World Shave Off Showdown 2 Guidelines

There are many solid bar razors that are more efficient than OC razors. I just feel like the solid bar version of a razor will have an advantage in smoothness over its OC counterpart and the reverse when it comes to efficiency.

Good points and I can see that playing a part when I start using the scoring system. It's a very tough call. I mean for example an Ikon Tech is super efficient and is a SB and the 2011 R41 is also super efficient and it's an OC so there are hard decisions to make here before getting started.

I still have to post up the Scoring system in the guidelines but I have to take a break and get some dinner but I'll keep adding to it and all the input I get from members will be taken into consideration on any subject concerning the Shave Off thread.

I wouldn't worry about the R41 since it's only available in an OC variation. So that's fair play. As far as the rest, I understand you have to stick to what you already have and what's available.

Are you guys sure the R41 is a "true" open comb as its seems like a scalloped hybrid to me ? We could have a whole thread on R41 design and effectiveness

Dragonsbeard currently have my prototype (early alpha phase) razor on loan to a friend as he will be out of the states for quite a bit quite soon. After I receive it back would you mind if I submit it to this shave off?

I like this thread for what it is, subjective fun.  ....  Thank you again for creating what may become the most read thread on this site.  It will likely bring new members from the site that was so foolish that they lost track of what their members wanted.

SM29 You "nailed" it perfectly. The last one was nearly 18 months and 5k in posts but I predict this will be more involved. Looking forward Frank

May I suggest a 2019 Rocnel Elite A for the very efficient category? I have one that I'm willing to send you.

Yes absolutely I’ve never used one and I would certainly welcome the chance to use it on the Shave Off. I’ll take your word on which category it should go in and I’ll add it to the list.
Thank you for your contribution to the Shave Off. I’d hold off sending it till we get to the Very Efficient category. This way it won’t be gone for so long.

May I suggest a 2019 Rocnel Elite A for the very efficient category? I have one that I'm willing to send you.

Yes absolutely I’ve never used one and I would certainly welcome the chance to use it on the Shave Off. I’ll take your word on which category it should go in and I’ll add it to the list.
Thank you for your contribution to the Shave Off. I’d hold off sending it till we get to the Very Efficient category. This way it won’t be gone for so long.

Of course! Just send me a message when you want it

I like this thread for what it is, subjective fun.  The differences in categories are a necessary distraction depending on the judging criteria.  If efficiency alone is the criteria, comparing a hyper efficient razor to an efficient razor should always result in the hyper efficient razor winning.  When my daughter played competitive softball we early came to realize that winning  “B” tournaments consistently meant that the team was an “A” team and not a “B” team.  So it is with this, the winner of the efficient category is probably very efficient and the winner of the very efficient category is probably hyper efficient and the winner of the hyper efficient category is the efficiency champ.

For me it is the commentary.  8 hour BBS1 is a winner for me.  I don’t need BBS3 for twice or three times as long.  Next I qualitatively want to hear about the feel.  No two faces are alike, but two different razors on the same face give an idea of what someone might expect to see on their face.

As far as blades go, I would suggest that the same blade be used in each razor and that the blade used be one that Frank is most comfortable with.  Judging by past shave offs I predict a hand stropped Feather.

Many of us have purchased razors that did not win their categories because desirable characteristics were revealed.

Let’s just enjoy the journey through a variety of razors many of us will never see.

Thank you again for creating what may become the most read thread on this site.  It will likely bring new members from the site that was so foolish that they lost track of what their members wanted.

Thank you sir for the awesome post! 

Your right this is supposed to subjective fun. It was the original concept for the very first Shave Off. I'm only one person and I can only give my opinion on how a razors shaves on my face but what I hope some get out of these Shave Offs is a general idea of the shaving characteristics of all the razors I use in these Shave Offs. I'm glad to hear that some people purchase razors that not always win a Shave Off but because of the Shave Off they see something in the razor review that they like. I have some ideas on how we can make this Shave Off special as I've learned a lot doing all the one on the other forum. Oh and on that subject thank you for the kind words. What they don't know is their treatment of people has not gone unnoticed and I've gotten at least 100 emails, texts, pm's and phone calls from members and what they did was just fire up this Dragon and a lot of my  Shaving brothers who will no longer use that site in protest of how they treat members and I see them starting to drift over here. 

I will be using the Scoring System and will be adjusting it for this " Most Efficient Razor " Shave Off as the last one I did was focused and titled " The Smoothest Razor " and you'll see how the this one is set up differently than the last one.  

On the blade used you are right my favorite blade is a hand stropped Feather and I'm leaning towards just using them for the entire Shave Off and absolutely in the " Hyper Efficient " category but I'm still open to using a different blade in the other two categories if the members would like to see some variety. I'll wait to hear more feedback before making a firm decision on that subject. 

Again thank you for the excellent post! 




  

Dragonsbeard currently have my prototype (early alpha phase) razor on loan to a friend as he will be out of the states for quite a bit quite soon. After I receive it back would you mind if I submit it to this shave off?

Hello my friend! Well I think what you did in creating your one off own razor from a concept you had is almost mind blowing and I give you a ton of credit. I would be glad to use it in the category you think it fits in but because it's a one off razor and not available for anyone to purchase I can't let it be an official contender. I'm looking forward to using it though and I'm sure you understand why it can't be officially in this Shave Off but more so of a cameo appearance which I'm sure everyone will enjoy as well as myself. So let me know what category you think it belongs in and I'll add it to the list. 

Take care!

UPDATE:

Scoring System for the " Most Efficient Razor " Shave Off 


Hello friends I have been working on the Scoring System and I thought I'd post it up here and then put it into the guidelines post as well. Although the structure of the system is the same as it was in the last Shave Off I did " The Smoothest Razor " the percentages have been changed and it's pretty easy to see that the main focus is on efficiency but it is not the only thing the razor will be judged on. 


Scoring System: 

1. Efficiency - up to a possible 60 points 
2. Smoothness - up to a possible 25 points 
3. Maneuverability - up to a possible  5 points 
4. Balance - up to a possible  5 points 
5. Glide - up to a possible 5 points 


Using this Scoring System means a razor can be let's say very efficient and maybe a bit more than the razor it's up against in a Shave Off but maybe it scores low on smoothness or maybe it's not very maneuverable while the other razor is good at those two characteristics well the more efficient razor would lose that round or it could go the exact opposite way and every way in between. 

Any feedback or suggestions are welcomed before putting this up in the guidelines post. 


Great Shaves!  

Great news, I loved the old threads and with the thread dedicated to the shootouts without the noise, I'm going to love this one even more

Since many advocate a sharp blade for mild razors and vice versa, maybe adding a blade at the other end of the spectrum could provide some contrast/perspective. Feather and Kai are very similar, how about a derby premium or the like?

Looking at your list of razors, I'm a bit puzzled to see adjustables in the mix, shouldn't they have their separate category or do you intend to use them at max dial?

Great news, I loved the old threads and with the thread dedicated to the shootouts without the noise, I'm going to love this one even more

Since many advocate a sharp blade for mild razors and vice versa, maybe adding a blade at the other end of the spectrum could provide some contrast/perspective. Feather and Kai are very similar, how about a derby premium or the like?

Looking at your list of razors, I'm a bit puzzled to see adjustables in the mix, shouldn't they have their separate category or do you intend to use them at max dial?

Hello sir 

Yes all the Adjustable will be set on max for these Shave Offs and I want to use very sharp blades in all these razors to get the most out of them. I’m leaning towards using a Feather for the entire Shave Off as they are my favorites and I know they work well in 90% of the razors on this list. 

thank you for the input! It’s much appreciated