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What's with "setback" blades?

Really disappointed as got 9 pack Gillette proglide blades due to good reviews here and "sharpologist". Daft of me I know but trusted reviews and they're expensive so bulk buy was best value.

I've found the blades are set back into the cartridge and don't shave well at all. No idea why they do this. Other brands I've tried that do this are bulldog & Aldi I've noticed.

I just don't get the logic here - blades need to scrape the skin to shave. Set them back behind wedges of sticky gunk strips and they don't reach for a close shave.

Harry's are best I've tried so far. The blades are not set back.

I do have a double blade but find what works best for me is thick off with that then multi blade cartridge to quicky get close shave. Even w multiple passes the trad double blade wasn't as close. That's w razor and blades rec here. Can't remember razor but blades voskhod teflon coated (but I've tried several recs).

Used like this the cartridge lasts about 3-4 weeks and the voskhod similar or a bit less.

I've got one of those rubber blade sharpeners but not sure it makes much difference.

So a warning about proglide (and bulldog/Aldi/similar setback designs) for those who want a close shave and a recommendation based on what I've tried. You can use a blade to scrape off most of the gunk strip which helps get the blades closer to the skin if like me you've got a stock of razors that don't do a close shave. Helps a bit.

Mystified by good reviews for the proglide.
 
This is in the wrong forum. Should be in modern shaving systems.
Oh, sorry. Can it be moved? It's ok, couldn't find "modern systems" so posted in newbie thread. Hope this better place for it?
 
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As to why the blades are "set back," as you put it: I'm not a razor designer, but this is probably an attempt to keep the blades at a "safe enough" distance from the skin. If I had to guess, I would say most people that use cartridge razors use a fair amount of pressure, probably too much, when shaving.

One thing I have learned from using DE razors is use only the amount of pressure needed to let the blade do its job without "scraping" the skin and causing irritation.
 
As to why the blades are "set back," as you put it: I'm not a razor designer, but this is probably an attempt to keep the blades at a "safe enough" distance from the skin. If I had to guess, I would say most people that use cartridge razors use a fair amount of pressure, probably too much, when shaving.

One thing I have learned from using DE razors is use only the amount of pressure needed to let the blade do its job without "scraping" the skin and causing irritation.
Agreed but then why are they getting good reviews when they can't possibly give a close shave but other designs from Harry's for example can?
 
I've never used that product, so I don't know. Of the mass-market cartridge razors I prefer Schick to Gillette.
 
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