Good read Spike.
Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk
Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk
Spike's DE Blade Search, &c.
- Thread starter Tokyospike
- Start date
- Thread starter
- #142
You are all very kind. Well, except for Dave . . .
- Thread starter
- #143
ATT R1 - Shark Super Stainless (3)
Round 2, Blade 1 . . .
This was the first blade I ever used in a DE razor, way back when, so I have suspected I rated it a bit harshly. I actually rated it dead-average back then because, while I didn't think it was close to an Artist's Club blade, I didn't have any DE blades to compare it to. Eventually, it got bumped down in the ratings as I discovered 'average' was better than this . . .
So it ended up as one of the better below-average blades. Is that what it deserves?
Yeah, pretty much. My technique with the DE is much better now, and I have been shaving most recently with some of the best blades ever . . . so the Shark was underwhelming again. The shaves themselves were comfortable, though with a little more touch-up than I'd like. But the stubble comes back quite quickly compared to the best blades, and most important: sting from alum and AS pretty much everywhere with every shave. Not so much as to make the experience horrible, but just not what I'm used to anymore.
Final scores for Shark Super Stainless remain unchanged . . .
Thanks for reading.
Round 2, Blade 1 . . .
This was the first blade I ever used in a DE razor, way back when, so I have suspected I rated it a bit harshly. I actually rated it dead-average back then because, while I didn't think it was close to an Artist's Club blade, I didn't have any DE blades to compare it to. Eventually, it got bumped down in the ratings as I discovered 'average' was better than this . . .
So it ended up as one of the better below-average blades. Is that what it deserves?
Yeah, pretty much. My technique with the DE is much better now, and I have been shaving most recently with some of the best blades ever . . . so the Shark was underwhelming again. The shaves themselves were comfortable, though with a little more touch-up than I'd like. But the stubble comes back quite quickly compared to the best blades, and most important: sting from alum and AS pretty much everywhere with every shave. Not so much as to make the experience horrible, but just not what I'm used to anymore.
Final scores for Shark Super Stainless remain unchanged . . .
Thanks for reading.
Spike, I'm a fan of your journal and I love the dedication and detail you put into your reviews of each blade. I have to say I've tried out a couple of blades (Nacet and the Rubie) just by reading your glowing reviews of each blade. There's just one thing I'm a little puzzled about: Why would you rate Feathers and Polsilvers as equals and at the very top of your list?
IMHO, these 2 blades should never be compared one-v-one. They both give very different shaves, one which just removes hair with the precision of a laser and the other which is supposedly the smoothest money can buy. Are you comfortable with 2 admittedly good, but very different outputs post-shave?
Full disclosure: I'm no fan of the Polsilver. YMMV of course.
IMHO, these 2 blades should never be compared one-v-one. They both give very different shaves, one which just removes hair with the precision of a laser and the other which is supposedly the smoothest money can buy. Are you comfortable with 2 admittedly good, but very different outputs post-shave?
Full disclosure: I'm no fan of the Polsilver. YMMV of course.
- Thread starter
- #145
Hi. Thanks @MostaccioMan. Well, I'm going to get back to the Feather and Polsilver here in a week or so - I'm hoping to be able to separate their scores a little. I did at least 20 shaves across 3 blades with each of those brands (unlike most of the others), so I don't think the results were fluky - at least not for me.
As I wrote about the Polsilver SI, it was simply the best shave I had had with a DE blade in my ATT R1. Not just smooth, but very efficient - shockingly so. I also have to be a bit on guard for bias, since the brand was so highly (and convincingly) touted by @Cal.
Back in post #103, I had to reexamine my scoring criteria because the Feather just behaves differently than any of the other brands (even the KAI, which is different in its own way). I'm no happier than you are that Feathers and Polsilvers score the same when they are very distinct experiences! But right now, if I had to choose 1 brand forever, I can't say whether I would take Feather, KAI or Polsilver (I think I'd be happy with any of them) . . . that's pretty much what the Spike Score is.
As I wrote about the Polsilver SI, it was simply the best shave I had had with a DE blade in my ATT R1. Not just smooth, but very efficient - shockingly so. I also have to be a bit on guard for bias, since the brand was so highly (and convincingly) touted by @Cal.
Back in post #103, I had to reexamine my scoring criteria because the Feather just behaves differently than any of the other brands (even the KAI, which is different in its own way). I'm no happier than you are that Feathers and Polsilvers score the same when they are very distinct experiences! But right now, if I had to choose 1 brand forever, I can't say whether I would take Feather, KAI or Polsilver (I think I'd be happy with any of them) . . . that's pretty much what the Spike Score is.
Last edited:
- Thread starter
- #146
ATT R1 - Rapira Platinum Lux (3)
Round 2, Blade 2 . . .
Meant to post this a couple days ago.
First time around, this blade - and all the other Rapiras and the SuperMax - were my dead-average blades. Yep, couldn't really tell the Rapiras apart. What do they seem like now?
Well, they still seem a bit sharper than the Sharks, and a bit smoother. Perfectly decent, but nothing to write home about. Can't see any reason to adjust their scores. So far, so good!
Now I get to move on to the good stuff, and see if I can differentiate them any better . . .
Thanks for reading.
Round 2, Blade 2 . . .
Meant to post this a couple days ago.
First time around, this blade - and all the other Rapiras and the SuperMax - were my dead-average blades. Yep, couldn't really tell the Rapiras apart. What do they seem like now?
Well, they still seem a bit sharper than the Sharks, and a bit smoother. Perfectly decent, but nothing to write home about. Can't see any reason to adjust their scores. So far, so good!
Now I get to move on to the good stuff, and see if I can differentiate them any better . . .
Thanks for reading.
- Thread starter
- #147
ATT R1 - Gillette Nacet (3)
Round 2, Blade 3 . . .
Omega 20106
I finally took the time to hunt down the model number of the new brush - it's an Omega 20106 boar long. No idea what the handle's made of; it's light, seems like enameled wood. I'm really starting to get good at lathering with it in the scuttle now (warm lather on a cold morning!), and the tips are even softer than they appear in these photos.
Gillette Nacet Redux
Ah, yes! This seems in all ways sharper than the previous two. I'm not sure any blade feels sharper than a Nacet . . . it has a high-pitched audible feedback that I love, similar to a Feather. Efficiency is significantly better than the Rapira.
On the smoothness scale, the improvement isn't as noticeable. After the first two shaves, on the following morning, my neck was itchy. I hesitate to even mention this, because it's never happened before with any blade, and didn't happen on the third shave . . . I suspect it's unrelated to the blade, but I don't have a good explanation..
As I explained in my post #55, I am docking Gillettes an intangible point just for being Gillettes.
So far, I think the relative scores of the Shark, Rapira and Nacet all still make sense . . . next up, Personna Blue.
Thanks for reading.
Round 2, Blade 3 . . .
Omega 20106
I finally took the time to hunt down the model number of the new brush - it's an Omega 20106 boar long. No idea what the handle's made of; it's light, seems like enameled wood. I'm really starting to get good at lathering with it in the scuttle now (warm lather on a cold morning!), and the tips are even softer than they appear in these photos.
Gillette Nacet Redux
Ah, yes! This seems in all ways sharper than the previous two. I'm not sure any blade feels sharper than a Nacet . . . it has a high-pitched audible feedback that I love, similar to a Feather. Efficiency is significantly better than the Rapira.
On the smoothness scale, the improvement isn't as noticeable. After the first two shaves, on the following morning, my neck was itchy. I hesitate to even mention this, because it's never happened before with any blade, and didn't happen on the third shave . . . I suspect it's unrelated to the blade, but I don't have a good explanation..
As I explained in my post #55, I am docking Gillettes an intangible point just for being Gillettes.
So far, I think the relative scores of the Shark, Rapira and Nacet all still make sense . . . next up, Personna Blue.
Thanks for reading.
“As I explained in my post #55, I am docking Gillettes an intangible point just for being Gillettes.”
Seems Harsh. [emoji851]
Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk
Seems Harsh. [emoji851]
Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk
- Thread starter
- #149
Apparently, I am a hard man.
I kid, I kid. [emoji51]
Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk
- Thread starter
- #151
Oh, me too . . . no worries!
Your journal makes for a good read, especially since we’re headed in opposite directions so to speak. I started with DE and am moving to AC blade and single edge razors, with my most recent being a Oneblade Core. It’s early yet to tell but this may be my ride off into the sunset razor. (Or maybe the stainless version). Keep up the good work and enjoy your shaves
Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk
Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk
- Thread starter
- #153
Good for you! We will see where I end up - I have yet to go back and compare the DEs to the ACs . . .
Well, to each his own then! Looking forward to your round 2. Aside from that, I love how you dock a point for Gillettes just for being Gillettes. Makes your reviews much more personal!
- Thread starter
- #155
ATT R1 - Personna Blue (3)
Round 2, Blade 4 . . .
Back in August, the Personna I tested came by itself in a PIF. It said 'Made in USA' and seemed obviously made for shaving, so I called it 'Blue.'
'Med Prep?' I don't think so. 'Lab Blue?' Probably. But if the differences between the US-made blades are all coatings and packaging, I don't care too much.
Except that when I went to Pasteur, these were the 'Personna Blue' I was able to get, and they don't look at all like what I shaved with in August:
But, again, they're made in USA, they are clearly for shaving, so my guess is it's the same blade in different clothing. I must say this multiple-company, multiple-factory, mutiple-packaging thing around Personnas is annoying. And their blade printing is atrocious.
But they are very good blades. After the Nacets, they don't seem as sharp, but all four shaves were very comfortable. Clearly, for me, the best of the blades in Round 2 so far.
Intangibles aside, I still think the Nacets and the Personnas are extremely similar - I would still score them the same. The difference is the Personnas are the smoother ones and the Nacets are the sharper ones - and all other things being equal, I go with the smoother blade.
Thanks for reading.
Round 2, Blade 4 . . .
Back in August, the Personna I tested came by itself in a PIF. It said 'Made in USA' and seemed obviously made for shaving, so I called it 'Blue.'
'Med Prep?' I don't think so. 'Lab Blue?' Probably. But if the differences between the US-made blades are all coatings and packaging, I don't care too much.
Except that when I went to Pasteur, these were the 'Personna Blue' I was able to get, and they don't look at all like what I shaved with in August:
But, again, they're made in USA, they are clearly for shaving, so my guess is it's the same blade in different clothing. I must say this multiple-company, multiple-factory, mutiple-packaging thing around Personnas is annoying. And their blade printing is atrocious.
But they are very good blades. After the Nacets, they don't seem as sharp, but all four shaves were very comfortable. Clearly, for me, the best of the blades in Round 2 so far.
Intangibles aside, I still think the Nacets and the Personnas are extremely similar - I would still score them the same. The difference is the Personnas are the smoother ones and the Nacets are the sharper ones - and all other things being equal, I go with the smoother blade.
Thanks for reading.
Those handles look really short making
Both of the razors look somewhat
Deformed, are they that short or is it
Just a horrible photo being displayed.
- Thread starter
- #157
Ha, ha! No, they are both relatively short handles. The ATT Atlas handle is 3" long (and weighs 56 grams). The MR3 handle I have on the Mongoose (but these days am using on the ATT R1) is also 3" long, but weighs 64 grams. I like a heavy, chunky handle. The length just seems normal to me - and the balance point is closer to the head.
The good ol' Gillette perfect handle length, 3".
But a lot more "girthy." What diameter are they please Spike?
- Thread starter
- #159
Hi, Cal. The ATT Atlas handle is 12mm, or just shy of half an inch. Maggard's MR3 is 16mm, or about 5/8 inch.
- Thread starter
- #160
ATT R1 - Gillette Rubie (3)
Round 2, Blade 5 . . .
So, that was the last of the CRSW Sandalwood (sniff!) . . . but it's on my Christmas list!
As we get into the stuff I've rated 'best,' this is getting harder. The differences between the blades seem less to do with efficiency and comfort, and more to do with a particular 'feel,' or even 'style.' With the Rubie, which was the first shockingly good blade I encountered in Round 1, the question is, is it really as sharp as a Nacet and as smooth as a Personna Blue?
With every (close, enjoyable) shave this week, I have pondered this question. And I have to say the answer is no. I think the Nacet is the sharpest of the three, and the Rubie is actually closer to the Personna in performance. This actually bumps the Personna up into the number four spot, manufacturing-weirdness, crappy-printing, and all.
Now it gets real: KAI, Feather, Polsilver, head-to-head -- and I don't think I'm going to try to adjust these scores again until I've shaved with all three . . .
Thanks for reading.
Round 2, Blade 5 . . .
So, that was the last of the CRSW Sandalwood (sniff!) . . . but it's on my Christmas list!
As we get into the stuff I've rated 'best,' this is getting harder. The differences between the blades seem less to do with efficiency and comfort, and more to do with a particular 'feel,' or even 'style.' With the Rubie, which was the first shockingly good blade I encountered in Round 1, the question is, is it really as sharp as a Nacet and as smooth as a Personna Blue?
With every (close, enjoyable) shave this week, I have pondered this question. And I have to say the answer is no. I think the Nacet is the sharpest of the three, and the Rubie is actually closer to the Personna in performance. This actually bumps the Personna up into the number four spot, manufacturing-weirdness, crappy-printing, and all.
Now it gets real: KAI, Feather, Polsilver, head-to-head -- and I don't think I'm going to try to adjust these scores again until I've shaved with all three . . .
Thanks for reading.
Last edited:
