New to DE shaving, looking for blade recommendations

[Antioch]

Hi, all. I just started DE shaving, didn't have the greatest first experience, and was told that part of that is because I used a Merkur blade to begin with. There are a lot of blades out there and it is certainly confusing for a newbie, so I was hoping you gentlemen could recommend some good starting blades for me to try.

Note: I have a coarse beard (not plentiful, just thick individual hairs), sensitive skin, and issues with ingrown hairs on part of my neck (I think this is due to the fact that the hair in this region grows at a 5-degree angle to the skin - its ridiculously low).

I bought a sampler pack with the following blades in it and am interested in knowing which I should try, which I should ditch, and what other blades/sampler packs (from where) I should try out:

• Lord Platinum Class
• Feather Hi-Stainless
• Kai Stainless
• Merkur Super Platinum
• Wilkinson Sword Classic

It's already been suggested that I try Astra SPs and Sharks. What else should I try? Does anyone have any recommended sampler packs I should get?

Thanks! :)

[Dusty1]

Try the ones you have and post it and it will give us a better idea of what type of blade you like.

[Kostas1]

Derby, Crystal, Personna, and Gillette Blue are the ones I've found to be most forgiving. Gillette 7 o'clock yellows, kai, and feather are a little more unforgiving. Again, it's just my opinion. Until you get your technique down, though, any blade is sharp enough to bite.

[Antioch]

Try the ones you have and post it and it will give us a better idea of what type of blade you like.

Until you get your technique down, though, any blade is sharp enough to bite.

Yeah, I feel that until I know what I'm talking about I won't know how to differentiate and will chalk all my experiences with each blade down as my own fault.

What do people mean when they refer to "aggressive" and "forgiving" in regards to razor blades?

[Wildalaska]

Yeah, I feel that until I know what I'm talking about I won't know how to differentiate and will chalk all my experiences with each blade down as my own fault.

What do people mean when they refer to "aggressive" and "forgiving" in regards to razor blades?

I have no idea, I only use Feathers. consistent non irritated bbs

[Synthetic Badger]

I have yet to hear about a newbie who wouldn't have a sensitive skin. That said, the search function might yield some results on blade recommendations. I have that kind of a feeling, even if I have not been reading the forum for that long.

There might be some previous discussions on Feathers, Astra SP's, Derbies, ... just tap into them -- and the blades. No-one can tell you which of them work well for you. I just had a rought time yesterday with a Ladas blade, which, despite claimed to be sharp enough by every thread I have read on them, skipped and pulled and refused to cut on me. And I even treadted it with a very nice Tabac lather. In the end, I had to replace it with a vintage Schick to get the job done. I have had similar experiences with Shark and Red Personna blades, the latter of which is almot universally liked. So, you just have to experiment and learn what works in your individual circumstances.

[Synthetic Badger]

Yeah, I feel that until I know what I'm talking about I won't know how to differentiate and will chalk all my experiences with each blade down as my own fault.

What do people mean when they refer to "aggressive" and "forgiving" in regards to razor blades?

Who knows? But I understand it like this: An aggressive blade is sharp and efficient; it may also bite you. A forgiving blade, in contrast, is very easy to shave with, but it may or may not be as sharp.

According to my experience, the following holds true:
- Feathers and Gileltte 7 o'clock yellows are very aggressive.
- Astra SP's, some modern rare Gillettes and Timors, Crystals, etc. well-made blades, are very forgiving.
- Polsilvers, 7 o'clock blues, and many above-average blades are both somewhat aggressive and somewhat forgiving -- that is, they combine the best of the two worlds above.
- NOS Schick Plus Platinums are very aggressive and very forgiving at the same time. Their edge is an improvement over modern blades.
- NOS Gillette Platinum-Plusses are even more aggressive and still somewhat forgiving if you mind your technique.
- Merkur and Derby blades are neither aggressive nor forgiving -- that is, they are quite useless.

This is my experience. Someone else will tell you the exact opposite, and he'll be quite right unless he is lying. From which inevitably follows that YMMV. Q.E.D.

[jepeck]

Don't be scared to try the sharper more high performance blades soon. After your first few shaves their is nothing to be afraid of. In that list would be Feather, Gillette Yellows, Treet Durasharp, Perma Sharp Super, and Super Iridium (There are still some floating around).

[Chester]

Hi, all. I just started DE shaving, didn't have the greatest first experience, and was told that part of that is because I used a Merkur blade to begin with.

I do not ascribe to this theory. I find Merkur blades to be no less serviceable than any other blade, and they're better than others, in my opinion.

My suggestion is to pick one brand of blade and stick with it for a few weeks. Your technique is probably the biggest variable right now, next to the quality of your lather. The blade is most likely not your problem, but if you feel that you have some bad juju from the Merkurs, I'd suggest the wilks. After you've been at it for six months, pick up the merkurs again, and my guess is you won't find them to be that bad.
-- Chet