I would say no but having the ability to reduce the angle so drasticly might make it shave better. I know that I can use duller blades in my shavette than I can in my de razors even if they are aggressive.

August 2016 Adjustable August

August 2

Razor: 58 Executive set on 6
Blade: Royal Red
Brush: Stirling Kong
Soap: Tabac
Post: Cold water rinse, Alum block


I decided to leave everything the same except for obviously changing the setting on the Executive for this shave with the royal red blade. ( I remember this setting so I match Neal). Yesterday's shave was fairly disappointing so I was hoping a little more aggression would do the blade some good.

It was not a horrible shave but it definitely was not one of the best. Better than yesterday at least. That really is about all I can say. The first pass had a little more reduction than yesterday's but also did not seem quite as smooth as yesterday shave. The second pass again seemed to be a little closer than yesterday but also, again unfortunately, not quite as smooth.

My end result was a DFS shave which is not bad, but it did come at the expense of more bite from the alum. The irritation was definitely higher then yesterday's shave. Don't know if it is because the blade is wearing out already or if the extra aggression just brings out the lack of smoothness in the blade. Tomorrow should be interesting with the Executive set on 9.

Twin results again. Sounds like the irritation may have been worse for you, but it could also be that I don't respond to that until it reaches a certain level. Yeah, I'm a tough guy. Or just used to dealing with horrible gear from all my shenanigans. Both got a DFS, both said it was a bit rougher. One more day to go!

I think it is very very likely the blade is intended for use predominantly in a shavette. Shavettes are what they sell. I also think that they decided not to make a super sharp blade for that reason. Just as @DDuckyMark noted you can get away with a duller blade in a shavette then you can in a DE razor. I have seen posts where Derby is just fine in someone shavette but that same person may not care for them nearly as much in the de razor. I have a feeling this blade is along those same lines, though personally I would put this blade below a Derby and maybe even below the Dorco.

That is a good question. I don't see any visible pre-scoring on the blade and I checked my backup blade too. However, the blade does look a bit different than most to me, but maybe I'm imagining things. Seems thin and the bevel isn't as pronounced as most. Again that could be just the way the blade is polished etc., but I noticed that on the first use yesterday.

As far as optimizing for use in a shavette I would think (my opinion so use it and 5 bucks to get a cup of coffee) that they might leave shavette blades a little less sharp than normal DE blades. With no gap to worry about on a shavette and 180 degrees of angle to choose from it becomes less critical to have uber-sharp blades. Take, for example, the Feather Pro blade versus the Kai Mild for pain sticks. The Kai mild performs great shaves with less risk of slicing and dicing, at least for most of us who have compared them. Make sense or am I just rambling on?

I'd put it below Derby definitely. Not sure about Dorco. But yeah, a close call.

Are you saying I am sensitive? You have taken away my man card before. The irritation was not on MEM blade level by any means. But it was definitely enough to notice.

Not that you are sensitive, its just that Neal's face has acquired a leather like quality from all of the shenanigans.

Makes perfect sense. Now combine that with the fact that MD Barber has said that they produce what barbers have asked for and you get an interesting possibility- a DE blade which is really designed for a shavette.

I would imagine that such a blade would probably not be optimal in a DE razor for exactly the reasons you mentioned.

Of course, if that is the case, then it would be nice if someone would call attention to that fact somewhere.

Rockwell 6S/ R6 Base Plate/ Ladas (2)
Whipped Dog 30mm High Mountain
The Fat
Mentholated Thayers
Mentholated Veg


Great shave today. BBS in 2 easy passes with no nicks or irritation. Came to the conclusion that I could use this setup everyday and be happy.

It is a very good feeling when you find that setup that just works. Allows you to experiment with other stuff but always have something you can come back to and know you will get a great shave.

You are right. It doesn't get much better. The shave was great. I started my little journal today (not much of a journalist, so my entries are brief). Here is what I captured:

First shave with this razor. What a shave. It was extremely comfortable and smooth. The razor provides lots of audible feedback back letting you know it is working. It is maybe a tad on the aggressive side, but still very comfortable. The soap was slick and lather decent. A slight tickle with the alum on the post shave, otherwise an irritation free shave. The rounded head of the razor seemed to really provide for more comfort. The razor is definitely a thing of beauty. A strong first shave.

I am also trying to get do some ratings to go along with this exercise, just so I have some basis for decisions when I get to the end. I am building this all in a spreadsheet (I am an engineer after all). Once I get the sheet done, I would be happy to share it with people here if anyone is interested.

If the blade is thinner or has some scoring in it so it could be broken, could it have a bit more flex that would impact the shave?

I'd like to see what you come up with. My inventory is on a spreadsheet but woefully out of date again.

Interesting possibility as well. I need the Mythbusters to do a bend/stress test on it for comparison.

August 2, 2016

Adjustable August
Gillette Fatboy and Slim, PAL and Schick Adjustables

For the first two weeks of this Focus I thought I’d start off right where I left off exactly one year ago. Last year I did a Adjustable August Focus, but just with my DEs. I used a GSB in both the Gillette Adjustables back then. But later that year the 7 O’clock Blues caught my fancy so I’ve decided to use them in this year’s Adjustable Focus.

So today it’s the Gillette Adjustable "195 Fatboy" (1961 G1) with a 7 O’Clock Blue.

3-day growth, 3-pass shave. (WTG, XTG, ATG)
I planned to set the FB at 4 for all 3 passes today just to get myself re-familiarized with DEs, having been using SEs and Injectors almost exclusively since last August.



Having not used a DE in soooo long, I actually went down to the 3 setting on the first pass. But my anxiousness was unnecessary. It was just like riding a bicycle - once you know how, it’s just a matter of getting up on it again and letting it all come back to that muscle memory, riding the cap and all.

My early assessment (6 hours later) - it was as good a shave with just three simple passes (no repeat strokes, no BBS chase) as I’ve had with a similar process with most of my injectors. Three clean passes, BBS on the cheeks and easy spots, a little left over stubble on the tougher areas - chin and jaw area. No irritation anywhere.

The shave washed away any nervousness I had from being away from DEs for so long. So tomorrow (are you listening @Bama Samurai ? @wmbjr ?) I will return to my last standard with DE adjustables: 2-pass shave with 1st pass (WTG) at setting 7, 2nd pass (ATG) at setting 5.

I was also pleasantly surprised being able to do a decent ATG on my chin, something that a few of my injectors bite me on. The FB, along with most all DEs, won’t be as maneuverable as my injectors, necessary when trimming around my mustache, but this first shave with a DE in a long time will begin to diminish what had been my consideration to say goodbye to my DEs due to the great shaves I'm getting with injectors.

More research to come, but there won’t be any For Sale signs placed on my DEs for some time to come.

Cheers!
RT

Nice to see that razor and blade back in your routine. You've certainly become the master of the injector corps. But, once you've learned DE you can always do DE. Nice choice of blade to start with again as well! I need to add one of those to my "day off" shaves.

Straight Focus
Today was the second day of a straights only focus. I had been focusing on my new Wolf Whiskers brush this month as well, but this baby showed up in the mail and I had to try it out. Jim @Jayaruh made me a brush that was based on the Wolf Whiskers design. I lathered up some TOBS cream with the brush and went at it. The brush is a nice soft synthetic and was very comfortable. I am very pleased with the brush.
This razor might be getting to the point of needing a touchup home. I gave it ten laps on felt with CrOx and fifty on leather and still didn't get as close a shave as I would like. Two passes for a CCS.
I plan on getting out my homes tomorrow and starting the learning process. Wish me luck!
TOBS Sandalwood
Jayaruh #84 Brush
Faultless Razor
Alum
Lucky Tiger
Pinaud Lime Sec AS
Have fun!

Kevin, I would love to see you do a focus on one or two pass shaves for a month, detailing what you have to do to get close to the baby.

What a lovely @Jayaruh creation!

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