I was wondering if anyone else determined their blade/cream rotation upon where they are in the life of their current razor blade.
For instance, I tend to get a really harsh shave w/a brand new blade. IP's are this way for me to the point that I don't use them, and sometimes even my beloved derbys give me a harsh first shave. In expectation of that experience, whenever I start out w/a new blade I use a reliably "cushiony" cream like Nancy Boy, T&H UC or TOBS avocado. I've found the extra protection counteracts the expectant harsh shave.
After the initial shave w/a new blade, I can usually interchange most any soap/cream. But when I notice that I'm not getting as close of a shave w/my current blade, then I change to only soaps for the last 1 or 2 shaves. My thought process being that you can usually get a closer shave w/less effort w/a soap due to its lack of cushion compared to a cream, which counteracts the duller blade.
Keep in mind, I primarily use Derbys and have yet to let a Derby stick around until it starts pulling my hair. I got 7 shaves out of my latest Derby blade, the last being this morning w/some HBS Bay rum. And I didn't get a single stubble pull out of ANY of those 7 shaves. The shaves tend to take longer once I've used the balde, sometimes even taking one more full pass than I usually do, but they never pull on my stubbl. But this number of shaves on one blade is actually very out of the norm for me, especially w/a derby. I usually get 5 shaves/blade.
~Joshua
For instance, I tend to get a really harsh shave w/a brand new blade. IP's are this way for me to the point that I don't use them, and sometimes even my beloved derbys give me a harsh first shave. In expectation of that experience, whenever I start out w/a new blade I use a reliably "cushiony" cream like Nancy Boy, T&H UC or TOBS avocado. I've found the extra protection counteracts the expectant harsh shave.
After the initial shave w/a new blade, I can usually interchange most any soap/cream. But when I notice that I'm not getting as close of a shave w/my current blade, then I change to only soaps for the last 1 or 2 shaves. My thought process being that you can usually get a closer shave w/less effort w/a soap due to its lack of cushion compared to a cream, which counteracts the duller blade.
Keep in mind, I primarily use Derbys and have yet to let a Derby stick around until it starts pulling my hair. I got 7 shaves out of my latest Derby blade, the last being this morning w/some HBS Bay rum. And I didn't get a single stubble pull out of ANY of those 7 shaves. The shaves tend to take longer once I've used the balde, sometimes even taking one more full pass than I usually do, but they never pull on my stubbl. But this number of shaves on one blade is actually very out of the norm for me, especially w/a derby. I usually get 5 shaves/blade.
~Joshua