Shave Off...Cobra Classic vs Ever-Ready Streamline

**shanman** · 05-20-2012, 10:52 AM

A few observations and recommendations. First, I feel you may be a bit premature trying XTG or ATG with razors quite capable of handing most folks their face back, especially with only your second go round with each. I notice in the pic, the lather looks awfully bubbly, and perhaps is one of the main culprits- too thin and not enough cushion. I could be wrong, only you would know this. Your irritation is obviously blade contact and/or angle related. It may well be that these are just too much blade exposure for you and your sensitive skin, and subpar lather would only amplify this.

**bluesbishop** · 05-20-2012, 11:11 AM

Wow bro that sucks!! I woukd have to agree with shanman.... Your lather looks very thin today.... Could be the culprit....

I know that blade choice has made huge differences for me in various razors... But by all accounts, the blades you are using have decent track records.
The Pella though was harsh on my face when I tried it in the 1912.

Go back to shaving 101.... Good lather and NO PRESSURE!

**HoosierTrooper** · 05-20-2012, 11:16 AM

Interesting that the Streamline reminds you of a Micromatic, I don't get that at all. To me it is almost identical to the Damaskeene because the frame is so similar to the 1912.

**retturn2blades** · 05-20-2012, 11:16 AM

What a difference a day makes! Given the dramatic change from yesterday's results, it seems the blade changes is the variable that has to be looked at.

I hope your face recovers quickly...and thanks for the follow-up review.

**celestino** · 05-20-2012, 11:17 AM

i have never tried the Kai blades in my Cobra, but i have heard similar results from some gents who have tried the Kais. i find the Feathers to be the smoothest blade for me in the Cobra, but i usually prefer to cork or temper the blade for the first shave as the Feather is very, very sharp. After the second shave it is very smooth and comfortable. i can usually get 10 good shaves with the Feather. Arley may not agree with the Kais because of the coating on the blade.
As always, YMMV! Try the Feather in the Cobra, tomorrow, Arley and see what happens. i can almost guarantee that your results will mirror your first shave with the Cobra.

**Azarius** · 05-20-2012, 11:17 AM

Originally Posted by shanman

A few observations and recommendations. First, I feel you may be a bit premature trying XTG or ATG with razors quite capable of handing most folks their face back, especially with only your second go round with each. I notice in the pic, the lather looks awfully bubbly, and perhaps is one of the main culprits- too thin and not enough cushion. I could be wrong, only you would know this. Your irritation is obviously blade contact and/or angle related. It way well be that these are just too much blade exposure for you and your sensitive skin, and subpar lather would only amplify this.

Hey Jeff,

The lather was not fully prepared, I just started building it and wanted to grab a quick picture before the shave, it was nice thick with egg whites like peaks before applied to my face.

I have not given up hope and hope to tame the beast.

I am not feeling much love for the Ted Pella's at the moment, as they have given me weepers in my 1912's, the Streamline and 1914. So far the only razors that they are working great in are the G-Bar, Push Button and Contour.

I appreciate your input, as you and Tom both offer some of the best SE tips on this site.

I may use the Proraso Sandalwood for the next shave and see how that goes. I really preferred the sharpness of the feather in the Cobra over the KAI, all around it was a much better performer for me.

The Pella's typically do not give me a good two shaves, so I think for next shave I will use one that has a couple of shaves under it's belt.

**global_dev** · 05-20-2012, 11:21 AM

so much going on i round 2.. it would have been very hard for me to make a decision as to a clear winner based on you narrative.. sounds like while i can agree about your questioning of whether either makes sense for you, day 1 seemed like 2 totally other razors...

**celestino** · 05-20-2012, 11:22 AM

Originally Posted by ackvil

Too bad the only place you can buy it, as far as I understand, is at only one vendor.

+1 i would not mind so much if the price could be more consistent and not fluctuate so exponentially!

**Azarius** · 05-20-2012, 11:41 AM

Originally Posted by ouch

Okay, no Vincent D'Onofrio Full Metal Jacket jokes, then.

That's a great post, and I must say that's some remarkable results in a short time.

In your opinion, would you say the showdown was won more as a result of the razor or the blade?

I think that the blade, prep and technique is the key, as in all shaves. Just shocked at how bad today's shave was, actually feeling depressed about it. I was about to pull the trigger on a Cobra, so will give it a few more days before spending that kind of money.

A little shocked that I have had better shaves from a $1.00 flea market special than $300 worth of metal.

**ouch** · 05-20-2012, 11:47 AM

Originally Posted by Daniel Plainview

I think that the blade, prep and technique is the key, as in all shaves. Just shocked at how bad today's shave was, actually feeling depressed about it. I was about to pull the trigger on a Cobra, so will give it a few more days before spending that kind of money.

A little shocked that I have had better shaves from a $1.00 flea market special than $300 worth of metal.

Thanks!

**Osborn Cox** · 05-20-2012, 01:45 PM

Sorry to hear your second shave wasn't as good as the first. Give it another go with the Feather blade, I'll be interested to see if your results mirror the first shave. For me, the Kai's are smoother than the Feathers and give me fewer weepers, but most of my experience with these blades is in Artist Club Razors. It really is amazing how true YMMV is when it comes to blades.

**Sullybob** · 05-20-2012, 04:34 PM

My blade of choice in the Cobra is the Kai Mild. I've talked to a couple of guys who had a bad blade or two in a package of Kai's. I've had two bad Kai's so far and it isn't worth it to try and get the blade to settle down, toss the bad blade in the trash and use a fresh blade.

**Azarius** · 05-20-2012, 04:47 PM

Originally Posted by Osborn Cox

Sorry to hear your second shave wasn't as good as the first. Give it another go with the Feather blade, I'll be interested to see if your results mirror the first shave. For me, the Kai's are smoother than the Feathers and give me fewer weepers, but most of my experience with these blades is in Artist Club Razors. It really is amazing how true YMMV is when it comes to blades.

It really is true with YMMV when it comes to blades. I tend to like very sharp blades for DE shaving, so I guess the same holds true for this as well. It is too bad that no company offers a smaller pack, say 5 blades each for these types of blades.

Originally Posted by Sullybob

My blade of choice in the Cobra is the Kai Mild. I've talked to a couple of guys who had a bad blade or two in a package of Kai's. I've had two bad Kai's so far and it isn't worth it to try and get the blade to settle down, toss the bad blade in the trash and use a fresh blade.

That is very well possible as I have bad blades from every brand that I have ever tried.

**bluesbishop** · 05-20-2012, 06:23 PM

Originally Posted by Daniel Plainview

It really is true with YMMV when it comes to blades. I tend to like very sharp blades for DE shaving, so I guess the same holds true for this as well. It is too bad that no company offers a smaller pack, say 5 blades each for these types of blades.

That is very well possible as I have bad blades from every brand that I have ever tried.

I once tried a pack of derby's and I swear, every blade was a dud!!! LMAO

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Seriously...go back to the feather tomorrow....see how it shaves....I have a few razors that only do well for my face with one ot two blade choices.....so what if your only choice is the feather.....if it gives you that perfect combo like you experienced on shave 1...then I say you found a winner!!

**kcb5150** · 05-21-2012, 01:39 AM

I kind of have your experience shaving on consecutive days with anything if I try to go atg. If I have to be clean shaven for days on end, I use my g-bar gem exclusively and kind of shoot for par each day.

**Azarius** · 05-21-2012, 06:20 AM

Originally Posted by kcb5150

I kind of have your experience shaving on consecutive days with anything if I try to go atg. If I have to be clean shaven for days on end, I use my g-bar gem exclusively and kind of shoot for par each day.

I am usually a two shave per day guy, although for the last three days it has only been a single shave. ATG never get me, if I have problems it is always XTG.

I am giving my face a break today and using something I know that will be mild, the Push Button.

**kcb5150** · 05-21-2012, 02:08 PM

I just have sensitive skin really.

**OkieStubble** · 05-21-2012, 02:36 PM

Originally Posted by bluesbishop

I once tried a pack of derby's and I swear, every blade was a dud!!! LMAO

Seriously...go back to the feather tomorrow....see how it shaves....I have a few razors that only do well for my face with one ot two blade choices.....so what if your only choice is the feather.....if it gives you that perfect combo like you experienced on shave 1...then I say you found a winner!!

Good advice here. Might I also suggest that after going back to the original blades that worked in each razor. Stick with those blades and just one razor of each. In my experience there are very small variables in each razor when it comes to technique. And while they are so small they might not be noticed or overlooked, they are indeed there.

Your posts and comparisons have been great reads Arley, and are very informative. Thanks for your efforts and for posting them. Keep it up! :)

**Azarius** · 05-21-2012, 03:40 PM

Originally Posted by OkieStubble

Good advice here. Might I also suggest that after going back to the original blades that worked in each razor. Stick with those blades and just one razor of each. In my experience there are very small variables in each razor when it comes to technique. And while they are so small they might not be noticed or overlooked, they are indeed there.

Your posts and comparisons have been great reads Arley, and are very informative. Thanks for your efforts and for posting them. Keep it up! :)

Thanks Rob...

Although it is GEMini, I do not think the SE gods will get mad if I shave with the Cobra Classic and Feather while I have it on loan. I was so blown away by that first shave, yet so disappointed after the second that I am torn on opening my wallet to purchase one. I am getting GREAT shaves from my regular current rotation, which include a few 1912 variants, a 1914, the G-Bar, Push Button, a few Injectors, and as far as DE's the EJ 89, a couple of Techs and a SA.

I will definitely use the Cobra multiple times this week as I want to get it back to Bob, aka Osborn Cox as soon as possible. Tomorrow I am to the basics; Make sure lather is superb not just good, using the blade I had success with and paying attention to my angle. Hopefully I will be able to recapture that magic of the first shave.