Balin's Blade Bonanza

[Guido75]

O

I have the same issue on my AX-SE. It is annoying to be sure.

O really, it’s with the SE too? I thought they fixed it going forward.

I am using a Comet vintage blade this week. Dimensions are ever so slightly less than modern blades and works like a charm in the AX. Apparently Kai blades have the same effect. My (haven’t tried that yet).

 

[cranewarrior]

O

O really, it’s with the SE too? I thought they fixed it going forward.

My AX-SE was bought this February off AliExpress, so it's fairly new out of the mold I would think.

 

[spacemonkey42]

@Guido75 @cranewarrior - this was my first use, but the blade came out easily from my AX-SE. This is the zamak version, not the CNC. I assume there is some variation in the chrome plating. I got the scalloped cap.

Another issue - I can't read the numbers on the bottom. One problem is they used a 2 when they meant a 5. The plates supposedly are stamped 1.12, 1.32, and 1.22, when they meant 1.15, 1.35, 1.55. They are also supposed to be stamped 1, 2, and 3. The problem is, I can't read any of it with confidence, even with a magnifying lens.

 

[Guido75]

1.12, 1.32, and 1.22, when they meant 1.15, 1.35, 1.55.

Yes I read that in another thread too. And that they have the order mixed up so the second plate is the 1.55 and the third the 1.35 - if I remember correctly.

 

[cranewarrior]

@Guido75 @cranewarrior - this was my first use, but the blade came out easily from my AX-SE. This is the zamak version, not the CNC. I assume there is some variation in the chrome plating. I got the scalloped cap.

Another issue - I can't read the numbers on the bottom. One problem is they used a 2 when they meant a 5. The plates supposedly are stamped 1.12, 1.32, and 1.22, when they meant 1.15, 1.35, 1.55. They are also supposed to be stamped 1, 2, and 3. The problem is, I can't read any of it with confidence, even with a magnifying lens.

Some members here say DSCosmetics mislabeled plates 2 and 3. They should be swapped at least for the production run they are discussing. I believe mine was one of those but I haven't measured the gaps to confirm for certain.

Edit: @Guido75 beat me to it.

 

[spacemonkey42]

I can't read the top numbers on mine at all, so I wouldn't call them labeled.

Then the bottom numbers are mislabeled - they say 1.12, 1.32, and 1.22. The 1.22 is actually 1.55.

 

[Pinto90]

Shave #2 with SuperMax

Today on Yaqi Mellon razor, the blade SuperMax Super Stainless hopped, caught; in mustache and chin area, I had a very hard time going deep cutting and got a good cut.
The feeling was that they were scratching the skin from the first stroke to the last,except for a few decent moments.
No BBS,ineffective blade today on this razor.
I noticed that the performance was deteriorating easily.
Today the blade felt very raw,not very smooth not very pleasant final shave.
Not really a disappointment but I expected more after last Tuesday's good shave.

 

[spacemonkey42]

Super-Max - blade 2, shave 1

DSCosmetic AX-SE 1.35​

Yaqi rainbow pony​

Razorock XXX​

I put in a fresh blade and also went to the next plate up on the AX-SE (I think, I can't read them). The shave was rough from the start. Is it the first shave on these blades are rough or is there that much a difference between the plates? Maybe both? The third shave with the last Super-Max seemed better than the first. What have you all experienced?

This shave wasn't as comfortable as yesterday. The result was the same as all so far with this blade - mostly DFS with some BBS patches. Tomorrow I'll try the next plate up and see what it feels like. I'm also doing this because I haven't used this razor before and this will put me at 100 razors tried in my wetshaving journey. Yup, I've had a bad case of rad.

Bonanza!

 

[blethenstrom]

Morning Shave - 10/31/24
Shave Number: 372
Passes: 3
Razor: RazoRock Lupo 72SB
Blade: Super-Max Super Stainless (Green) (4)
Soap: Proraso Red
Brush: RazoRock Hive 24
Aftershave: Brut After Shave
Shave Comfort: 10/10 (Smooth)
Shave Quality: 9.5/10 (DFS++)
Shave Rating: 9.75/10
Even better and even closer than yesterday's shave! I was very close to rating this shave as a BBS. I did find some very short stubble in one spot under my chin so I could not, but nonetheless a fantastic shave. The blade is slowing down a bit, but not enough to still get great shaves. I have no doubt that this blade will not make it through the week. No irritation just smooth goodness.

This is the little blade who could! Very comfortable shave this morning and the Lupo is performing fantastic as well. It is certainly giving the Game Changer a run for the money, but both are great razors. This blade does need the right razor to work well though. Due to that it is not super sharp I would say that medium aggressive razor and up will work the best for it. However, once you find the razor for it it works really well. I would not rule out a potential BBS before I am said and done with this blade. The blade is working it's way up in the blade rankings after a bit of a rough start with the RR Old Type.

BONANZA!

 

[blethenstrom]

Super-Max - blade 2, shave 1

DSCosmetic AX-SE 1.35​

Yaqi rainbow pony​

Razorock XXX​

I put in a fresh blade and also went to the next plate up on the AX-SE (I think, I can't read them). The shave was rough from the start. Is it the first shave on these blades are rough or is there that much a difference between the plates? Maybe both? The third shave with the last Super-Max seemed better than the first. What have you all experienced?

This shave wasn't as comfortable as yesterday. The result was the same as all so far with this blade - mostly DFS with some BBS patches. Tomorrow I'll try the next plate up and see what it feels like. I'm also doing this because I haven't used this razor before and this will put me at 100 razors tried in my wetshaving journey. Yup, I've had a bad case of rad.

Bonanza!

Does this mean you have 100 razors in your razor harem? If so that is some serious RAD!

 

[cranewarrior]

Shave #4 - Super-Max
Gillette Tech Fat Handle Pre-war
RR Son of Zeus soap

This was not a good match as I suspected. The Super-Max benefits from a razor with more blade exposure to up the cutting ability. I worked a lot to get a presentable level of appearance and there are a few bits of stubble that are visible still, even after worrying at them multiple times.

Oh well. It is what it is.

 

[cranewarrior]

I'm going to end my Super-Max week here, because I want to shave with a few Lord blades prior to next week's Big Ben exploration.

My final conclusions on the Super-Max is that it's low-medium sharpness blade. This means it has less range for myself since I would prefer to use it in a high aggression razor, so the appeal is less. Also Super-Max has been out of business for ~ 2 years and that does affect my mindset around their blades to an extent. It is a usable blade for me, but the counter-arguments exist.

 

[spacemonkey42]

Does this mean you have 100 razors in your razor harem? If so that is some serious RAD!

I have bought and sold a lot, so 100 have passed through in my quest to learn and find what works best for my particular face. I do count different plates each as one - so a Game Changer 68 and 84 are two razors. I consider that valid, since they are very different. I did a couple passarounds, those are counted, and I bought some of them as well. Maybe I'll start a diary and share more of the journey.

 

[Pinto90]

I'm going to end my Super-Max week here, because I want to shave with a few Lord blades prior to next week's Big Ben exploration.

Okay, so it is already known that the Big Ben blade will be our new adventure for next week?

 

[Balin]

Shave 3 with the Super Max ( Blade 2 Shave 1 )

I tried a fresh blade to see how it does in the R41.

This blade does need the right razor to work well though. Due to that it is not super sharp I would say that medium aggressive razor and up will work the best for it.

Thanks Boris, you saved me some keystrokes. The blade was OK in the R41 but not great. Today was just 1 day stubble and looking back my last 2 shaves, they were on 2 day stubble. The shave was little rougher today so maybe the blade is not as smooth as I thought. I am also learning the razor so I am sure that has something to do with just a little more post shave feedback then usual.

I am going to give blade and razor combo a go again tomorrow!

Bonanza!