So after talking with a few friends that recently started wet shaving I've decided to create a little project for myself but I need help. Let me explain. On one of those other forums there's a guide to razor aggressive-ness and I'd like to do something similar for blades to help other newbies like myself kind of gauge what blades they might like to try. I fully get that this is a YMMV kind of thing, but I think we can gain some good insight. I will do this on the basis of statistical analysis with your help. What I need is people willing to do a 30-60 day log of their shaving normal shaving routine with their own gear. What razor, what setting (if appropriate), what pre/post shave routine used, and of course what blade was used. Then just a 1-10 rating for that day and some short blurb about what you liked that day. I'll compile the data and parse it (just so you know, my background is in biology and radiation safety, both of which are based on statistical analysis). At the end I'll post what we all find in a short compiled format, in addition to some basic pricing comparison for gauging values. Anyone interested in helping me?
Well, I think I will pass since I did a detailed testing about 4 years ago but with a much longer time span (broken into two sections due to other testing requirements). http://theshaveden.com/forums/threads/de-blade-challenge-ii.28223/ For those who will be interested in assisting you I wish you the best and look forward to your results.
Well I keep a super detailed log currently testing approx 20 variables altering no more than 2 at a time and only if they aren't directly connected otherwise it's a single at a time but I can only test so many blades in a given time. A shorter span with more people makes for more testable cohorts I think. But I'll definitely take a look at your post!
Wouldn't the other people and thier products be a variable? Have you thought of having many people follow along the same routine while using the same products then compare results based on skin, hair thickness, grain patters, etc.?
yes they are, hence why I'm asking for many people to help... I've posted the same thing on other forums. I plan on testing in the same manner I would do a cohort comparison (e.g. All SuperMax blades are a cohort, and all razors using a SuperMax Super Stainless are another). The extra variations can be used to identify outliers. As far as having other follow the same pattern, that's a more specific Ha I'm not looking at for the time being as in order to do that would require face mapping, along with buying blades all from the same lot. Let me sum my idea this way: YMMV is 100% true, however I don't think it's an adequate answer to give a newbie when they say "what blades should I try first?" Yes, you have to try them to see if it works for you but it's not a bad idea to know you can try certain blades that are generally ok and branch from there.
I've been at this for three years and the most subjective piece of gear has always and will always be the .25 cent razor blade. Blade A works great in Razor A but doesn't work well in Razor B. Put a different one in a try it out. Good luck with your project, I hope you find the answers you are looking for.
I'm different in that I chose Derby blades early on mostly based on how they feel on my face, and I evaluate my DE razors based on the use of the same blade to simplify things.
I wish you luck too. Haha face mapping may be a little extreme. I'm not sure that I would want to narrow things down the more I think about it. Part of what got me into wet shaving were all the options and fun I had hunting, gathering and creating a respectable den. Good ol' trial and error. I know everyone is not the same and do think it could be a useful tool to help new comers find a good comfort zone. I am still interested in seing what you come up with.
What's stopping you from digging through years' worth of SOTD threads? All the info you asked for is right there.
Because those would not represent accurate cohorts nor do they provide enough information for analysis actually but I have considered it PLANofMAN
Sounds like fun! Since I only use one DE razor, and only a few types of blades, I'm afraid that I'm not really useful for your experiment. For the record, the blades that I currently have available, are: - Israel Personnas (EU packaging) - 120 or so - Rapira Platinum Lux - almost 600 - Sputnik (Teflon coated) - 2 - Feather - about 50 - Wilkinson Sword ("Made in England ") - 15 left The Sputniks were given to me by a fellow shaver, and I don't really like those. The Wilkinson Swords are only used for special occasions. The other blades all perform great in my Krona. The main difference is their longevity. The Rapira blades triumph over all.
Im all for this but IMO if I had a friend ask me this I would give them a pack of derby's,personna's,dorco's,astra's, and feathers and tell them to give them all a shot....start with the personna's and end with the feather's...after all the MAIN thing with newbie's is technique so that should be the focus, because I have re-used blades that I previously hated when I started and found that I kind of liked them.
