my Flaretip. I turned my Fatboy up to 4 and the shave got even better! I plan to keep opening up the Fatboy until I go too far and then backing it down 1. Am I stupid? Maybe, but I'm getting shaves now that make me want to ditch the beard just so I have more to shave! 
I'd say it's both the razor AND the blade. If I only had the SS Flaretip I might have just gone right on by the Feathers as a decent blade, but nothing impressive enough to have garnered their reputation. Putting them in the Fatboy however has allowed them to really shine, you can try a wider range of blades and really see how aggressive to run them with an adjustable. I can't say for sure it's the road for you, but it seems to be working out well for me so far.
I'd say it's both the razor AND the blade. If I only had the SS Flaretip I might have just gone right on by the Feathers as a decent blade, but nothing impressive enough to have garnered their reputation. Putting them in the Fatboy however has allowed them to really shine, you can try a wider range of blades and really see how aggressive to run them with an adjustable. I can't say for sure it's the road for you, but it seems to be working out well for me so far.
Limited experience, but from the blades that I have tried, I really like the Astras SP ones. Also reading on the boards, there is one thread where a member does a blind versus, blade 1 versus blade 2 (differentiated by black and white handles), and the astras come out on top in the ones it is in. Hope this help a bit.
The more that I shave with my 37C, the more convinced I become that the slant design is generally superior to more traditional SE/DE designs. I don't think I have ever had a troublesome shave with my Slant, even when I put one of my lesser blades in there.
So, I guess, in my opinion, razor is more important.
- Mark
So, I guess, in my opinion, razor is more important.
- Mark
The most important thing is technique [including latherbuilding], then blade, then quality of brush, then soap/cream then razor.
It very easy go get antoher shiny toy, but change the blade and simultaneously analyse how you shave
It very easy go get antoher shiny toy, but change the blade and simultaneously analyse how you shave
I would change the blade...blades are cheap....and for me, I find that almost every razor I have has a specific blade combo that gives me the peak performance for that tool. But I'm still a firm believer that you need to find which tool works well for your face. Mild razors like the tech, or EJDE89 don't work well for me and my coarse thivk beard type, were as the R41 and Fatip work very well.
Sometimes we all get caught up in the RAD of buying new razors, but for some of us, trying new razors is simply part of that quest of finding what works best for our needs.
Sometimes we all get caught up in the RAD of buying new razors, but for some of us, trying new razors is simply part of that quest of finding what works best for our needs.
Both.
- Thread starter
- #11
Thanx for all the advice
I'm not sure what you're budget is, I think the adjustables are the best "bang for your buck" for vintage razors (just may not be the best for newbies) although compared to the Merkur (I have the 34C, just shorter handle) I thought the flare-tip had a good similar angle, that might help, but the adjustable will give you more options.
I know the blades are infinitely cheaper, but a sample pack will run you $25 easy, not to say that's not a good route, but if you watch the BST you can find a slim adjustable for about $25 too usually, so I'm not sure which is the best route to take. I really think this is up to you, I'm not sure if you will be helped by only one variable, both or neither. But I'm not sure how much money matters, the best thing is to get something down and stick with it. Acquiring a lot of stuff is really fun, but switching it up all the time really takes a bit of practice...
I know the blades are infinitely cheaper, but a sample pack will run you $25 easy, not to say that's not a good route, but if you watch the BST you can find a slim adjustable for about $25 too usually, so I'm not sure which is the best route to take. I really think this is up to you, I'm not sure if you will be helped by only one variable, both or neither. But I'm not sure how much money matters, the best thing is to get something down and stick with it. Acquiring a lot of stuff is really fun, but switching it up all the time really takes a bit of practice...
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