Thats impressive.
Rigidity in DE Safety Razors
- Thread starter Aziraphale
- Start date
Thats impressive.
Great thread.
How would you razor scientists compare a 34c to a Gillette Slim, in terms of rigidity?
When I switched from the 34c (my first DE) to a Fatip FOCS, it was a revelation. Shaves were so much smoother (less scraping) and more efficient. I was able to drop down to 2 passes from 3+. The whole experience was much more enjoyable. I also discovered the joys of the steep angle.
I attributed this mostly to the rigidity of the blade in the FOCS.
So when I picked up a Slim at an antique market, I expected the shave to be similar to the 34c. Much to my surprise, it feels much closer to the FOCS in terms of smoothness and efficiency.
So do Slims hold the blade rigidly? (If so, how?) Or is there something else going on here?
How would you razor scientists compare a 34c to a Gillette Slim, in terms of rigidity?
When I switched from the 34c (my first DE) to a Fatip FOCS, it was a revelation. Shaves were so much smoother (less scraping) and more efficient. I was able to drop down to 2 passes from 3+. The whole experience was much more enjoyable. I also discovered the joys of the steep angle.
I attributed this mostly to the rigidity of the blade in the FOCS.
So when I picked up a Slim at an antique market, I expected the shave to be similar to the 34c. Much to my surprise, it feels much closer to the FOCS in terms of smoothness and efficiency.
So do Slims hold the blade rigidly? (If so, how?) Or is there something else going on here?
I only have one Slim, but that last quarter turn on mine really cranks the doors down on the blade and locks it in place. I can imagine that if the doors were a little loose, you would not have a fun time...
- Thread starter
- #184
I really can't comment on the short combs as I've never used any.
It's nice to see this thread still alive after all this time though.
update on my own experience:
I've given up DE shaving and only use SE razors now. I really get a much better shave overall.
Theres a single design element Gillette Slims and most Fatboys have that the other Gillette TTO's do not have. Look at the blade tray of your various TTO's and you'll see this or a variation of same.
A basically flat, typical blade tray. On the Slim however, you'll see this.
What they do is clamp the blade against the inside of the doors with the extra 1/4 turn when you close the razor. What that does is make the blade more rigidly held which results in a smoother shave. The difference in my experience is dramatic.
I really like my Slim.
This is another thread with more information.
OK, I'm on a "rigid blade" hunt. - https://www.badgerandblade.com/forum/threads/ok-im-on-a-rigid-blade-hunt.521389/
I myself am beginnjng to feel Feather blades are just a little over hyped. Don"t get wrong, they are probably one of the sharpest blades out there, but with that being said, they just don't hold their edge, especially if you have a tough beard. My beard is not hard, but not peachfuzz either. I get like 3-4 close shaves, and then the blade gets grabby. Wilkinson Sword(G) doesn't do that for me. 5-6, maybe 7 good shaves, starts tugging. But, thats just me..
They're expensive too, but, when I want the absolute best shave I can have from a DE, a Feather blade gives it, even if, only for a single shave.
It baffles me that some can use them for so many shaves. I know I cant.
This seems like a very important attribute of a blade that is rarely mentioned, if ever. If it is a popular topic I've certainly missed it.
I also have noticed that the Kai blades seem significantly stiffer than others. The flimsiest blade I have, at least that I've noticed, is the Derby Premium.
I tried measuring the thickness of my blades using some cheap calipers, but they are not precise enough. Is there some compilation of blade thickness anywhere for reference?
There is! I think its in the Wiki but I'll go ahead and post it here too. A friend and I spent an afternoon measuring several different blades.
in thick mm thick BLADE
0.00450” 0.114mm Gillette Nacet Stainless
0.00450” 0.114mm Shaverboy Super Stainless
0.00425” 0.108mm Gillette 7 O'Clock Super Stainless (0.089mm*)
0.00425” 0.108mm Lord Platinum
0.00410” 0.104mm Feather
0.00400” 0.102mm Astra Superior Stainless
0.00400” 0.102mm BIC Chrome Platinum
0.00400” 0.102mm Croma Diamant Stainless
0.00400” 0.102mm Derby Extra (pre 2016, current blade 0.089mm*)
0.00400” 0.102mm Gillette Sword
0.00400” 0.102mm Kai*
0.00400” 0.102mm Personna Med Prep
0.00400” 0.102mm Personna Platinum Chrome (Personna Red)
0.00400” 0.102mm Polsilver SI
0.00400” 0.102mm Rapira Platinum Lux
0.00400” 0.102mm Sharp Star
0.00400” 0.102mm Super Max Blue Diamond Titanium
0.00400” 0.102mm Vidyut Super Max Platinum
0.00400” 0.102mm Voskhod
0.00390” 0.099mm Bolzano Superinox
0.00390” 0.099mm Shark Super Chrome
0.00390” 0.099mm Treet Platinum Super Stainless
0.00375” 0.095mm Gillette New Improved Stainless
0.00375” 0.095mm Gillette Platinum
0.00375” 0.095mm Gillette Rubie Platinum Plus
0.00375” 0.095mm Trig Silver Edge
0.00375” 0.095mm Vidyut Super-Max
0.00375” 0.095mm Wizamet Super Iridium Extra Stainless
0.00375” 0.095mm Zorrik Super Platinum
0.00350” 0.089mm Astra Superior Platinum
0.00350” 0.089mm Gillette 7 O’Clock Sharp Edge
0.00350” 0.089mm Gillette 7 O’Clock Super Platinum
0.00350” 0.089mm Gillette Silver Blue
0.00350” 0.089mm Perma Sharp Stainless
0.00350” 0.089mm Sputnik
0.00350” 0.089mm Treet Platinum
0.00350” 0.089mm Wizamet Super Iridium
* Information from “DE Razor Blade Dimensions Table” in the ShaveWiki.
Interesting. I don't know what to think of this information. I can achieve some great shaves with blades all through the range. I was kinda hoping there would be some ah-ha moment when seeing the tale of the tape.
You and I both. I was sure Feather blades would have been among the thinnest. Thats the one thing I learned from that exercise, the thickness of those blades makes no difference to me.
Yeah, blade thickness doesn't seem to be a factor. But I would like to note, I like both the Gillette Nacet and the Gillette 7 O’Clock Super Platinum, both on polar opposite ends of the thickness spectrum. The Nacet is noticeably stiffer, some razors benefit from this more than others.
I think thickness is not really a factor, but more the sharpness, ie how the blade is honed for sharpness determines how long it will stay sharp, just like a knife. The hone on Feathers is ultra sharp, but the blade poops out after 3 shaves on my face. Why? The hone might be "too" thin on the cutting edge. Hence, it is very sharp, but it just won't last. The bevel at which it is honed might just be at a small angle, and then add thinness to the cutting edge, it won't last but for a few shaves. I hope this makes sense. just my 2...
