Working through my sampler pack, part 2

I got through my sampler pack using a pair of Super Speeds, a 56 flare tip and my dad's 59 blue tip along with a Tech that I started out with, and decided that in those razors, I like Derby Extras, Crystals, and Red Pack Personnas, and I really like Gillette 7 o'clock Super Stainless...

Today I started back through my sampler pack, using the H2 Slim I recently acquired. I'm planning to go through the whole thing again, one brand at a time, using the Slim, after which I'll do the same with my D4 Fat Boy. Today was the Merkur blade. I did a 3 WTG pass shave, first pass on 3, second on 4, and third on 5. Result: pretty nice shave, but not especially comfortable at any setting. There was some dragging, which could have been the blade or the razor setting; I don't think it was lather-related. I'll know more once I do the same or something similar with a different brand of blade. I ended up with one small nick that I attribute to pilot error, and some irritation that quickly went away and that I attribute to maybe turning the razor up too high (third pass on 5. It was also on this pass that I got the nick)...

First impressions of the Slim/Merkur combo: I still don't especially like Merkur blades, but they'll do in a pinch. I'm finding I do like the handling characteristics of the Slim, especially for shaving underneath my beak, but for the nonce I'll probably limit it to turning up to 4 at the most; 5 may be too aggressive for my tender hide at this point. I found in the previous test that the Merkurs are a two-day blade for me, as opposed to three days on most other brands I tried. I will probably change to a different brand after the second day based on past experience...

Yesterday was Day 2 on the Slim/Merkur combo, and I'm now firmly convinced that the Merkurs are a last-ditch, ain't got no other blades idea whose time has not yet come, at least as far as my face is concerned. Three pass WTG shave, Slim set on 3 for the first pass, 4 for the next two; the shave was not especially comfortable right from the get-go, though it was close when finished. I also had some razor burn to contend with, which has gone away today...

Today, I switched to Derby Extra in the Slim, and this is a decided improvement over the Merkur blade. Today is a work day, so I only had time for a two pass shave, which is what I normally do on work days. To make the test relatively equal, the first pass was with the Slim on 3, second pass on 4;the shave was comfortable, and accomplished every bit as much with two passes as the Merkur did with three...

I do like the Slim's handling characteristics. It'll be interesting to see how the rest of the blades in the pack shake out. After the results I had with my Super Speeds, I'm especially looking forward to the 7 o'clock green Super Stainless...

moonshine44 said:

I'm now firmly convinced that the Merkurs are a last-ditch, ain't got no other blades idea whose time has not yet come, at least as far as my face is concerned.

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To add insult to injury, the Merkur blades are fairly expensive. I am not a fan of them either.

I, also, had some pretty bad experiences with Merkur blades....luckily, mine came with some razor purchases, so I didn't TECHNICALLY pay for them.

I got my Merkurs as part of a West Coast Shaving sampler pack...

Day two on the Slim/Derby combo was better than day one. I got a closer shave in less time than yesterday, and zero irritation. I think I may be getting the hang of the Slim, and I'm liking this razor a lot so far...

moonshine44 said:

Day two on the Slim/Derby combo was better than day one. I got a closer shave in less time than yesterday, and zero irritation. I think I may be getting the hang of the Slim, and I'm liking this razor a lot so far...

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Are you using a regular slim or a slim adjustable?

Cuttingboard said:

Are you using a regular slim or a slim adjustable?

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Sounded like he was using the adjustable, as he said he set it to 3 and then 4.

moonshine44 said:

Yesterday was Day 2 on the Slim/Merkur combo, and I'm now firmly convinced that the Merkurs are a last-ditch, ain't got no other blades idea whose time has not yet come, at least as far as my face is concerned. Three pass WTG shave, Slim set on 3 for the first pass, 4 for the next two; the shave was not especially comfortable right from the get-go, though it was close when finished. I also had some razor burn to contend with, which has gone away today...

Today, I switched to Derby Extra in the Slim, and this is a decided improvement over the Merkur blade. Today is a work day, so I only had time for a two pass shave, which is what I normally do on work days. To make the test relatively equal, the first pass was with the Slim on 3, second pass on 4;the shave was comfortable, and accomplished every bit as much with two passes as the Merkur did with three...

I do like the Slim's handling characteristics. It'll be interesting to see how the rest of the blades in the pack shake out. After the results I had with my Super Speeds, I'm especially looking forward to the 7 o'clock green Super Stainless...

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My only experience with the Merkur was the one that came with my HD. I hated it; it pulled and dragged from the get-go. I've found that the Gillette adjustables are now my favorite razors, no matter which blade I use. The Fat Boy and Slim adjustable are terrific. I've tried a Derby in a Super Speed and gotten an "okay" shave, but used the same blade in my Fat Boy (set to 5) and gotten a great shave. And as you said, the Slim has great handling characteristics (especially under the nose).

Cuttingboard said:

Are you using a regular slim or a slim adjustable?

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Slim adjustable...

DGS said:

Sounded like he was using the adjustable, as he said he set it to 3 and then 4.

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I see that now....I'm not quite up to speed today after a 4 day weekend.

I'm working my blade hopefuls through a "Slim" rite now as well. I can't quote it exactly but I read somewhere on the B&B that the goal with an adjustable is to find the lowest setting that gives a great shave and not to find the highest setting that we can tolerate. With that in mind I just finished my Feather blade trial and found set @ 3 was best. Awesome shave! Crystal @4. AwesomeR! Today I start a Red IP.

Day three, Slim/Derby, another very nice shave. I'm finding that the Derby blades are a good all around blade, at least so far. Tomorrow I'll go to the Crystal, which I liked very much in my Super Speeds...

Cuttingboard said:

Are you using a regular slim or a slim adjustable?

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I am not familiar with the non-adjustable slim - can you enlighten me? Or does it have another common name?

dbconlin said:

I am not familiar with the non-adjustable slim - can you enlighten me? Or does it have another common name?

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I mis-spoke, I believe all slims are adjustable. Like I said, I'm trying to regain my senses after a 4 day weekend.

I'am also a big fan of the red pack personnas and the personna blades in general.
Red packs for $0.17 per blade
Shave soap for $1.00 a puck
Gillette SS from the second hand store $2.50
Boars hair brush $4.50
BBS Shave every time!
Priceless

Today was day one, Slim/Crystal. Very comfortable shave, but not as close as with the Derby. I've found that Aqua Velva Ice Blue AS is a good test of the comfort of a shave (it bites if there's even the slightest bit of irritation), and the AVIB went on with nary a sting. It's possible that I may need to open the Slim up a notch more with the Crystal blades, but I want to use the same settings for all blade tests, then go back and retest at different settings if necessary on some blades. Still, a pretty decent shave...

Day two, Slim/Crystal. Again, very comfortable shave, but not quite as close as the Derby. At this point, the blade is the only variable I'm changing. I think that once I get three days on this blade at the same settings I used with the Derby, I may do another three days with another Crystal, this time opening up the Slim a little more, and see if that makes a difference on the shave. I have more Crystals than anything else except Derbys, so I have some room to play a little...

I keep going back and forth on whether the Derby or Red Personna provides me the best shave. Its a draw right now...maybe an edge to Red Personna. Crystals are a no go for me.

The red Personnas are probably the next blade after the Crystal. I will probably wait to experiment with the Crystal until I get clear through the whole stack...