Blade sampler log/journal.

[colonel70]

Starting Thursday or Friday I will be starting a sampler blade log. The sampler is the extended sampler from WCS. When I start it I will post a link in my signature for the new guys.

Any tips on what I should include in my blade journal or how I should go about logging it?

[SiBurning]

see this thread:
http://badgerandblade.com/vb/showthread.php/235856-Sample-blade-log

[The Count of Merkur Cristo]

Starting Thursday or Friday I will be starting a sampler blade log. The sampler is the extended sampler from WCS. When I start it I will post a link in my signature for the new guys.

Any tips on what I should include in my blade journal or how I should go about logging it?
colonel:
In regard to Samplers, my advice is to try 2,3,4 or 5 blades (however which amount per blade brand), before moving on to the next blade.

Long ago when I received my Sampler, I started a Thread entitled "In what Order should I test these Sampler Razor Blades?", and the best advice was from member Optometrist a.k.a David who stated;

"I say jump straight in with the feathers. Yes, they are sharp, but you learn very quickly to let the weight of the razor do the work for you. If you can get the feather right, then it's plain sailing with the others. A few nicks and cuts early on are nothing to worry about and stand you in good stead. Start with a lesser blade and it's a continual learning process as you step up the level of sharpness". :yesnod:

Also, member Npsarros stated, "Keep a spreadsheet with every shave [you], have taken, rating each blade as [you], go along". My spread data ratings reads in columns as thus;

Razor Blade / Country / Type - Sharpness? (Aggressive [Very Sharp], Moderate Sharpness or Mild Sharpness), - Closeness of Shave? - Smoothness/Roughness of Shave? - Comfort of Shave? - Overall Rating? (awesome, passable or unpleasant), and Compatible with your Razor(s)?

NOTE: PM me with your e-mail address and I will send you my workable spread sheet example to you.

Enclose below is my Thread and member Posted Replies "In what Order should I test these Sampler Razor Blades?", which may be of some interest and help to you.

http://badgerandblade.com/vb/showthread.php?t=180210&highlight=order

Christopher http://i257.photobucket.com/albums/hh206/SerraTijn/smileys/smiley_shaving.gif "Life is [like] a razor, you are always in hot water or a scrape" Anonymous

[Sledgehammer39]

Looking forward to your results.

[colonel70]

Now that I got this weekend overwith, I am going to start the log. After this information I have a great idea of what I will do with it.

Thanks BandB.

I will start it in this thread tomorrow.

[colonel70]

West Coast Shaving sampler pack--Everything

http://www.westcoastshaving.com/DE-Blade-Sampler-Pack-Everything_p_292.html


I just purchased this sampler pack and received it. The blades in the pack are listed on the above link.

I figured I would start a log on here as well as my own personal log of my reactions to the various blades

I intend for this to be my own record but hopefully it will help out some of the newer guys.

The format of the log will be as follows:

Date
Blade (brand, origin, etc)
Razor used
What cream/soap as well as lathering style
# of passes
# of shaves
After shave routine
Pre shave routine
Comfort
Quality
Brief description..


I liked bulleted lists so chances are this will be a bulleted list. If I feel like it I will go into more detail. If I do change formats I will inform you and it will still contain the aforementioned information just in a different style.

I will start the review tomorrow with Feathers; not sure which razor yet.

Feel free to subscribe as I will be updating this regularly.

[Sledgehammer39]

It will be cool to see your comparisons compared to Wil's:

http://badgerandblade.com/vb/showthread.php/120996-Feather-measure-of-all-blades?highlight=Feather+a+comparison

[colonel70]

Feather Hi-Stainless

Blade Facts

Made in Japan
Wrapped in the typical paper
"Platinum Coated Blade"


Pre Shave Routine
I am a morning shaver. Took a 10 minute shower while periodically letting the hot water hit my face. Washed my face in the shower to help hydrate and remove impurities. As I showered I had my bowl and brush warming up in the sink. After I got out of the shower, I exfoliated my face with just hot water and brush.

Lathering
After emptying the bowl (I mainly bowl lather), I built lather with the RSC shaving cream.

[/B]The Shave[/B]
Loaded my Parker 99R with the blade then lathered up with a nice thick n slick lather from the RSC. I did the typical 3 pass shave (wtg, xtg, atg).

Results
After the first pass I noticed that my shave was smoother than normal. Of course there was still stubble left so I lathered up for a second and third pass. One thing that I didnt get was razor burn or nicks/cuts. Since I was half asleep and in a slight rush I left a patch of hair on my face. This was not a fault of the blade, just me not paying attention.

Smoothness of shave easily deserves 10
Sharpness also deserves a 10
Cant vouch for longevity yet as this morning was the first time with feathers.

After shave
I used Gillete Fusion Pro Series Intense Cooling lotion. I like this stuff. Nice cooling sensation

In conclusion, Feathers are now my favorite blade (this is subject to change as I have many other blades to try as well as subsequent blades with the feather)! Easily obtained a BBS smooth shave with no nicks or cuts. This goes to show that technique is everything.

Questions/comments? Post them below!

[colonel70]

Had two more shaves since this last post. Nothing has changed. Now my favorite blade! Taking a weekend off of shaving until work Monday.

Feathers=Awesome!

[colonel70]

Feather Hi-Stainless

Blade Facts

Made in Japan
Wrapped in the typical paper
"Platinum Coated Blade"


Pre Shave Routine
Same as above.

Lathering
Decided to use Erasmic brand shave soap.

[/B]The Shave[/B]
Loaded my Parker 99R and did a 3 pass shave after lathering.

Results
Again, very smooth and irritation free shave!

Smoothness of shave 10
Sharpness 10
Longevity gets a 10

After shave
Used some Aqua Velva. Finally bought some.

In conclusion, Feathers are still my favorite blade! I stopped at 4 shaves but am very confident I could have gotten a 5th out of them. In the near future I will order a couple hundred blades.

Now to load up another feather in a different blade or a different blade in the same razor. Decisions decisions?!?!

Questions/comments? Post them below!

[colonel70]

Wilkinson Sword Double Edge Razor Blades

Blade Facts

Made in Germany
These are the ones on WCS, not the Wal-Mart


Pre Shave Routine
Same as usual. Brush soak and bowl warming. Shower


Lathering
Lathered up some Real Shaving Co. to a nice thick n' slick lather.

[/B]The Shave[/B]
Loaded my 52 Superspeed and did a 3 pass shave after lathering.

Results
I was disappointed honestly, and heres why. Ive used the WS blades from Walmart in my Weishi(which is a mild shaver) and my Parker 99R(which is a little more aggressive) and they both did better than these WS blades from WCS. I'm not sure if there is a difference in the WS blades or if the SuperSpeed is just the least aggressive of the three. All I know is, this shave was pretty disappointing. Will take this blade out of this razor and try it in my parker tomorrow morning.

Smoothness of shave 6 Some stubble left after 3 passes with no time to do a 4th.
Sharpness 5 Not a very sharp blade at all.
Longevity Cant vouch for longevity yet as this is my first shave with this blade.

After shave
Warm rinse, cold splash, Aqua Velva.

If anyone knows of a difference between the Wilkonsons from WCS and the Wilkonsons in the metal blade bank at walmart then please post below.

Questions or comments? Post below.

[colonel70]

Tried the same Wilkinson from the Superspeed in my more aggressive Parker 99R. Same result. Ending the Wilkinson blade and switching to a new blade.

To anyone considering Wilkinson blades: The ones from Wal-Mart in the metal blade bank are great blades. The ones in the black plastic that are individually wrapped are awful.

[colonel70]

Shark Super Stainless Double Edge Razor Blades

Blade Facts

Made in Egypt



Pre Shave Routine
Unfortunately I couldnt find my only brush (wtf?!?!) so I had to use my hands to apply some RSC cream on my face. Other than that I had a nice hot shower.


Lathering
RSC cream applied with fingers

[/B]The Shave[/B]
Loaded my 52 Superspeed and did a 3 pass shave after lathering.

Results
Despite the fact that I didn't get to do a proper lather, I had decent shave. I only took it to a DFS shave because of the lather. The blades are almost as sharp as feathers but aren't quite there. I will not comment on how comfortable the blade is as I didn't have the proper lather.



After shave
Warm rinse, cold splash, Aqua Velva.

Im not going to do the /10 scale on anything yet because I didn't give the razor a fair chance. Tomorrow should be a different story.

[colonel70]

Shark Super Stainless Double Edge Razor Blades

Blade Facts

Made in Egypt



Pre Shave Routine
Hot shower. Soaked brush in hot water during shower in my shaving bowl.

Lathering
Lathered up some RSC cream

The Shave
Lathered up and loaded my 52 Superspeed. Did a 3 pass shave.

Results
Wow! Great and comfortable shave. A proper lather made a HUGE difference in the shave quality. The shave was much more comfortable allowing me to get a BBS for the shave.

After shave
Warm rinse, cold splash, Aqua Velva.

Sharpness gets a 8
Longevity gets a 10
Smoothness of blade gets a 9

Conclusion
The Shark SS is an exceptional blade! The blade is sharp (not as sharp as feather). The blades allow for a very comfortable and smooth shave. At about 17 cents a blade, its a great deal.
Feathers are still my favorite.

[colonel70]

Red Personna Israeli Double Edge Razor Blades

Blade Facts

Made in Israel



Pre Shave Routine
Hot shower. Soak brush and bowl in hot water.


Lathering
Lathered up some Real Shaving Co. cream.

The Shave
Loaded my Parker 99R and did a 3 pass shave after lathering.

Results
Very impressive actually. Got a great shave (actually 4 shaves) with this blade. The blade was fairly sharp but very smooth.

Smoothness of shave 7.5 BBS for 95 percent of my face but there are a couple places that grow coarse. It took the coarse spots to a DFS.
Sharpness 7 Adequately sharp. Not close to a feather.
Longevity 10 Got 5 shaves from the blade.

After shave
Warm rinse, cold splash, Aqua Velva.

Results
I like this blade quite a bit. WCS prices this about 20 cents per blade making this blade fairly economical. This blade doesn't come close to Feathers in sharpness. That being said, this razor still gives BBS shaves for the most part.

I really dropped the ball on the replies lately. I seemed to have lost track of the thread until now.

Questions/Comments post below.

[tattewell]

Colonel,

I like your thread, I recently found myself in the same boat as you with a n00b and some samples.

Sadly I didnt start with the Feathers, and wish I had, they are (so far) easily my favorite blade. I can usually get 6 shaves from 1 blade (atleast that has been the case with the 2 I have used).

Unfortunatelly I dont have Shark's or Persona's, but I supplement with some straights... or maybe its that I supplement my straights with a DE... ah well.. Good luck, good thread and so far (feathers and wilkinson's) I agree.

Tyler

[cdrross]

I just got finished with a trial with my sample blades. I took a somewhat different approach.
I posted this in the General Shaving area - perhaps there is more relevance here...
http://badgerandblade.com/vb/showthread.php/237745-After-35-Shaves-the-Blade-Trial-Conclusion