Nope - I rinse the blade in the fully closed razor and then strop the blade in the razor 3 to 4 times on each side on my shower towel.Does anybody follow any specific regimen (real or imagined) to extend the life of their blades? I rinse mine while still in the razor under cold water, then remove the blade and drip 90% rubbing alc. on both edges to displace the water and any accumulated gunk.
I too used a stahly head today. Its a very good and certainly mild shaver. I can't use a shallow angle though, and for some reason am really liking shallow angles recently. What about you?I remove the blade after every shave, wipe down under running water and then air dry in the original wrapper.
I am on roughly 65 shaves with a persona lab and it shows no sign of dulling yet. got a bbs on a stahly head which is the mildest razor I have.
I too used a stahly head today. Its a very good and certainly mild shaver. I can't use a shallow angle though, and for some reason am really liking shallow angles recently. What about you?
Well I did shave number 70 with a Vintage Schick Platinum Plus blade in a SC New tonight. It is a new record for a single blade for me and way longer than I ever thought I could shave a vintage blade. The shave was exceptional in that it was a two pass no touchup BBS shave. I used Godrej Rich in the red tube face lathered over generic Noxzema face cleaner. I still have no idea how much longer this blade will last but I'm in till the end!
since my last report on this blade I have also shaved a Gillette Nacet blade to 31 shaves and I am also working a Feather in an Aristocrat razor that is at 28 shaves. These blades are also going to be used to the bitter end. I have also started using a couple of different Old Type razors periodically and may put the Schick in one of these for the next few shaves to see how well it does in relation to a New manufactured blade in an Old Type.
i still do not strop blades or remove them from razors except to change the blade to a different razor. While its out I make sure there is no rust or soap scum on the blade and pat it dry.
i now have a stropper a twinplex in very good condition but every blade I have put in comes out no better and most come out unusable.
still haven't been convinced that it works on modern blades. I know it works with vintage carbon steel because I have successfully used it on some NOS carbons and got pretty decent shaves from otherwise unusable blades.
anyway just letting you my fellow knights of the round table know my quest and progress thus far!
good shaving, and good day to you all!
Today was shave 20 on an Astra SP blade. Not long by Excalibur standards, but since my longest previous number with this blade was a mere 6 shaves, pretty good so far. But I almost tossed this blade far too early.
Last Thursday on my touch up pass after my regular two passes, I was horizontally buffing a tough patch beside my throat. Somehow the razor which I was holding at way too steep of an angle slipped downward, giving me what turned the worst gash I've had since I started DE shaving. Closed right up with the styptic that I hadn't had to use in months, so I thought little of it at the time.
Then came Friday. Guess I woke up on the wrong side of the bed or something. Usually I wake before the alarm, but not that morning. And I was in a foul mood. The Williams lather wasn't coming together but I slathered it in and shaved anyway despite fading and airiness. Worst irritation in a long, long time. Many weepers. Partially reopened the gash from the previous day. The AS burned and so did my face. All day long. Went to my ususal pre-Excalibur default and blamed the blade which had 16 shaves on it at the time.
So Saturday I didn't shave to let my face recover. Reread some earlier Excalibur posts and realized that I'd neglected my technique. My angle had been too steep and I used too much pressure. I also reviewed the Vez' lathering videos for Williams. Sunday I built a good lather, put that Astra blade back in my ball end Tech, and concentrated on shallow angle and barely any pressure. And got the best shave I'd had in a long time. No irritation even on the still healing gash from Thursday. And the 3 shaves since have been just as good with same razor, blade, and soap.
Just goes to show the importance of technique. Hope none of you other newer gentlemen have to go through that much pain to reach the same realization.
Hey 20 is a great number brother!
And yes I have made the technique mistakes often and tried to blame the blade as well. We all get a bit sloppy or lazy with technique from time to time.
Just out of curiosity, Why do you use Williams if it is so fussy? I have about five different creams that I use interchangeably and they all lather pretty easily and very consistently. I use Godrej an Indian cream that cost significantly less than Williams and produces excellent lather everytime. Palmolive is another excellent performer and only cost a bit more than Williams. If your near a big city that has an India market or food store, many of those carry a few India shave creams and they tend to be very economical.
I get Godrej at one in a nearby city for $2.50 a tube plus sales tax. And I only have to go once a year to get my supplies.
Another idea is to mix the williams with another brand and create your own blend of superlather.