A way to describe razors

A razor can be described in terms of feel and performance. Generally, the same words ("mild" and "aggressive") are used in describing each, but with meanings that differ slightly depending on whether feel or performance is being described..

Feel is generally described as "mild" or "aggressive," where "mild" means comfortable, gentle on skin, and not inclined to nick; and "aggressive" means uncomfortable, harsh, and as though it will nick at any moment.

Performance is described using the same two words, but in this context the meanings are different: "mild" in this context means inefficient, doesn't cut well, and makes it hard to get a BBS shave; and "aggressive" in this context means that the razor cuts stubble easily and effectively, easily produces BBS shaves, and requires fewer passes to get the job done.

So when a razor is described as "mild" (or "aggressive"), it's important to determine whether it's the razor's feel or its performance that's being described.

Of course for some razors (like the Weishi) the feel and the performance are both "mild." Those razors are often simply called "mild." 

And some razors are "aggressive" in both feel and performance; for many the Mühle R41 is an example. Those are often simply called "aggressive."

But some razors are "mild" in feel and "aggressive" in performance, and those are the ones to treasure. Some examples: the modern slants, the Standard, the iKon Shavecraft #101, the Parker 24C, the Wolfman razors, an Above the Tie with the baseplate that works for you, and (at least for me) the Feather AS-D1/2. They tend not to be called "mild-aggressive," though that would be appropriate.

To simplify (and disambiguate) the terminology, I have been using "comfort" when talking about feel (with the range being uncomfortable, comfortable, very comfortable) and "efficiency" when talking about performance (with the range being inefficient, efficient, very efficient). With a very efficient razor, much of your face is BBS after the second pass.

I really like this way of describing razors! Thinking about my experience with razors, my ratings would be as follows:

Gillette New LC - Very Comfortable and Efficient
Merkur 39c - Comfortable and Very Efficient
Gillette Fatboy - Comfortable and Very Efficient
Gillette Aristicrat - Very Comfortable and Efficient
Maggard MR 10 - Comfortable and Efficient
Gillette Old Type - Uncomfortable and Very Efficient

Of course these are subjective.

Very nicely worded Michael. I like a highly efficient and smooth razor such as the Wolfman WR1 OC as opposed to a Muhle R41 which is highly efficient but not smooth at all (rough). Same with the Shavecraft Tech highly efficient but rough around the edges. But we can get talked into believing almost anythings especially when it comes to razors. Example if a razor that costs a lot of money and is stainless steel we are told it's the cat's meow.

The Shavecraft Tech is a fine example of a very uncomfortable and very efficient razor; for me the Gillette Tech with a Feather blade is very comfortable and very efficient. I also find the Gillette NEW very comfortable and very efficient with the right blade----I think for me that was a Lab Blue last I used it.

I should have used the iKon Shavecraft Tech as a good example of very efficient and very uncomfortable instead of the R41.

The Shavecraft Tech is a fine example of a very uncomfortable and very efficient razor; for me the Gillette Tech with a Feather blade is very comfortable and very efficient. I also find the Gillette NEW very comfortable and very efficient with the right blade----I think for me that was a Lab Blue last I used it.

I should have used the iKon Shavecraft Tech as a good example of very efficient and very uncomfortable instead of the R41.

The Shavecraft Tech and R41 are slightly different. The R41 feels rough no matter which part of your face you are working on while the Tech is actually is a fairly smooth shaver if you pay strict attention to detail. If the R41 and Tech had a face it would have that serious look.

A razor can be described in terms of feel and performance. Generally, the same words ("mild" and "aggressive") are used in describing each, but with meanings that differ slightly depending on whether feel or performance is being described..

Feel is generally described as "mild" or "aggressive," where "mild" means comfortable, gentle on skin, and not inclined to nick; and "aggressive" means uncomfortable, harsh, and as though it will nick at any moment.

Performance is described using the same two words, but in this context the meanings are different: "mild" in this context means inefficient, doesn't cut well, and makes it hard to get a BBS shave; and "aggressive" in this context means that the razor cuts stubble easily and effectively, easily produces BBS shaves, and requires fewer passes to get the job done.

So when a razor is described as "mild" (or "aggressive"), it's important to determine whether it's the razor's feel or its performance that's being described.

Of course for some razors (like the Weishi) the feel and the performance are both "mild." Those razors are often simply called "mild." 

And some razors are "aggressive" in both feel and performance; for many the Mühle R41 is an example. Those are often simply called "aggressive."

But some razors are "mild" in feel and "aggressive" in performance, and those are the ones to treasure. Some examples: the modern slants, the Standard, the iKon Shavecraft #101, the Parker 24C, the Wolfman razors, an Above the Tie with the baseplate that works for you, and (at least for me) the Feather AS-D1/2. They tend not to be called "mild-aggressive," though that would be appropriate.

To simplify (and disambiguate) the terminology, I have been using "comfort" when talking about feel (with the range being uncomfortable, comfortable, very comfortable) and "efficiency" when talking about performance (with the range being inefficient, efficient, very efficient). With a very efficient razor, much of your face is BBS after the second pass.

Great post. For me, the DE razors that fit the mild feel, aggressive performance are the Wolfman and ATT with the M1 plate, the Merkur 34C, the Tech, and the SuperSpeed. Nearly all of my SE razors with Ted Pella blades are mild/aggressive, including the bullet tip, the 1912, and the Gem Junior. I never tried the Feather AS-D2. I recently traded the D1 which, no matter which blade I used, would not let me get a BBS shave, it was just too mild for me, which was a shame because it's a beautiful razor.

For me, the 34C rates comfortable and efficient, but (for me) the Edwin Jagger also rates comfortable and efficient but is superior in both categories to the 34C---I noted that particularly in this shave.
My Feather AS-D1 is very comfortable and very efficient, but a blog reader sent me his to test, and it was totally different. It was very comfortable but extremely inefficient. Quite a contrast. I do know that Feather did have some sort of QC problems with the D1, which ultimately led to its discontinuance and the issuing of the D2. 
So you may have had one of the toothless ones.