Double Edge question

syklops

So with my new economic situation, Gillette Mach 3 blades have become very expensive for me. 4 Mach 3 blades over here is 250 czk, which is about 10 euros, but 250 czk is one quarter of what I earn a day. Alternatively, I could buy a Wilkinson Sword plastic safety razor and 5 DE blades, for 70 czk(about 2 euros fifty), so the Eddie Hobbs in me said "Make the change!", so I changed to DE blades. I must say I think they are terrific, and will never go back.

But I have a question. This might be specific for my razor(the holder, I dont know what its called). When putting in the blade, do you screw the top tightly, or leave it kind of loose?

I found out by accident that if I leave it loose, I get a much better closer shave., but I am wondering if that is how everyone else does it?

Basically it seems that if I screw it tight, the blade kids of bends, into an airplane wing shape, but if I leave it loose, it is flat.

What orientation should the blade be?

Thanks,

Gran Hermano

Screw the top tight, the blade is meant to bend between the top and bottom plate. I have heard of some people loosening it by half a turn but it is not
something I would recommend. If it's not screwed tight it can easily open further and you don't want to end up shaving with a loose blade.

I'd a near miss recently when an hungover me started shaving with a Progress which I thought was on 4 - whilst the dial was showing 4, I'd forgotten I'd partially unscrewed it the previous day.

If you're looking for a closer shave try a heavier or more aggressive razor/blade combination rather than risking shaving as you are currently.

syklops

...and you don't want to end up shaving with a loose blade.

I am imagining you laughing like Moss out of The IT Crowd at the end of that sentence.

Why would it be bad, to shave with a loose blade? What could happen?

Dord

syklops wrote: »

Why would it be bad, to shave with a loose blade? What could happen?

:eek:

Ever seen the movie Face Off? :pac:

Amalgam

Some razor makers do mention it in their razor packaging. I remember the leaflet that came with my Mühle R106 mentioned loosening the head of the razor to get a more aggressive shave for certain parts of the face.

Unscrewing the razor head a tiny bit changes the 'blade gap' (and angle of the blade), which in turn changes the way your razor catches and cuts the stubble on your face.

itsnotmyname

will u look like Nicholas Cage afterwards ?:D

syklops

I think I will invest in a decent razor, and see how I go. Part of the problem might be the cheap plastic razor. Once I have a good one, I can experiment with how tight it can be.

Thanks for the help!

Shaving.ie

Loosening the handle will most likely cause the head to be unstable and could cause the blade to become loose which is something you don't want to happen. I think you will be better off looking at an adjustable razor which allows a more precise adjustment of blade angle without compromising on safety.

syklops

Shaving.ie wrote: »

Loosening the handle will most likely cause the head to be unstable and could cause the blade to become loose which is something you don't want to happen. I think you will be better off looking at an adjustable razor which allows a more precise adjustment of blade angle without compromising on safety.

Thanks for the advice. Can you suggest one?

Shaving.ie

There are not a huge amount to choose from. Check ebay for Gillette adjustables and in current production there is the Merkur Futur, Progress and Vision 2000.