Hello all, I finished the WCS Extended Sampler (http://westcoastshaving.com/index.php?main_page=product_info&cPath=2&products_id=3) on Wednesday. Oddly, only two blades ever did anything particularly pleasant for me... the other blades seemed to leave my face either rough or razor burned. First, the Derby blades left me with a nearly BBS, irritation free shave from day one and continuing well into a week with only two passes. The next blade that worked was the Feather, although shave following the first were the most agonizing and tortuous shaves I have ever experienced. My question now is whether this was simply due to inexperience. I have been shaving with a DE since early August, and wet-shaving for at least six years. What do you guys think? Should I wait a while and give the blades a second chance? SlicenDice (especially with Feathers after the first round :angry017)
Heck.......you shoulda just asked. I could have told you that and saved you some time and money Derbys and Feathers, baby !! :love055 Derbys in the more aggressive and Feathers in the milder razors.
Your face should rest with the same blade for a week or two. Then expect the next razor to irritate. It will go away. Best way is to shave until Friday. Grow over the weekend and start with a fresh blade on Monday. Generally eases the irritation.
I'd say stick with the Derby's for a while until you get your technique down and then continue on with you experimentation. Those two are my favorites as well.
It is a lack of experience. I got good shaves with a DE after a week or two but it shaving almost daily for about a year to turn it into a completely mindless activity I didnt even have to think about. I would pick which ever blade you liked the most and stick with it for a while. The blades in that pack may be considered popular, but I personally dont like any of them. They all tugged except for the feather which gave me a close shave but always left some irritation. I order my blades from razorandbrush.com as well as their sample pack. After a year of experimenting and only making it most of the way through the sample packs I have settled on 3 blades that I love. They are Irridium supers, Astras (green pack) and Gillette 7 O'clock (green pack). None tug, they are all smooth, and sharp as feathers without the irritation.
Too much good information! I've been pacing the mail clerks office for days waiting for my "starter kit" to arrive.
Thanks for all the great advice, gents. I suppose I will stick with the Derby's for now, and possibly check out some other blades in a bit.
The Derbys were the only "popular" blade that I like at all. The best blades for me are the Gillette 7 o'clock (the green packs) and So far so great are Astras.
I'm a bit confused by your posting. The purpose of the extended sampler pack is for the new shaver to find the best blade to use for his technique of shaving. After working your way through the blade selection you selected the Derby and Feather as working best for your shaving style. Derby and Feather are what work or you? Then go for it Dude! When I did my extended sampler pack it worked out to 1st) Feather then 2nd) Crystal. But what works for you is what you should go with. That is the reason that posters always say 'You Mileage May Very' (YMMV) when posting replies.
You've found blades that work for you. You're now cleared for departure! You might consider coming back after a while and cycling through another sampler pack or two, to see if better technique, different razors, or whatever lead you to even more pleasant blade choices. For now, though, I'd say go with the Derbys. [For the record, I did the same thing and Crystals do it for me. I might try some sampler packs again after a while, but only when my technique is really nailed down.]
NO,NO,NO..... Feather dialed to 9 baby!!!! J/K Use the blade that works best for you, sure you have been shaving for months but for some it takes longer. After a while of consistently good shaving give the sample pack another go.
I was writing in hopes of obtaining points on additional blades or perhaps advice on the blades I already have (the advice received being wait a while or try blades from razorandbrush.com). Thanks for your input; cheers!
Glad you've got what you need! Future razor and brush purchase: Irridium Supers Astras (green pack) Gillette 7 o clock (yellow and green packs) Whatever else strikes your fancy
I'm in the middle of my sample back from WCS. The Dorco's were great, then went to the Merkurs, which I gave two blades a chance then put them away - awful . Now I'm on the Crystals and find them very smooth and irritation free so far. Next I'll try the Derbys and go from there. I've been following their recommended progression so far and am enjoying the process!
