Hello all! I received my first 'old fashioned' shave kit for Christmas (Parker razor, bowl/silver tip brush, soap and cream). I also received a variety pack of DE blades from Vinatge Blades LLC. I am a Caucasian male who's never grown a beard out, but I MUST have a clean shaved face. My stubble that grows seems to be as tough as Brillo. This may be the problem with all guys, but I'm not sure how they feel; i don't go around feeling! I've found the Merkur blades were good for me, however they don't last long (a week or so) with daily shaving. All other blades (shark, Gillette, Wilkerson, etc) seem too "thin" and end up slicing me before cutting the hair. I've been a cartridge/canned foam shaver for years, so I'm not a totally rookie at this. Any advice? Cheers!
You might want to try Feathers. However, a week out of a blade is not bad. For me I rate Feathers first, Astra second and Merkur third. However everyone is a bit different. If you really want to go about choosing a blade in a more comprehensive manner get a sampler pack and use the 30 day rule.
I believe I actually have some feathers blades, and I know I have some Astras in the pack. I found I was getting a weeks worth of usable life from Gillette Mach 5's, so I didn't know if that was reasonable for DE's. Thanks for the advice!
If you are happy and getting good results with the Merkur blades then it may be worthwhile to stick with them for a while and then try out some different brands. The more time you have with one particular set-up, the more basis you have for comparisons. One week out of a single blade is pretty good, there are plenty of people who change blades after three shaves.
I try to perform a three pass shave; complete with lathering and etc. I try to let the razor do the work versus using force. Takes more time in my morning routine but I feel it's worth it
You may be the only person I have ever heard of that gets a great shave from Merkur blades... My inital reaction was to wonder if your technique is off...and that's still my reaction. You have said that you have used cartridge razors for years, so you have a few things to unlearn. You may be using too much pressure on the razor. Merkur blades are dull compared to most other blades. I don't know if it's the grind they use, the bevel of the blade or the steel used in the blade, but they just flat out don't work for 99% of the people who use them. They are very forgiving of a heavy hand on the razor. (That's about the best that can be said for them, in my opinion.) You should be letting the weight of the razor do most of the work, with only the lightest of pressure coming from you. You might want to revisit your technique and those other blades, in light of what I have written. You may be pressing harder than you realize. You might want to try shaving a few lathered up balloons. That's what they make (or made) barbers do when they were learning to shave. Popping a balloon was a very loud (and messy) way to inform the student that he/she "was doing it wrong." Edit: Astras seem to work well for most people including me. Give them a whirl.
im asian and have gnarly body hair and beard growth haha...i got a pack of bic chrome from a contest here and it has been my bread and butter blade...slice and dices my hair away...also perma-sharp do my face good too...but as others said its personal preferences
I have a coarse beard . Feathers I have not had luck with , its not that they aren't sharp enough they are the sharpest blades.Its just that they nicked me constantly and were a tad hard on my face, only got two great shaves from them.Perhaps if you find you have a problem with Feathers , hand or leather stropping might smooth them out My go to blades are Polsilver and Gillette 7'0 Clock Sharpedge. These blades are a middle ground between sharp and smooth. YMMV
Others have given some great advice, so I'll just comment on blade longevity. Most folks find 2-4 shaves with a DE blade to be an average amount of shaves. For them, going a full week or so of daily shaving with the same blade would be a LONG time Me, I hand strop and toss the blade after five 3-pass shaves. Oh, by the way... Hi! Welcome to the Den. Be sure to sign up for the January Newbie Give-Away!
If your enjoying your shave with the Merkur and getting a weeks use out of a blade,I'd say you have no problem.... However since you have a blade sample pack you can try more blades and see if you find a better blade.....
A week per blade is not bad at all. Most blades last me three shaves, with a few lasting five days and the Gillette 7 O'clock Super Platinums (black label and blue label) lasting about a week and a half. Maybe the Super Platinums would work for you, too?
I'd agree with the others and say stick to a blade that works for a while before you start jumping around. I think I started experimenting with blades too early so know I want to go back and make sure my initial assumptions were right. I have coarse hair, especially on my chin and sensitive skin. I've made it through all 14 blades of my sampler. My top three are Astra SP, Red Israelis, and Wilkinson sword. I'm revisiting them along with Feathers and Treets because I used them both early in my journey with questionable technique and varying results. I can't wait to find out my #1 and buy bulk. Will be a nice feeling when I know which blades my go-to and I have an endless supply of them.
You have gotten some good advice. I would add that you should concern yourself more with the quality of the shave than the longevity of the blade. One of the great things about DE blades is that they are really cheap!
