How to attack my sample pack?

[Omp]

I am taking my first baby steps into DE shaving and wondered if anyone had ideas on the approach I should take when selecting which razor blade to start with.
I have a EJ de86bl arriving in a couple of days as well as a sample pack of blades containing the following:
Astra Superior Platinum (5)
Crystal Platinum (10) - Israeli Personna, Super + Platinum
Derby Extra (5)
Feather New Hi-Stainless (10)
Gillette 7 o’clock Sharp Edge (5)
LORD Platinum Chrome (5)
Personna Platinum Chrome (10) - ‘Red Personna, Israeli Reds’
Shark Super Chrome (5)
Wilkinson Sword Double Edge (5)

Should I take a random approach to which blades to try first?
Are there any that I shouldn't even bother with?
Should I use each blade only once to help the comparison?
Is it too early to make comparisons as I will be on a learning curve about shaving technique anyway?
Is there anything else I should consider?

[5savages]

For my sample packs, I'm just going random.

I found this blog post very helpful with regard to sample packs:

http://leisureguy.wordpress.com/2007...sampler-packs/

My "best" blade started out as Astra SP, but currently Personna Super "Lab" blades are my reference blade. I go with two blades in a row, using each for 3 shaves. (total of 6 shaves) before going on to the next one. I'm trying to go at least 6 shaves with each new blade, but with my 7 A.M. brand blades, I ditched them after just one single pass of my first shave.

I suggest when you find a blade that works well, you stick with that brand for 4 to 6 weeks as you work on technique. Otherwise it's hard to tell if a blade is truly better, or if you're just getting better. Also, only use soaps or creams you know you know you can lather well. If I get a poor lather, I know the shave's not going to be that great. You need to reduce all the variables you can.

I rate each shave, giving a numerical rating for sharpness/tugging, comfort, and closeness. That gives me a number I can use to objectively compare blades. It's certainly not necessary though.

Save any blades that are not considered "best" blades in case you get a new razor, or in case you want to visit them later. If you find more than one blade that is "best", that's great!

While those are some suggestions, feel free to do what works best for you. I think the best suggestion though, is to find a decent blade and use it for a month or more before trying different blades.

[Kostas1]

I put put together a similar sampler when I got my EJ Barley a little while ago (5-Crystal, 5-Feather, 10-Merkur, 5-7 o'clock yellows, 5-Astra SP, 5-Shark SC, and the 5 Derby it came with). I'm doing something similar to what 5savages recommends. Around 3 shaves per blade and 2-3 blades before moving on to the next, taking notes along the way. Once I go through one cycle, I'll cycle again for 2-3 blades of each type and compare the notes to see if it was the blade or my technique.

Good Luck!

[lungho]

This is what I did and it seem to work well....for me at least.

I tried each blade in my sampler once until I found one that could comfortably cut through my beard without pulling. After that, I stuck with that one blade and concentrated on my technique, not just with the razor but also lathering. Once I developed a somewhat consistent technique, I revisited the sample pack.

Good luck and have fun with it!

[HoosierTrooper]

Alphabetically, and keep a few notes on each one.

[Bateman]

Start with Astras I started with the derby my de89 came with but Astra is much smoother and caused less irritation for me but ymmv. I think that system of using 2 adds is good that's what I'm currently doing trying 2 blades of each kind before moving on then revisiting the blades then order some of your top favorites.

[JDTTO]

I am quite a newby and will go through a sample pack shortly aswell. I was thinking about a very structured approach and registering everything in an excel sheet but start to come to senses and realise that it takes too much of the fun out of shaving (for me). I think I will do the pack with whatever razor, and products I feel like using at that moment.

[strop]

I would pick either Astra or the Red Personna, as both seem to me to be nice middle of the road blades. Use the entire pack with the same razor, soap/cream, and brush. I know, boring. But then the only variable is technique, and if you get 3 or 4 shaves from each blade, you are 2 to 3 weeks down the line and I suspect your technique will have improved a lot by then. If you want to try another blade at that time, do the same process.

Once you get to good technique you will be better able to judge which blade, soap, etc you prefer over others.

[jsj_297]

Personnas and Crystals should get the nod IMO.
Leave the derby's alone for a long while....
Try Lords sooner than later,
and leave Astras and Feathers for after you devlop ANY proper technique.
and good luck sir!!!

[The Count of Merkur Cristo]

Omp:
My humble advice is to try 2,3,4 or 5 blades (however which amount per blade brand), before moving on to the next blade (my one & only 'go-to' blade is Shark Super Chrome).

Also, long ago when I received my Sampler, I started a Thread entitled "In what Order should I test these Sampler Razor Blades?", and the best advice was from member Optometrist a.k.a David who stated;

"I say jump straight in with the Feathers [and then the KAI's]. Yes, they are sharp, but you learn very quickly to let the weight of the razor do the work for you. If you can get the feather right, then it's plain sailing with the others. A few nicks and cuts early on are nothing to worry about and stand you in good stead. Start with a lesser blade and it's a continual learning process as you step up the level of sharpness".

Also, member Npsarros stated, "Keep a spreadsheet with every shave [you], have taken, rating each blade as [you], go along". My spread data ratings reads in columns as follows;

a) Razor Blade / Country / Type

b) Sharpness? (aggressive, moderate sharpness, mild sharpness, tugging or pulling, ect...).

c) Closeness of Shave? (DFS, CCS, BBS, ect...).

d) Smoothness/Roughness of Shave? (moderately smooth, very smooth, very,very smooth, ect...).

e) Comfort of Shave? (no irratation, slight irratation, touch of burn, itching, ect...).

f) Overall Rating? (awesome, great, passable or unpleasant).

g) Compatible with your Razor(s)? (yes or no).

PM me with your e-mail address and I will send you my workable spread sheet example.

"A razor [blade] can't be sharpened on a piece of velvet." Author Unknown

[cb91710]

I went based on recommendations here, but decided to give each blade TWO shots... IOTW: Two blades (regardless of how many comfortable shaves I got from it)

The reason for the 2nd blade was to reduce the impact of technique improvement, since I would be doing 5-7 shaves with each blade "model" and it would be unlikely to see a big technique improvement from, say, shave 5 to shave 6.

The original plan was to cycle through the sample pack in this manner (unless I hit a blade that was PURE junk...), then when done, repeat the cycle.
Since this would have been 4-6 months down the road, it again would mitigate technique improvements since I would have been much more "seasoned" and consistent.

But alas... Two Derby's in the 38C, okay shaves. Two Derby's in the R41 (bloodbath), two Astra SP in the R41 (night and day improvement), and I had just completed my 4th shave on a 7:00 Yellow when I switched to straights and haven't gone back to DE.

[VerbaVolant]

I would suggest the following:
shave with the same brand using at least 2-3 blades before changing
keep all other variables the same. I am sure many people complain about rough blades when the true culprit is the lather (cream or soap, or even the brush). So, for the next little while shave with the same brush, same cream/soap and obviously same razor.

[Omp]

Well the razor and the blades both arrived this morning. Been for a nice run this morning and am now ready for shower then shave. The Astra has won the right to go first for no other reason than it seemed to get more mentions on this thread than any other.
Should I be feeling this nervous?

[Shave Cave Dweller]

Well the razor and the blades both arrived this morning. Been for a nice run this morning and am now ready for shower then shave. The Astra has won the right to go first for no other reason than it seemed to get more mentions on this thread than any other.
Should I be feeling this nervous?

Don't be nervous, just remember it's the first step in a long journey, learn, observe, ask questions, and have fun with it. ITS WORTH IT.

[talibeard]

Should I be feeling this nervous?

It is ok to feel a little nervous when you are about doing something for the first time. Just don't try to do it as good as possible; stop when you have an acceptable shave and reach for the summit after you tried it a couple of times. You might get it right from the first shave on but chances are you will end up with a slight razor burn and stubble left. That is ok and will improve in time.

Use this board well to get it right and enjoy the journey!

[cb91710]

Nervous is the first time you put a Straight to your cheek

[pjm1]

So, Omp... 6 months in and how has this gone??

[Omp]

I certainly didn't get as scientific about it as I thought I might.
From memory, I used 1 blade each of the Astra, Crystal, Personna, Lord, Shark, Gillette 7 o'clock yellow and Wilkinson Sword. I didn't bother with the Derby as it got so much bad press on here and I was too scared to crack open a Feather!
I ended up switching between the Astra SP and the Personna for a couple of months and then tried the Feather. I never really got to grips with it and went a bit early with bulk buying more.
Since then, I have mostly stayed with the Astra SP (didn't like an Astra SS I tried) and have picked up a couple of hundred but will probably go back to the sample pack to give the others another try now the technique is much improved.

PS, I did give the Derbys a go in the end. It gave me one good shave but the 2nd shave was awful.

[Graybeard57]

I certainly didn't get as scientific about it as I thought I might.
From memory, I used 1 blade each of the Astra, Crystal, Personna, Lord, Shark, Gillette 7 o'clock yellow and Wilkinson Sword. I didn't bother with the Derby as it got so much bad press on here and I was too scared to crack open a Feather!
I ended up switching between the Astra SP and the Personna for a couple of months and then tried the Feather.....back to the sample pack to give the others another try now the technique is much improved

I used many of the same blades, though I started with the Derby. I was wary of the Feather, but now like it. I also went back to my sampler pack, mainly to use some up, and found out my technique plays a big role in what I like. So, I suggest just trying out a blade type for at least 2-3 blades before moving on. I don't think order matters much, at least not for me. After you've tried 2-3 from each pack, go back to the beginning and finish the packs off, one at a time, before deciding on a bulk purchase. As others have said, control your variables, make good lather, soak your brush, prep your face well, take your time, light touch, and above all, Enjoy Your Shaves.

[JimK]

Start with the Astra SP. It's one of the finest blades money can buy in my opinion, and it has garnered a huge following lately as word gets out.... There are plenty of other great blades, and plenty of awful blades as well, but it seems to me that if you develop your technique with a very highly regarded blade that also happens to be dirt cheap, you can become comfortable trying other blades from time to time, while always having a great shave to fall back on if the new blade is a dud. Even if you test a spectacular blade, being comfortable with the Astra SP will always offer you a solid baseline of comparison. If the Astra works for you, you can get 100 new Astras for less than $10 on Amazon, and that will supply you with enough fallback/comparison blades to last for a couple years of ultimate blade hunting.

If you do find a more winning blade, little is lost, as you can trade the remainder, or just keep them as a backup for years to come....