Being that I'm a safety razor newb, I wanted to know from more experience safety razor users that, giving the same circumstances (same razor), do you find that the heavier the body of the handle the better shave you get?
Safety Razors: Heavier Body = Better Shave?
- Thread starter TAZORAC
- Start date
When I first started - a lot of people suggested the Merkur 34. I ended up going with the 38 for the very reason you mention. One of the best things one can do is "let the razor do the work and apply no pressure." I find this easier to put into practice with a heavier razor.
I have a little Gillette travel tech for when I am on the go. My technique I think is decent enough now that I can get a great shave out of this razor. However, I certainly would not have wanted to try this as my first razor. It's small size and light weight would have enticed me to apply too much pressure.
While everyone's MMV, I think a little heavier razor allows you to have better practice letting the weight of the razor do the work. Just my 2 cents and I'm still a relative noob.
I have a little Gillette travel tech for when I am on the go. My technique I think is decent enough now that I can get a great shave out of this razor. However, I certainly would not have wanted to try this as my first razor. It's small size and light weight would have enticed me to apply too much pressure.
While everyone's MMV, I think a little heavier razor allows you to have better practice letting the weight of the razor do the work. Just my 2 cents and I'm still a relative noob.
When I first started I felt a heavier razor was better for me. As I gain more experience and perfect my technique I'm finding I can shave just as well with lighter razors but I still prefer a heavier razor. I just like the way a heavier razor feels.
I can shave well with both but prefer lighter handles and a head-heavy balance.
It's goes from Too Light to Just Perfect to Too Heavy.
There's a nice sweet spot just in the middle there somewhere.
There's a nice sweet spot just in the middle there somewhere.
Early on, heavy handles were a big help for me because they pushed the center of balance back away from the head, making it easier to shave with a light touch.
+1 As a noob this is me too.
My first razor was a light razor. Now I don a Merkur 34c HD. Much better results on my beard.
I do like the feel of a heavy razor, but I don't "let the razor do the work". I prefer proactive control, especially with touchups and neck work, where gravity isn't the solution to precision anyway.
I own both a lightweight and heavier razor. Both have pro's & cons. The heavier is more efficient at clearing the larger areas of my face, but it can't compare with the nimbleness of the lighter one when I'm working the problem areas on my neck, chin and under my nose. I believe weight isn't as important to what feels best in you hand. Can someone accomplish a great shave with any razor & blade combination? Sure, its just gonna be easier to accomplish with something that feels like an extension of your own body.
+1
I do think, that in the interest of consistency, it's best to stick with one razor, until you feel confident that you've mastered that razor.
+1 Recluse Because I prefer longer handles, I often wind up with a heavier razor.
I get great shaves from heavy (39C) and light (23C and Gillette SS). I don't know that the razor weight makes any difference in shave quality.
garyg
B&B membership has its percs
I'm usually liking the heavier razors, as members have mentioned they seem to provide a better feel for "apply no pressure". I can do a short-handled New Delux, but have never gotten anything but blehw from a Tech. Conversely, I love my Schick Adjustable, which has virtually no mass compared to a Cooncat Bull Mastiff or a Tradere. But even wide open the Type M is hard to apply too much pressure with.
I think the answer lies somewheres between preference, experience, and beard type ..
So, is "I Dunno" a better answer than "YMMV"?
I think the answer lies somewheres between preference, experience, and beard type ..
So, is "I Dunno" a better answer than "YMMV"?
Sometimes yes and sometimes no. It depends upon the person, his knowledge, his skill, and his personality. Personally I believe a heavier razor offers an advantage. I suggest you shave with a lightweight, medium weight, and heavy weight razor and made your own decision.
In my experience, heavy handles helped with razors (Fatip, R41) that were giving me some problems initially.
Once I could shave well with the razor, I realised that its lighter (original) handle works better. My hands automatically adjust for the right pressure based on the feel on the skin. In fact, the heavy handle seems to apply too much pressure on its own. Now my R41 and Fatip are paired with their original handles.
Heavy handles I have (some sold off): tradere, weber bulldog, weber classic, sabi T1
Once I could shave well with the razor, I realised that its lighter (original) handle works better. My hands automatically adjust for the right pressure based on the feel on the skin. In fact, the heavy handle seems to apply too much pressure on its own. Now my R41 and Fatip are paired with their original handles.
Heavy handles I have (some sold off): tradere, weber bulldog, weber classic, sabi T1
If it feels better, then it is better.
But, given that the stroke ideally involves the whole arm with the shoulder as the pivot, we are talking about a razor/arm combo of what, 12 pounds or so? Adding or subtracting a few grams for different type razors is a negligible effect on the whole.
But, given that the stroke ideally involves the whole arm with the shoulder as the pivot, we are talking about a razor/arm combo of what, 12 pounds or so? Adding or subtracting a few grams for different type razors is a negligible effect on the whole.
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