Disappointing Derby

**tantousha** · 04-08-2009, 09:39 AM

For the first two weeks of DE shaving I used a Derby blade. I got some irritation and leftover stubble, but in general it was better than the Fusion and I was really enjoying it. The next two weeks I tried a couple Israeli Personnas and started getting amazing shaves with no irritation!

Today, I decided to go back to trying the Derby blades... oh man... bad move. I just finished about 10 minutes ago and my whole face is burning. Not only that but there were some areas that just refused to go to DFS level!

Today was also the first day I tried using Trumpers Lime shaving cream, but I doubt that would be the cause of my bad shave...

I think I'm going to embrace YMMV, throw out that blade and either go back to the IPs or try another blade altogether...

Arg.

**talibeard** · 04-08-2009, 09:59 AM

Despite all the positive comments you are not alone with that same problem with Derby's. Thy don't work for me either but hey, lots of other blades out there !

**bythbook** · 04-08-2009, 10:00 AM

Originally Posted by tantousha

For the first two weeks of DE shaving I used a Derby blade. I got some irritation and leftover stubble, but in general it was better than the Fusion and I was really enjoying it. The next two weeks I tried a couple Israeli Personnas and started getting amazing shaves with no irritation!

...

I think I'm going to embrace YMMV, throw out that blade and either go back to the IPs or try another blade altogether...

Arg.

For a year I used Red Pack IPs and Crystal IPs almost exclusively... for grins I threw a Derby Extra in a few days ago and got a terrific shave. I just finished my pack of Derbys and immediately ordered 100. (Great deal available on Derbys on dbay right now... 100 for $12 delivered.)

I don't know... YMMV, different strokes for different folks... a couple of bad blades...?

Try em again in a few weeks/months... maybe evolving techniques have something to do with it - but Derbys do seem to be one of the B&B standbys.

**kevtex** · 04-08-2009, 10:02 AM

I did the same thing the other day and put a Derby in my razor instead of my regular red pack Personna that I've using for the past 5 months. Big mistake. I got several nicks and a bad case of razor burn on my neck, which I never get from the Personna.

**rbaloha** · 04-08-2009, 10:04 AM

Inconsistent blades within packs. Better alternatives for the same price.

**MrFusion** · 04-08-2009, 10:04 AM

I've been using Red Personnas for a few weeks but I've always liked the Derby blades. This morning it was time to throw out my old blade and I opened up a new pack of Derby's. Not a dramatic difference but the shave was better with the Derby than the Personna.
I still like the Personnas but I prefer the Derbys.

**Mr.Max** · 04-08-2009, 10:09 AM

derbys just arent sharp enough for me. I use feathers.

**Wishoot** · 04-08-2009, 10:21 AM

Originally Posted by rbaloha

Inconsistent blades within packs. Better alternatives for the same price.

Totally.

I started with Derby's, but soon discovered they were very inconsistent from blade to blade. The moment I switched to Feathers and Astras, my results improved tremendously.

**ytsejammer** · 04-08-2009, 11:10 AM

I prefer Astras definitely over any blade...Feather's I would like, but I need more than one blade to actually learn to use them...I've tried them and I get the closest shave with Feather's, but I need to learn to wield them...the Merkur blades are just plain crap in my book, must be the reason that they are the 'standard' at which other blades are judged...now, of the six brands of blades that I tried in my PIF sampler from Slaglerock (dorco, gillette 7:00 yellow, wilkinson sword, feather, astra, derby) I definitely like the Astras best for overall ease of use plus they lasted multiple shaves very easily for me...Derby's came in a close second with the Astras...the feathers are in a league of their own...bottom line...Astras, Derby's and Feather's are the most satisfying blades I've used thus far...but as mentioned before in this thread and in basically every other thread regarding shaving products...

YMMV

**tantousha** · 04-08-2009, 09:12 PM

I definitely understand the YMMV bit... but I also understand about the fluctuating quality, and I think that may turn me off Derby for awhile... I think I'm going to go back to the IPs for a bit and then perhaps another brand (Gillette 7:00 russians) before going to the Feather...

My Dad just tried a Feather, he's on his third DE shave ever (got started shortly after me, but has so far only had the time to put in a couple shaves) and told me he cut his face up... makes me a bit more reluctant....

**Corey** · 04-08-2009, 11:12 PM

I've had the opposite. The Derbys have been great to me, the Red Personnas have been irritating crap. I'll chalk this one up to wrong blade in the wrong razor, but I'm hesitant to go back to it any time soon. Got 100 Derbys, 100 Astras, and 100 Feathers that I'll end up sticking with.

**blackfoot** · 04-08-2009, 11:19 PM

I did not have the best of luck with the Derbys. They did better than Merkur. I am on Dorcos now. Seems to be an improvement.

**wazazzle** · 04-08-2009, 11:40 PM

yikes... note to self no derby's!

**bman40** · 04-09-2009, 12:58 PM

Originally Posted by tantousha

I definitely understand the YMMV bit... but I also understand about the fluctuating quality, and I think that may turn me off Derby for awhile... I think I'm going to go back to the IPs for a bit and then perhaps another brand (Gillette 7:00 russians) before going to the Feather...

My Dad just tried a Feather, he's on his third DE shave ever (got started shortly after me, but has so far only had the time to put in a couple shaves) and told me he cut his face up... makes me a bit more reluctant....

I have used the Russian Gillette Yellows for a bit (I just ordered 200 more from WCS) and they are tremendous in a mild shaver like an old Superspeed.

I have found that each blade seems to have its 'mate' in a particular razor -
Derby - good in a Merkur HD and a 47 Aristocrat
Red Pack Personna - good in a Tech, and an Aristocrat Junior, not too bad in a Fatboy
Dorco ST -301 - Good in a Slim or a Fatboy
Gillette Sharpedge (yellow) - good in a 40's style Superspeed

I used Feathers once - for a week when I first started and was using a 47 Aristocrat - WAY too new at this DE shaving game, and the razor was too aggressive. I never cut myself but my face was glowing red from razor burn...it was like giving myself a microderm abrasion treatment every day for a week. I really should try them again, a year later in terms of lathering and shaving technique, and in a milder shaver.

Barry

**rbaloha** · 04-09-2009, 01:27 PM

A better lower cost alternative are the lord shark blades.

**Gatsby** · 04-09-2009, 01:34 PM

Originally Posted by tantousha

I think I'm going to embrace YMMV, throw out that blade and either go back to the IPs or try another blade altogether...

Arg.

+1.
Derby's do garner a lot of praise, but they're not everyone's cup of tea.
YYMV, indeed.

Try the Precisions sold by Fendrihan.com--they're made by Personna Israel.
They're not as smooth as Derbys, but they give me a great shave.

(And if I'm not mistaken, you and I--among others--have a free pack of Astras coming are way. Looking forward to trying those blades).

**Luc** · 04-09-2009, 03:25 PM

Derby are ok for me. Not great, not bad. Astra/Feather are currently on top. I received yesterday a homemade sample pack and I should be able to use all the blades in a year or so... I guess Derby is really not for you. When I tried them again last month, they magically improved. I guess they didn't in your case.

**tantousha** · 04-09-2009, 04:13 PM

Originally Posted by Gatsby

+1.
Derby's do garner a lot of praise, but they're not everyone's cup of tea.
YYMV, indeed.

Try the Precisions sold by Fendrihan.com--they're made by Personna Israel.
They're not as smooth as Derbys, but they give me a great shave.

(And if I'm not mistaken, you and I--among others--have a free pack of Astras coming are way. Looking forward to trying those blades).

I do indeed! Looking forward to it as well!

My apologies if I seem in a tad bit of a hurry to come to a conclusion on the best blade for me... I was recently accepted into the JET Programme as an English teacher for Japanese students. At the end of July I'll be moving to Japan for at least a year...

This means that my entire life has to fit into two 50lb suitcases... (I'm thinking one for clothing and one for shaving!

). I know there are a couple members here currently in Japan, but I don't know where I'm going to be posted yet...

Preferably it means I'd like to find one, maybe two brands of blades that I really like a purchase say 100 of each... I'm also hoping that I'll like Feather because I imagine it will be easy to find them in Japan...

**Gatsby** · 04-09-2009, 06:56 PM

Congratulations on your acceptance to the JET program!

I know the feeling of rushing to find your blade--I'm hoping the Astras are the one for me. The Precisions are nice, but I'm want a blade that's sharper and smoother.

I remember reading that your into Proraso products.
If Feathers become your blades then you have the "Axis powers" set-up:
German Razor, Japanese Blade, and Italian cream.

**tantousha** · 04-09-2009, 07:02 PM

Originally Posted by Gatsby

Congratulations on your acceptance to the JET program!

I know the feeling of rushing to find your blade--I'm hoping the Astras are the one for me. The Precisions are nice, but I'm want a blade that's sharper and smoother.

I remember reading that your into Proraso products.
If Feathers become your blades then you have the "Axis powers" set-up:
German Razor, Japanese Blade, and Italian cream.

Bahahaha!!!

Going to go into my bathroom one morning to find my Merkur and Proraso torturing my tube of Trumpers while the Russian Gillettes are sneaking up behind... WWII in my bathroom, huh.