Thread: Define Aggressive

Can someone define aggressive in shaving? I am wanting to get a Merkur slant bar in a few months. Is this a razor I can shave with daily or is it for several days beard growth? I currently shave with a EJDE89 and I am using a lighter touch.

Aggression in a DE razor is usually defined with regards to the blade gap, but it can be affected by other aspects:

1) Blade gap: Usually, the larger the blade gap (distance between the blade edge and the safety bar), the more aggressive the razor.
2) Open comb vs safety bar: At the same blade gap, an OC razor will appear more aggressive than a safety bar razor.
3) Blade angle: Blades that are curved more seem less aggressive than blades that are held flatter (think Muhle 2011 R41).

However, these are just guidelines. I've had several OC razors that were milder than other safety-bar razors, and there are safety-bar razors that can be very aggressive.

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To answer your question about the Merkur Slant - it can be used everyday. I have used one exclusively in the past, and even now will use one for several days running on occasion. The slants are efficient, without being overly aggressive.

For the poor mans definition: An aggressive razor is more likely to cut you and give you an uncomfortable shave if not used with care.

Originally Posted by thebigspendur

For the poor mans definition: An aggressive razor is more likely to cut you and give you an uncomfortable shave if not used with care.

+1. The word efficient is often used as a synonym for aggressive. More efficient means more beard reduction and cutting the beard closer to skin level with each stroke. I started wet shaving trying to use efficient razors, but did not like the condition my skin was in afterward. Now, I judge the success of a shave by how good my skin feels when I am done.

IME, if you are familiar with DE shaving a Merkur slant is fine for daily shaving. Just start easy and don't rush. It is aggressive but in a good way.

Aggressive:.a pitbull on a pork roast

My opinion, aggressive to me means I feel the blade, and a whole lot of blade! Like a fatboy on 9 but it isn't harshe., And smooth/ or not aggressive would be like a feather or tradere s/b... Where u don't really feel the blade but more of the safety bar.

Edit: I'm at work, and typing with one hand with my phone, please excuse my mistakes lol

D) All of the above. Blade gap, angle, etc. basically mean this; The least aggressive razor I have tried is a Gillette Tech. Held at a less than perfect angle, the blade doesn't even touch your face. You're just rubbing lather off of your face. Held at the perfect angle, the blade is juuust allowed to touch your skin, and you get a comfortable shave. At a more than perfect angle, again the blade doesn't even contact your skin, so no irritation, no shave, no nothing. Your EJ is more aggressive than that. It has a bigger blade gap so it will cut over a wider range of angles, and if you push too hard it will cut "deeper" than a less aggressive razor. You have to be a little more careful with it, but the trade off is with some beards you can get a closer shave with less effort with it. The other extreme would be a straight razor. The blade is free to contact your face any time, at any angle, at any pressure. You can't let your mind wander at all. Slant head razors are a little more aggressive than your EJ, but it shouldn't be a problem at all. My travel razor is an old Hoffritz Slant with a break down handle, which is just a re-branded Merkur. I've used it everyday for a couple of weeks in a row on many occasions, with no trouble at all.

LChap,

I like to think along the lines of 'forgiving'/'less forgiving' rather than 'aggressive'/'less aggressive'.

All razors can give 'good' shaves or 'bad' shaves depending on circumstance

Have fun !

Best regards

Russ

define Agressive in shaving : A razor that you want to use, but causes you great pain and discomfort, everytime you use it........(mine is the R41) I still use it from time to time hoping we've become friends.....

Can't go wrong with a Slant! A very easy razor to work with. I shave my head with one.