Help a newbie with the trial process

[piperjason]

OK i have a slight dilemma. I won't say I went through any "acquisition disorders" but I do have a small collection of razors, a HD, a 52 and 57 superspeed, and a 49 tech. I also bought the sampler back from westcoast shaving. From the advice at SMF I bought the tech and have been using that starting with the sampler pack. Up until then I was using the HD and merkur blades I bought at my local AoS.

In short, should I keep just going through the sample pack using the tech and once I figure out which blade works best move onto the other razors? I shaved a couple times with the 52 SS and I did like that one a lot. Or should I keep using the merkur blades and work through each razor and figure out which razor works best??

[castlecraver]

IMHO: If you're just getting started, I would recommend sticking with a particular razor until you're comfortable with your technique. Then give each blade a few shaves and select which one shaves you the best. Then you can switch up razors.

That said, if you really like the 52 SS, there's really no reason you can't use that razor instead of the Tech or the HD. Pick something and just try to minimize the variables while you're honing your technique and figuring out the blade situation.

[kwk285]

I agree with picking one razor and working on technique first. What you will find that as you get better, blades your originally liked or disliked may change.

[Hoos]

I agree with the above. You want to limit the variables.

Start with one razor and one brand of blade. I used Gillette's for the first 3 or 4 weeks. Then I started trying other blades with the same razor.

Now, I'm pretty sure the Gillette blades are my go to blades and use them when trying out new razors.

I have a good feel for which of my razors are less aggressive (Gillette Knack and Schick Krona) and am comfortable now trying more aggressive blades in them. So far, only Crystal blades. The Feathers still scare me.

My more aggressive razors (the HD and the SuperSpeed) are used only with gentler blades (Gillettes and Derby).

Just got some Dorco blades, so that may all change.

Viva la shave!

[piperjason]

my goal in the end is to settle on one razor and blade and if I keep any variants its the soap or cream. But then again, I guess that went out the window when I bought the other razors after the HD.

In my past endeavors I find that internet forums really are a great source of knowledge, but it is easy to get overwhelmed. I started with an HD because everything I read said that was the best for newbies, then I got into a bit more and then superspeeds got a lot of recommendations, then techs. I guess it's good i keep out of the brush forums.

[StickPig]

One razor, one brand of blade. Once you are getting consistent, irritation free shaves start going through your sampler.

I worked through my sampler form the beginning, and in retrospect, I did not have the ability to differentiate the characteristics of the blades due to my inexperience. That means I need another sampler to really figure out which brand of blade I should settle on.

[thirdeye]

IMHO: If you're just getting started, I would recommend sticking with a particular razor until you're comfortable with your technique. Then give each blade a few shaves and select which one shaves you the best. Then you can switch up razors.

That said, if you really like the 52 SS, there's really no reason you can't use that razor instead of the Tech or the HD. Pick something and just try to minimize the variables while you're honing your technique and figuring out the blade situation.

+1....Well said, I agree....

[rickw]

All of the razors that you listed are on the mild side. That is unless that '57 SS has a red tip. If you like the '52 SS then use that until you get close, comfortable shaves.

[piperjason]

the '57 has no color on the tip. Oddly enough it happens to be exactly as old as my father, give or take a month. It looks like it has the same head geometry as my '52 so I am counting those two razors as equal. I'm actually considering sending it to my father with whats left of my sampler pack when I'm done. I already bought him a brush and soap from C&E (I think he has a better brush that me...).

I will say that the couple times I used my '52 I found that I liked Crystal blades a lot more than Merkurs. After using the Tech I think I am getting similar results and after waiting a day I'm going to move onto Derbys.