Why would this be?

[turbine712]

Ok, I found a Gillette "new" razor in an antique shop and traded some stuff and received a Gillette R-3 Superspeed last week. I had a great shave with the "new" using Personna Platinum blades that I picked up at the grocery store. I used a Derby blade in the SS and got a terrible shave.
So, I tried the "new" with the Derby and the shave was again great.
Question: What would be the reason for this? The "new" has an open comb which in theory would make the blade closer to the skin and the SS has the safety bar to help with it being more gentle.
Is there any explanation for this phenomena?
I used my pre shave oil and the same soap for both shaves.
Any input would,be great.
Thanks,
turbine

 

[mmack66]

It would appear that your face responds well to an aggressive razor, but that is only speculation.

 

[JD.E.]

You may just require a bit more aggressive razor.

That could also be clarified with what you mean by a terrible shave as well.

Did you just have a lot of stubble or was it more like lots of nicks and weepers?

But as always, this could be a classic case YMMV.

~JD

 

[turbine712]

You may just require a bit more aggressive razor.

That could also be clarified with what you mean by a terrible shave as well.

Did you just have a lot of stubble or was it more like lots of nicks and weepers?

But as always, this could be a classic case YMMV.

~JD

Sure, by terrible I mean, stubble after 3 passes and also super irritation especially on the neck just below the jawline. I go first pass with the grain. Second pass I use the buffing technique and finish with the ATG or sideways stroke.
I used the same process with both razors and I found that the SS was by far more problematic.
As far as the type of beard I have I would consider it to be a medium coarseness. I don't have the Sam Elliot type beard but a few shades lower on the scale.

 

[mmack66]

WTG, Blade Buffing, then ATG sounds like a routine that can go wrong very easily.

 

[Bertilak]

... The "new" has an open comb which in theory would make the blade closer to the skin and the SS has the safety bar to help with it being more gentle.

I never thought of the NEW as aggressive and in fact have recommended it to beginners just because of its relative mildness.

See http://wiki.badgerandblade.com/index.php/Double-Edged_Safety_Razors_Ranked_by_Aggressiveness

That page ranks razor aggressiveness. Note that comb guard (e.g. NEW) vs. bar guard (e.g. SS) does not play a roll in the ranking and indeed the SS (blue tip) and the NEW are adjacent to each other on the scale with the NEW on the milder (gentler?) side. Both are close to the mild end of the scale. All the other SS razors are significantly higher on that scale -- i.e. more aggressive.

My guess is that you get a better shave from the NEW because its spot on the mild/aggressive scale is closer to whatever is ideal for you. There may be other reasons: like the ergonomics of the razors. One may simply be more comfortable for you to manipulate.

 

[turbine712]

OK, I did feel that the "New" felt nice and gentle. However I thought the SS did too but for the fact that I had to go over the face a bit more aggressive than with the "new'.
Therefore in hind sight, both could very well have been easy on the face and the SS could have been even more gentle than first thought so the need to do repeated touch ups.
Sounds logical.
Thanks Robt.P for your input.
turbine

P.S. WOW that was a nice chart Robt. I was just what I was looking for. Now this will help me decide the type of razor I am thinking of purchasing next. This place is sure a plethora of information. Hats and razors tipped to all the people who contribute.

 

[Luc]

The NEW would be a bit more aggressive than a SuperSpeed. Now, for the blades, they will perform differently in a different razor. There might be a blade out there that would give you a better shave with the Superspeed.

and +1 on what Bob said.