Stainless Steel razor aggressiveness scale

[rsp1202]

Can someone please link me to threads detailing the comparative aggressiveness of stainless steel razors? (example: x is the most aggressive, followed by y; z is the mildest.) I know I've seen it listed before but can't remember the threads off-hand. Thanks in advance.

 

[AABCDS]

Type site:badgerandblade.com into Google and then enter your search criteria. This will do a Google search of B&B. I don't ever remember seeing that thread so good luck with your search.

 

[Mike H]

I don't remember a thread like that either, but I can tell you the 1st Gen Tradere OC is the most aggressive SS razor I have used, while the Feather was the mildest.

 

[AABCDS]

Maybe someone will come along who remembers the thread and provide the link.

 

[Jeff_H]

I don't remember a specific thread. I remember discussions inside different threads about Stainless razors. From what I read and hear, the Tradere and the ATT with the "H" plate are the most aggressive SS razors out there. The ATT R plate is kind of in the middle of aggressiveness, perhaps on par with the Ikon safety bar. The Ikon OC is reported to be milder than it's safety bar version by a fair amount. Then the ATT M plate or the Weber PH, depending on which opinion you listen too. Some say the Weber is milder than the M plate, some say the M plate is milder.

Much of this is a matter of YMMV of course. Are you looking for mild or aggressive. The ATT system will give you everything you want from mild to aggressive, but you will pay for it. It's the nicest, most well made SS razor on the market. I can tell you that the Weber is a fantastic razor as well and is by far the best value for SS razors on the market. More aggressive than an EJ 89 or Muhle R89, but in a good, smooth way. I get excellent shaves from it and I like a moderately aggressive razor, like the Gillette NEW's.

With that said, ATT is getting ready to release an open comb model any day now, and my wife is already talking about trying to go in with my sister, my dad and my nieces to get me one. I'm not sure I'm comfortable having that much spent on a razor for me, but I sure do want it.

Tell us what you're looking for and we can help you narrow it down a bit.

 

[Mike H]

Doh... I owned an ATT H also. It was slightly more aggressive than the 1st gen Tradere OC, and I sold it.

 

[JaxJim]

I was with you, Jeff, until this:

[The ATT system is] the nicest, most well made SS razor on the market.

I own only two stainless steel razors (Ikon Slant and Pils 101NE), but a couple of months ago had the opportunity to hold and inspect closely a couple of Traderes and a Feather AS-D2 at Pasteur Pharmacy in NYC. All are beautiful razors to my eye, but I believe it would be a pretty tall order to top the Pils when it comes to build quality, fit and finish. Of course, aesthetics is subjective (not to mention this comes from someone who's never held or inspected an ATT or Weber razor). FWIW, the Pils is a very mild razor, and the Ikon Slant is perhaps slightly more aggressive than my Hoffritz Slant.

I'm hoping that you'll get that ATT open comb soon, Jeff, and look forward to reading your review!

 

[rsp1202]

. . .Much of this is a matter of YMMV of course. Are you looking for mild or aggressive. . . I can tell you that the Weber is a fantastic razor as well and is by far the best value for SS razors on the market. More aggressive than an EJ 89 or Muhle R89, but in a good, smooth way. . . Tell us what you're looking for and we can help you narrow it down a bit.

I'm coming from a Krona and can handle a bit more bite. I've only ever used a solid-bar design. The EJ reads as something from the middle of the pack, teaming it with a stainless Bulldog handle, but why not go all stainless? The Weber sounds promising; it won't break the bank as I'm experimenting. My first choice had been the Progress and its adjustability, but after reading the thread about shoddy Merkur QC, it makes some sense to consider an alternate path.

 

[Jeff_H]

I was with you, Jeff, until this:



I own only two stainless steel razors (Ikon Slant and Pils 101NE), but a couple of months ago had the opportunity to hold and inspect closely a couple of Traderes and a Feather AS-D2 at Pasteur Pharmacy in NYC. All are beautiful razors to my eye, but I believe it would be a pretty tall order to top the Pils when it comes to build quality, fit and finish. Of course, aesthetics is subjective (not to mention this comes from someone who's never held or inspected an ATT or Weber razor). FWIW, the Pils is a very mild razor, and the Ikon Slant is perhaps slightly more aggressive than my Hoffritz Slant.

I'm hoping that you'll get that ATT open comb soon, Jeff, and look forward to reading your review!

I probably should have thrown in something like "in my opinion", or "from what I've heard" or something. I haven't handled all of them so I was probably a bit out of line making that statement. Sometimes my hands type faster than my brain, just like my mouth does in real life sometimes.

I would like to see and hold a Pils one day. They look a bit modernistic for my taste, but they are beautiful. It would be great if there were places to hold and inspect all of these razors. The ATT is something that I appreciate very much, and I think I would love the OC model. My wife seems convinced that I need one, but that is a big pricetag for a shaving related article and I hate for my family to put in so much money for something like that. I just always think of the many other things that money could go to or do. I guess that's how your thinking gets when you've juggled medical bills for as long as I have.

Don't get me wrong, it would be fantastic to have the ATT set. I'll see how this goes and if my family really seems serious about it then perhaps we'll talk about it further.

 

[JaxJim]

I probably should have thrown in something like "in my opinion", or "from what I've heard" or something. I haven't handled all of them so I was probably a bit out of line making that statement. Sometimes my hands type faster than my brain, just like my mouth does in real life sometimes.

I would like to see and hold a Pils one day. They look a bit modernistic for my taste, but they are beautiful. It would be great if there were places to hold and inspect all of these razors. The ATT is something that I appreciate very much, and I think I would love the OC model. My wife seems convinced that I need one, but that is a big pricetag for a shaving related article and I hate for my family to put in so much money for something like that. I just always think of the many other things that money could go to or do. I guess that's how your thinking gets when you've juggled medical bills for as long as I have.

Don't get me wrong, it would be fantastic to have the ATT set. I'll see how this goes and if my family really seems serious about it then perhaps we'll talk about it further.

I was just rattling your cage, Jeff-- I get where you were coming from. I agree that the ATT razors look great (and they have lots of fans here on B&B), so I've no doubt they're top notch. If your wife and family think you deserve one of the new ATT OCs, I'd say that's good enough. So, I hope you get one!

 

[StubbleTrouble]

Here's the index by gap size.

 

[Jeff_H]

Let me tell you, I appreciate a good cage rattling every now and then. It keeps a guy honest.

Nice link Stubble Trouble. I knew someone would come through.

 

[rsp1202]

Here's the index by gap size.

Thanks. Interesting comparisons of the Titans, Weber, and EJ to the Krona, my reference.

 

[shawnsel]

I've compiled thoughts from a few sources, and mixed in a few of my own thoughts into this list....

Notes:
- This is definitely a YMMV subject, but I like research and metrics, so I thought I'd share this as my best attempt to compile a list of commonly held opinions on various razors.
- Definitions of aggressiveness usually include 2 somewhat separate factors, (1) efficiency of cutting hair and (2) harshness on skin ... making it even more of a YMMV subject depending on what factors you think of when you think "aggressive".
- The brand of razor blades used within a razor can make as much of a difference as the razor itself.
- I only have sufficient personal experience to contribute opinions here on the Above the Tie ATT Atlas 5, EJ89, RiMei, and the Merkur 37C Slant. (I also have a RazorRock SLAB head and a RazorRock Little Bastone OC ... but I haven't used them enough to give them a fair assessment)

Legend:
(10 = Most aggressive DE on the market and 1 = least aggressive)
(SS = Stainless Steel ... note grades of stainless steel do vary in strength and rust resistance)
(* = not stainless steel, but included here as a reference)

List:
10.0 Muhle R41 (2011) *
9.0 Joris *
9.0 FaTip *
9.0 Muhle R41 (2013) *
8.5 SS ATT Kronos H1 (+1 or -1 due to extra small blade gap)
8.0 SS Tradere OC (2013 model is reportedly more mild?)
7.0 SS Tradere SB (2013 model is reportedly more mild?)
6.0 Merkur 37C Slant *
5.5 SS ATT Atlas R1 (+1 or -1 due to extra small blade gap)
5.0 SS iKon Slant
5.0 SS iKon SB (current model)
5.0 SS iKon Deluxe (current model)
4.5 SS iKon Deluxe (2nd generation)
4.5 Muhle R41 (pre 2010) *
4.0 iKon Shave Craft 101 *
4.0 SS iKon Modern Bulldog
4.0 SS ATT Atlas M1 (+1 or -1 due to extra small blade gap)
4.0 SS Weber
3.5 Muhle or Edwin Jagger 89 *
3.0 SS Pils 101
3.0 SS iKon Modern
2.5 RiMei *
2.5 SS iKon OSS
2.0 SS Feather D2 (note: SS but also chrome plated)
1.0 SS Feather D1 (note: SS but also chrome plated)


Please share where your experience differs!


Links:

http://badgerandblade.com/vb/showthread.php/366373-Stainless-Steel-Razor-Thread
http://badgerandblade.com/vb/showthread.php/366265-Most-Aggressive-Stainless-Steel-Razor
http://badgerandblade.com/vb/showthread.php/370217-Aggressivity-of-the-razors-you-are-using

 

[rsp1202]

Thanks for putting this together. What a great reference.

 

[shawnsel]

I'd really like to see a list like this where users could vote in some way to collectively adjust the numbers and rankings to truly represent the average users opinion on what would fit where. But from my research on forums (which mostly focused on the stainless steel razors), the list above is my best guess....

 

[Mike H]

Like everything here, YMMV. I think the Fatip is way less aggressive than the ATT H1 or the 1st gen. Tradere OC.

 

[rsp1202]

So, aggressiveness, based on actual usage, would go like this?:
Shavecraft 101 (comparatively the mildest)
EJ DE89 (w/Ikon Bulldog 85 handle)
Weber

 

[shawnsel]

Like everything here, YMMV. I think the Fatip is way less aggressive than the ATT H1 or the 1st gen. Tradere OC.

If you were to attach numeric aggressiveness values for the Fatip, ATT H1, and Tradere OC, what would they be? Please feel free to re-post the entire list with adjustments and additions from your own experience. Thanks!

 

[shawnsel]

So, aggressiveness, based on actual usage, would go like this?:
Shavecraft 101 (comparatively the mildest)
EJ DE89 (w/Ikon Bulldog 85 handle)
Weber

From what I've read (mildest first): EJ < Weber < Shavecraft 101

That said, I haven't read up that much on the Shavecraft, but I took that from the starting point Shave Nook poster, "ben74". ("search for IKON SHAVE CRAFT 101 PREVIEW")