Seven years in my wet-shaving journey I've tried numerous razors (adjustables, slants, injectors, GEMs, high aggression, single edge, etc.). Unfortunately, I haven't found a single razor that can easily and comfortably bring me to BBS results. Maybe this speaks to my skill using these razors, the coarseness of my beard growth or how realistic fleeting 'BBS' results are for all parts of one's beard growth.
Many DE razors seemed efficient up to a point, but induced razor burn while chasing BBS results, while high aggression razors usually come at a cost in comfort - and haven't always produced 'BBS' results.
Considering one hones a straight razor with various stones of different grits, it was a little surprising the adaptation of using an adjustable DE safety razor didn't seem to produce as efficient and comfortable results.
At some point I started switching to various razors over the course of a shave. Particularly razors which were most efficient and comfortable for that particular pass.
My current course of razors used for two-day shaves:
RazoRock 'Hawk V3' Open Comb SE razor (with Feather Professional Super blades) for with the grain passes -- using a Maggard MR18 handle.
Classic Shaving 'Occam's Razor' adjustable SE razor (on 3 dot setting, with Feather Professional Super blades) for across the grain passes.
iKon ShaveCraft 'Tech' DE razor (with Feather Hi-Stainless blades) for against the grain passes -- using a Maggard MR18 handle -- with the lightest touch.
For my coarse beard growth, I find thicker, single edge Feather Artist Club blades are a wonderful start to a two-day shave. They don't tug as much as some aggressive DE safety razors using a Feather Hi-Stainless DE blade (or a Derby blade, for that matter). The 'Hawk V3' open comb seems to easily (and comfortably) plow through beard growth. The 'Occam's Razor' adjustable SE (with much skin stretching) produces surprisingly smooth and efficient XTG results at it's highest possible setting, though it's efficiency doesn't seem to carry through on all passes. Taking the straight razor honing analogy to it conclusion, I find only the most aggressive razor and blade (iKon 'Tech', used with the lightest touch) can come close to clearing any persistent beard stubble, for close to BBS results. Using the iKon 'Tech' razor/blade combo for all passes can be quite harsh -- and taking any of these razors out of sequence seems to reduce efficiency and comfort.
I don't think I've ever seen it discussed or demonstrated of using various razors for a shave (provided one finds some razors work better for specific shaving passes than others). I'm sure a course of hot towels before a shave would do wonders.
At this point maybe I shouldn't reconsider this shaving 'nirvana' (if there is such a thing) - though I'd love some input of other razors that could possibly satisfy a quick, efficient and comfortable 'one razor' shave.
I've been considering a Blackland 'Blackbird' open comb and/or a RazoRock 'Lupo' .95 open comb, but don't know if they would be a better investment than the three aggressive razors I've noted above.
Hopefully someone reads this who has had similar troublesome experiences chasing the 'BBS' dragon.
Many DE razors seemed efficient up to a point, but induced razor burn while chasing BBS results, while high aggression razors usually come at a cost in comfort - and haven't always produced 'BBS' results.
Considering one hones a straight razor with various stones of different grits, it was a little surprising the adaptation of using an adjustable DE safety razor didn't seem to produce as efficient and comfortable results.
At some point I started switching to various razors over the course of a shave. Particularly razors which were most efficient and comfortable for that particular pass.
My current course of razors used for two-day shaves:
RazoRock 'Hawk V3' Open Comb SE razor (with Feather Professional Super blades) for with the grain passes -- using a Maggard MR18 handle.
Classic Shaving 'Occam's Razor' adjustable SE razor (on 3 dot setting, with Feather Professional Super blades) for across the grain passes.
iKon ShaveCraft 'Tech' DE razor (with Feather Hi-Stainless blades) for against the grain passes -- using a Maggard MR18 handle -- with the lightest touch.
For my coarse beard growth, I find thicker, single edge Feather Artist Club blades are a wonderful start to a two-day shave. They don't tug as much as some aggressive DE safety razors using a Feather Hi-Stainless DE blade (or a Derby blade, for that matter). The 'Hawk V3' open comb seems to easily (and comfortably) plow through beard growth. The 'Occam's Razor' adjustable SE (with much skin stretching) produces surprisingly smooth and efficient XTG results at it's highest possible setting, though it's efficiency doesn't seem to carry through on all passes. Taking the straight razor honing analogy to it conclusion, I find only the most aggressive razor and blade (iKon 'Tech', used with the lightest touch) can come close to clearing any persistent beard stubble, for close to BBS results. Using the iKon 'Tech' razor/blade combo for all passes can be quite harsh -- and taking any of these razors out of sequence seems to reduce efficiency and comfort.
I don't think I've ever seen it discussed or demonstrated of using various razors for a shave (provided one finds some razors work better for specific shaving passes than others). I'm sure a course of hot towels before a shave would do wonders.
At this point maybe I shouldn't reconsider this shaving 'nirvana' (if there is such a thing) - though I'd love some input of other razors that could possibly satisfy a quick, efficient and comfortable 'one razor' shave.
I've been considering a Blackland 'Blackbird' open comb and/or a RazoRock 'Lupo' .95 open comb, but don't know if they would be a better investment than the three aggressive razors I've noted above.
Hopefully someone reads this who has had similar troublesome experiences chasing the 'BBS' dragon.
.
