Bittersweet Bluebird Blade

[BBrad]

A few months ago, I purchased a beautiful "mint condition" razor from a fellow member on the BST. He graciously included a handful of blade samples, some of which I had never tried before.

I found a couple of them to be no better (or worse) than my usual "weapons" of choice. Earlier this week, however, I grabbed the Bluebird that he sent me and loaded it into my Aristocrat Adjustable. Having never tried them before, I was really curious!

The first shave off the blade was outstanding . . . smooth as silk, no pull or tug, and absolutely no sting, burn, or redness.

Shave #2 was just as nice.

Shave #3 felt good, but I had a couple weepers after my second pass. I noticed some sting when Mr. Pinaud's Clubman hit my face.

Shave #4 required styptic on a couple spots, and I did not do my usual third pass "buff" . . .

Shave #5 (today) should not have taken place. I wanted to blame myself for yesterday's shave . . . going too fast . . . bad lather . . . not paying attention . . . etc. After the first pass, I had so many weepers that I aborted the process and gave my face the rest of the day off. The strange thing is, the first pass removed enough stubble to leave me reasonably well shaved . . . but rather irritated as well. Right now, seven hours later, I'm still smooth, but I have the same itchy burning feeling that I used to have with a Mach3.

I've never had a blade "shift gears" like that one did. I had the razor set at '5' (my usual setting) and the save itself didn't feel bad . . . anybody have any ideas or is it just the Bluebirds???

[Dpflaum]

No idea, but starting on day 3 you could try dialing it down 1 or .5 clicks and see if that helps at all.

[Dave Tomlinson]

Perhaps shave 3 was sending you a warning.

Dave.

[BEAR DEN]

I get two shaves per blade no matter which brand...I never push it beyond that.

[scottb]

I like Bluebirds a lot but, like Sharps, longevity is not a strong suite.

[theinternot]

Bluebirds are one of the cheaper blades, as well as my blade of choice... I got 100 for $16 on ebay. At $.16 a blade, I have no qualms at using a new blade every shave. 5 shaves seems to be the upper limits of most blades. Might just need to bite the bullet and take fewer shaves per blade.

[Dpflaum]

I got 100 for $16 on ebay. At $.16 a blade, I have no qualms at using a new blade every shave.

That's costly!

I got 100 Sharks for $14. I usually do a week of shaves (M/W/F) then toss them. $.14 a week is pretty good.

[BBrad]

Perhaps shave 3 was sending you a warning.

Dave.

It certainly was!!

In spite of the irritation and carnage, there was absolutely no lack of performance regarding the blade's ability to cut whiskers . . . nothing to indicate that the blade was done!! It didn't pull . . . even the sound was still sharp.

I normally get four or five shaves from a WM Personna. By then the blade feels dull and begs to be changed. Other blades I have tried have given fewer shaves, but felt bad.

I guess what amazes me the most is the fact that this blade felt fantastic even as it was cutting my face to shreads . . .