Aggressive/Efficient Razor Comparison Experiment: The Face Of Fear

This is something I decided I wanted to do. I have a tendency to lean towards the efficient/aggressive end of razors. I was thinking about the razors that I currently own and decided I wanted to try to compare some of them side-by-side that spec out, at least on paper, very closely. We all know that just the specs on paper such as blade gap and blade exposure do not tell the whole story, but I want those numbers to be at least close to make it seem like a reasonable comparison. As with anything I do it is somewhat thought out, but will likely not really contain a whole lot of specific science or technical jargon outside of the basic specs. It'll just be really based on my experience with the shaves.

     The main things I will be looking for, and comparing, is the overall comfort of the shave. This will be based mostly on smoothness, efficiency, and blade feel. These are the things that I generally pay attention to with the razor as I do like some blade feel, but there are some that are too harsh even for me. Also, whether or not one razor gets a little bit closer than the other with less passes. I think the end result will be moot, because most of the razors that I have in mind to try this experiment, the result will likely be the same after 3 passes and a little bit of touchup. Or if maybe one of them after the three passes doesn't require any touchups. Who knows?

     I have a short list of some of the comparisons that I plan on making. Now, this will not likely be something I will do every shave, cause there will always be something else that I want to try that I will want to do in the meantime. if there's anything on the list that someone may want me to do next as I don't really have a specific order laid out, just feel free to comment and let me know. Also, feel free to comment on your experiences with any of these razors.

Here is my initial list off the top of my head:

Karve SB-E vs. SB-G

Karve SB-E vs. OC-G

Karve OC-F vs. OC-G

Karve SB-E vs. RR GC 105-P

Karve SB-G vs. RR Lupo 127

Karve OC-G vs. Yaqi Sentinel OC

Karve SB-G vs. RR Lupo 127 SB

Timeless Ti. .95 OC vs. RR Lupo 95 OC

Blackland Blackbird vs. Blackland Dart

Cool idea.
I'd be interested in your (or anyone's) thoughts on the aluminum Lupo (if you have it) vs any other SS Lupos. I have my opinion, but curious of others.

Cool idea.
I'd be interested in your (or anyone's) thoughts on the aluminum Lupo (if you have it) vs any other SS Lupos. I have my opinion, but curious of others.

I don’t really have too many aluminum razors as I’m not a fan, but I do have one what I believe is a RR aluminum razor, but I don’t believe the head on it is a Lupo. I’ve never had any desire to shave with it so I’ve never used it. I’ll take a picture and post it later on when I get a chance.

Comparison #1


Karve SB-E vs. Karve SB-G

Blade: Wizamet Super Iridium
SB-E: Blade Gap 1.10mm • Blade Exposure: 0.17mm
SB-G: Blade Gap 1.36mm • Blade Exposure 0.25mm



     I have been wanting to get a hold of an SB-G plate for sometime to compare it to the SB-E plate. This isn't quite the as close to similar as possible comparison I wanted to do in terms of specs on two completely different make razors, but I wanted to do this comparison for myself and these both definitely fall into the aggressive/efficient category.

Impressions: 

     Both razors, as I expected, do shave smoothly. I will say that there is definitely more blade feel to the G plate, but that is to be expected considering the larger gap and more blade exposure. Using one right after the other does make the E plate feel a little bit milder than it does when it is used on its own to me. I definitely did not find the G plate to be too much blade feel for me, but I can see it definitely could be for some folks. I also did get a couple of little nicks or weepers with the G plate that I did not get with the E plate. The combination of this plate and blade for my two days growth may have been a bit much in the aggression department. I have used this blade in other reasonably aggressive razors successfully without being nicked before. The E plate is definitely my go to from Karve, and I would think that the G plate would be something that would serve well for more growth, or those who do have a tough, thick, or heavy beard. With that said, even with heavier growth, I've had no issues with the efficiency of the plate, but I know there are folks out there that do have tougher or thicker beards than I do. 

     As for my post shave results, both got incredibly close without any problem. However, there was a slight bit more burn from the alcohol based aftershave on the plate side then there was on the side. And that was definitely in areas where the nicks or weepers were not located. But, like most of my previous shaves, the burn was gone as quickly as it had appeared, but it was definitely just a little bit more intense on the side that I had used the G plate on.

My Conclusion: 

     Based on today's shave, I'm still going to have to go with the E plate. While the G plate is definitely not too much for me personally, I'm assuming the slightly less blade exposure and smaller gap is what gives the E plate it's advantage in smoothness. You will feel the G plate more, but not uncomfortably so. For me, and this is how I felt before I did the shave, the E plate seems to be a perfect storm of feel, efficiency, and overall comfort all wrapped up into one for me.

Cool idea.
I'd be interested in your (or anyone's) thoughts on the aluminum Lupo (if you have it) vs any other SS Lupos. I have my opinion, but curious of others.

I don’t really have too many aluminum razors as I’m not a fan, but I do have one what I believe is a RR aluminum razor, but I don’t believe the head on it is a Lupo. I’ve never had any desire to shave with it so I’ve never used it. I’ll take a picture and post it later on when I get a chance.

Sounds good.
Re: aluminum razors, I agree. Sometimes I use it with a steel handle to boost the weight.

Cool idea.
I'd be interested in your (or anyone's) thoughts on the aluminum Lupo (if you have it) vs any other SS Lupos. I have my opinion, but curious of others.

I don’t really have too many aluminum razors as I’m not a fan, but I do have one what I believe is a RR aluminum razor, but I don’t believe the head on it is a Lupo.  I’ve never had any desire to shave with it so I’ve never used it. I’ll take a picture and post it later on when I get a chance.

Sounds good.
Re: aluminum razors, I agree. Sometimes I use it with a steel handle to boost the weight.

It is definitely not a Lupo. I wa sunder the impression for some reason it was a Razorock. I know my GC and Lupos are engraved with the names and specs. I would assume they did that will all their plates? It looks to me like it could be a BBS, but it has no such indication ro markings on it.

Comparison #2

Timeless Ti95 OC vs. RR Lupo 95OC

Blade: Wizamet Super Iridium

Timeless Ti95OC Blade Gap 0.95mm • Blade Exposure .05mm

RR Lupo 95OC Blade Gap 0.95mm • Blade Exposure Positive

     I decided to go at it today with two razors that are pretty similar on paper. Both 0.95mm blade gap in an open comb. For me both have been very smooth shavers and spend their fair amount of time in my rotation.

Impressions:

     Both razors are very smooth, but I might have to give the edge to the Timeless. I’m not sure that it’s necessarily smoother or better, but it’s a different kind of smooth if that makes any sense. It might be a little bit slicker feeling I don’t know if this could be due to the high polish on the timeless versus the polish on the Lupo. They do mention right off the bat in their ads that they’re making razors and not jewelry, and not going for a jewelry look. 

     Also blade feel goes to the Timeless. I feel it has a slight bit more blade feel. Even though the Lupo exposure is positive, it almost feels neutral to me. I really didn’t feel a whole lot of blade with the Lupo.

     As for my post shave experience, there was definitely a good burn on both sides of the face from the alcohol based aftershave. I have to say think it was a little bit more of a bigger burn initially on the Timeless side, but they both subsided very quickly.

My Conclusion:

     If I had to pick the more enjoyable experience or shave, it would have to be the Timeless. While both razors are smooth, there's just something about the smoothness of the Timeless, whether it be the polishing job that plays a part or just the geometry, but it still is one of the smoothest razors I've used. Even though it has that slight blade feel, it is still very smooth. The Lupo itself is smooth as well, and I think the RR razors are incredible bargains. They are very smooth shavers throughout the GC and Lupo line. Their listing indicates positive blade exposure (though not specific), which feels quite minimal, if at all. Both are great shavers and will stay in my rotation without question. But, overall comfort and enjoyment the edge would likely have to go to the Timeless.

Comparison #3

Karve OC-F vs. Karve OC-G

Blade: Wizamet Super Iridium

OC-F: Blade Gap 1.23mm • Blade Exposure: 0.22mm

SB-G: Blade Gap 1.36mm • Blade Exposure 0.25mm

     I have been wanting to get a hold of an SB-G plate for sometime to compare it to the SB-E plate. This isn't quite the as close to similar as possible comparison I wanted to do in terms of specs on two completely different make razors, but I wanted to do this comparison for myself and these both definitely fall into the aggressive/efficient category.

Impressions: 

As one could've imagined, this wasn't too much of a contest. Not a huge difference in specs on these, this was just another comparison I wanted to do kind of for my own satisfaction/amusement. I already had the open comb F plate and, like the straight bar, I wanted to try the G to see how it felt. For me, I'm not sure there was a huge difference in feel here. They were both comfortable and smooth, and I didn't seem to really feel a huge, if any, difference in blade feel. Both got me where I needed to be in three passes with a very minimal need for touchups. That is kind of what I would've expected for plates at this level.

My Conclusion: 

  I'm not really sure there's a winner or anything to choose here today. They were both really similar to me kinda almost like trying to pick out which identical twin is which when they're both dressed exactly the same! I wanted to try the OC-G plate and I did. If anything, I would likely keep the G plate just to keep it because it's the most aggressive of the line. Based on my results today, I realize that if I never tried to play, I would've been fine, but curiosity always draws me in.

Wow this is a great research I have to go through it.

metal_shavings maybe Blackbird SB Ti vs Timeless .95 OC Ti?
I would like know how they compare.