Trying to decide on a blade...

**bryan1980** · 07-19-2012, 05:45 AM

Well, I've been through each blade in my sampler pack, well all except the Feather, still not brave enough to try that one. I might give it a shot in my aluminum handled Tech, since it's probably the mildest razor I own. I've narrowed it down to three to re-visit:

1. Derby was the first one I tried, I remember getting three decent shaves out of that one. I re-visited it this morning, not so good this time. My neck is a little irritated.

2. Red pack Personna. Again, seems like I had no trouble with this one, nothing stands out in my mind as far as irritation goes.

3. Astra SP. This one I wasn't too sure of, but I think it deserves another shot at least.

I'm not sure what to do for the next shave. I'm tempted to just chuck the Derby, and go right to the Astra or IP. I know the Derby might get better on the next shave, but I think a blade should be smooth right out of the wrapper. Additionally, there are other blades that get high marks that I don't even have on hand (Personna Lab Blues, Gillette 7 O'Clock Super Platinum dark blue, etc).

Another thing I've been pondering, it seems like from what I've read here that the Red Pack Personna is somewhat of a "bootleg" blade, since ASR pretty much denies that it exists. That worries me a little as far as future availability goes.

**BigBull** · 07-19-2012, 05:55 AM

My experience resembles a formula I've read before on the forum: Mild Razor + Mild Blade = Rough Shave, Mild Razor + Sharp Blade = Great Shave Of course YMMV applies here.

Derby's are considered to be on the mild side of blades. Feathers have a reputation for being the sharpest, ie the guillotine of blades. Astra's get a lot of love here, and fall in the middle somewhere...as do the Red Personna's. I'd encourage you to try the ones you've listed as well, but don't count any out. Stick with one, maybe the Reds since you've got no recollection of irriration, and hone your skills. Once you've used the same blade til you have no more (2 weeks or so) revisit some of the others. You may be surprised how one blade didn't work prior but does later. I was.

Personally, I get great shaves from Astra's, Gillette Blacks, Feathers, Lab Blues, SuperMax Super Plats...I'm not sure about the Feathers or Lab Blues, but 3 of those 5 are coated platinum which to me is a pattern. Derby's tore my face to shreds and I now use them as razor blades around my house for various tasks. Good Luck to you!

**bryan1980** · 07-19-2012, 06:26 AM

Originally Posted by BigBull

My experience resembles a formula I've read before on the forum: Mild Razor + Mild Blade = Rough Shave, Mild Razor + Sharp Blade = Great Shave Of course YMMV applies here.

Derby's are considered to be on the mild side of blades. Feathers have a reputation for being the sharpest, ie the guillotine of blades. Astra's get a lot of love here, and fall in the middle somewhere...as do the Red Personna's. I'd encourage you to try the ones you've listed as well, but don't count any out. Stick with one, maybe the Reds since you've got no recollection of irriration, and hone your skills. Once you've used the same blade til you have no more (2 weeks or so) revisit some of the others. You may be surprised how one blade didn't work prior but does later. I was.

Personally, I get great shaves from Astra's, Gillette Blacks, Feathers, Lab Blues, SuperMax Super Plats...I'm not sure about the Feathers or Lab Blues, but 3 of those 5 are coated platinum which to me is a pattern. Derby's tore my face to shreds and I now use them as razor blades around my house for various tasks. Good Luck to you!

I like your thinking! I should have posted what razor I've been using, its a Flair Tip Super Speed from 1957, so I guess it's on the milder side. It and the Derby might have been just too mild a combination.

**bastimret** · 07-19-2012, 06:37 AM

I'd say just cowboy up, load a Feather in there, and go to town

**Gingerbread** · 07-19-2012, 06:41 AM

Originally Posted by bryan1980

but I think a blade should be smooth right out of the wrapper.

A lot of people get hung up on this. Remove any wax spots on the blade, run it under hot water, and strop it on your forearm. Repeat after each shave and you've got yourself a good shaver out of almost any blade. It takes down the harshness of super sharp blades like Super Shark SC and reduces tugging of those not-so-sharp blades - even those worthless Wilkinsons at Walmart.

**jwilock** · 07-19-2012, 10:19 AM

Try the blade exchange or more sampler packs to try out even more blades. Try to group them into blades you like and will explore further, blades that are OK and you will finish up, and blades you don't like and will pitch or PIF (others may like what you don't). Be patient. There are a ton of blades out there. You certainly don't have try them all, but do try a goodly number. Not only does that give you a chance to find the one or ones you like best, but you'll begine to see what you like or don't like about a blade. Read what people have to say here and try to get samples of the ones that a lot of people seem to like. You'll find there are quite a few blades that are either universally liked, or at least liked by quite a large number of forum members.

Once you've got your "short list" then you can compare those more closely and see which varieties you want to buy a quantity of.

**BigBull** · 07-19-2012, 10:42 AM

Originally Posted by jwilock

Try the blade exchange

This is very good advice as well.

**redtide** · 07-20-2012, 08:23 AM

Originally Posted by BigBull

This is very good advice as well.

Yep the exchange. Here

**turtle** · 07-20-2012, 08:29 AM

Best advice anyone can give is to NOT toss anything. stick it aside and revisit it in a few months. The longer you shave, the more your technique will improve. It will get to the point that you can shave with a sharp rock just as good as you can with a $200 razor.

stick with one product and learn how to be consistent in your shaving.

Each razor will have a sweet spot and you must stay in that sweet spot in order to get a good shave

http://badgerandblade.com/vb/showthr...85#post4095085

**bryan1980** · 07-20-2012, 10:35 AM

Originally Posted by bastimret

I'd say just cowboy up, load a Feather in there, and go to town

I'm half-tempted to load one up in my Tech tomorrow just to see what its all about. Well, maybe about 40% tempted.

Seriously, though, I've been given a lot of good advice here. It says a lot about the people on this forum, I've been on other forums (for unrelated hobbies) where I'd get no replies. I don't think I've gotten anything less than a dozen replies to each thread I've started since I've joined. This is truely a gentleman's hobby!

**Predict** · 07-20-2012, 11:36 AM

try the feather. they arent THAT sharp. nothing to be afraid of. The blade exchange is a great resource, ive used it several times. here are some blades i recomend trying: Rapira stainless, Rapira Platinum Lux, Personna Lab or med preps, Gillette 7oclock black or blue, Supermax sunrise, Supermax super platinum, there are many others but these are blades i find to be pretty smooth and sharp. I've got a bunch of different blades that im not gonna use. PM me and i'll send you a sampler.

**xraygun** · 07-20-2012, 11:39 AM

Just don't buy too many right now. Your tastes may change after a few months.

**Predict** · 07-20-2012, 04:28 PM

Originally Posted by xraygun

Just don't buy too many right now. Your tastes may change after a few months.

+1. I ended up selling 200 blades cause they ended up not being as good as I thought.

**bryan1980** · 07-21-2012, 07:43 PM

Used red pack IP today, very nice shave, no irritation or weepers, I think they're going to make the cut.

**bryan1980** · 07-25-2012, 05:31 AM

Went with the Astra SP today, much better shave than the first time I tried them, the old technique must be improving.

I took the plunge and ordered 100 of them. Gotta get that blade hoard started! Plus, how can you go wrong for around $13.00? I can PIF them or exchange them if all else fails, but I think I'll end up liking them. I'll probably end up with some red pack IP's at some point, as well.

**Predict** · 07-25-2012, 06:41 PM

Originally Posted by bryan1980

Went with the Astra SP today, much better shave than the first time I tried them, the old technique must be improving.

I took the plunge and ordered 100 of them. Gotta get that blade hoard started! Plus, how can you go wrong for around $13.00? I can PIF them or exchange them if all else fails, but I think I'll end up liking them. I'll probably end up with some red pack IP's at some point, as well.

I included a few Astra in the sampler I sent you. I recommend you try the crystals. They are quite good. They are in a white wrapper with "super platinum" on the wrapper. Glad your finding some blades that work for you.

**bryan1980** · 07-25-2012, 07:42 PM

Predict very generously sent me this great variety of blades to sample

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So many blades to try, only so many days of the week!

**ricardo9505** · 07-25-2012, 08:21 PM

how many years or months have you been shaving? how solid is your technique in adjusting to razor sharpness?
I love crystal double platinum and derbys but they are milder. I have yet to try Astras and want to. Gillette 7 oclocks I dislike. irritation hellride

**ricardo9505** · 07-25-2012, 08:22 PM

crystals are my daily go to's

**BigBull** · 07-25-2012, 08:25 PM

Originally Posted by BigBull

My experience resembles a formula I've read before on the forum: Mild Razor + Mild Blade = Rough Shave, Mild Razor + Sharp Blade = Great Shave Of course YMMV applies here.

Derby's are considered to be on the mild side of blades. Feathers have a reputation for being the sharpest, ie the guillotine of blades. Astra's get a lot of love here, and fall in the middle somewhere...as do the Red Personna's. I'd encourage you to try the ones you've listed as well, but don't count any out. Stick with one, maybe the Reds since you've got no recollection of irriration, and hone your skills. Once you've used the same blade til you have no more (2 weeks or so) revisit some of the others. You may be surprised how one blade didn't work prior but does later. I was.

Personally, I get great shaves from Astra's, Gillette Blacks, Feathers, Lab Blues, SuperMax Super Plats...I'm not sure about the Feathers or Lab Blues, but 3 of those 5 are coated platinum which to me is a pattern. Derby's tore my face to shreds and I now use them as razor blades around my house for various tasks. Good Luck to you!

I'd like to edit this response, as I've just used a Derby paired with my R41. I guess these blades my actually be used for shaving after all...