Blind test #2 - Astra SP vs Derby

[Oscroft]

Shave #1

Test set up as described here. Astra SP vs Derby, two EJ razors, one black handle and one white.

Black = right side of face
White = left side of face

Brush = SOC 2-band
Soap = Col Conk Amber

Pass 1, WTG: White seemed smoother and sharper than Black right from the start, with a bit of tugging from Black.

Pass 2, XTG: Both cut well, but White seemed smoother.

Pass 3, ATG: Similar to XTG pass - both got the whiskers off, but White seemed smoother.

Closeness: Pretty good, but White was closer - bit of stubble left in the sideburn area on the right (Black) side.

Comfort: About 15 minutes on from the shave, the only AS treatment so far has been a cold water splash. Left (White) side feels fine with no irritation, but right (Black) side feels like it's suffering from a bit of burn all over - very low level, but it is there.

AS: Splash of Jovan Musk - nice, irritation mostly gone right away, and no real sting from either side. But, 5 minutes on, and I still feel a tiny bit of burn on the Black side, so I'm going for a bit of RSC balm too - and that's soothed it.

Seems like a clear win for White on test #1

[desmoface]

Oh yeah, this one should be good...Subscribed.

Steve

[brucea]

Need to keep my eye on this one too. I have my favorite!

[acutao]

Yup. My starter kit trial came down to these two. Astra edged out the Derby for me, but I never tried them side-by-side. This will indeed be a good one!

[turtle]

Don't forget to reverse the blades/razors with a fresh blade in each to count out any inconsistencies in the razors that might throw off your results.

[Oscroft]

Don't forget to reverse the blades/razors with a fresh blade in each to count out any inconsistencies in the razors that might throw off your results.

You mean repeat the whole test, shaves 1 to whatever, with the blades in the opposite razors? I guess I could do that without ruining the blind nature of the test by asking my assistant to do the swapping for me, and then I wouldn't look until the end of the second set of shaves.

But I think practicality rules against it - I have so many combinations I want to test that doubling the length of each test would slow me down too much. It's possible that there may be differences between the two razors, but they're two pretty new examples of the same model, so I think that's an imperfection I'll just have to live with.

However, when I get near the end of the tests and I'm down to just a few definite favourites, I may well consider doing some extended tests between them.

[turtle]

You mean repeat the whole test, shaves 1 to whatever, with the blades in the opposite razors? I guess I could do that without ruining the blind nature of the test by asking my assistant to do the swapping for me, and then I wouldn't look until the end of the second set of shaves.

But I think practicality rules against it - I have so many combinations I want to test that doubling the length of each test would slow me down too much. It's possible that there may be differences between the two razors, but they're two pretty new examples of the same model, so I think that's an imperfection I'll just have to live with.

However, when I get near the end of the tests and I'm down to just a few definite favourites, I may well consider doing some extended tests between them.

You might want to make sure that both razors are giving you the same shave. You could do this by putting the same blade in both razors and shaving half your face with each razor (with the same blade in both). Once you set a baseline that both razors are giving you the same consistent shave you will not have the possibility that mismatched razors are throwing off your test results.

[Oscroft]

You might want to make sure that both razors are giving you the same shave. You could do this by putting the same blade in both razors and shaving half your face with each razor (with the same blade in both). Once you set a baseline that both razors are giving you the same consistent shave you will not have the possibility that mismatched razors are throwing off your test results.

Good thinking - I'll do that when the current test is finished.

[Oscroft]

Shave #2

Test set up as described here. Astra SP vs Derby, two EJ razors, one black handle and one white.

Black = left, White = right

Brush = SOC boar
Soap = Arko Cream, "Regular"

Pass 1, WTG: First strokes down my cheeks felt smoother today from both blades, but there was a bit of a difference around the chin area with White feeling smoother on the skin and cutting more sharply - but probably less pronounced difference than previous shave.

Pass 2, XTG: As last time, both cut well again, but White seemed smoother - Black was not quite tugging, but there was a bit of "stuttering" around the chin and upper lip, if that makes sense.

Pass 3, ATG: Very similar again - both worked fine, but White felt a bit smoother.

Closeness: Both sides pretty much the same today, and really pretty close.

Comfort: Immediately before cold rinse, the Black side felt very slightly irritated (but less so than last time), with no discomfort at all on the White side. Cold rinse got rid of the irritation, but after 10-15 minutes I could feel it creeping back again - it's a very slight level of irritation on the Black side, which I'd hardly notice with an everyday shave, but the "two-sides" approach really does highlight even subtle differences.

AS: Hmm, I fancy a bit of Old Spice, which I haven't used for a while - and there's definitely a bit more of a sting on the Black side.

That's effectively one whole shave each, and white worked better and left me more comfortable again, but the margin was less than on test #1.

[mftoms59]

I use and like both, interested in your test, Subscribed!

[OldGreyGuy]

Interesting, subscribed.

[Stubblefield]

My two favorite blades as of late. Subscribed!

[kingfisher]

White is the Astra. You'll see.

[Oscroft]

White is the Astra. You'll see.

I'm trying hard not to make any judgments - but I wouldn't bet against you :-)

[Wil Dorenbos]

I'm trying hard not to make any judgments - but I wouldn't bet against you :-)

I also think white is Astra.

[Greglam]

Subscribed!

-Greg

[lennyn]

Props on your test setup! Especially on switching which blade is used on which side of your face to account for grip on your razor. Im really curious as to how this turns out. Subscribed!

[Oscroft]

Just before I do shave #3, here's a shot of the two razors...

[Oscroft]

Shave #3

Test set up as described here. Astra SP vs Derby, two EJ razors, one black handle and one white.

Black = right, White = left

Brush = SOC 2-band
Soap = Vicco Turmeric cream

Pass 1-3, WTG, XTG, ATG: All three passes said pretty much the same thing today - Black is skipping and tugging a bit, and just doesn't seem to be as sharp or as smooth as White. Small weeper from Black at the edge of the mouth area, but it stopped quickly.

Closeness: Pretty close shave on both sides - despite the tuggy feel of the Black blade, it did actually get me as close as White.

Comfort: No real irritation at all today - face felt good after cold rinse. The one small weeper aside, no problems at all really.

AS: Arko Aqua splash after about 10 minutes gave a pleasant mild tingle on both sides, but no stinging.

So, White still clearly seems the better blade today, but the end result felt a lot nicer than I expected. I wonder how much of that is due to the cream - today was the first time I've used it, and it's really good stuff. It's concentrated, and generates masses of rich creamy lather - I'll say a few words about it on this thread shortly.

[NJBob]

I got both of these in my newbie sampler package. So I have an opinion based on using both a few times. I can't wait to hear the outcome of this.