Aggression - Ranking by blade gap size

[2bits]

These are the results - so far -

[updated - 05/13/08]

=============
* The easiest way to measure the blade gap is with a feeler gauge.
=============

GAP in 1/1000's of an inch [ +/- .001 inch ]

new or adjusted value

15 [.38mm]
16 [.41mm] Gillette Adjustable @ 1
17 [.43mm]
18 [.46mm]
19 [.48mm] Ming Sui
20 [.51mm] Gillette Adjustable @ 3
21 [.53mm]
22 [.56mm] Weishi, Gillette TECH
23 [.58mm] SS Blue Tip
24 [.61mm] Gillette NEW
25 [.64mm] US ARISTOCRAT,SS(late 40's), Merkur HD/38C
26 [.66mm] English ARISTOCRAT, SS Red Tip, Gillette Adjustable @ 5, Bic Disposable (orange handle)
27 [.69mm]
28 [.71mm]
29 [.74mm]
30 [.76mm] Feather Portable
31 [.79mm]
32 [.81mm]
33 [.84mm]
34 [.86mm]
35 [.89mm]
36 [.91mm] Gillette Adjustable @ 7
37 [.94mm]
38 [.97mm]
39 [.99mm]
40 [1.02mm]
41 [1.06mm]
42 [1.12mm] Gillette Adjustable @ 9

You can reasonably imagine where other razors would fall on this list from comments made by users.

With very few exceptions the impressions the razors give were matched by the gap size measurements.

Subjective differences in ranking were limited to +/- .001 measurements.

Differences of .001 or .002 can be considered functional equivalents.

[Haiku]

What a great post. Thanks for taking the time and making the effort to do this.

One of things that interested me is the difference between the New and the Gillette adjustable at 7. There is a comparatively large difference in blade gaps but I find that the two are very comparable. If anything, I would have said that the New is perhaps a bit more aggressive than the adjustable at 7.

I suppose that blade gaps while obviously crucial, are not completely determinative of aggressiveness and accordingly, differences such as open tooth or closed razor head designs are also important factors. While I perhaps would have guessed that, your post makes it plain to me.

[2bits]

[updated - 05/15/08]
* The easiest way to measure the blade gap is with a feeler gauge *

How to do it instructions are here ...

http://badgerandblade.com/vb/showthr...727#post592727

These are the results - so far -

GAP in 1/1000's of an inch [ +/- .001 inch ]

new or adjusted value

17 [.43mm] Gil-Adj Black handle @ 1
18 [.46mm]
19 [.48mm] Ming Sui
20 [.51mm] Gil-Rocket (UK)
21 [.53mm] Shick KRONA
22 [.56mm] Gil-Adj @ 1, Gil-TECH, Weishi
23 [.58mm] Gil-NEW, Gil-Super Speed Blue Tip
24 [.61mm] Gil-Adj @ 2
25 [.64mm] Wilkinson Croma, Gil-Aristocrat (US), Gil-Knack, Gil-Super Speed (late 40's), Merkur HD/38C
26 [.66mm] Bic Disposable (orange handle), Gil-Adj @ 3, Gil-Aristocrat (UK), Gil-Super Speed Red Tip
27 [.69mm]
28 [.71mm]
29 [.74mm] Gil-Adj @ 4
30 [.76mm]
31 [.79mm] Feather Portable
32 [.81mm] Gil-Adj @ 5
33 [.84mm]
34 [.86mm]
35 [.89mm] Gil-Adj @ 6
36 [.91mm]
37 [.94mm]
38 [.97mm] Gil-Adj @ 7
39 [.99mm]
40 [1.02mm]
41 [1.04mm] Gil-Adj @ 8, Gil-Adj Black handle @ 9
42 [1.07mm]
43 [1.09mm]
44 [1.12mm]
45 [1.14mm] Gil-Adj @ 9

Note: Gillette Adjustables
- Slim and Fat Boy range from .022 @ 1 to .045 @ 9
- the Black handle adjustable ranges from .017 @ 1 to .041 @ 9 or 1 setting smaller than the Slim or Fat Boy


You can reasonably imagine where other razors would fall on this list from your own experience or comments made by users.

Subjective differences in ranking were limited to +/- .001 measurements
so differences of .001 - .003 can be considered functional equivalent.

Special thanks to those who have contributed to the collection of this data:

* kestrel - provided 20+ razors *

- 1st to offer measurement data - dreadpirate
- measurement data - BeansBaxter
- suggested use of feeler gauge - cooncatbob
- analysis of geometry - Mozart
- analysis of aggression factors - cutting_edge, DarkDragon786, scoopster, swartzkip, wolfemi1
- analysis of error factors - Ontario
- table design - doc_paul

[2bits]

... the difference between the New and the Gillette adjustable at 7. There is a comparatively large difference in blade gaps but I find that the two are very comparable. If anything, I would have said that the New is perhaps a bit more aggressive than the adjustable at 7.

I suppose that blade gaps while obviously crucial, are not completely determinative of aggressiveness and accordingly, differences such as open tooth or closed razor head designs are also important factors. While I perhaps would have guessed that, your post makes it plain to me.

Here are the end shots of the Gillette NEW and an adjustable set on 7 for comparison. It might be of some help
(- if a picture can "show" aggression!?)

It would be interesting to hear from others who use these two razors and see if their experience matches yours.

[2bits]

You use a feeler (aka thickness) gauge to determine distances between two closely mating surfaces.

FEELER GAUGE - from Canadian Tire Stores (in Canada $9.99)
or better borrow one from a (amateur) car/motor mechanic


These simple tools are available at automotive suppliers for less than $10.

You can use a combination of blades to get a desired gauge thickness.

Do not force the feeler gauge blades into openings that are too small.

To get the feel of using a feeler gauge, practice with it on openings of known
dimensions.


eg

The gap of a Feather Portable razor is about .030"
The feeler gauge tool has blades from .002 to .025"

(for gaps greater than .025 you will need to combine or stack 2 or more blades to get the required thickness)

To measure the gap you simply insert the end of the feeler gauge blade(s)
between the safety bar and the razor's cutting edge.
(1/16" is far enough)

TOP VIEW



SIDE VIEW


a) Try .030

Use the .016 AND .014 blades together
(.016 + .014 = .030)

The blades DO FIT without applying any force
So the gap is at least .030"

b) Try .032

Use the .018 AND .014 blades together
(.018 + .014 = .032)

The blades DO NOT fit without applying force
So the gap is LESS THAN .032"

c) Try .031

Use the .016 AND .015 together
(.016 + .015 = .031)

The blades DO FIT without applying force
[and you are able to easily move the feeler gauge
left/right over the central 90-95% of the blade length without significant "binding"]

So the gap EQUALS .031".

[petekalo]

This seems like an excellent bit of information to add to the wiki, I am new here so I am a little hesitant. Does anyone agree?

[hamelfarm1]

Yep, a priceless post, particularly for those of us who specifically want to avoid harsh razors with massive gaping jaws.

I note that the Tech comes in as quite narrow - I assume that's a US Tech?

Does anyone know if the gap on Canadian Techs is wider? I've never used a US Tech and the Canadian one I've got tears my face up like a garden strimmer, it's so harsh. I have read of the possibility that US Techs are indeed milder, but I don't think anyone has yet directly compared the two.

[2bits]

Yep, a priceless post, particularly for those of us who specifically want to avoid harsh razors with massive gaping jaws.

I note that the Tech comes in as quite narrow - I assume that's a US Tech?

Does anyone know if the gap on Canadian Techs is wider? I've never used a US Tech and the Canadian one I've got tears my face up like a garden strimmer, it's so harsh. I have read of the possibility that US Techs are indeed milder, but I don't think anyone has yet directly compared the two.

My understanding (for what it's worth) from reading similar comments on the forums ...

*I have not been able to verify this*

but there are (at least) 2 different geometries in what are called TECH's.

The older (original) design with "triangle" shaped slots/holes in the base plate had a blade gap much larger than the revised design (with parallel sided slots/holes). The most common (newer) model is a mild razor with a blade gap of about .022 - .023".

I assume the country of manufacture is not the significant difference but rather when the razor was made.

I'd happily accept correction on this if anyone has better info ...

[rodd]

I just broke out my feeler gauge to check that the bars were even on my new red tip rocket, so I thought I would share the results. I first checked my American red tip, my results matched the above results with .0265, while it's British brother came in at .0315


While I was at it I also thought I could add these:
Merkur Classic .022
New Improved Tuckaway .021
New Norfolk .022
Ranger Tech .025
Black handle SS .025
Gem G-Bar .024
Gem Micromatic .021

[2bits]

[last updated - 05/30/08]

* The easiest way to measure the blade gap is with a feeler gauge *

These are the results - so far -

GAP in 1/1000's of an inch [ +/- .001 inch ]

new or adjusted value

--- 17 [.43mm] ---------------
Gil-Adj Black handle @ 1

--- 18 [.46mm] ---------------

--- 19 [.48mm] ---------------
Ming Sui

--- 20 [.51mm] ---------------
Gil-Rocket (UK)

--- 21 [.53mm] ---------------
Gem Micromatic
Gil-New Improved Tuckaway
Shick KRONA

--- 22 [.56mm] ---------------
Gil-Adj @ 1
Gil-New Norfolk
Gil-TECH
Merkur Classic
Weishi

--- 23 [.58mm] ---------------
Gil-NEW
Gil-Super Speed Blue Tip

--- 24 [.61mm] ---------------
Gem G-Bar
Gil-Adj @ 2

--- 25 [.64mm] ---------------
Gil-Aristocrat (US)
Gil-Knack
Gil-Ranger Tech
Gil-Super Speed (black handle)
Gil-Super Speed (late 40's)
Merkur HD/38C
Wilkinson Croma

--- 26 [.66mm] ---------------
Bic Disposable (orange handle)
Gil-Adj @ 3
Gil-Aristocrat (UK)
Gil-Super Speed Red Tip (US)

--- 27 [.69mm] ---------------

--- 28 [.71mm] ---------------

--- 29 [.74mm] ---------------
Gil-Adj @ 4

--- 30 [.76mm] ---------------

--- 31 [.79mm] ---------------
Feather Portable

--- 32 [.81mm] ---------------
Gil-Adj @ 5
Gil-Super Speed Red Tip (UK)

--- 33 [.84mm] ---------------

--- 34 [.86mm] ---------------

--- 35 [.89mm] ---------------
Gil-Adj @ 6

--- 36 [.91mm] ---------------

--- 37 [.94mm] ---------------

--- 38 [.97mm] ---------------
Gil-Adj @ 7

--- 39 [.99mm] ---------------

--- 40 [1.02mm] ---------------

--- 41 [1.04mm] ---------------
Gil-Adj @ 8
Gil-Adj Black handle @ 9

--- 42 [1.07mm] ---------------

--- 43 [1.09mm] ---------------

--- 44 [1.12mm] ---------------

--- 45 [1.14mm] ---------------
Gil-Adj @ 9



Note: Gillette Adjustables
- Slim and Fat Boy range from .022 @ 1 to .045 @ 9
- the Black handle Adjustable ranges from .017 @ 1 to .041 @ 9 or 1 setting smaller than the Slim or Fat Boy


You can reasonably imagine where other razors would fall on this list from your own experience or comments made by users.

Subjective differences in ranking were limited to +/- .001 measurements
so differences of .001 - .003 can be considered functional equivalent.

Special thanks to

rodd

who most recently contributed to the collection of this data.

[soapbox]

Anyone going to start putting the contents of this delightful and important thread on the wiki?

I'm happy to help with it but don't (a) relish doing it all myself or (b) want to step on anyone's toes...

Jesse

[2bits]

Help keep the information complete and correct by going to ...

WIKI > Safety Razors > Safety Razor Database > Organized by Aggressiveness > Double-Edged Safety Razors Ranked by Aggressiveness

the link is ...

http://wiki.badgerandblade.com/index...Aggressiveness

[soapbox]

Help keep the information complete and correct by going to ...

WIKI > Safety Razors > Safety Razor Database > Organized by Aggressiveness > Double-Edged Safety Razors Ranked by Aggressiveness

the link is ...

http://wiki.badgerandblade.com/index...Aggressiveness

Wahoo! This is a nice entry into the wiki. Thanks gentlemen for collecting the information. I have taken the liberty of formatting your data into a wiki table.

Jesse

[petekalo]

Wahoo! This is a nice entry into the wiki. Thanks gentlemen for collecting the information. I have taken the liberty of formatting your data into a wiki table.

Jesse

Awesome job. how would one go about measuring the merkur Slant heads? I have a 39C i can measure. Should I even bother, just want some input.

[2bits]

... how would one go about measuring the merkur Slant heads? I have a 39C i can measure. Should I even bother, just want some input.

From the pictures I've seen, the gap of "slant" type razors may add the complication of the blade gap being larger at one end of the blade.

I suspect both "end" measurements could be taken and 2 entries added to the table of gap sizes (slant-max & slant-min).

The use of the feeler gauge might seem a little more subject to individual interpretation than a more usual "straight" gap measurement.
There are however some variations in the measurement of any razor depending on the position (end vs middle), condition of the razor and manufacturing tolerances etc.

I'd measure the ends and add both to the wiki (hi-lo).


The use of the feeler gauge is described here ...
http://badgerandblade.com/vb/showthr...727#post592727

[kaldurak]

Thank you for these updates!

[soapbox]

Awesome job. how would one go about measuring the merkur Slant heads? I have a 39C i can measure. Should I even bother, just want some input.

I agree with 2bits; measure both ends on both sides and let's see. I can work up a separate wiki table for the slant heads if there's any interest.

Jesse

[Zot!]

In a similar vein, I ran across an interesting article on razor blade widths Link

[Hando]

i measured some of my razors as well that can be added to the list

please allow for tolerences (blade not being completely centre, my hand, etc.)

Feather Popular - 0.024"

Merkur 23C - 0.025"

Merkur 34C - 0.028"

Merkur Progress 570

1. 0.015"
2. 0.022"
3. 0.028"
4. 0.033"
5. 0.037"

Hope this helps

[SRock]

Excellent post/addition to the Wiki.