what makes a razor "good"?

[honeybadger]

I have a feather popular which is part plastic, part metal.

I have only used it once and it felt fine in my hands. Besides the feeling of heft that a metal razor would give to my hands (assuming all handle lengths are the same) what makes a metal one better than a plastic one like I have?

thanks for all opinions/insight

 

[jgkeegan]

What makes a razor "good" or "great" is how you feel after using it and how well is shaves you.

--james

 

[proxymoron]

Easy. Giving good shaves is what makes a razor 'good.' Now, what makes a shave 'good'?

 

[Blue58]

If you ask each person what their favorite razor is they will each give you a different answer.... This is because each person has different skin types and different facial hair types... each person has variations to their bone structure so their facial features are very different too.

This brings us back to your question... The thing that makes a razor good or even great is this..... coupled with a blade of choice, the chosen razor feels good and comfortable in the users hands.

The razor also cuts the hair the way the user expects it to cut and feels good to the user as it is being done. The end result is that the user has a good comfortable shave with little or no irritation.

That is what makes a good razor

 

[Loric]

There is also the fact that "a good razor" will change with your skill level/technique. As you learn more about shaving different razors will be better than others. An aggressive razor can help teach you about technique, a mild razor can be very forgiving when your half asleep shaving. Its all about perspective.

As for materials its all relitive. I generally like heavy metal razors, but I have a couple light plastic razors that are nice for a change. My plastic razors tend to be on the mild side for whatever that means.

If your new to DE's I might try to pick up an adjustable. That way you can have a bit more freedom to try different combos of blades and razor aggressiveness.

 

[shecky]

Not only does it vary from person to person, I find that my go to razors don't really have a lot in common with each other. One is heavy and mild, one is very light weight plastic and fairly aggressive. Another is an injector. I can't even make the broadest of claims about what is perfect for me, let alone for wet shavers in general.

 

[kingfisher]

...Besides the feeling of heft that a metal razor would give to my hands (assuming all handle lengths are the same) what makes a metal one better than a plastic one like I have?

....

Nothing makes a metal razor "better" than your razor. The material of which a razor is constructed may change the feel of a razor, but it doesn't make one razor superior to another.

As others have said, a razor that gives you a smooth, comfortable shave and is a pleasure to use is, by definition, a good razor (no matter what it's made of).

A lot of guys around here like all-metal razors for aesthetic reasons. A lot of modern cartridge razors have a ton of plastic in them, and the all-metal razor seems miles removed from these; that's part of the appeal of wet shaving with a DE for some gentlemen.

 

[mandoman]

ITS NOT THE RAZOR THATS GOOD ITS HOW GOOD YOU KNOW HOW TO USE IT THAT MAKES IT GOOD

 

[HerbalAbuse]

A metal razor just feels sturdier than plastic, you don't have to worry about it snapping or getting chipped or whatever. You know it's going to last a lifetime. Plus they are generally heavier and feel nicer to use, and obviously the weight can help with reducing pressure easily.

I aim to get the closest shave possible, and obviously I don't want any irritation. I've settled on the 39c after using it for a while. I don't want to be switching and changing all the time so I use this razor for all my shaves, and will use it (probably) until I die, as long as they keep making DE blades.
I just like the thought of having found a razor that's perfect for you, made of solid metal and something that's a pure joy to use every time you shave, knowing it will last forever

 

[noahpictures]

I like heavy, all metal, well balanced razors because they feel right in my hands. One of the reasons I switched to DE shaving is because of all the plastic being used in modern cartridge razors.

 

[Blue58]

ITS NOT THE RAZOR THATS GOOD ITS HOW GOOD YOU KNOW HOW TO USE IT THAT MAKES IT GOOD

you dont have to yell I am standing right here

 

[Slivovitz]

Well, obviously the performance of a razor is what makes it good, but others have covered that.

Then there's durability. I have good quality plastic handled razors that were made before I was born, and will likely be useful for a couple of generations at least after I'm gone. The plated pot metal of my Merkurs may be all pitted by then.

It's not a matter of one class of materials being good and another being bad. I appreciate each of my razors in its own way. The design and materials of my ABC Pocket Edition or Kampfe Lather Catcher have their own attractions, but so do the plain functionality of my Schick Krona or J1 injector.

 

[honeybadger]

Thanks for all the input guys.

I kind of wish my feather popular was made of metal so it would be heavier and put more of its own weight onto my face therefore cutting better. Because it is so light I use to much pressure in some areas and end up skinning myself

 

[rolisrgti06]

I like heavy, all metal, well balanced razors because they feel right in my hands. One of the reasons I switched to DE shaving is because of all the plastic being used in modern cartridge razors.

^^^^^^ This.

 

[kadett]

Q: what makes a razor "good"?


A: One that don't shred ya face

 

[kcb5150]

One that gives you a clean shave, doesn't irritate, and is made with a good level of finishing.