Most Efficient razor with Least Blade Feel

Everyone's face and skin is different.  Everyone's technique is slightly different.  Everyone's brush and software pairing is different.  Therefore, expect to get many different responses to this question.  I have a very tough beard, and sensitive skin due to age.
For me...
The Henson AL13 Aggressive (+++) fits the bill.  Zero blade feel, Zero drama (even with applied pressure) and efficiency that equals a BBS shave that lasts well over 24 hours (enough to justify not shaving the day after I shave).  I recently purchased a Version 2 (V2) of this razor, and it can get into tight spaces as well as the slim head Carbon CX (believe it or not).  I can get a similar BBS shave with several of my aggressive razors, but not with zero blade feel and zero drama.  I really like a no drama shave that takes no concentration.  When I am in the mood for a challenge and drama, I have many razors that fit that bill.
My Henson Ti22 Aggressive (+++) is similar in performance, but for me is not as efficient as the AL13.  I suspect that is due to my technique and preference for lighter razors.

Karve Overlander. [needs feather or Perma sharp blade]

That's a nice looking red tip handle...seems to me like that the ultra sharp blade is to offset the inherent
mildness of this razor.

Everyone's face and skin is different.  Everyone's technique is slightly different.  Everyone's brush and software pairing is different.  Therefore, expect to get many different responses to this question.  I have a very tough beard, and sensitive skin due to age.
For me...
The Henson AL13 Aggressive (+++) fits the bill.  Zero blade feel, Zero drama (even with applied pressure) and efficiency that equals a BBS shave that lasts well over 24 hours (enough to justify not shaving the day after I shave).  I recently purchased a Version 2 (V2) of this razor, and it can get into tight spaces as well as the slim head Carbon CX (believe it or not).  I can get a similar BBS shave with several of my aggressive razors, but not with zero blade feel and zero drama.  I really like a no drama shave that takes no concentration.  When I am in the mood for a challenge and drama, I have many razors that fit that bill.
My Henson Ti22 Aggressive (+++) is similar in performance, but for me is not as efficient as the AL13.  I suspect that is due to my technique and preference for lighter razors.

What other razors might be about the same efficiency as the +++ I've not used it?

I am fairly new to DE shaving and always preferred mild razors like R89 & Tech after trying out some others and having them feel “draggy” or having way too much blade feel like the R41 which was horrid.

Recently I had the pleasure of trying a RR Gamechanger 84 and it’s awesome. Very efficient and nowhere near as aggressive feeling as I expected. This razor really blew me away. I also tested out the ATT R1 soon after and found it fairly similar but maybe not quite as smooth but very close. I can’t wait to eventually try out the Karves and eventually more ATT plates.

I had no luck with the Henson AL ++.

You sound like me-my preferences are similar. I have some favorites:
ATT M1
Feather
Karve B
Overlander
Timeless Slim, 68
Carbon original, mild
HNS P76
RR Mambo
RR 84
Merkur 34C
EJ 89
Alpha Mild

Have fun exploring and trying blade combos with those babies



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There are so many razors out there it’s hard to learn them all when your new to the hobby. I’m sure there’s a lot of razors I’ll eventually want to test out. I honestly never thought I’d find a razor I liked better then the 89 series since all the more aggressive razors I tried gave me irritation. But the 89 is a tad too mild to give me BBS on my neck since I can’t go ATG in one spot there.

I never had any luck with the Merkurs they just didn’t feel as smooth for me. Most razors just didn’t feel that smooth and had more drag then my R89 & Tech. I forgot I really liked the 6c as well with plate 4.

That GC84p amazed me and then the ATT R1 did the same. The M1 felt too mild but I plan to try it again later down the line. I really wish I could find a H1 plate from someone to test out. Odds are I will find it too aggressive but at the same time I thought I’d find the 84p too aggressive as well and was wrong. I’ll pick up a OC ATT R2 and GC 84 eventually to see if I like them.

But overall those Karves are calling my name. Both the Overlander & CB. Along with the new ATT razors/plates. Some of those razors you mentioned I don’t know of yet and will likely end up on my list eventually.

Tommy, did you ever try the ATT R1 or H1 to compare to your M1? The R1 is fairly aggressive for a .58 gap but it’s still very smooth for me and pretty close to the 84p. And the H1 plate is one that I really really hope to find eventually to see if I like it.

And someday I’ll try the new Windsor line with the SSRH, SSMR and SB90.

The H1 is very aggressive. I found the R1 not very smooth.
The Karves are wonderful.

For me, the M1 needs a Feather or Kai. The Karve B does well with Astras.


Merkur worked well with Permasharp and Astra for me.

The EJ 89 is smooth with Astra and Permasharp for me.

You will find a combo that you really like. Fun part of the hobby. Wolfman has not proven to be smooth for me. I have a. 61SB.



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I wonder how much variation is in the razor heads themselves because my R1 is almost as smooth as the 84p but it could just be our faces. But I like the R1 enough I’d pick up a spare if I found one cheap since they don’t make them anymore. ATT offers the R2 classic that’s an open comb that I plan to try out soon.

A relative has a old EJ89 and it has a wider gap and narrower top cap then my R89 or EJ89 and it shaves just as smooth but gives a closer shave. I figure many of the razors go through slight changes over the years especially with castings. Finding a old EJ89 like his with the wider gap was my goal until I found the 84p to be even better for me.

My go to blade is almost always the Astra SP. But in some razors the German Wilkies are awesome and the smoothest blade I’ve ever tried. They are almost as sharp as the Astra SP but in some razors don’t seem quite as sharp. The Astra SP works in every razor I’ve tested. And the GSB is a pretty good blade as well. For sharper blades I prefer Nacet or Feather but it’s usually not worth giving up the smoothness for the touch extra sharpness. Kai and 7 o’clock black are a couple I haven’t tested yet I plan to test soon.

The Permasharps were sharp for me but had a bit of drag but it could have been the batch I had. I notice variations in every batch of blades I get. Usually they are fairly close but some batches of Astra SP are absolutely amazing and much sharper.

WVShaver you may want to consider the SSRH. I found it equally efficient to the H1 but not as chattery. For me, it is smooth and comfortable also ATG whilst the H1 is not.