I think I have never really understood what the concept of "cushioning" is all about. What exactly does it refer to in the first place? Why is it important? What is good cushioning vs. bad cushioning? How is it related to closeness? Anything else?
Thanks so much. Best - MM
That's it. Astroglide is much more slippery than my superlather, yet my blade will glide down my face better with my superlather on it then it will with Astroglide because of the cushion provided and my face will be more irritation free.To wrap this up and attempt to answer your question, I believe that Cushion is simply the protective barrier that a product provides.
When a shaver finds a product that they really like, typically because it performs in a superior way for them, it is (again my opinion) at least partially because the product works well with their blade of choice (sharpness and smoothness) and with their technique (speed of stroke, length of stroke and pressure applied).
That's it. Astroglide is much more slippery than my superlather, yet my blade will glide down my face better with my superlather on it then it will with Astroglide because of the cushion provided and my face will be more irritation free.
You pretty much answered your own questions. BBS with irritation isn't BBS. I say the blade will glide better with cushion because although Astroglide has more 'slip' to it and is better at reducing friction, the product with cushion will have less friction to combat. In the end you're going to get a closer shave if you can get through multiple passes with a product with some cushion vs. ripping up your skin with something like Astroglide.What does it mean the "blade will glide down my face better"? What aspect of the whole thing is better and in what way?
As far as I understand all this so far, the cushion prevents the blade from getting close to the skin. This is of course counter-productive when it comes to getting a close shave. On the other hand, the cushion will help prevent irritations. If I want BBS, I need to get close to the skin, so I don't want any cushion. I still want the blade to glide nicely, so lubricity is still something I want, but cushion??
As far as I understand all this so far, the cushion prevents the blade from getting close to the skin. This is of course counter-productive when it comes to getting a close shave. On the other hand, the cushion will help prevent irritations. If I want BBS, I need to get close to the skin, so I don't want any cushion. I still want the blade to glide nicely, so lubricity is still something I want, but cushion??