(08-07-2017, 07:36 PM)DannyHeitz Wrote: Thanks! That's very reasonable, if I place an order with them I will definitely tack one on. I see they have the v3, and v3A aggressive version. My beard is course and while I love how comfortable the Merkur is, I'm also in search of a closer shave. You (or anyone) have comparative experience with the Maggard v3 vs v3A?
I've never used the V3a. But consider this:
The term "aggressive" does not mean more efficient, nor does it mean "closer shave". It means, simply, wider blade gap. This means a wider range of effective angles, which allows the user with experience to choose the appropriate blade angle for their personal comfort.
"Mild", therefor, does not mean less efficient or lesser ability to provide a close shave, it means simply a more narrow blade gap, which limits both the amount of blade-on-skin contact, and the range of effective blade angle.
"Mild" and "aggressive" have less to do with the efficiency of a given razor than does the proper use of the effective angle.
You can have an extremely mild razor, like a Feather AS-D2 or a Seygus, that perform very well within their effective range. These razors have the ability to provide extremely close and comfortable shaves, they just do so within a very narrow range of effective angles.
With all that said, I find the standard V3 head to perform extremely well, and to be fairly moderate in terms of aggression. It is my "goto" razor for a mindless BBS head shave, meaning it has a very natural and intuitive effective angle, and as long as I maintain that effective angle range, I am rewarded with a very easy and trouble free BBS on my head. No nicks, no weepers, no leftover stubble, and no need for either 4-5 passes(too mild) or extreme care(too aggressive).
As with everything in this hobby...YMMV...but that's my experience...