Hi everyone, So I've read a lot of different threads, and everybody seems to believe that X blade is "better" than Y blade. This razor is different than that one. I have to admit, every razor blade I've tried and the different razors I've tried all seem exactly to me. Am I missing something? I want to have opinions too, besides, its shiny!
Well someone needs to notice it's shiny! LOL I think it takes some time to start to notice differences between products, especially blades. I remember when I started I was a bit puzzled too. I was using the "ice tempered" VDH blades that came with the razor and then tried something else and they all felt rough to me. Even changing to my EJ 89l and then to a '47 Super Speed really didn't seem much different. However, when I spent a month in January (the first 30 day Rule thread) with just one razor and blade (the Gillette Aristocrat and Voskhod) then changed to a different razor and blade in February I instantly felt the difference. That led me to start experimenting with blades, trying a whole lot of them in trials all in the same razor to feel the differences. Then, that led me to switch razors up with one blade, and that led to more blade trials, and that led to more razor and blade purchases, and that led to, well it just keeps leading. My particular interest has always been blades since that second month of Rule/Focus and how blades interact with different razors. I'm also one to test theories, such as the one that mild razors and sharp blades work best together, as do aggressive razors and less sharp blades. I will say that my experience has been mixed on things like that, but I can tell the difference in blades in all kinds of razors now. I also know some who have found a razor and a blade that work well together and that's their everyday shave. Nothing wrong with that either.
If you can shave with a new Derby and the next day shave with a Feather with the same soap/cream for lather and in the same razor, you may not need to be picky about your choice of blade as they may all work for you. For me, some are just more comfortable than others and some work better in certain razors. I have no proof but my face lets me know if it's not working pretty quick.
I'm doing the 30 day focus right now, using a Merkur long handle 180 with derby blades. When I first started, I tried feather and merkur blades and both felt the same to me, but I haven't been doing this very long.
Smart idea to do a focus and work on your technique. I think with time, you will be able to notice the differences. Enjoy the journey.
Some blades work better in certain razors IMO, so it is good to experiment and see what works best for you. Some razors are more aggressive than others witch can play a roll in what blade to use.
IMV I believe that certain blades work better in certain razors. I've come to the conclusion after extensive fiddling. You may or may not agree but, "It's my party and I will cry if I want to". (Lesley Gore 1963 hit song)
Something I've idly wondered about is whether all blades have a consistent depth(?) (i.e, distance from sharp edge to sharp edge)? It would seem to me that minute variations could have an effect on making a blade seem milder or more aggressive.
As trying a Feather blade goes for sharp blades, try a Muhle R41 for the upper end of aggressive razors. I enjoy my R41, but I don't believe an individual could not note a difference when comparing it to other razors, such as an EJ89 or Muhle R89, or even a vintage slim or fatboy set to 9. Regardless, enjoy the journey.
If there's one thing I've learned while wet shaving the past few years, then it is that one small variation somewhere in the setup can lead you to believe the difference is in an entire different place. For instance, when you're new, the concept of consistent lather is not necessarily a daily thing. And when you try different razors and/or blades, you can be let to believe that blade XX is very bad, because blade XY yesterday felt much better. Only to realize later on that the bad blade isn't so bad after all. I know now that many many of my choices in the beginning and much later on as well, had been made on false assumptions. I was simply fooled, by my own mistakes, to assume something of product XX that just didn't hold water later on. I use blades now that seem very similar to me, but when I was new, I rated them very very different. Prep, lather, technique made them "different" back then, but not now where all is in place. The other way around, when you have it all in place, I'm positive you'll begin to notice the subtle differences in the various products, and not just only how shiny it is, although that is also important
I used a Fatip OC razor with a Feather blade this morning. I think that works great, but for others that is a woeful combination. It all comes down to personal preference, technique, and skin type. But I agree that I can get good shaves both with mild and aggressive razors, and that sometimes the differences feel less for me than you would believe some reviews. Sent from my SM-G920F using Tapatalk
I presume you're new to the forum, so welcome to TSD. I find I can get along with most blades but to me some definitely perform better than others. Derby blades are ok for me, others view them as barely one step away from rusty tin lids. As always shaving is a very personal experience, what suits me probably wouldn't work for you. Are you changing your blade with every shave? Some definitely deteriorate quicker than others. Regards, Chris
Zoltetov brought up a fantastic point. SHINY !. Why do different blades act so different from person to person, razor to razor ?. Seems that the most experienced shavers can make anything work. Can a sharper blade help newly learned technique. Blade alignment ? Is it the coating on the blade, perhaps even the metal. .some blades have tighter tolerances and have stricter guidelines for sharpening and replacement of worn dies, punches, and servicing machinery. Hair thickness, overall growth, soap, cream , maybe the brush. the list can go on and on . Really, shiny doesn't sound that bad.! It is fascinating.
Yup. Here you may find Opinions Advice Actual Information As this is all offered for free. It's worth what you as the consumer paid for it. I'm not arguing with anyone's opinion. Those are them YMMV things that there's never 100% agreement about, ever. Advice is sort of the same. If you ask how, you'll potentially get a diametrically opposed answer some where in a thread. Actual info does pop up. Kind of like a unicorn. Or BigFoot.
Yes Czech and Speak is made from UNICORN MILK. . I wonder if Bigfoot uses a open comb. I shall try to lure one in by leaving one in my woods. Imagine the market for Sasquatch hair shaving brushes.
