Aluminum & SS razors in your rotation?
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I use and enjoy both. One just has to make sure that you don't add excessive pressure to compensate for the lighter weight. I find it is easier to modulate the pressure for a lighter razor than it is to offset the weight of a very heavy razor. When a razor gets to be over 100g, it is more challenging for me to keep a light touch, especially if they are aggressive.
One example, I have an aluminum, stainless, and brass Overlander and like them all.
One example, I have an aluminum, stainless, and brass Overlander and like them all.
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The only experience that I have with aluminum razors were a mild Henson and a Razorock Eco and I didn't have any issues when switching between those and my heavier SS razors.
I will note that the Eco, which uses half DE blades would punish any lapse in technique, including pressing too hard. I only used it for head shaves, and modified my technique accordingly, with good results.
The Henson was more forgiving, by design. I believe it is (was?) targeted at new DE shavers transitioning from carts, so it is very well behaved, and shaved well even when I got careless...more of an autopilot razor.
Of course, both of those examples stray from more traditional DE design and may not be representative of any difference between two identical razors made of different materials.
I guess a true test would be to compare a Timeless SS razor with an aluminum or Ti version, or a Blackland Blackbird in SS, Ti, and brass.
Personally, I prefer SS, brass, and Ti.
I will note that the Eco, which uses half DE blades would punish any lapse in technique, including pressing too hard. I only used it for head shaves, and modified my technique accordingly, with good results.
The Henson was more forgiving, by design. I believe it is (was?) targeted at new DE shavers transitioning from carts, so it is very well behaved, and shaved well even when I got careless...more of an autopilot razor.
Of course, both of those examples stray from more traditional DE design and may not be representative of any difference between two identical razors made of different materials.
I guess a true test would be to compare a Timeless SS razor with an aluminum or Ti version, or a Blackland Blackbird in SS, Ti, and brass.
Personally, I prefer SS, brass, and Ti.
As long you get used to whatever razor you’re using and accept you’re using too much pressure, the light ones are great.
I have several plastic and titanium razors in rotation, but I gave my aluminum razor away. I will probably try another one at some point, but most of them seem to be too ugly.
I like them all, from heavy brass to featherweight plastic.
I like them all, from heavy brass to featherweight plastic.
I have a lot of lightweight razors, bakelite and aluminum for example, and find them more maneuverable. A big heavy razor is harder to handle -- but I can get used to most all weights,shapes, and sizes.
But think of driving a sports car vs a heavy truck on a twisty mountain road.
But think of driving a sports car vs a heavy truck on a twisty mountain road.
Lockback
Dull yet interesting
I have avoided any aluminum razors so far. I don't think their light weight would appeal to me.
Yes and no…
I have been using Zamak razors for many years without issues, found stainless steel razors a bit heavy and unwieldy although I easily got used to them, and ultimately found the ideal material in titanium that combines light weight, strength and maneuverability with resistance to daily wear and tear. The only factor working against titanium is price, mainly because the metal is difficult to work with.
I was never interested in aluminium (now you know where I live
) razors, having seen on a wristwatch with aluminium case how this metal fares in daily use.In a razor, it may be light and maneuverable, but too easily collects dings and superficial scratches as the material has not the necessary strength and hardness.
Regarding the more general question about pressure during a shave; the lighter the pressure the better and any razor with a low mass automatically lends itself to that elusive feather-light touch, which puts steel, as the heaviest of the above four metals, at some disadvantage. Should the light mass of a razor, however, not appeal to you, then steel is probably the next best material.
B.
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Here's my ugly Tech
Really ugly…
You should dispose of it.
I can send you my address, should you need someone to do it for you.
B.
You can adjust your technique, after a bit of practice muscle memory kicks in and you don't have to think about it. It's kind of like using different tools, as long as they are well made and suitable for the purpose, they will do the job.
I like the sports car analogy from @nemo. I'd rather drive a sports car than a heavy duty pick-up truck down some twisty country road.
Many of my older brass razors are fairly light, around 45g to 65g. The lightest is probably a Tech with plastic handle. It works well, good for traveling.
I like the sports car analogy from @nemo. I'd rather drive a sports car than a heavy duty pick-up truck down some twisty country road.
Many of my older brass razors are fairly light, around 45g to 65g. The lightest is probably a Tech with plastic handle. It works well, good for traveling.
I always say, "I like heavy razors. I do not like light razors."
But it's not really that simple or accurate. There are some light razors that I don't like, but the fact that I can and do use razors like an alu Tech or Lord L5 shows that it's just as much about the individual razor as the material.
I may prefer razors of 70g and upwards, but I believe that most experienced users can adapt to anything within a few shaves.
But it's not really that simple or accurate. There are some light razors that I don't like, but the fact that I can and do use razors like an alu Tech or Lord L5 shows that it's just as much about the individual razor as the material.
I may prefer razors of 70g and upwards, but I believe that most experienced users can adapt to anything within a few shaves.
I use a heavy razor, Wolfman WR1 with the heaviest handle, and recently purchased a light SE, Alpha Spirit. My technique is exactly the same with both - the lightest pressure I can muster. No problems at all here, not a single weeper and great shaves.
I use heavy razors 97% of the time. I have tried many lightweight aluminum, Bakelite, plastic, and titanium razors, and found that I really just like heavy razors better. Got rid of all the razors with light materials. The 3% exception is my fondness for vintage Gillette razors, which are mostly plated brass or steel. However there are a few Techs that are partially or all aluminum. Cap or baseplate or handle… or the whole thing. And the Black Tip Super Speed has many examples with lightweight aluminum bits. But I shave with vintage razors for nostalgia and historical significance. I believe I get a far better shave from a heavy modern high end razor than with most vintages. There are exceptions to that as well.
I personally like the variation currently. I have a small assortment which includes AL(Henson), TI, SS and vintage brass. My preferred sweet spot is TI and SS. The AL works well but I’d prefer Ti but it’s a cost thing. I would choose a SS over brass variant for weight (and also smell).
I have a thicker, coarse beard so some weight is preferred to more smoothly mow down stubble with momentum. Having a light razor means more pressure to get through it. I think of TI as a sports car and SS as a Cadillac.
If I go from a Rockwell 6s to a Henson there’s a big difference in weight that I just get used to. It also depends on rotation - daily or say weekly. I feel like if I go weekly I get more out of the razor as the week goes on.
If you try a lighter or heavier razor give it a couple weeks or so and you will adjust. Then you’ll see if it fits your preferences or just like variety.
I have a thicker, coarse beard so some weight is preferred to more smoothly mow down stubble with momentum. Having a light razor means more pressure to get through it. I think of TI as a sports car and SS as a Cadillac.
If I go from a Rockwell 6s to a Henson there’s a big difference in weight that I just get used to. It also depends on rotation - daily or say weekly. I feel like if I go weekly I get more out of the razor as the week goes on.
If you try a lighter or heavier razor give it a couple weeks or so and you will adjust. Then you’ll see if it fits your preferences or just like variety.
I enjoy both SS and Al! My daily driver is a solid SS Wolfman. My travel razor is an Al Lord L6. The contrast lets me know I am ‘traveling,’ even if the trip is only to the bathroom for my morning shave!! 
Of the aluminum razors I've tried, I like the Karve the best. I also have an AL Colonial General and really like that one, it's still one of my top 2 AC-blade razors.
I do still need to catch myself to make sure I'm not using too much pressure, my body always wants to do that to compensate for the lack of weight.
I do still need to catch myself to make sure I'm not using too much pressure, my body always wants to do that to compensate for the lack of weight.
I have two aluminum razors. HensonAL13+ and Timeless AL. Owned them both over a year and have probably only used them 4-5 times each. And it was like 50/50, got a couple nice shaves, got a couple irritating and poor shaves. Have not used them enough to say whether AL is good or bad.
I have been using a very light razor (Proof Whiskey) for a bit now and it is working great. However, my sensibilities, however misguided they may be, tell me I want a heavy razor. I have used heavier razors, so have some experience with them.
I just purchased a 118g razor, so I will see how it goes!
I just purchased a 118g razor, so I will see how it goes!
