Okay, so I got my first blade sampler in the mail this week. 25 different blades. My question is this: how have you tried the different blades? Do you use each one till it's no longer useful (ie 5-7 shaves) or use each one once and move to another to try all of them more quickly?
I just started recently and I've got some blade samples as well. I use one until it's done, then try a different one until it's done.
I have several sets of samplers I was given a package of Shark blades by Jayaruh (thanks so much Jim) I have a couple of other blades that Bobcat included with his PIF that I won. I also got a package of Astra SP DE Blades that was given to me with my Weber 3pc. 85mm Classic. I really like the Astra Blades but I am hard pressed about the Shark Blades I like them. I am using them in my Vintage Gillette razors. My Birth Year and the one I have had since 1968 Boot Camp.
But with one caveat, if you get to a brand that is extremely harsh, or one that tugs and pulls a lot, don't torture yourself to finish off the blade, move on. Toss the others of the "bad" brands in a drawer and forget about them for a while, then after a year or so go back and revisit them, you may find out your technique has improved so much, or a different razor may make them work beautifully the 2nd time around.
That's what I'm doing. After I used the first bad one for 4 shaves and then trying a great one the next bad one didn't even last a full shave. Why suffer through bad when you know for sure you have one you like better?
When I was doing my "Blade Safari", I used the same blade in the same razor for 4 shaves and then moved on to the next one. I think it gave me a better base for comparison. As Bill said, if you get a "stinker", don't torture yourself.....life is too short. This was my testing: http://theshaveden.com/forums/threads/blade-safari-time-to-pick-some-permanent-friends.34786/
I always have at least 2 of every blade I try just in case I get a dud. If the blade is bad I swap it out for another of the same blade. If that one is bad I toss it and move on. If you toss a blade without giving it another chance you may be missing out on a great blade. It doesn't happen often but every now and then a bad blade shows up in an otherwise great pack.
Strange, but I've been using a DE almost every day for the past six years and I'd be hard pressed to claim I've ever come across a bum blade. Just lucky, I guess.
I've only had a couple, but I think some brands are more susceptible than others. Then too if you get a bad shave with a blade you can always buy another razor to try it in. No sense wasting a 3 cent blade for lack of an $80 razor.:mail:
When I'm going through new brands, I always go back to my "best" brand (for that razor) between each new brand, to sort of reset a baseline for comparison.
I get maybe three or four shaves out of my blades if I push it maybe even five shaves.(after that they are bad) When I would let my beard grow and then shave it off after a couple of weeks I would need to use as many as three blades in my 1968 Gillette DE/TTO Knack. After shaving with that I would then shave with a Schick Extreme3 disposable razor. Several years ago my wife and I were traveling in our RV....I went into a Raley's Grocery Store. I was not looking for any razor blades but they had them on close out for I think $.98 a package. I bought all of them I still to this day have 6 packages left. They were or are a no name brand, they are good blades. When I use them everyday I can get four or maybe five shaves out of each blade. I usually shave once and then re-lather and shave again once more. Or I will go a second shave with a Schick Extreme 3 disposable razor. Since I came back to "Wet Shaving" and using my "Mug and Brush" my psoriasis has gone away. So far with my Weber I have gotten three shaves with the Astra SP DE Blades that hey sent me. I am using in my 1968 Gillette I am using a Shark blade that Jayaruh gve me. It's a great blade. They are both due to be changed in the next day or so.
