How to use sampler packs

**DarkDragon786** · 10-30-2009, 05:29 PM

I recently bought a blade sampler pack, and I am looking for a systematic way to test them all.

Also, is there any sense in which a blade and razor make a match? If I switch to another razor, will it be important to get another sampler pack and try all of the blades again?

**Drubbing** · 10-30-2009, 05:37 PM

Originally Posted by DarkDragon786

I recently bought a blade sampler pack, and I am looking for a systematic way to test them all.

Also, is there any sense in which a blade and razor make a match? If I switch to another razor, will it be important to get another sampler pack and try all of the blades again?

No system, choose a blade and shave with it till the pack is used, that's the only way to get an idea of fair whether you like them/they like you.

Obviously, if one blade is awful after you've tried a couple (dud blade in a pack are always possible), then ditch them.

Feathers are generally best til later on, as they are sharpest and least forgiving of poor technique, but if you get to a point early in, where you're shaves are good, then why not?

The best razor and blade match is the one that works best for you. Trial and error is the only way to find out. Some blades will perform differently in different razors - theses are all the variables you need to work through. it takes time.

**Luc** · 10-30-2009, 05:42 PM

As Roger said, you should use all the blades in the pack before moving to another brand.

If you get a new razor, you will need to try the blades again but this time, you will have a fair idea of what works ok-good for you and skip the bad-average blades!

**tater_salad** · 10-30-2009, 06:10 PM

Try 3-5 blades, move on, compare..
Make sure you aren't switching razors, as blade 1 and razor 1, will be different than blade 1 razor 2..
If you are brand new.. a good go-to blade for starters (it was for me at least) is the derby extra.. They don't suck, and aren't super sharp (freathers) so you'll get a good shave, and wont' end up with a bleeding face, and you'll have a baselilne for other blades.

**DarkDragon786** · 11-02-2009, 10:26 PM

Would it be better to use each blade until it is no longer comfortable or a set number of times (4 times? 5?).

**taffy** · 11-03-2009, 12:14 AM

I do what the others have said open and use 1 pack at a time the only thing different i do is at the same time i have open a pack of readily available blades eg tesco, wilkinsons, personna so when i rotate my razors i can judge the sample pack against a already tried and trusted blade and also with a new razor se how the 2 compare.

**LinuxMintyFresh** · 11-03-2009, 12:45 AM

Hope we're not too confusing here, but I have a similar, if a little different, method to this. I would say try maybe 3 blades out of your 5-packs each so that you can know how they perform and then you have 2 extra so that by the time you have run through all of your different brands you can go back and retry them. Even after a short break from the them you'll forget exactly why you did, or did not, like certain blades. Using them again will give you one of those "now I remember" moments so you can decide whether to toss 'em or keep em with a better base for comparison.

**mliguori** · 11-03-2009, 11:05 AM

Some members find it useful to keep a shave journal to track how well each shave went with the different razors. If you're feeling public about it you can keep an online one on the site for fellow shavers to see.

**Mink** · 11-04-2009, 08:30 PM

Keep in mind that there are other variables you need to keep in mind. To judge the blades fairly, make sure the duration between shaves is consistent. Shaving stubble vs shaving 3 days growth can be very different experiences from the same blade. Also, staying within the same type of lather removes the lubricity variable. Soap lathers I've made in a bowl are much better than cream lathers - at least for me YMMV. Lastly, if you're new to DE Wet shaving, your technique will improve week to week. Something you liked/disliked early on may be very different in a couple of months....so don't throw anything away.
I tried a blade from each container for 2 shaves and threw it away and moved on. In 2-3 weeks you will have a very good idea for what works in your current razor with your current skills. And then you can give all this up and just use Feathers http://badgerandblade.com/vb/images/smilies/biggrin.gif

**jsrdrnr** · 11-04-2009, 08:32 PM

It might be a good idea to write down what you like and dont like about each blade too. Just so when you go to purchase more you will have all the info in front of you.

**Dawgneck** · 11-04-2009, 08:42 PM

+1

I first thought a few brands were not for me when I first started out. They turned out great the second time around.

Originally Posted by Mink

...Lastly, if you're new to DE Wet shaving, your technique will improve week to week. Something you liked/disliked early on may be very different in a couple of months....so don't throw anything away. http://badgerandblade.com/vb/images/smilies/biggrin.gif

**DarkDragon786** · 11-04-2009, 11:57 PM

I have been using the same razor, brush, and shaving cream, but I recently started using different post-shave products. I won't be switching products for a while.

I don't normally shave in normal intervals. I think it would be good to keep some sort of a log to hold on to as much information as I can, but I can't think of many things to say about a particular shave.

**thunderball** · 11-05-2009, 01:15 AM

I'm pretty unscientific in my sampler pack usage...I just grab whatever I feel like using and throw it in...and hence I still don't know what blades I like the best!

**SRock** · 11-05-2009, 03:13 AM

Originally Posted by Luc

As Roger said, you should use all the blades in the pack before moving to another brand.

If you get a new razor, you will need to try the blades again but this time, you will have a fair idea of what works ok-good for you and skip the bad-average blades!

Exactly.