Blade Exposure & Blade Feel

[DORad]

Newbie Questions.

1. Is blade exposure directly related to blade feel? Seems it would be based on the diagrams and definitions I've read/seen.

2. I would think blade feel would be a help in getting the proper angle, and everyone should want it. But yet I have read this is not true. Please explain.

3. How does a razor with negative (or neutral) blade exposure shave efficiently, or at all? Is your skin protruding into the gap? More pressure needed to accomplish this?

 

[Jayson74]

Sorry can't be much help. I have tried a couple "higher" exposure razors and did not enjoy the experience. I had to focus too much on what I was doing.
I stick with low to no exposure, I get a great shave and can let my mind wander much more!

My primary weapon of choice is Karve Overlander in Aluminum. Have it in Brass as well but find the lightness of aluminum better (for me).

Also really enjoy using older Gillette Superspeeds, 1948, 1952, 1954...
Jay

 

[Blackland Razors]

Newbie Questions.

1. Is blade exposure directly related to blade feel? Seems it would be based on the diagrams and definitions I've read/seen.

2. I would think blade feel would be a help in getting the proper angle, and everyone should want it. But yet I have read this is not true. Please explain.

3. How does a razor with negative (or neutral) blade exposure shave efficiently, or at all? Is your skin protruding into the gap? More pressure needed to accomplish this?

1. Yes. When the blade is exposed more, you feel it more.

2. I'm not sure about angle specifically, but blade feel is extremely helpful for getting tactile feedback during the shave. You always know exactly what the razor is doing so you can adjust on the fly for better results. Razors with no blade feel don't offer any feedback. Some people don't like blade feel simply because they don't like the sensation of the blade on their skin. It can take some getting used to.

3. A negative exposure razor, by design, is not very efficient. This is how cartridge razors work. Yes, you add pressure to force your skin/hair to get to the blade.

Hope that helps! We're huge fans of blade feel and think it's a valuable trait for many razors.

 

[Phoenixkh]

I would add.... the specs seldom tell the rest of the story..... Unfortunately, after reading as much as you can about particular razors, you'll have to try a few of them so you can as you compare information from other B&B members so you'll know what they mean..... Shaving technique is developed over time.... That changes how some razors work for us.....

 

[Jamolay]

1. Yes. When the blade is exposed more, you feel it more.

2. I'm not sure about angle specifically, but blade feel is extremely helpful for getting tactile feedback during the shave. You always know exactly what the razor is doing so you can adjust on the fly for better results. Razors with no blade feel don't offer any feedback. Some people don't like blade feel simply because they don't like the sensation of the blade on their skin. It can take some getting used to.

3. A negative exposure razor, by design, is not very efficient. This is how cartridge razors work. Yes, you add pressure to force your skin/hair to get to the blade.

Hope that helps! We're huge fans of blade feel and think it's a valuable trait for many razors.

I have to disagree with some of this.

I am currently using a razor with neutral exposure and a moderate (1.2?) Gap.

I find that there is a lot of feedback, just not the unpleasant (to me) tactile blade feedback. More sound, some feel. I also find it very, very efficient. No issues whatsoever.

I shave my head and am getting BBS 1+ pass mostly ATG shaves.

I really prefer this type of razor and really dislike blade feel, apparently, after some pretty disastrous trials with well loved high exposure razors that just weren’t for me.

So my point is, you need to find what you like and works for you and there is no point just categorizing all razors with certain characteristics as being a certain way.

 

[CdnShaveGuy]

According to ChatGPT:

So, to summarize:

- **Blade Gap** affects how much hair gets cut in a single pass. A larger gap means a more aggressive shave, while a smaller gap provides a gentler shave.
- **Blade Exposure** determines how directly the blade touches your skin. More exposure leads to a closer but riskier shave, while less exposure is safer but might require more passes.

The right combination depends on your hair type, skin sensitivity, and shaving technique.

There isn’t a universal standard for blade gap and exposure since different razor manufacturers use their own designs, but here are **general industry averages** for safety razors:

### **Blade Gap (Distance Between Blade & Safety Bar)**
Measured in millimeters (mm):
- **Mild Shave:** ~0.5 mm or less
- **Medium Shave:** ~0.6–0.9 mm
- **Aggressive Shave:** ~1.0 mm or more

### **Blade Exposure (How Much the Blade Protrudes Beyond the Head)**
Exposure is harder to quantify precisely, but it’s generally categorized as:
- **Mild Shave:** Negative or neutral exposure (blade slightly recessed or flush with the razor head)
- **Medium Shave:** Slightly positive exposure (blade slightly protruding)
- **Aggressive Shave:** High positive exposure (blade significantly protruding)

### **Examples of Razors in Each Category**
- **Mild:** Feather AS-D2 (small gap, negative exposure)
- **Medium:** Merkur 34C (moderate gap, neutral/slightly positive exposure)
- **Aggressive:** Muhle R41 (large gap, high positive exposure)

 

[Blackland Razors]

I have to disagree with some of this.

I am currently using a razor with neutral exposure and a moderate (1.2?) Gap.

I find that there is a lot of feedback, just not the unpleasant (to me) tactile blade feedback. More sound, some feel. I also find it very, very efficient. No issues whatsoever.

I shave my head and am getting BBS 1+ pass mostly ATG shaves.

I really prefer this type of razor and really dislike blade feel, apparently, after some pretty disastrous trials with well loved high exposure razors that just weren’t for me.

So my point is, you need to find what you like and works for you and there is no point just categorizing all razors with certain characteristics as being a certain way.

It's relative and on a spectrum. More blade exposure provides more feedback, but you don't have to have a lot of exposure to have feedback. Where you prefer to land on that spectrum is up to your taste. There's no correct answer.

 

[lctrcbddha]

Epic thread which tested specific parameters and combinations with 3D printed heads:

Understanding DE safety razor parameters

Hi guys, Even though I’ve been here on the forum for a while now, this is my very first post. I’m glad to join the B&B community! I switched to wet shaving around a year ago and like many of you, got a bit geeky about it too. Over the past months I read many topics on various DE razors and got...

www.badgerandblade.com

This post specifically tested exposure:

Understanding DE safety razor parameters

I don't understand how there is a claim that the Blackbird is rigid at all. There are a lot of people who like the razor so you don't need a razor to be rigid to be good... But that razor seems the antithesis of rigid. The point was that the razor has a unique head design that allows for...

www.badgerandblade.com

 

[Zafar_shaves]

1. Yes, blade exposure is related to blade feel
2. "Feel" is subjective, I agree with Blackland Razor. What one person finds comfortable, another might find too aggressive. Some people might find a strong blade feel overwhelming and prefer a milder razor. Some shavers simply prefer a more comfortable and less intense shave, even if it means less direct feedback from the blade . The ideal level of blade feel is a matter of personal preference and experience.

Proper shaving angle and technique are crucial regardless of blade feel.

3. Safety bar. Even if the blade is not protruding significantly. Safety bar helps to flatten the skin, blade angle and the blade gap (the space between the blade and the safety bar) cut the hair. I doesn't meant you need more pressure. The efficiency relies more on maintaining the correct shaving angle and allowing the sharpness of the blade to do the work, often with multiple light passes.

Interesting article on Saftey bar: Ingenious Engineering: Safety Razors - https://www.delve.com/insights/ingenious-engineering-safety-razors

Learn more: Illustration of Safety Razor Parameters (Blade Exposure, Guard Span, Blade Gap, Etc.) - https://www.badgerandblade.com/forum/threads/illustration-of-safety-razor-parameters-blade-exposure-guard-span-blade-gap-etc.529786/

 

[CdnShaveGuy]

1. Yes, blade exposure is related to blade feel
2. "Feel" is subjective, I agree with Blackland Razor. What one person finds comfortable, another might find too aggressive. Some people might find a strong blade feel overwhelming and prefer a milder razor. Some shavers simply prefer a more comfortable and less intense shave, even if it means less direct feedback from the blade . The ideal level of blade feel is a matter of personal preference and experience.

Proper shaving angle and technique are crucial regardless of blade feel.

3. Safety bar. Even if the blade is not protruding significantly. Safety bar helps to flatten the skin, blade angle and the blade gap (the space between the blade and the safety bar) cut the hair. I doesn't meant you need more pressure. The efficiency relies more on maintaining the correct shaving angle and allowing the sharpness of the blade to do the work, often with multiple light passes.

Interesting article on Saftey bar: Ingenious Engineering: Safety Razors - https://www.delve.com/insights/ingenious-engineering-safety-razors

Learn more: Illustration of Safety Razor Parameters (Blade Exposure, Guard Span, Blade Gap, Etc.) - https://www.badgerandblade.com/forum/threads/illustration-of-safety-razor-parameters-blade-exposure-guard-span-blade-gap-etc.529786/

Hence the reason I prefer specifications, preferably gap AND exposure, as a secondary measurement, after QUALITY reviews from seasoned DE Shavers, to determine if a razor is right for me as I'm intuitively aware of what works best for my circumstances.

 

[Zafar_shaves]

That's a very well-reasoned approach. In essence:

Blade gap is amount of space between the blade's edge and the safety bar
Larger blade gap = more aggressive
Smaller blade gap = milder shave

Blade Exposure amount of the blade's cutting edge that protrudes beyond the razor's safety bar
Positive blade exposure = more aggressive and closer shave
Negative blade exposure = milder and more forgiving shave

Addition to question №3
A large blage gap + Negative blade exposure = efficient hair cutting, while providing a measure of safety. It's a design that attempts to balance efficiency and safety.

Source: What makes a good razor? 5 factors that influence your shaving! - https://tatararazors.com/blog/what-makes-a-good-razor

 

[Wgg2017]

Hence the reason I prefer specifications, preferably gap AND exposure, as a secondary measurement

I couldn’t agree more. It’s gotten to the point that if I can’t find both a published gap and exposure number then I simply pass on the razor. Terms like high, medium, or low mean nothing. Give me a number please.

 

[CdnShaveGuy]

I couldn’t agree more. It’s gotten to the point that if I can’t find both a published gap and exposure number then I simply pass on the razor. Terms like high, medium, or low mean nothing. Give me a number please.

Some brands (two very desirable high-end US and European brands which I was seriously considering comes to mind) offer a “x” of days if not satisfied return policy, which is great, but I would rather make a (better) informed educated guess (then a qualitative “guess-itmation”) so that I don't have to deal with the hassell of shipping the razor back and the shipping charges etc.

Some relatively inexpensive brands offer specs.

When a high-end brand which sells for hundreds of dollars and are ademant to not provide specs when anyone can simply perform these measurements… what gives?

Given the aforementioned, the only thing that comes to mind is perhaps, inconsistent manufacturing quality control, quality assurances.

 

[dailydeshaver]

Yes, more blade exposure give more blade feel.
Personally, I fully differentiate blade exposure, blade gap, blade angle, they are independent variables.

For me

Blade exposure:
- more blade exposure leads to more pressure of blade on skin, it's better when shaving WTG to cut hairs at the root
- less blade exposure leads to less pressure on skin, but as soon as razor angle isn't optimal blade edge moves away from skin
- also, less blade exposure means more sensitivity to razor manufacturing tolerance, some blades might not shave anymore in some razors due to combination of blade edge to edge width and razors head actual dimension.

Blade gap:
- small blade gap is safer (less risk of cutting skin), makes safety bar more effective to limit skin cuts
- but small blade gap also will skip long hairs (e.g. 4 days of growth shave with 0.5mm gap)
- large blade gap, long hair (e.g. 4 days of growth) won't be skipped, but more risk of cuts due to operator error
Often , large blade gap is associated with aggressive razor, but that's not necessarily true. A razor may have a large blade gap and negative blade exposure (not aggressive). Another razor may have a small gap and positive blade exposure, e.g. close to skin BBS shave but only shaving a day or two of growth.

Blade angle:
- shallower angle give more efficient shaving, except when shaving WTG.
- steeper blade angle shaves better WTG but overall less efficient.

Blade gap + exposure + angle = trade-off with pros and cons.

 

[spacemonkey42]

@dawid did experiments, isolating every variable, and then wrote a thesis on it!

Understanding DE safety razor parameters

Hi guys, Even though I’ve been here on the forum for a while now, this is my very first post. I’m glad to join the B&B community! I switched to wet shaving around a year ago and like many of you, got a bit geeky about it too. Over the past months I read many topics on various DE razors and got...

www.badgerandblade.com

 

[djh01]

I agree that manufacturers providing specs is a good thing, but they don't always tell the complete story.

Often here, I see posts from experienced shavers along the lines of:

"From the specs, I expected this razor to be aggressive, but it's actually too smooth and mild for me."

or

"With such a small blade gap, I thought this razor would be mild, but using it, it's more like mid-level aggressive."

I'd say that you can also get a good idea of how a razor will perform from reading the thoughts of users here - there can't be many that are not included in the forum somewhere.

Of course, there is always the adjustable razor option. Personally, I like simplicity in razor design; all mine are basic three-piece.

 

[gpjoe]

I find that there is a lot of feedback, just not the unpleasant (to me) tactile blade feedback. More sound, some feel. I also find it very, very efficient. No issues whatsoever.

I agree with this. ^^^

You don't need a positive blade exposure to get feedback from a razor. If the angle is correct you will be able to hear the hairs being cut, even when using a razor with a neutral (or negative) blade exposure.

A razor with positive blade exposure will likely be more efficient, and the feedback will be sound AND increased blade feel.

That's my experience anyway.

 

[lctrcbddha]

I really like how Carbon conveys gap and exposure for their razors, even though they don't publish as actual number for exposure.

 

[spacemonkey42]

While I look at specs, they only tell one part of the story of a razor. I have razors with larger exposure and higher gap that are milder than ones with neutral exposure and a smaller gap. Also reviews here are YMMV, some say the razor barely shaves while others say the same one is aggressive.

The main way to know is try yourself. That's what got me to 120+ razors!

 

[CdnShaveGuy]

I agree that manufacturers providing specs is a good thing, but they don't always tell the complete story.

…

Of course, there is always the adjustable razor option. Personally, I like simplicity in razor design; all mine are basic three-piece.

I agree with simplicity.

As Einstein once said, “Everything should be made as simple as possible, but not simpler.”

This is definitely true when it comes to razors. But I must also confess, I do love holding a razor that's also a “work of art” AND “engineering masterpiece”, and I don't mind paying more for it!

With that in mind, I did take a leap of faith and picked up the Tatara Muramasa adjustable razor because its beautiful design, and its clean straightforward dynamic gap and exposure settings (details available on their website) engineering design.

Based on the feedback I’d seen on B&B, many users described the Muramasa's range as running from mild to mild-medium — exactly what I was looking for.

Fortunately, the leap paid off.

For my daily two-pass WTG (with-the-grain) shaves, a setting of ~1.8 is spot on.
When I’m after a BBS shave, or if I’ve skipped a day or two, I’ll dial it up to +/- 3 or more for added efficiency and aggression.

My other go-to is the Henson Ti22 (Mild) — a simple 3-piece razor.
Interestingly, it feels slightly more aggressive than the Muramasa even at ~1.8. That said, I really enjoy its lightweight build, which gives me better control than the Muramasa. The longer handle makes it easier to hold and maneuver, and the grippy knurling, which tapers slightly toward the base, prevents any slippage even when my hands are wet.

So, while specs aren’t the be-all, end-all in razor selection, they’re certainly useful for comparison. In many cases, they can help narrow down options and rule out certain razors based on personal experience.

Cheers