Blade Gaps

Messages
753
Location
England
First off, I realise that blade gap alone doesn't make or break a razor (head geometry and other technical things I don't understand come into it I guess), but I have just been perusing the gaps of a few razors and am left somewhat puzzled by this:

Rockwell 6C/S blade gaps:

1: 0.20 mm
2: 0.35
3: 0.48
4: 0.61
5: 0.69
6: 0.79

EJ DE89 blade gap: 0.76 mm

I've read a good number of posts where people declare a Rockwell 3/4 plate to be their sweet spot, the 5/6 to be too aggressive, and the 1/2 to be so mild thus hardly effective at all / needing lots of passes, touch-ups, etc. Fair enough, but what baffles me then is that the DE89 is known for being a mild razor, yet going on these blade gaps it is virtually as aggressive (efficient if you prefer) as the most aggressive Rockwell plate. So, getting a 6C would be effectively pointless for me, if 5 of the plates give an even milder shave than a DE89, and the only remaining plate is virtually the same as a DE89.

Can anyone explain why I bet the same shavers who declare a 0.76mm gap DE89 too mild, also declare Rockwell 0.69mm & 0.79mm gap 5/6 plates too aggressive?
 
I can't answer your question Dave, but here are my thoughts on the two razors you mention . . .
Plates 4- 6 on the Rockwell are far more efficient than a DE89 . I certainly use slower strokes on 5&6 than on 3&4.
Plate 3 is akin to the DE89 but feels smoother.
Must be the geometry in play (I don't understand the science either !!)
 
You've answered your own question in your first paragraph - it's because blade gap is only one variable and it's meaningless as a comparison between two razors unless the heads are identical in all other respects. Your own research on the gap comparisons between the Rockwell and EJ illustrate exactly this.

A Fatip OC has a much smaller blade gap than a Tech.
 
I have agree with @chris.hale here as blade gap is only part of the story in terms of what makes a razor aggressive or not and in most cases I am not entirely convinced it makes any difference with the same head. To this extent I don't quite understand adjustables and similar concepts.

I have both .95 and .68 Timeless razors and in all honesty I can't say one is that much different to the other other than visually. If I could it would be splitting hairs... literally.

To me how close depends more on the gap between the skin and the blade not the other side of the cutting events. Plus lots of whatever else's. Exposure, geometry, reduction of blade chatter etc etc

Just a few thoughts as to my view on blade gap and certainly not sold on a bigger blade gap means a more aggressive shave.
 
You've answered your own question in your first paragraph - it's because blade gap is only one variable and it's meaningless as a comparison between two razors unless the heads are identical in all other respects. Your own research on the gap comparisons between the Rockwell and EJ illustrate exactly this.

A Fatip OC has a much smaller blade gap than a Tech.

As well as OC's have more blade exposure between the teeth.
 
I have both .95 and .68 Timeless razors and in all honesty I can't say one is that much different to the other other than visually.

At the risk of stating the obvious, you're looking at a difference of 0.27 millimetres, that's not going to be easy to see because it's a tiny amount.

As well as OC's have more blade exposure between the teeth.

Indeed, but there are also mild OC razors. They still deal with with longer stubble though for exactly the reason you mentioned.
 
At the risk of stating the obvious, you're looking at a difference of 0.27 millimetres, that's not going to be easy to see because it's a tiny amount.


I did indeed consider this but I guess in the terms of a razor blade 0.27mm could make a big difference. And to contradict myself in the same breath, as I said in the case of the Timeless it doesn't appear to do so.

Indeed, but there are also mild OC razors. They still deal with with longer stubble though for exactly the reason you mentioned.


Agree. The Ikon OC is a big softy compared to its evil twin the SB.
 
At the risk of stating the obvious, you're looking at a difference of 0.27 millimetres, that's not going to be easy to see because it's a tiny amount.



Indeed, but there are also mild OC razors. They still deal with with longer stubble though for exactly the reason you mentioned.

Like my Gillette New OC - milder than a day in early June, sitting outside, drinking Pimms, taking the sun gently as the day drifts on.

Now that's mild.

I really must get on and sell it on TSB.
 
Back
Top Bottom