Hi all!
I wanted to jump in and narrate a little how the past few weeks have gone, both to compare notes with my fellow newbies and open up for correction/instruction from our learned veterans
Like I shared in my original post, the first razor I grabbed was a Baili 171 and some Astra SPs. I also grabbed a Gillette SuperSpeed online, it was advertised as a 40's model but was actually a '55 flare tip (date code A1). It came with some (green) Derby Extras. I'll add a short note that I grabbed these while staying with family for a month, and only just recently ordered a blade sample pack, some proraso soap, and a brush now that I'm home - so more experimenting to come! Looking forward to getting a proper lather in soon, but for now all my shaves were done with Cremo.
The shaves, in order:
Baili 171 w/ Astra SPs
For me, this was a great combo, and I'm able to use this loadout to shave daily without any issues. I enjoyed what I imagine to be a slight blade feel, it helps me work out a good angle while I'm still learning technique, end the end result is a very smooth shave with no irritation.
SuperSpeed 55 w/ Green Derby Extras
The first shave I did with this loadout was with a couple days growth. I was so excited to try it, and was able to do a full three passes with it. It was probably the closest I've gotten to BBS. I couldn't feel the blade at all, and had to pay close attention to what I was doing. I got one small nick. I'm not sure what made the difference, maybe it was the closeness of the shave itself, but it took 2-3 days for enough stubble to grow back to be able to shave again. That very next shave, I kind of rushed it, and got a pretty uneven shave with some irritation and a few more nicks - a solid lesson in user error.
I did a few more shaves with this combo, with mixed results. Overall, despite getting a much closer shave there wasn't very much blade feel at all, and I think I had trouble learning the right amount of pressure to use.
SuperSpeed 55 w/ Astra SPs
Here, I could feel the blade a smidge more than with the Derbys, and it helped a bit. Not as close a shave, but I feel like it was easier for me to keep my bearings, and I could once again shave the next day. I've only tried this combo out once so far, because I was eager to loop back to the Baili for the next shave.
Baili 171 w/ Green Derby Extras
This was a much better shave than either with my gillette. I was able to feel the blade more than with the SuperSpeed, but I could tell it was a lot softer feel than the Astra SPs. I'm not totally sure what my preference is there, but I think I lean towards the Astras. I was able to get a nice even shave again, fairly close, but still able to shave again the next day.
Conclusions
First and foremost, I've already really enjoyed the little bit of experimenting I've done so far, and I look foreward to learning more and participating here on B&B.
I would say overall, if I had to rank my shaves, they would be:
1. Baili 171 w/ Astra SPs
2. Baili 171 w/ Green Derby Extras
3. '55 SuperSpeed w/ Astra SPs
4. '55 SuperSpeed w/ Green Derby Extras
I like the more distinct feel that I got from the Astra blades. I'm not sure if I would enjoy much more feel than that, but who knows? I feel like I was more prone to irritation with the Derbys, but that again might more be a factor of my not knowing the right amount of pressure to apply (especially with the SuperSpeed).
Once again I'm looking forward to my soaps, brush (Omega Boar), and blade samplers to arrive so I can branch out a little more For everyone's viewing pleasure, here are a couple shots of the '55 SuperSpeed. I think it's a cool little piece, but I'm not sure if it'll stay in my rotation too long.
I wanted to jump in and narrate a little how the past few weeks have gone, both to compare notes with my fellow newbies and open up for correction/instruction from our learned veterans
Like I shared in my original post, the first razor I grabbed was a Baili 171 and some Astra SPs. I also grabbed a Gillette SuperSpeed online, it was advertised as a 40's model but was actually a '55 flare tip (date code A1). It came with some (green) Derby Extras. I'll add a short note that I grabbed these while staying with family for a month, and only just recently ordered a blade sample pack, some proraso soap, and a brush now that I'm home - so more experimenting to come! Looking forward to getting a proper lather in soon, but for now all my shaves were done with Cremo.
The shaves, in order:
Baili 171 w/ Astra SPs
For me, this was a great combo, and I'm able to use this loadout to shave daily without any issues. I enjoyed what I imagine to be a slight blade feel, it helps me work out a good angle while I'm still learning technique, end the end result is a very smooth shave with no irritation.
SuperSpeed 55 w/ Green Derby Extras
The first shave I did with this loadout was with a couple days growth. I was so excited to try it, and was able to do a full three passes with it. It was probably the closest I've gotten to BBS. I couldn't feel the blade at all, and had to pay close attention to what I was doing. I got one small nick. I'm not sure what made the difference, maybe it was the closeness of the shave itself, but it took 2-3 days for enough stubble to grow back to be able to shave again. That very next shave, I kind of rushed it, and got a pretty uneven shave with some irritation and a few more nicks - a solid lesson in user error.
I did a few more shaves with this combo, with mixed results. Overall, despite getting a much closer shave there wasn't very much blade feel at all, and I think I had trouble learning the right amount of pressure to use.
SuperSpeed 55 w/ Astra SPs
Here, I could feel the blade a smidge more than with the Derbys, and it helped a bit. Not as close a shave, but I feel like it was easier for me to keep my bearings, and I could once again shave the next day. I've only tried this combo out once so far, because I was eager to loop back to the Baili for the next shave.
Baili 171 w/ Green Derby Extras
This was a much better shave than either with my gillette. I was able to feel the blade more than with the SuperSpeed, but I could tell it was a lot softer feel than the Astra SPs. I'm not totally sure what my preference is there, but I think I lean towards the Astras. I was able to get a nice even shave again, fairly close, but still able to shave again the next day.
Conclusions
First and foremost, I've already really enjoyed the little bit of experimenting I've done so far, and I look foreward to learning more and participating here on B&B.
I would say overall, if I had to rank my shaves, they would be:
1. Baili 171 w/ Astra SPs
2. Baili 171 w/ Green Derby Extras
3. '55 SuperSpeed w/ Astra SPs
4. '55 SuperSpeed w/ Green Derby Extras
I like the more distinct feel that I got from the Astra blades. I'm not sure if I would enjoy much more feel than that, but who knows? I feel like I was more prone to irritation with the Derbys, but that again might more be a factor of my not knowing the right amount of pressure to apply (especially with the SuperSpeed).
Once again I'm looking forward to my soaps, brush (Omega Boar), and blade samplers to arrive so I can branch out a little more For everyone's viewing pleasure, here are a couple shots of the '55 SuperSpeed. I think it's a cool little piece, but I'm not sure if it'll stay in my rotation too long.