DE blade rigidity

**JDTTO** · 08-18-2012, 01:18 AM

Lately my favourite razor has become my GEM Push Button which is my only SE razor.

One of the factors which makes it work so well for me might be the rigidity of the ticker SE blade. It just seems less eager to bite me on trouble spots where my whiskers are a bit thougher.

Are some of the DE blades out there notably more rigid or thicker than others?

**Samjax** · 08-18-2012, 05:12 AM

To my knowledge, no one has ever found any differences in regards to measurable thickness with DE blades. However, if you go with a Slant design DE razor - the blade ends up being "stiffer" due to the twist the Slant puts in the blade.

**TheBigL** · 08-18-2012, 05:24 AM

I'm not sure about actual thickness, but I do seem to remember some blades feeling flimsier than others. That is, out of the package and out of the razor, of course. No actual data here, just an old observation.

**deafficianado** · 08-18-2012, 05:30 AM

The rare vintage Wade & Butcher double edge razors have a really thick double edge with a curve. It happens to be slightly bigger that your standard double edge though.

**ackvil** · 08-18-2012, 05:40 AM

It's probably my imagination but I thought DE blades when I started shaving (50+ years ago) were more rigid. I used the Gillette Blues and Wilkinson SS blades when they first came out and don't remember their being as flexible as current blades.

**mblakele** · 08-18-2012, 10:59 AM

What about choice of razor? For example I find that the NEW holds the blade just a little more firmly than any of the three-hole or TTO designs that I have used.

**JDTTO** · 08-18-2012, 12:52 PM

Originally Posted by Samjax

To my knowledge, no one has ever found any differences in regards to measurable thickness with DE blades. However, if you go with a Slant design DE razor - the blade ends up being "stiffer" due to the twist the Slant puts in the blade.

Good suggestion, the slant is allready on my shortlist of "razors to try" but I am done acquiring razors for now (not forever).

Originally Posted by mblakele

What about choice of razor? For example I find that the NEW holds the blade just a little more firmly than any of the three-hole or TTO designs that I have used.

Yes, this is probably one of the reasons why I prefer my tech over my slim and superspeed. Even though it's very mild, it's such a nice and efficient razor.

**drawonme** · 08-18-2012, 01:00 PM

The Feather AS holds any DE blade extremely rigidly.

**TonyJoe** · 08-18-2012, 04:54 PM

Originally Posted by mblakele

What about choice of razor? For example I find that the NEW holds the blade just a little more firmly than any of the three-hole or TTO designs that I have used.

I would also agree with this. The Old Type is even more rigid and I really like it. When I use my Slim it almost feels like the blade is flappin' in the breeze, especially at the higher settings.

I've never used an SE but I've got a Micromatic from a lot of razors purchased on eBay that I've been waiting to try when I get more time to do a slow careful shave.