What a difference a blade makes

**oakeshott** · 03-28-2012, 04:40 PM

Hi,
I didn't really think of myself as a noob in wet shaving until I started DE shaving a few months ago and, simultaneously, reading this board. In the last few days, it's dawned on me how much I have to learn. Latest lesson...there ARE differences in blades.

I started with some old Wilkinson's that were unused and next to the little Gillette travel razor my stepfather (RIP) had but never used. I then got a Merkur 34c and just used whatever blades came with the order from Amazon. Then I had to go up against the FEATHERS! I've been using them for about 2 weeks now and have yet to complete a shave without getting cut including one massive one that took off the top of a mole on my chin. That was a bloody mess.

Today I received a couple of goodies in the mail (the dollars currently being spent is a separate unattractive topic) including a sample pack of blades. Switched out the feather and popped in a Derby and had the first shave in weeks that didn't have the tension of a Wes Craven film. I couldn't believe the difference. The Derby compared to the Feather just doesn't require as much skill.

Also in the midst of revelations about soaps, brushes and alum, but will save that for another day.

**smalltank** · 03-28-2012, 04:43 PM

also something called "blade n razor combo"..one works well with the other is the idea ;-)

**00Seven** · 03-28-2012, 05:07 PM

I'm in the same boat. Started using the sample pack of Derby Extras. I like them, but I need to try out a big sample pack.

**Sledgehammer39** · 03-28-2012, 05:18 PM

Blades do make a huge difference.. Welcome Aboard!

**GDCarrington** · 03-28-2012, 05:26 PM

Welcome aboard the good ship B&B. Take a stroll on the promenade deck and enjoy the voyage.

Always remember, relax but be vigilant when you shave!

**oakeshott** · 03-28-2012, 06:28 PM

Thanks for the welcome everyone. Already benefited greatly from the advice here.

**wallstreet77** · 03-28-2012, 06:44 PM

Ive been shaving with Debrys for about 2 weeks now. Ive kept them on and off in my rotation for a while. At first I must say I didnt really enjoy them but i really have been liking them this time around. They are not so agressive that you can really get aggresive with your razor and go for a few laps on the face without having to worry about irritation/cuts.

**nycalling** · 03-28-2012, 10:52 PM

This will sound crazy...but I love the Feathers blades. I'm not going to deny they are some sharp suckers, but as I've learned over the last 6 weeks you don't want too much pressure anyway. The blade should be doing the cutting, not your hand. Plus, I get three great shaves from the Feathers. Like I put in a earlier post, I got a great, burn and irritation free, shave today and it was great.

This site has been a GODSEND. I grew up in the terrible 80s (born 72) and by then my Father was long into using electric and the cheapest, crappiest disposables with the awful shaving cream in a can that would last for what felt like 10 years. Without aftershave. This site is a tremendous help for those of us have no idea what we're doing. My only gripe is that I thought wet shaving was supposed to save us money. I already want to go on a shopping spree.

**Calnell** · 03-28-2012, 11:27 PM

Glad Derbys are working for you. They've always made me feel like I was plucking my whiskers out one-by-one.

**bkfist** · 03-28-2012, 11:36 PM

Just don't toss the Feathers. Revisit them, as well as any other blade you dismissed as "too sharp" or "too unfriendly" in 6-9 months. You'll almost certainly have a completely different appreciation for those blades that give you fits right now.

The blades that cause tugging, don't seem sharp enough (I can't imagine you've come across any of those yet if you are enjoying Derby

) will likely *still* seem dull.

**vitalMyth** · 03-29-2012, 02:11 AM

Originally Posted by wallstreet77

Ive been shaving with Debrys for about 2 weeks now. Ive kept them on and off in my rotation for a while. At first I must say I didnt really enjoy them but i really have been liking them this time around. They are not so agressive that you can really get aggresive with your razor and go for a few laps on the face without having to worry about irritation/cuts.

i had the exact same experience with Derbys and loved them...for my first 2 blades. the third blade was just of terrible quality, scratched me everywhere. it was like the blade had a few serious dings in the edge right out of the pack. fourth was the same. fifth was the same. when i tried 2 more from a different pack, one was alright, similar to my first impression of a mild and forgiving blade, and the second was highly irritating.

so if your beloved derbys turn on you...you're not alone. otherwise, enjoy!

Originally Posted by bkfist

Just don't toss the Feathers. Revisit them, as well as any other blade you dismissed as "too sharp" or "too unfriendly" in 6-9 months. You'll almost certainly have a completely different appreciation for those blades that give you fits right now.

Originally Posted by bkfist

The blades that cause tugging, don't seem sharp enough (I can't imagine you've come across any of those yet if you are enjoying Derby

) will likely *still* seem dull.

+1!!

**oakeshott** · 03-29-2012, 03:49 AM

The feathers aren't going anywhere and the Derbys have another couple dozen shaves to go before I even begin swearing by them. Plus, as someone pointed out on this thread, I have some other razors coming I want to try them in and it's really about the razor/blade combo. The amazing thing to me was not that one was better than the other, but rather that an untutored oaf like myself could so readily notice the difference. It shocked me.

**mdw15** · 03-29-2012, 04:02 AM

Untutored oaf may be a bit rough. One can be harsh on oneself, after all.

Though I'm certain the description fits me perfectly, and with the same IMAX-quality revelatory reaction.

I haven't ventured out to check out new blades in a while, having settled in with the Gillette 7 o'clock blues for the long run quite likely. Oafish, I know.

**Useless shaver** · 03-29-2012, 04:18 AM

Originally Posted by bkfist

Just don't toss the Feathers. Revisit them, as well as any other blade you dismissed as "too sharp" or "too unfriendly" in 6-9 months. You'll almost certainly have a completely different appreciation for those blades that give you fits right now.

The blades that cause tugging, don't seem sharp enough (I can't imagine you've come across any of those yet if you are enjoying Derby

) will likely *still* seem dull.

+1

I didn't like Derbies either, they pulled and tugged a lot. I DO like Feathers (seven smooth shaves out of each blade).

But, as B&B moto says YMMV!!!! That's why blade sample packs are great!

**mdw15** · 03-29-2012, 04:21 AM

Originally Posted by bkfist

Just don't toss the Feathers. Revisit them, as well as any other blade you dismissed as "too sharp" or "too unfriendly" in 6-9 months. You'll almost certainly have a completely different appreciation for those blades that give you fits right now.

The blades that cause tugging, don't seem sharp enough (I can't imagine you've come across any of those yet if you are enjoying Derby

) will likely *still* seem dull.

+1

Another surprising and enjoyable aspect of this experience.

**oakeshott** · 04-29-2012, 07:54 AM

Originally Posted by bkfist

Just don't toss the Feathers. Revisit them, as well as any other blade you dismissed as "too sharp" or "too unfriendly" in 6-9 months. You'll almost certainly have a completely different appreciation for those blades that give you fits right now.

The blades that cause tugging, don't seem sharp enough (I can't imagine you've come across any of those yet if you are enjoying Derby

) will likely *still* seem dull.

Your post was prescient. Having run through a sampler pack from WCS, the Feathers are now my favorite. Just received a bunch of personnas in a mystery box and will try those, but the feathers now have a permanent place.