I used to change my blades once a week, in fact a minimum weekly(5-7 days) blade change was one of my criteria for adopting a blade. Now rather than having a set time for changing a blade I just use my blade of choice for as long as it will perform well. Usually at least 3 days, however my Viking's Sword blades most times will last for over a week, sometimes as long as 3 weeks.
I have to add another blade to my list. The Gillette 7 O'clock sharp was one that I had tried and written off due to not getting a good shave from it. May have been the razor, or possibly a defective blade, but I gave one another try this morning and found that I got an incredibly smooth close shave.
Today I'm liking... Personna Med Prep SuperMax Titanium Gillette Silver Blue But, yesterday I liked... Polsilver SI Personna Med Preps SupeMax Sunrise
1) Personna Injector blades 2) GEM stainless PTFE coated Those are the only two blades I use anymore.
Persona Red, Wilkinson Sword Derby Just wished I had tried more blades to be more accurate. Favorite till this point Wilkinson Sword. Seemed to last longer for me. I'm new to wet shaving only 8 months or so. Started with the Microtouch One, and a hand me down Schick Korona both very mild aggressiveness.
I'm not particularly picky or discerning on blades so it's easier for me to list my bottom three: Voskhod, Derby and one of the SuperMax (Titanium? Platinum? can't recall). They just don't like me. Everything else...Astra, Blue Bird, Dorco, Feather, Lords, Personna, Rapira, Wilkinson...they're all dandy.
For me, the best blade seems to be particular to the razor I'm using. Luckily, for the purpose of the survey, I only have three razors. 1) Gillette Rocket tto (1951) - Astra Super stainless 2) Parker 99r - Sharks super chrome 3) Weishi - Persona Precision I've also had good results from Dorcos, and Derby's seem to eat my face.
I'm with bplatoon, although 3 weeks "just ain't happenin' fer me". My beard hairs must be pure titanium I think, but the Vikings Sword blades definately give me 3, maybe 4, good shaves. Most other blades are ok the first time then become junk. I must admit though that the old Wilkinson Sword blades are probably coming a second place for me Tiger 3 hole blades look old school and cool for older style razors, so I bought 100 & then proceeded to shed blood on the first shave. Maybe leave these out until you are DESPERATE and tripping over your beard ?
Todays starting lineup: Astra SP Gillette 7OC Green Derby Extra In the bull pen awaiting their turn in the rotation: Shark Super Stainless SuperMax Stainless Waiting on an assortment of new blades from Shoe Box Shave Shop right now. Looking forward to trying some Big Bens, Ladas, Rapira, etc.
It's mostly you. Time and practice is having it's way with you. Your prep, lather making, brush technique, and mastery of the razor is much better now. It sneaks up on you. You don't realize how much better you are with the tools until you go back and try something that was terrible a few months ago. "Dude, it ain't the tools. It's the operator." - swarden43
I have to disagree with the "it's mostly you" statement on this one. I have been strictly using a safety razor since 1995 and I can pretty much shave with anything I pick up. Every time I get a poor shave from a blade I eventually revisit it and out of the blades I have disliked, only 2 so far have been able to redeem themselves--which were Voskhod [my first 5 pack had 3 duds] and the 7 O'clock sharp, which now when I think back on it was a defective blade, because I remember it was a Muhle that I tried it in and the blade didn't line up straight and that razor has no alignment issues.
I have only tried about 10 different blades since I started this adventure, but now use the following. Feather: They are as sharp as advertised, and with my light beard and a light touch they work great. Super-Max Super Platinum: If I'm in a hurry or using a razor for the first time, it is forgiving for a quick shave. That's all I use now. I get 2 shaves from the Feather and the Super-Max is 1 and into my blade bank.
Well then, it's my mistake. Actually, if you've been a DE man since 1995 then you've much more experience than me. I've gotten so used to hearing about blade awakenings here, I mistakenly assumed you were relatively new. I defer to your experience sir!
No biggie... But I do admit you would have been spot on about improved technique had I been a newbie, and that is helpful advice to anyone just starting out.
Bic Chrome Platinum Bolzano Superinox Treet Platinum/Sputnik/Treet Black Beauty Yet to try the Israeli Personna or the other blades that come from the plant where Bolzanos are made.
Treet/GEM Blue Star carbon steel single edge Chinese made Schick injectors GEM PTFE stainless single edge
Double edge: Personna Blue, Voskhod is a close 2nd Injector: Personna (these are the only ones I've tried so far) Single Edge: GEM PTFE Coated Stainless
