What has been your biggest disapointment in a razor?

Slim adjustable (birth quarter) juat doesn't shave as well as a plain super speed for me.

 

The original (old type?) Gillettes and the one Double Ring I managed to lay my hands on. Just a harsh, harsh shave. Maybe it was the blades but I'm glad Gillette got away from the short-tooth combs (I really believe that's what caused it for me).

 

Idea for Alpha444: a counter-thread on which razor most pleasantly surprised the heck out of you.

 

Flare Tip SS. Ridiculously mild. Smooth shaves yes, but my God did I need a lot of passes or to press on my face like I was using a lawnmower.

 

For me it was the Pils. Odd blade angle, hammer-like head heavy balance and rust-prone "stainless" steel. All for the reasonable price of $250.

 

My Ikon is the biggest disappointment. Beautiful razor, but I could never get the hang of it. Also a Fatboy, I Love the look, but it just never really worked for me. EJ 89 Loved by so many, but I hate it. And finally the Merkur HD = Blood bath and irritation for me.

 

The NEW which tends to tear my face up even with the smoothest of blades (Big Ben). I can even shave with my PAL with the Big Ben, but not the NEW. It is now the most aggressive in my arsenal.

 

Gillette Slim. I really wanted to like this razor, just like I enjoy the FB, but no matter what, I can't get a decent shave with this thing. Just looks pretty there on one of my razor stands. On the opposite side is an open comb Gillette NEW - I didn't expect much from this razor, but it now ranks #2 in my overall rankings, right behind the Weber DLC.

 

Gillette Blue Tip and Lady Gillette; both too mild. Muhle R41; too aggressive, but well made.

 

I had high hopes for the $150 Tradere. It's beautiful and many can use it without pain and blood. Not me. I've tried it for 2 weeks now and still can't get the angle right or something right. Aggressive without the smooth or ease of something like the $70 Weber.

 

The Merkur slants, Futur and Muhle R41. The slants just caused to much irritation and that to big head on the Futur was hard for me to manuever. The R41 was just to aggressive.

 

I know this may seem blasphemous, but my Ever-Ready Streamline. I know they are currently a hot commodity, but I can get a much better shave from any of my 1912 variants.

 

Yep that is blasphemous. My greastest disappointment is exactly the other way round. I found the Damakeene to be seriously lacking. Was hoping that it would give me a renewed appreciation of the 1912 variants but ended up with just the same old irritating bad shave that I get from all my other 1912s. All other SEs (apart from the OCMM) give me a better shave than 1912s.

 

As of right now it has to be my Gold Fat Handle Tech, not that it's a bad razor but my President, FB and Gillette New OC's just give me a better shave. I hardly ever pull it out.

 

I kinda mentioned that at the end of the original post but no one has really taken me up on it lol. yeah will prob post that thread

 

Vintage Merkur Slant. From what I'd heard I thought it would be aggressive - it was a little pussy cat!

 

Sorry, didn't see it!

I love how gents can use the exact same razor and get 180 degree opposite results, yet no one says "You're wrong!"

 

Ask Jody, he's prolly got an extra laying around as a doorstop.

 

My biggest disappointment: Gillette flair tip Super Speed. I looked long and hard to find a pristine copy from 1956 (birth year), and paid a premium price on eBay. The razor is very nice to look at, but has disappointed me in use. I just can't seem to get a close shave from the thing -- I get irritation, but just can't get close. I've tried several different blades, but no love.

So, the birth year razor sits in the display rack with several other classic Gillette's, but does not get used.

The biggest happy surprise for me has been my Schick injector. I bought one because of the planned injector week and found that I LOVED it! Effortless, close shaves, no irritation, blades last a week easily.

 

Luckily no big disappointments yet. Just minor ones. My Schick G1 is a bit light for my taste, but gives me great shaves. My Rolls Razor is a bit rough. But that's all!