So, after a few weeks of being a new DE shaver I've tried a few different blades and have formed an opinion or two of what I think works for me. I was just reading a post where someone discussed the merits of using mild vs. aggressive blades. Can anyone identify which blades are mild vs. aggressive? The only one I see referenced regularly are the Feathers with warnings not to use until you have your tecnique down. Thanks!
Just my opinions and no where near complete: Feather Aggressive: Feather (this category is complete) Very Aggressive: Silver Star (by Lord), Kai Aggressive: Astra SP, Gillette 7 O'Clock (all varieties), Most Lord blades, Bic Moderate: Red Pack Personna, SuperMax, Shark, Wilkinson, Treet Platinum Mild: Dorco 301, Crystal Personna, Treet Durasharp Ultra-Mild: Derby, Sharp, Dorco 300, 7am
Thanks for that answer Erik, my eyes were getting ready to explode trying to figure out how best to answer that one! To the OP = don't forget to try some Rapira blades too!
An aggressive blade takes a bit skin too much if yours is sensitive. Can get like my onely mole on cheek a bit bleeding if approaching from wrong direction. Gives an easy effortless shave. Causes razor burn if used many days in a row. To me a Feather blade. A mild blade. Needs a good preparation to make the whiskers softer. Use shorter shave strokes to not feel tugging in shave. Can last longer in general. Can be applied many days in a row with no irritation. Does not shave as close except with a good technique. To me Red pack Personna. I have many blades in between those 2. Only Feathers I don't like. And I like Red Personnas too, for their smoothness too. Just dont ask me what that is heh.
If you are looking for "forgiving" blades, here is my personal and highly incomplete opinion: Aggressive and Forgiving: Iridium, 7-O'clock Black, Astra Moderate and Forgiving: IP Reds, Crystal, Dorco 301
I think the Dorco 301's are "forgiving". I only get about 3 shaves out of them, but they are inexpensive.
Excuse the ignorance ... What does aggressive blade? Maybe try to cut his throat while you're shaving? :happy102
The term gets tossed around without a consistent definition. Some people just mean sharpness. I equate aggressiveness to how much I need to focus on getting a close shave. A highly aggressive blade will shave close even if I'm rushing or focusing purely on not cutting myself. This to me is completely separate from how smooth (lack of irritation) the blade shaves. Some blades are very aggressive in some razors and fairly mild in others, so to me aggressiveness is just a rough estimate. Hope that helps.
I agree with you Erik ... the sharpness of the blade is how closely I have to watch not getting nicked. I can get a smooth shave from just about any blade, but how closely I have to pay attention to what I am doing goes along with the sharpness. For me, and YMMV, Feathers I have to watch like a hawk, Super-Max blades I have to watch but not so much and the Dorco-301's are the mildest I've come across. However, I am shaving completely different real estate than you are, so again, YMMV.
I think the point is to match the razor with the blade. Really sharp blades work best in mild razors and not so sharp blades work best in aggressive razors, for me, anyway.
