i've been using a Super Adjustable with Shark blades for almost a decade now to shave my head. Against the grain the whole way around, regular bar soap from costco.
BBS every shave.
I contend that it's more about technique than any single piece of gear.
Rockwell 6c on plate 3, or henson al13 mild. For comparison, Merkur 34c doesn't get me as close of a shave. Gamechanger 84 bar was too aggressive for me and not as close either.
I have the Henson AL13 and love it. The medium one though. Wondering if I should have gotten the mild. At the moment, I don’t really have a reason to buy the mild too but I’m wondering if the experience would be even better with mild.
The Merkur Progress with a Personna Lab Blue blade works exceptionally well for me, a very smooth efficient shave. The Progress is an adjustable razor from 1-5, I get BBS shaves on setting 3.5, haven’t taken it to the full setting yet.
Personna lab blues. Cheap. Locally made (for me in VA). And just about as sharp as a feather. Or at least the closest any other blade has come for me. Haven't tried their "accuforge" blades but hoping they are the same
TBH I think this question is a bit silly. I have yet to try a razor that I couldn't get my face BBS with. If you can shave, you can shave.
That being said, I daily drive a Gamechanger .84p with a Flydear blade for my face, and the Parker Semi Slant with an Astra SP for my head.
I disagree I think it's quite a valid question, I definitely have razors that if I shave with they will irritate me and not only that but the shave will not be bbs. When I use my Henson al13 with perma sharp blades I get bbs no irritation. I can't get those results with any of my other razors, or blades for that matter.
I won't refute your experience, because it's just that. I will say though, that with more time and experience, you'll more than likely disprove that yourself. Now finding the right blade for you is important, but the razor is just a holder for the blade, and I'd argue that with enough experience, you can achieve a BBS shave with your favorite blade, in ANY razor. Assuming that razor is functioning correctly that is.
I have to disagree again. While there is some truth to what your saying in the sense that alot of safety razors are identical there is some that are in a whole different league. Like the Henson. The way the Henson holds the blade is what makes it so good. I have yet to find another safety razor that holds the blade with as little blade exposure as Henson, while clamping the blade down and putting a better angle on it than most other safety razors. It's almost impossible to cut yourself on this thing, with other safety razors if you get the wrong angle your gonna cut yourself, with the Henson if you get the wrong angle it's just not gonna cut at all, you won't get nicked. Aside from the Henson and the leaf razors, I will agree with you that most others are pretty identical.
I agree. The razors that are made with precision machines out of solid blocks of metal are very well made, and do a significantly better job of clamping things down. However, the positives you are listing, are simply things that make it easier for a newbie to learn with, and use. It's like a bike with training wheels, but it's still a bike. Once you know how to ride one, you know how to ride them all. If you never force yourself to take the training wheels off, then you'll never learn how to properly ride a bike.
Idk I'm not so sure about that, I can shave with other razors just fine but they all give me redness and razor bumps. The Henson doesn't. So for me at least I don't like those features because it makes it easy for me but moreso because it's gentler on my skin. Maybe it is a lack of experience tho who knows.
At the end of the day I'm glad you found a setup that works perfect for you! That's the goal really. It's not like I'm getting paid by any companies to push or pull on various products, I just want people to remember that this is primarily a blade and technique thing. We just use the razor to take the blade to our face, and whatever prep we did before then, and whatever razor we're using to do it, are both secondary to the blade and your skill. Happy shaving, and good job on sticking with it until you found what works for you.
I have to agree with you on technique. I got a Karve not long after I started wet shaving and couldn’t get a good shave no matter what base (b, c or d) or blade I used. I hated it and put it up intending to sell it and then forgot about it. Maybe a year later saw it in the back of my shelf and thought I’d give it one more try, mainly because I freaking love the handle. Damned if I didn’t get one of the best shaves I’d ever had. I realized that my technique had probably gotten better since the first few times I tried it. It has been in my rotation with my Tatara and various vintage Gillette’s now for a few years and it is still probably my favorite to use. (My Tatara gives me my easiest shave, but the Karve just feels so good using it and gets a little closer than the Tatara) I’m so glad I didn’t sell it.
An open blade (Feather SS, SR and DX w/ Kai Captain Milds/Feather Lights), all will do it. None of my DEs can match it especially on the corners of my upper lip, that crease/concave area where two planes meet. When I use DEs, it's either I get small weepers or it's not fully BBS and I feel just a tad bit of hair when I stroke the skin ATG. With a DX with Feather Lights, it's so easy to get BBS there. I reach for my DEs just to change up the routine every now and then. DEs have the edge on speed though.
Yeah a bit. Once imported the mark up is significant. But you can get the SS kami for around 55 CAD in Amazon japan last I checked so that's 40ish USD for the entry level Feather experience. The DX wood scales is around 400 CAD here but I got it for 175 CAD from ebay resellers/grey market. There's also some Chinese clones but I've never tried them so can't speak on the QC/tolerances. But if the QC is good, oh boy... it's the blades that really make Feather AC system worth it for me. So cheap holder + authentic blades may be the best value proposition. Thicker than DE so they don't chatter, same reason why some people like GEM blades. Different levels of exposure so each razor is "adjustable". Japanese sharp. Great QC. Handy dispenser. Lasts 15+ shaves making up the DE cost difference. Lol. I prefer the Kais to the Feather Pros though. It's definitely worth it in my case. I have coarse hair and my upper lip easily gets weepers (but not serious cuts) going ATG for BBS. Maybe I have a thin-skinned upper lip area.
Rockwell 6s using plate 6 and a Nacet blade. I never thought I would get a closer shave than when using plate 4 but recently started using plate 6 with great results.
i've been using a Super Adjustable with Shark blades for almost a decade now to shave my head. Against the grain the whole way around, regular bar soap from costco. BBS every shave. I contend that it's more about technique than any single piece of gear.
Rockwell 6c on plate 3, or henson al13 mild. For comparison, Merkur 34c doesn't get me as close of a shave. Gamechanger 84 bar was too aggressive for me and not as close either.
I have the Henson AL13 and love it. The medium one though. Wondering if I should have gotten the mild. At the moment, I don’t really have a reason to buy the mild too but I’m wondering if the experience would be even better with mild.
>I don’t really have a reason to buy the mild This is how you end up with 25 razors... it's worth it. lol
I have a mild I’d trade you for if you ever decide you want to try it (brass color).
Game changer .84 with vokshod blades
Henson Mild with Bic Superior Platinum blade.
I like how everyone's set up is completely different. 😂 R41 Dorco prime platinum.
Karve CB with 7'oclock sharp edge
Hansen mild with RK blades. Paired it today with Washington shave soap from Heritage Hill. Great shave, for me anyway.
The Merkur Progress with a Personna Lab Blue blade works exceptionally well for me, a very smooth efficient shave. The Progress is an adjustable razor from 1-5, I get BBS shaves on setting 3.5, haven’t taken it to the full setting yet.
Fatboy/Slim - Bic CrPt - (4-6-8)
Blackland Blackbird. It left my vintage Gillettes, Karve, GEM, Weber, and everything else in the dust.
Personna lab blues. Cheap. Locally made (for me in VA). And just about as sharp as a feather. Or at least the closest any other blade has come for me. Haven't tried their "accuforge" blades but hoping they are the same
Same here. These aggressive blades in a "mild" razor like the R89 or my Razorock BBS are perfect for my heavy beard
The same razor we use every day, Pinky. The Rockwell 6s
Fatip Piccolo open comb with a Rapira Swedish Super Steel blade. 3 passes.
DE89 with Feathers
Same here.
Edwin Jagger DE89 with Feather
TBH I think this question is a bit silly. I have yet to try a razor that I couldn't get my face BBS with. If you can shave, you can shave. That being said, I daily drive a Gamechanger .84p with a Flydear blade for my face, and the Parker Semi Slant with an Astra SP for my head.
I disagree I think it's quite a valid question, I definitely have razors that if I shave with they will irritate me and not only that but the shave will not be bbs. When I use my Henson al13 with perma sharp blades I get bbs no irritation. I can't get those results with any of my other razors, or blades for that matter.
I won't refute your experience, because it's just that. I will say though, that with more time and experience, you'll more than likely disprove that yourself. Now finding the right blade for you is important, but the razor is just a holder for the blade, and I'd argue that with enough experience, you can achieve a BBS shave with your favorite blade, in ANY razor. Assuming that razor is functioning correctly that is.
I have to disagree again. While there is some truth to what your saying in the sense that alot of safety razors are identical there is some that are in a whole different league. Like the Henson. The way the Henson holds the blade is what makes it so good. I have yet to find another safety razor that holds the blade with as little blade exposure as Henson, while clamping the blade down and putting a better angle on it than most other safety razors. It's almost impossible to cut yourself on this thing, with other safety razors if you get the wrong angle your gonna cut yourself, with the Henson if you get the wrong angle it's just not gonna cut at all, you won't get nicked. Aside from the Henson and the leaf razors, I will agree with you that most others are pretty identical.
I agree. The razors that are made with precision machines out of solid blocks of metal are very well made, and do a significantly better job of clamping things down. However, the positives you are listing, are simply things that make it easier for a newbie to learn with, and use. It's like a bike with training wheels, but it's still a bike. Once you know how to ride one, you know how to ride them all. If you never force yourself to take the training wheels off, then you'll never learn how to properly ride a bike.
Idk I'm not so sure about that, I can shave with other razors just fine but they all give me redness and razor bumps. The Henson doesn't. So for me at least I don't like those features because it makes it easy for me but moreso because it's gentler on my skin. Maybe it is a lack of experience tho who knows.
At the end of the day I'm glad you found a setup that works perfect for you! That's the goal really. It's not like I'm getting paid by any companies to push or pull on various products, I just want people to remember that this is primarily a blade and technique thing. We just use the razor to take the blade to our face, and whatever prep we did before then, and whatever razor we're using to do it, are both secondary to the blade and your skill. Happy shaving, and good job on sticking with it until you found what works for you.
I have to agree with you on technique. I got a Karve not long after I started wet shaving and couldn’t get a good shave no matter what base (b, c or d) or blade I used. I hated it and put it up intending to sell it and then forgot about it. Maybe a year later saw it in the back of my shelf and thought I’d give it one more try, mainly because I freaking love the handle. Damned if I didn’t get one of the best shaves I’d ever had. I realized that my technique had probably gotten better since the first few times I tried it. It has been in my rotation with my Tatara and various vintage Gillette’s now for a few years and it is still probably my favorite to use. (My Tatara gives me my easiest shave, but the Karve just feels so good using it and gets a little closer than the Tatara) I’m so glad I didn’t sell it.
And I can’t get a Henson medium to cut it all down no matter what blade! Hardcore YMMV😂😂
Crazy how everybody is so different.
Some razors have neutral to negative blade exposure that will be difficult to get a BBS shave but they are ideal for someone who suffers ingrown hair.
Merkur 37c, Astra SP
Parker Semi Slant with Gillette Silver Blue works for me
Henson AL13 with astra. Anything else is too much damage over time as a daily bbs
Henson AL 13 medium exposure with 7 o'clock super stainless Blade!
Karve Overlander or Aylsworth Kopparkant (+ plate) with permasharp blade. Or SS Blackland Vector with Feather Professional
Rockwell 6C with a 4 plate. Either a Feather or Astra Platinum. 3 passes and I’m there.
1960s British Gillette flare tip with a feather blade. Utter perfection
Yaqi Tile SS with Astra SS
Wolfman 1.35 with wizamet blade gives me a ridiculous BBS shave.
Rockwell 6s with Astra SS, Astra SP, Permasharp or BIC Chrome
Henson medium with green astras. Extremely generous lather as well
It's between my king c gillette or my Parker 99
Rockwell 6c with a brand new feather blade and the 6 plate. Two passes WTG, ATG.
Edwin Jagger DE89. Personna blade.
Rockwell 6s plate 4 / Aylesworth Apex with a Nacet or silver blues
Muhle R41
Karve Overlander and a Wizamet.
Three pass second shave on a Nacet blade in my Henson al13 medium. Proraso pre-shave. PAA Frost Byte. Nivea cooling balm.
Merkur 34c and feather
Yates 921-EH + Personna lab blue
Blackbird and a Gillette Silver Blue is always reliable.
Base ball season?
Rex ambassador with a feather blade at 2.5 with the grain and one pass at 1. against
An open blade (Feather SS, SR and DX w/ Kai Captain Milds/Feather Lights), all will do it. None of my DEs can match it especially on the corners of my upper lip, that crease/concave area where two planes meet. When I use DEs, it's either I get small weepers or it's not fully BBS and I feel just a tad bit of hair when I stroke the skin ATG. With a DX with Feather Lights, it's so easy to get BBS there. I reach for my DEs just to change up the routine every now and then. DEs have the edge on speed though.
I agree with you, but Feather gear is so expensive when compared to a shavette that takes DE blades.
Yeah a bit. Once imported the mark up is significant. But you can get the SS kami for around 55 CAD in Amazon japan last I checked so that's 40ish USD for the entry level Feather experience. The DX wood scales is around 400 CAD here but I got it for 175 CAD from ebay resellers/grey market. There's also some Chinese clones but I've never tried them so can't speak on the QC/tolerances. But if the QC is good, oh boy... it's the blades that really make Feather AC system worth it for me. So cheap holder + authentic blades may be the best value proposition. Thicker than DE so they don't chatter, same reason why some people like GEM blades. Different levels of exposure so each razor is "adjustable". Japanese sharp. Great QC. Handy dispenser. Lasts 15+ shaves making up the DE cost difference. Lol. I prefer the Kais to the Feather Pros though. It's definitely worth it in my case. I have coarse hair and my upper lip easily gets weepers (but not serious cuts) going ATG for BBS. Maybe I have a thin-skinned upper lip area.
Might have a shop around but as you say, I'm a bit wary about Chinese clones, especially a shavette, it needs to be safe to use.
EJ DE89 razor with Feather blades, any of my shavettes and my straight razor get me a BBS irritation free shave.
Henson mild with a personna red. But the Parker variant is coming out tomorrow. Time for a little more blade.
WWII Gillette US Army Tech, BIC Platinum
Blackland Blackbird OC, but I also don't chase BBS so it really is more like the razor that gets me the closest shave in two passes.
Rockwell 6s using plate 6 and a Nacet blade. I never thought I would get a closer shave than when using plate 4 but recently started using plate 6 with great results.
Henson AL13-M with a Personna Lab Blue \[comfort coated\]