How do i find my "golden blade" ?

[jake royston]

I just bought a sample pack of DE razor blades. I have been wet shaving for a week and a half. I have been using a Merkur Futur adjustable razor, paired with Merkur super platinum blades (10 pack). Does anyone have any advice on how to find the best performing blade (or my "golden blade") for me?

my sample pack consists of:

-Personna platinum, red pack, (5)
-Derby Extra (5)
-Crystal super platinum (10)
-Astra Superior Platinum (5)
-Feather new hi-stainless (10)


I used an Astra superior platinum blade today if that matters at all, but i also switched from Col. Conk glycerine lime soap to TOBS sandalwood shaving cream today.


I still have:
-Merkur Super (7)

I just need to know what to look for with a blade, and what the best blade should feel like compared to the rest blades.

Any help is appreciated.

[jtb]

That's truly a YMMV question. One persons favorite might be horrible for another.

Since you have a sample pack, I would suggest shaving with a blade for a few days, switch to a different blade and repeat. Once you've gone through them once, do it again the if you change your mind about a blade. Just whittle it down that way.

Alot of folks will say only change one thing at a time. For example don't change soap and blade at the same time when testing a new blade.

[jake royston]

... For example don't change soap and blade at the same time when testing a new blade.

Yeah, I didnt even think about that until after. I was so excited to try my new tub of TOBS sandalwood, LOL.

TIP#1: never order a blade sampler and a new tub of cream/soap in the same order.

[stuart12dz]

Rule number 1. When starting out, stick with one razor, one blade, one brush and one soap/cream until you refine your technique. Then and only then you can begin changing one variable at a time.

Rule number 2. If you experience cuts, nicks, razor burn, etc.,.....refer to rule number 1.


The worst mistake you can make after a week and a half of DE shaving is to begin changing the variables (hardware).


Stu

[takeshi]

I just need to know what to look for with a blade, and what the best blade should feel like compared to the rest blades.

A good shave. You'll know what you like and what you don't like. No need to overthink it. It's a matter of preference.

[jake royston]

thanks guys,

Ive actually only nicked myself once (3rd shave, used too much pressure going around the chin) but the Astra blade felt WAAYYYY better than the Merkurs ive been using.

[Wildalaska]

Rule number 1. When starting out, stick with one razor, one blade, one brush and one soap/cream until you refine your technique. Then and only then you can begin changing one variable at a time.

Rule number 2. If you experience cuts, nicks, razor burn, etc.,.....refer to rule number 1.


The worst mistake you can make after a week and a half of DE shaving is to begin changing the variables (hardware).


Stu

Exactly. I say start right now with the Feather and never look back

[HoosierTrooper]

The only way to find your best blade(s) is to use as many as possible over the next few weeks/months/years and then stick with the blades you like best.

[haiti222]

The saying that the journey is much of the fun is a good one. Although we often say we are looking for the "best" blade, the attempts to find one are much of the fun for many people....

[ackvil]

One thing you can do is to keep a journal when you use each blade. Keep track of the number of shaves you get from the blade, how close a shave you got, how smooth it was, and whether you had any irritation or cuts (noting it may not be the fault of the razor or blade, but your technique. After you have been shaving for a period of time and have perfected your technique you should go back and revisit the blades you tried. You will be shocked as to how better some of the blades will be after your technique improves.

[TonyJ]

...... You will be shocked as to how better some of the blades will be after your technique improves.

This is interesting. Which blades will be better after technique improvement?

[ackvil]

This is interesting. Which blades will be better after technique improvement?

It depends on the individual. For example, one shaver started shaving about 1 1/2 years ago and his first blade out the sample pack was a Derby. He thought it was terrible. Now it's his favorite blade.

[man00ver]

A good shave. You'll know what you like and what you don't like. No need to overthink it. It's a matter of preference.

+1. If it takes the whiskers off efficiently and comfortably, it's a winner. If it can do this consistently for a reasonable number of shaves, it's a big winner.

[DMT]

For the next couple of weeks try out one of each kind of blade (give each a few shaves before moving onto the next) taking notes on their characteristics and performance. Pick your "favourite" based on first impressions and shave exclusively with it for a few months honing your shaving skills. Then return to the sample pack and try out the other blades again with the benefit of experience, you may find what you initially decided on is no longer the best.

[Griffo]

look for what gives you a comfortable shave - this may require you to ignore advice on shaving forums

Seriously, you need to find what gives you the best, comfortable shave that you can repeat day in day out. sometimes, as in my case, this isn't always something fashionable on forums.

Go through the blades, keep a log of what you liked and didn't like, and then go back through the ones you liked and double check them. Maybe try some of the ones you disliked when your technique gets better.

I have an Ej86 and a R41. I prefer sharper blades like Shark SC in the eJ but smoother blades like Racer, Crown, Asco in the R41. the smoother blades give me a great comfortable shave in the EJ but in the more aggressive razor that balance just suits me fine.

It's all about the balance you feel most comfortable with.

Enjoy finding out, it's all good fun

[Docd]

This is all a game of trial and error. I first tried a feather in '07/'08 and cut myself pretty good. I never used them again until today. Great performance after years of practice. What doesn't work today may work in a month. It's all about improving technique and constant trial and error. FWIW...Astra SP has never let me down; from when I started years ago up to today.

[Gordy2]

I have certain blades for certain razors. I just don't have any one blade that is an an around favorite although they are all excellent blades.

[jake royston]

wow, seems like there are so many possibilities, especially that my blade preference will more than likely change.

[OzoneAz]

One of the things I would recommend is to stick with one setting on your adjustable. I would probably start some what aggressive because that is what will keep your technique honest. Blades in combination with your skin will react differently depending what your settings are at. You will find that some blades work great on aggressive settings but are horrible at mild levels. Try to pre rank your blades in sense of sharpness and your skin will tell you how smooth they are.

[Alejandro1969]

Golden blade is half the battle, technique is the other, I'm pretty sure!