2nd shave better?

[camondw]

It doesn't make sense to me, so maybe you can explain it. Maybe it i my imagination.

I use The red Israeli Personna blades. They are great on the first shave, however, they seem to be noticeably better on the 2nd and even 3rd shave and then not so good on the 4th shave (which is when I replace them)

Have you experienced this or am I imagining it?

 

[Dustinl]

It doesn't make sense to me, so maybe you can explain it. Maybe it i my imagination.

I use The red Israeli Personna blades. They are great on the first shave, however, they seem to be noticeably better on the 2nd and even 3rd shave and then not so good on the 4th shave (which is when I replace them)

Have you experienced this or am I imagining it?

Not your imagination....

I have experienced the same thing occasionally with Crystals and IP Reds. I usually get a couple of weepers on a new blade. Second shave through the fith shave are excellent and I usually start feeling a little tugging in the 6th shave.

My only thought is that the first shave "breaks in" the blade by taking out any rough spots. Kind of like honing the blade on your skin. I think this is where "corking" helps. I have no experience corking a blade but maybe someone else can post about it.


DL

 

[camondw]

what is corking?

 

[Dustinl]

what is corking?

Corking is the method in which you run a blade across cork material to "tame" the blade. I hear about it being done to Feathers. A bottle cork can be used and all you do is slightly cut the cork a few times with the blade. I believe it is to smoothen out the blade edge. Again, I have never done this nor seen a need to do it.



DL

 

[stevenkelby]

I read that styrofoam /polystyrene works as well or better than cork. I think the idea is to just lightly cut the stuff, to smooth out the edge, like stropping in a way, but in the "other" direction.

I haven't tried either way yet

 

[camondw]

hmm. I will try this either tonight or tomorrow.

I have some solo foam cups laying around and I make wine so no worries on finding cork.

Thanks!

 

[DE Shaver]

I find this to be true for some blades, such as Astras. Some blades "break-in" when used, meaning they dull a little, which provides smoother shave. Although some sharpness is lost, a smoother shave means you can shave more quickly and gain the confidence to shave closer. However, once you lose too much sharpness, the shaving quality decreases.

 

[camondw]

Interesting. I have always assumed that a sharper blade would be a smoother blade. Would not a smoother blade cut through the hair easier, resulting in less pull, and therefore a closer, smoother shave?

I have noticed in the ratings area that many blades, like the feather, have been described as sharp but rough...how odd.

 

[DE Shaver]

Interesting. I have always assumed that a sharper blade would be a smoother blade. Would not a smoother blade cut through the hair easier, resulting in less pull, and therefore a closer, smoother shave?

I have noticed in the ratings area that many blades, like the feather, have been described as sharp but rough...how odd.

A sharper blade would normally be a smoother blade, all things being equal. However, all things are not necessarily equal. If the coatings on another blade are better or if the sharper blade doesn't have coatings, it will not be as smooth. Coatings fill in all the gaps in the grinding and honing marks, making the blade smoother as well as protecting the edge. A sharp edge without coatings will not be smooth for long, if at all, due to the edge dulling quickly.