After a year and a half of wet shaving I am still determining which is the best blade for me. Thus far there are three brands that do not do well on me: Gillette, Sharp and Feather. What is similar about all three brands? I am thinking that all of these brands are particularly sharp.
I felt guilty. Feathers are supposed to be sharper than most. My favorite - use 'em almost every day. Sharp blades always feel DULL to me (so I gave most of what I had left to JoAnna - no dear, they have NOT been used ). They are supposed to be very forgiving and I've never heard anyone say they were too sharp. Haven't used, or seen, a Gillette in about 40 years. Try Derby.
Here is my reason for asking. I am attempting to determine what characteristics of a blade work best. I was thinking that it was the sharpness of the blade. I guess not since Sharp is not known for its sharpness.
Perhaps looking for a commonality of the blade is not the right approach its simply as you say, Jo Anna.
Buy a sampler pack. Use one brand every day for a week, then change. Not (necessarily) the same BLADE, but the same brand. Feathers usually last a week for me, Derby, about 3-4 days. Sharps are only supposed to be good for 1-2 days. I'm sure ALL of this is a YMMV thing though. When you're done, you should know. I would suggest using the same razor as well to eliminate that variable. Good luck.
If after 1 1/2 years you are not sure about what blade you prefer then I suggest you keep looking. Those 3 brands you mention are as different as can be, for the most part the Feathers are the sharpest and not for everyone. I don't know which Gilletes you use because you did not mentioned which. Sharps are so-so in my opinion and dull quickly. Try a sampler pack. Raf
get a sampler pack from letterk @ westcoastshaving.com I have found the Crystal blades to have a great balance between sharpness and smoothness that works great for me. Good price and great service...very quick and very friendly!
Ok, guys....ummm....JB has a ton of blades, as he has posted before. Don't think he needs a sampler pack. From JB's Medicine Cabinet; Blades: Feather Derby Merkur Crystal Personna Dinosaur Super Dinosaur Mem Platinum Euro Gillette Russian Gillette Super Max Platinum Super Max Super Stainless Dorco Platinum Sputnik Treet Platinum Dura Sharp Stainless Treet Special blue Astra Supirior Platinum Astra Karmik Wilkinson Black Label Wilkinson White Label Wilkinson Economie 7am Sharp Blaka Carbon Bic
I am really dumbfounded by your question. You obviously own all razor blades known to man. The only person that can decide which blade works for you is you.
So if I understand your question...you could not find a blade you like from this list?????????? is there a blade that is being made that is not on that list??? Raf
He only asked what was similar between Sharps, Feathers, and Gillettes. According to the original post, those three brands don't agree with him.
I will probably regret this, but I assure you there is nothing personal in what I am about to say: Perhaps it isn't the blade. As others have noted, there are not many characteristics shared by the blades you mention other than the obvious. The Feathers are super-sharp, but can be inconsistent. If you are refering to the Swedish Gillette, that is one I use most often, and get consistent results. I haven't tried Sharp brand blades, but I trust the others who have commented herein. The reason I say it isn't the blade isn't to imply you are using the wrong technique (though we all can continue to improve there!), but that maybe your approach hasn't been as "scientific" as it coud be. Somewhere someone once suggested a "Sherlock Holmes" type approach. If you can eliminate all the possibles, what you are left with is the impossible. Since you have tried so many blades, your head may be swimming from all the different results. And different blades with different characteristics also require different techniques. I wouldn't use the same stroke with a Feather that I would with a US Personna. You might want to systematically run back through your arsenal. Any of the ones that don't give you consistent results over a week, let's say, you can eliminate. (Trade 'em, sell 'em, whatever.) Then go back through the ones that do work, and maybe even keep a journal in your shave den of characteristics. Sounds like a lot of work, but you sound like a meticulous guy, so have at it. Lord willing, you have many shaves left to try stuff out. Let us know how it goes.
Thats some sound advice. I did a similar thing when i was learning to straight shave. Eliminating the variables.....stick to one sype of razor...and switch out the blades.....might not only be the blades, but maybe the razor as well.