I find the 2nd shave with any blade is superior to the 1st.

**Malcolm Grundy** · 03-29-2012, 06:48 AM

I don't know if I'm alone here, but I've worked my way through about a dozen DE blades, and consistently find the second shave to be much smoother and about as sharp, as the first.

This is especially true with what I consider to be the sharper blades - Feather, Bic etc.

Is this because the manufacturing process leaves a rough burr on the edge which my face takes care of during the initial shave?

If so, I want some volunteer with a really heavy beard to come forward.

I'll send him all my blades - he'll shave once and then mail them back to me.

I have several hundred blades, and will probably buy more.

My new buddy won't have to buy blades for a very long time.

Or, I may have to enlist my wife and daughters to do something I've always forbidden then to do with my razors ..........

Thoughts???

**Oblique Human** · 03-29-2012, 07:07 AM

Sure you jest, no?

**Dalejr** · 03-29-2012, 07:16 AM

Your not alone.

**IainJ** · 03-29-2012, 07:53 AM

I agree, the second shave is usually more comfortable. Maybe try stropping new blades on your palm or on denim? I might give it a go myself.

**AlanL** · 03-29-2012, 08:09 AM

Originally Posted by Malcolm Grundy

Is this because the manufacturing process leaves a rough burr on the edge which my face takes care of during the initial shave?

Exactly. This is why some men "cork" their blades before using them. Probably similar to the stropping suggested above by IainJ.

**ouch** · 03-29-2012, 08:11 AM

I find this effect more pronounced with some blades- Feathers and Pellas come to mind.

**Hayden** · 03-29-2012, 08:14 AM

Originally Posted by IainJ

I agree, the second shave is usually more comfortable. Maybe try stropping new blades on your palm or on denim? I might give it a go myself.

This is what I do every time I change a blade.

**reyrascon** · 03-29-2012, 08:19 AM

I also get much better shaves the second time with a blade. Even back in my cartridge days I usually experienced better shaves the second time.

Can anyone tell me what corking is?

**Jeomphroy** · 03-29-2012, 08:27 AM

Originally Posted by reyrascon

I also get much better shaves the second time with a blade. Even back in my cartridge days I usually experienced better shaves the second time.

Can anyone tell me what corking is?

It is very lightly running the blade into a cork acouple of times on each edge like lightly slicing

**Malcolm Grundy** · 03-29-2012, 08:49 AM

Thanks Guys!!

OK big hairy, bearded guy, stand by - might not need you.

And, I'll just have to uncork a nice bottle of red.

You're such a bunch of enablers!

**Johan** · 03-29-2012, 08:53 AM

I have a similar experience. Its like the first shave somehow smoothed out the blade a bit. And as you (TS) said its still as sharp second time.

**qjfjtj** · 03-29-2012, 08:54 AM

I don't think this would be sanitary though

**DanInFla** · 03-29-2012, 09:16 AM

the only blade i have experienced this with is my feathers. the first shave gives me some irritation, and then shaves 2 and 3 are awesome and shave 4 starts to degrade a little, then i throw them out. i started stropping my blade before the first shave, now i get 3 great shaves and the 4th is so so. it works out well since i usually shave 4 times during the week with my DE and once with my straight razor. since i have a strop, i just strop the feather blade once on each side and its ready to go, dont need to over work it.

**Malcolm Grundy** · 03-29-2012, 09:18 AM

Originally Posted by qjfjtj

I don't think this would be sanitary though

Yes, I guess you're right qjftj, corking will be safer, and I'll try the denim trick as well.

**Malcolm Grundy** · 03-29-2012, 09:20 AM

Originally Posted by DanInFla

the only blade i have experienced this with is my feathers. the first shave gives me some irritation, and then shaves 2 and 3 are awesome and shave 4 starts to degrade a little, then i throw them out. i started stropping my blade before the first shave, now i get 3 great shaves and the 4th is so so. it works out well since i usually shave 4 times during the week with my DE and once with my straight razor. since i have a strop, i just strop the feather blade once on each side and its ready to go, dont need to over work it.

Dan,

Do you strop on the leather side or the cloth?

Agree about the Feathers especially.

**DanInFla** · 03-29-2012, 09:21 AM

Originally Posted by Malcolm Grundy

Thanks Guys!!

OK big hairy, bearded guy, stand by - might not need you.

And, I'll just have to uncork a nice bottle of red.

You're such a bunch of enablers!

i have never used an actual cork, seems a little too dense and might dull the blade. in the past i have used packaging strofoam, nice and soft and was enough to take that edge off a bit and allow for smoother shave, YMMV.

**DanInFla** · 03-29-2012, 09:22 AM

Originally Posted by Malcolm Grundy

Dan,

Do you strop on the leather side or the cloth?

Agree about the Feathers especially.

leather. i only strop it about 4-6 inches along the strop, not full length of the strop - that might be overkill.

**KeithTheSnake** · 03-29-2012, 09:27 AM

Second shave is always better. First shave is almost always harsh. I'm going to start corking or stropping on denim and see if it helps the first shave. Gotta love this forum with all sorts of good ideas.

**Oblique Human** · 03-29-2012, 11:41 AM

Originally Posted by Malcolm Grundy

Thanks Guys!!

OK big hairy, bearded guy, stand by - might not need you.

And, I'll just have to uncork a nice bottle of red.

You're such a bunch of enablers!

I'm sorry, I just have to ask. You were kidding about sharing a blade with a stranger, right?

**bluesbishop** · 03-29-2012, 12:03 PM

Originally Posted by Malcolm Grundy

Thanks Guys!!

OK big hairy, bearded guy, stand by - might not need you.

And, I'll just have to uncork a nice bottle of red.

You're such a bunch of enablers!

Darn!! I'm a big hairy bearded guy....was really looking forward to all those free shave!!!! LOL!