#1
(This post was last modified: 04-26-2016, 04:48 AM by steeleshaves.)
I'll start in order from most aggressive (granted these are all aggressive)

Ikon shave craft tech
Phoneix open comb
R41 2011
Fat tip piccolo
MOST vintage gillettes cranked to 9

Missed the cut
R41 after 2011
Merkur progress cranked
Merkur future cranked

I'm telling you the Phoenix open comb is aggressive as can be that thing is border line shave craft tech in my book and I am not a PAA fan generally. For those of you that think I'm neglecting slants, I'm not. I just don't think any of them are aggressive, smooth yes, aggressive not really. I'll make a further disclaimer that some of those in my top five are not smooth shavers but they are aggressive!!!

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#2

Member
Ontario, Canada
Interesting order but I'll have to admit I don't really have too many aggressive razors. I have a Slim and I don't think it's anywhere near as aggressive as a Merkur Future from my understanding. I've taken it up to 9 a couple times and didn't think it was overly aggressive, I felt the RR Little Bastone, same head as the Jaws, was more aggressive IMO.

Do you have any experience with SE? I'm curious as to where you might rate the OCMM as I've heard it is more aggressive than the R41 2011. I've used mine a few times and I would definitely rate it above the Slim on 9. Also, I agree about Slants, I find my Merkur 37c to be rather mild but just very efficient although I guess it's a different kinda of aggressiveness.
David
#3
I've used a ATT H2 a couple times and was a little scared. That's the most aggressive I've used
#4

Member
Central Maine
I agree on the '11 R41. I love the thing. It's more aggressive than a vintage Gillette at 9 so your list is correct. Oddly enough shimming the '11 R41 doesn't make it more aggressive, just proves one more foolish. I know because I did it successfully, but only once. It makes a scary blade gap even scarier. One only does it one time. :-) That blade "flapping" in additional air space is daunting. One might as well glue a DE blade to a stick. Once someone can use a Gillette adjustable on "magic 9" one can handle anything made. It's just a head game that needs to be overcome after that; one already possesses the technique to use magic 9.

A Rolls Razor should also be on the list. Basically it's a Straight on a stick. Aggressive is off the scale with a straight since it's a bare blade. Great shave.

Then there are the SEvettes and the DEvettes. These are SE and DE razors with the combs removed, keeping the corners to protect the skin from the corner of the blade. Scary sharp blades but in a (basically) "shavevette on a stick" configuration. They are made and not bought using razors that can no longer be used as found, so as not to destroy a good vintage razor. Yet another great shave. They are more scary aggressive than the Rolls due to the sharpness of the blade.

In comparison to those, my fav' everyday razor, the ER '14 is tame. But on most folks list it would be quite aggressive. But it has reached everyday shave status for me. The OCMM? Tamer than the ER '14.

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Brian. Lover of SE razors.
#5
Is blade gap the only or the primary factor that determines aggressiveness? There are lists of spec blade gaps available. Are these lists a reliable way to objectively determine which razors will feel more aggressive than others?
#6
(04-26-2016, 04:55 AM)dabrock Wrote: Do you have any experience with SE?


I have used several SE razors and owned a few (mongoose etc) Most have left the den long ago. I don't like the limitations SE razors place on me in terms of what blades I can and can't use. Not to mention several of the SE blades that do "fit" are way over priced in my book. So while I do have experience in SE razors, but they aren't for me for the aforementioned reasons.
#7

Chazz Reinhold HOF
The only "aggressive" razor I have ever used was the Fatip Grande.
#8

Member
Ontario, Canada
(This post was last modified: 04-26-2016, 02:35 PM by dabrock.)
(04-26-2016, 02:13 PM)steeleshaves Wrote:
(04-26-2016, 04:55 AM)dabrock Wrote: Do you have any experience with SE?


I have used several SE razors and owned a few (mongoose etc) Most have left the den long ago. I don't like the limitations SE razors place on me in terms of what blades I can and can't use. Not to mention several of the SE blades that do "fit" are way over priced in my book. So while I do have experience in SE razors, but they aren't for me for the aforementioned reasons.
I can understand that, I was really just interested in how you would place some of the SE razors in your aggressiveness ratings.

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David
#9
(04-26-2016, 01:52 PM)Uzi Wrote: Is blade gap the only or the primary factor that determines aggressiveness? There are lists of spec blade gaps available. Are these lists a reliable way to objectively determine which razors will feel more aggressive than others?

It's only one factor. I think the most important characteristic is blade exposure. That would be the amount of blade that extends past the tangent line of the cap and baseplate. Blade gap (distance between the blade and the baseplate) and blade span (distance the blade extends past the edge of the top cap) both contribute to the exposure. Things like blade angle and overall razor weight, even balance also contribute to a razor's perceived aggressiveness.

My votes based on what I've used

-DEvette
-2013 R41 with Spitfire Cap
-2013 R41
-Wide Open Fatboy (set 2 levels higher than standard)
-Fatip Grande
-Wide Open Slim
-Merkur Futur
-Wide Open (and overclocked) Progress. I actually turn mine about 1.5 levels past 5.

Also in the discussion should be SEs, though I have a hard time comparing them apples-to-apples with my DEs.
-1924 EverReady Shovel Head
-Micromatic Open Comb

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Garrett, The Shaving Disciple - Christian, Husband, Father, Writer, YouTuber, Head Shaver
2024 Software Restraint
#10

Member
Metro Detroit
In my experience, the Futur on 6 is just as efficient, but more comfortable than the Fatboy set on 9.
I've recently tried a MMOC and it does shave closer than the Futur wide open, but has a more harsh feeling on my skin.


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