Noob Question- good vs bad blades

**BrianK** · 02-06-2011, 04:03 PM

I have a blade sampler on order, heck, I had to I'm down to one blade left from the early '70s

. (Personna)

I've read that one looks for tugging, pulling, etc. , and I guess a face turned into hamburger to detect the good blades from the bad blades. OK, the hamburger will be unmistakeable, but will the rest of the signals be obvious?

Am I missing anything?

FWIW, the blades are for this type of Gillette: http://www.countryjoescollectiblestu...silv-tip2.html

I'm planning on holding onto the blades that don't make the cut so that when I get other razors I'm going to have them to try.

TIA

**mblakele** · 02-06-2011, 04:09 PM

Some folks like to change blades whenever they draw blood. Once the blade has tasted your blood, it will thirst for more - or so the theory runs.

You can watch out for blades that pull and tug, instead of cleanly cutting the hair. But keep in mind that your blade angle may not be perfect, and poor angle can also make a good blade feel dull.

**Eric V** · 02-06-2011, 04:36 PM

I'm planning on holding onto the blades that don't make the cut

Perfect!

Well, besides that, I think working through a blade sampler with two or three shaves per blade will tell you what you want to know. Suddenly there will be a blade that feels "Oh so smooth", or "Yikes". You can narrow it down from there.

Of course this all depends on your razor (looks nice!), your prep, and your technic. There will be blades that work better for you and blades that don't work as well for you.

Have fun experimenting!

**Greyfox** · 02-06-2011, 05:01 PM

Work through your sampler and find the ones that give you a good, comfortable shave. You'll know.

**BrianK** · 02-06-2011, 05:37 PM

Originally Posted by Eric V

Of course this all depends on your razor (looks nice!),

Well, thanks, but I just grabbed that pic from the internet to illustrate the razor I'm using. Actually, mine is in better shape than the one shown. Really. I cleaned it up a whole bunch. I think the accumulated crud protected it through the years.

Thanks guys.

Kind've a "Duhhh!" moment to realize the blade could make such a difference. Sure, I know advertising tells us they do, but advertising is so full of lies and after awhile one just brushes it off as yet another floater in the cesspool of lies.

So much to learn...

**Luc** · 02-06-2011, 05:42 PM

You will know which one glide smoothly and which seems to get stuck there...

**ackvil** · 02-07-2011, 05:03 AM

And with practice your technique will improve. The result: blades that were terrible a while ago suddenly "improve."

**luvmysuper** · 02-07-2011, 07:34 AM

Originally Posted by ackvil

And with practice your technique will improve. The result: blades that were terrible a while ago suddenly "improve."

This is very true.

Don't condemn a brand with a first try that isn't great.
Stick them in a cupboard and give them another go in a few months.

**Codfish** · 02-07-2011, 08:01 AM

Originally Posted by ackvil

And with practice your technique will improve. The result: blades that were terrible a while ago suddenly "improve."

+1 I found that razors I once disliked improved dramatically, too! Everything I tried before my technique was sound seemed better.

Codfish

**Don B** · 02-07-2011, 08:49 AM

I, too, have just received a self-designed sampler and am about to start comparison shaving with them. As someone else here had suggested, I am planning to use two contending blades on alternate blades in a single elimination type setup, with the winner going on to compete against the next challenger until I've worked my way through the entire sampler. Am I making this harder than it has to be (I tend to over-think this sort of thing).

In your experience, should I expect the right blade for me and my razor and my current technique to be flash-of-lightning obvious when I try it with no need for side-by-side comparison?