mild & highly efficient razors

I was going through my razors tonight.  I found a tech I knew that I had, but I haven't used it in years.  I believe this is the tech model I have: http://mr-razor.com/Rasierer/Tech/1951%2...20Tech.JPG

is this similar to the model that was being talked about that is mild & efficient?

Andrew,
I dont know if the W3 is the razor Mr. Ham used as an example, but I have owned one of these, in fact it was a W3. It was a fun little razor and that handle felt perfect while shaving. It was on the mild side yet fairly efficient. In fact this was the razor I loaned to my leg shaver for a change of pace from the Krona. I also loaned it to my neighbor to kickstart him in the DE world. (his leg shaver bought him a shavette for fathers day and he was having a tough time with it. This after a lifetime of using carts. I saved him.)

I would say that the standard ball techs are a slight step up in aggressiveness and efficiency from the W3. I know there is much to do about the triangle slot ball techs, but I find they perform exactly like their oval slotted brethren. Maybe they rinse a teeny bit better but thats it.

Also, kudos to BakerBarber for and eloquently written 3 way razor comparo. Most writers lose me along the way, but he did and outstanding job of clearly defining the pros and cons of each individually and collectively.


#stickyworthy

The only tech I have is a travel tech and I've never used it.

for me...travel tech=the most mild razor i have ever used in my life

In fact I am going to sell mine because it is such a technique difference between it and all others. I easily get myself in trouble the next razor I use AFTER the travel tech.

Never tried it with a feather though.

OK fellas, and leg shavers,
One item of interest I'm not seeing in this thread that is a major player in the efficient/mild/aggressive/inefficient discussion is cap angle-which equates to blade angle. Yes I agree that blade gap does play a role, but if the blade angle is near vertical it will be an aggressive shave. The more horizontal the cap pushes the blade mild shaves from that razor are the result.

Example-37C had a blade gap you and drive a truck through, yet is as gentle as a pussy cat given its blade angle.
Drop a Feather in a oval slot ball tech, and you will have found Saddam Hussein's weapon of mass destruction. True the blade has alot to do with this but the top cap/blade angle forces the blade to perform in this manner. The sharper blades allows the razor to be more efficient. A more gentle blade allows some forgiveness and gentleness from the ball tech.

I know this sounds like I am saying the blade is the deciding factor, but I am not. It only plays a part. The blade angle along with gap are the deciding factor. The blade is the coup de gras. FootnoteIt is my belief that a high cap angle top cap razor FORCES the blade to do its job. Some blades just arent up to that challenge and thus perform better in milder razors that compensates for them)

One of my most favorite shaving lessons that was hinted on earlier (I believe from BakerBarber) but not further explained I learned on B&B long before my B&Blexit. Take a known super sharp blade and drop it in a known mild razor. The user (Turtle) used a Gillette Super Speed and a Feather. Note the SS top cap does not force the blade to vertical angle, as opposed to a Ball Tech which does. The 2 SS I own were novelties until I tried this, now they are of much more value to me. In both my FT SS and TV special, they are now very efficient with minimal blade gap and low blade angle. There is a bit of pride knowing you can have a good results and a carefree shave with arguably the sharpest blade on the market using a VERY cost efficient un-sought after razor. I guess thats why I find the Wolfman sideshows so amusing.

olschoolsteel , I'm not sure I understand what you mean by vertical vs horizontal. Are you talking about the degree to which the head curves the blade, so that with a more curved blade it's closer to being parallel to the gap?

olschoolsteel , I'm not sure I understand what you mean by vertical vs horizontal. Are you talking about the degree to which the head curves the blade, so that with a more curved blade it's closer to being parallel to the gap?

In short yes.


Looking down the length of the comb/SB from a non-cutting edge side, high cap angle=more aggressive=vertical. Slight cap pressure=low cap angle=vertical.

I wanted to use the degree mark on a compass in my post but then even I would get confused writing it. ie 180 deg, 90 deg etc.

I have the popular and I've tried many different blades in it and trust me it shaves best with a feather blade. It was designed that way I'm sure.

I have the popular and I've tried many different blades in it and trust me it shaves best with a feather blade. It was designed that way I'm sure.

Hmm.. now I'm not so sure if I should buy one. I don't like the thought of Feather blades as my daily's, too pricey for my comfort.

The feathers last for me 6-8 shaves so that makes them affordable

I have the popular and I've tried many different blades in it and trust me it shaves best with a feather blade. It was designed that way I'm sure.

Hmm.. now I'm not so sure if I should buy one. I don't like the thought of Feather blades as my daily's, too pricey for my comfort.

I'm sure it'll work well with whatever other sharp blade works for you.

I have the popular and I've tried many different blades in it and trust me it shaves best with a feather blade. It was designed that way I'm sure.

Hmm.. now I'm not so sure if I should buy one. I don't like the thought of Feather blades as my daily's, too pricey for my comfort.

Buy Feather blades from Amazon for about $22 per 100. I realize there are more affordable options but $22 for a year isn't bad, and that's if you shave every day. I get 3 shaves usually but sometimes push it to 4, though there are also times when I only like go 2 but it's rare.