Types of blade steel/coatings reacting to various creams/soaps?

[Rollsshaver]

This is something that I have noticed in my long years off shaving, and I am wondering if you guys have had this experience too.

I have found that although some creams and soaps are definitly better quality than others, alot also depends on the blade you use with certain products. For some reason it seems like some soaps/creams react differently to certain types of steel, or the coatings on the steel, thus altering the shaving properties of each.

Does anyone else notice this? Does anyone have any scientific explination for this odd conclusion that I have reached?

[rickw]

Who has access and time to run a bunch of blades through an electron microscope to determine the steel alloy and the coatings?

[blade08]

I have never noticed this but could you give some examples of good and bad 'pairings'?

[Stauff]

Ahh, shaving gear permutations, the quest is endless.... The cosmic ballet continues.... :yinyang::cool2:

[Rollsshaver]

After searching high and low on the forums, I found a thread about this subject. In the thread, Joel describes how he custom formulates his homemade soaps to the blade he is using.

In particular, check out his post #'s 4 and 37. In the latter of the two he explains the reason for matching up the properties of the lather to a particular blade.

All in all it is a very informative thread that I would recommend everyone to read. Do yourself a favor and read the entire thread, not just the two posts I mention above.

Enjoy!!

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