- It adjusts to be mild enough that I can use the sharpest of blades, without that razor-blade combination being too aggressive and thereby injuring or irritating my skin.
- It adjusts to be aggressive enough that I can use a blade at the end of its life cycle and can still get a close, comfortable shave.
These bulletted features above have also provided an unexpected and welcome additional benefit: because over the course of a shave I can dial in the shave character very precisely -- not too mild and not to aggressive -- and because I use this razor daily (all others being relegated to a bedroom closet), I have been getting a real sense for the different shave characters of various blades.
Never before have I gotten such a clear impression of how the various grinds and coatings on different brands (and models) of razor blades feel on my skin. This is because the adjustability of the razor tends to limit (or, essentially, eliminate) the variables that can confound a true understanding of a blade's impact on the shave.
Another unforeseen benefit comes from the ability to dial in the closeness of the shave with precision. The process to accomplish this is to first consider the blade. Is it new and a very sharp brand, or less so due to its manufacture or position in its life cycle? Then set the razor for the first pass according to those blade conditions. Then dial up slightly (as appropriate) the aggression of the razor for the second pass. Likewise for the third and clean-up passes.
By "sneaking up" on a close shave using the razor's ability for both mild early passes and more aggressive finishing passes, optimal shaves occur with great regularity and consistency. This allows the impact of the blade to be more easily evaluated.
For me, the Weishi adjustable razor is pretty much the perfect razor for my face. And it's a joy for me to use.
Happy shaving!
Doug, I am a fan of your Sharpologist articles, and I check on your blog from time to time. Over the weekend, I ordered the Weishi Adjustable. I received it today when I got home from work. I happen to have a beard right now which is unusual, so I am only shaving about three inches of my lower neck to stay employed in an office environment. I went to the downstairs bathroom which is close to the hot water heaters, and lathered up with Trader Joes Honey Mango which is a brushlesss shaving cream I get locally for around $4 a tube. I put a Gillette SharpEdge Yellow Pack Russian Blade in the Weishi, and set it at 4. The shave was very smooth and efficient with no trauma or drama. I was satisfied with the setting for my purposes with a brand new blade that is considered by many to be on the sharp side of the blade spectrum. This razor makes me want to lose the beard to see how it really performs. The QC was pretty good. Although it did seem to have a hitch in it when I was attempting to close the mechanism while it was still set on 7. I managed to coax the doors closed. I am pleased with it. Thanks for the recommendation, and keep the good articles coming!
ReplyDeleteI'm glad you're finding the razor to be a good choice.
DeleteI've written about the razor's quirks when inserting a blade (the razor must be set on 7 to get max door opening and then must be adjusted to a lower aggression to close the doors without blade interference). This is described in my (DNH) Amazon.com review as well as in earlier Grandad articles.
Despite the quirks, this razor continues to be the best for me. I hope you continue to like it.
Also -- and this may be obvious -- but this isn't the best razor for shaving long hair. An open-comb or straight (barber's) razor is the best tool for that job.
Doug, I finally moved up from a setting of 4 to 5. What settings do you find yourself using the most?
DeleteI am answering your question as an article on 9/23/2018.
DeleteSounds like another razor purchase in my near future! How would you compare the mildness to the Weishi 9306? My merkur progress on setting one has been giving me wonderful shaves, but I would like to explore a milder razor with sharper blades.
ReplyDeleteI passed along my 9306 to another person long ago, so my impressions expressed here are based entirely on memory and are therefore questionable, but here goes:
DeleteAs I recall, the 9306 was mild but still irritating on my skin. How mild? Not sure, but I would guess that the Weishi adjustable is milder at its lowest setting, but more aggressive on its max setting of 7. For me, with a sharp, new blade, I might make my final clean-up strokes on a setting of 4. With an old blade that's on its last legs, I might use a setting of 6. Typically my first passes are done at a setting of 1.7 to 3 depending on the type and condition of the blade.
I much prefer the Weishi adjustable to the 9306 for two primary reasons: 1) it's adjustable (duh!), and 2) the shave character seems noticably smoother, less irritating.
Now it's possible that either my technique has improved since I ditched the 9306, or my skin has adapted a bit and is less sensitive, or the adjustable just provides a smoother, less irritating shave. Can't say for sure, but I wouldn't trade my Weishi adjustable (despite its quirks) for a 9306; no way!
I guess -- gun to my head -- that I'd suggest the 9306 is about as aggressive as the adjustable is on a 2 or 3 setting. But don't bet the farm on that; I'm just making a wild guess from vague memory.
Thanks Doug! This gives me some things to think about. Appreciate your blog!
DeleteDoug, do you have an affiliate link to the Weishi, as I likedy your postings of the razor, and would like to support you for the little that I can by using your link.
ReplyDeleteVery thoughtful of you to ask. The tan-bordered (at top and bottom), rectangular Amazon links that are embedded in articles such as the one above (as well as all the Amazon links) are affiliate links. Thanks for asking!
DeleteDo keep in mind that the Weishi adjustable is quirky in its opening and closing for blade insertion/removal. It must be set to maximum aggression to open its doors maximally wide, and the setting must be then dialed down to close on a blade.
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