Best Blades for a Newbie?

[Tat2d Bald Dude]

Ok, so as mentioned previously, I ordered a 1957 Gillette Superspeed this weekend that should be arriving in a few days and I'm going to be ordering a Merkur HD 34C. Being a newbie whose #1 initial fear right off the bat is that I'm terrified that I'm going to cut the **** out of my face, what would be the best blades to use for each, or both, of those razors?

I was to use something that won't be too agressive, but not something that is so weak that it doesn't give me any closer of a shave than my Gillette Fusion does.

[Koss]

Ok, so as mentioned previously, I ordered a 1957 Gillette Superspeed this weekend that should be arriving in a few days and I'm going to be ordering a Merkur HD 34C. Being a newbie whose #1 initial fear right off the bat is that I'm terrified that I'm going to cut the **** out of my face, what would be the best blades to use for each, or both, of those razors?

I was to use something that won't be too agressive, but not something that is so weak that it doesn't give me any closer of a shave than my Gillette Fusion does.

Not that a blade is not good enough to give you a closer shave at the bottom of people lists... since when shaving with DE's, it is all about Beard Reduction passes. Each pass will cut closer and closer to the skin.

Really, I would suggest buying a Razor blade sample pack from WestCoast Shaving, since Razors blades are so polarizing, and really one persons best might be another persons worst razor blade.

Check them out, get whatever is within your budget. They are all good. (http://westcoastshaving.com/index.php?main_page=index&cPath=2)

If you get one with feather Razor blades thrown in, make sure to try them last. They will work against people trying to learn with a DE.

The most important aspect of all of this, when it comes to protecting your face and not finding your skin all nicked and irritated... is the quality of lather you build. Preparation is another one too. Funny how it works out huh.

[SilkySmooth]

Derby's and Crystal's are nice and cheap for the money, but as implied above it's a matter of preference. Some blades seem to work better in different razors, so the sampler pack would also be a great start.

[DSB]

I agree that one of the WCS sampler packs is the best way to find a razor blade that works best for you.

Don't worry about cutting yourself. Just do proper prep, take it slow, and you'll find your first shave to be very enjoyable!

[Gruder]

+1 on the sampler pack. Only those who possess your face can determine the best blades for it. :wink:

[Luc]

i agree that one of the wcs sampler packs is the best way to find a razor blade that works best for you.

Don't worry about cutting yourself. Just do proper prep, take it slow, and you'll find your first shave to be very enjoyable!


+1 on the sampler pack. Only those who possess your face can determine the best blades for it. :wink:

+2

[rm71]

Here is my recommendation:

Red Ip
Derby
German wilkinson
Astra superior Platinum

[dpmtherrien]

All the recommends on the various blades are good. However the only way to find the "best" blade for you is the old trial and error. Get a bunch of sampler packs and find your own best blade. Thats the only way to go, because what works for some will not work for you and vicey versey. Thats not a very expensive trial and error, and you just might be surprized at what you'll find. Good luck, and enjoy the ride. :biggrin: :tongue: :001_rolle

[JohnDoom]

Not that a blade is not good enough to give you a closer shave at the bottom of people lists... since when shaving with DE's, it is all about Beard Reduction passes. Each pass will cut closer and closer to the skin.

Really, I would suggest buying a Razor blade sample pack from WestCoast Shaving, since Razors blades are so polarizing, and really one persons best might be another persons worst razor blade.

Check them out, get whatever is within your budget. They are all good. (http://westcoastshaving.com/index.php?main_page=index&cPath=2)

If you get one with feather Razor blades thrown in, make sure to try them last. They will work against people trying to learn with a DE.

The most important aspect of all of this, when it comes to protecting your face and not finding your skin all nicked and irritated... is the quality of lather you build. Preparation is another one too. Funny how it works out huh.

I agree totally. I got the $10 sampler pack of blades from WCC and have started with the mild "derby" blades. My plan was to go through a blade until its done and try a different brand.

[Slade xTekno]

I'd recommend starting with a good "starter" blade and learning how to shave before buying a sample pack. If you don't learn to shave first, you won't really know the difference between the blades in the pack.

I recommend Israeli Red Pack Personnas, Derbies, or Merkur as good first blades. People may contest that last recommendation, but IMO it's the most consistently average blade in terms of sharpness, smoothness, and longevity; by using it you'll come to appreciate other blades you use in the first.

[taffy]

Sample packs are great when you start off.

[Cambyses]

Shaving is incredibly individualized. For every highly-rated and well-liked product discussed here you will find someone who hates it, and for every widely disliked blade or razor, someone find that it works perfectly for them. For the simple fact that you can't predict which blade will work best for you, a blade sampler is something you certainly want to invest in.

Something that people above have pointed out and that you certainly need to keep in mind when starting out (as I have been discovering recently): Whatever blade and razor you use for your first DE shaves—while you're figuring out blade angle, pressure, direction, etc—will seem to be sub-par. So don't rule out the Derby or IP that you tried at the beginning, because a couple months from now you might find that it's actually the best for you.

[taffy]

Shaving is incredibly individualized. For every highly-rated and well-liked product discussed here you will find someone who hates it, and for every widely disliked blade or razor, someone find that it works perfectly for them. For the simple fact that you can't predict which blade will work best for you, a blade sampler is something you certainly want to invest in.

Something that people above have pointed out and that you certainly need to keep in mind when starting out (as I have been discovering recently): Whatever blade and razor you use for your first DE shaves—while you're figuring out blade angle, pressure, direction, etc—will seem to be sub-par. So don't rule out the Derby or IP that you tried at the beginning, because a couple months from now you might find that it's actually the best for you.

Thats good advice, i hated wilkinsons blades when i started but when i got more experienced found that they were actually ok, especially with my tech, so dont write off an early blade till to you try it again somewhere down the line, let us know how you get on :thumbup1:

[Rexticle]

I really like Sharks right now. I've tried 7am, Crystals and Sharps but so far the Sharks blow them out of the water. You can usually get 100 for around 15 bucks, so the price is great too!

[Unknownsoldier]

I had the same concerns: http://badgerandblade.com/vb/showthread.php?p=741123#post741123

But give a sampler a go and you'll find one blade will give a close comfortable shave, one could give a shave so close it give you a weeper or two, and you can find blades that you dig into your face and they won't take any hair, it's all personal preference, I started with Wilkinson, good blades, cheap etc. and have graduated, I now skip between blades trying them as I wish :D :D All part of the fun :D

Follow the above advice and you'll never look back to that crappy fusion :D

Good luck,
Tom

[DEblade]

are the israeli blades ok for a starter ? Shaving-Shack has a special offer for big orders consisting of 30 israeli made blades .... should i skip these blades and choose another bonus product and stick to the Derby blades i wanted to buy ?

[SpyvSpy]

I'd go with derbys or a sampler pack of different blades. I've learned on derbys and they have been very forgiving in my first 2 months of shaving with them.

[Slamarche]

One of the reasons I purchased a sampler pack was that I have absolutely no perspective regarding double edge razor blades. Since everyone has an opinion (that really only applies to themselves) you need to do the work yourself. With the sampler pack you have a great learning experience and if you take them in the order the vendor recommends then you find out quickly that your values constantly evolve. Starting out with one blade and not evaluating others does an injustice to your face. Also, I would keep notes on each blade as to its shaving characteristics, longivity, shaves per blade, etc.

[rvmx]

Helppp I cant decidee Kent BLK4 or Savile Row 3824?