Blade allergie

[Reini Dandy Rebelz]

Hi Everybody!
Actually we (a friend and myself) are trying to make wet shaving more popular in the french speaking area of Switzerland.
We started with our podcast and produced a paper with the elementary rules.
After a few weeks some of our friends started with DE Razors and everything went fine.
Last week one of them came to us and showed us on pictures what happened after a shave.
His face was red! As soon as he started the shave it began to react.
At the begin I thought it was the Bluebeards Revenge oil.
After trying to shave without using it the result was the same.
He bought the 22R Parker razor in our shop, so I gave him my old 92R for a try.
The result was the same.
He told me then, that he will go back to his Mach3 razor for his shaves.
We were a little bit disappointed with his choice but had to respected it.
But on Monday I gave him 3 other blades (Shark, Bic and Wilkinson).
The result was great and now he is very happy!
The problem were the Astra stainless blades!

My questions:

• did somebody experiences a similar problem?
• do you think it is the material of the blade or the sharpness?

Thank you for your thoughts!!!
Greeting from Switzerland
Roland

PS:Sorry for my english, I try to do my best!

 

[mblakele]

Your English is very good.

I think an allergy in the strict sense is unlikely. But blades are a matter of taste, which is why we often recommend blade samplers.

 

[Okla1911]

My questions:

• did somebody experiences a similar problem?
• do you think it is the material of the blade or the sharpness?

!

Howdy from Oklahoma! Your English is well written sir. I have experienced similar issues with certain blades and gotten razor burn (red & sore) on my face. A third pass on my neck can produce this result. Sometimes it's the blades and sometimes it's operator. Maybe the angle he was holding the razor at wasn't quite right. Shaving is all about finding what works for YOU as an individual. Oh and to answer your question: sharpness as most are made of steel.

 

[blzrfn]

There may have been some kind of oil applied by the factory as a corrosion inhibitor, which is common even for "stainless" products. The other possibility is that he got a defective blade which has happened to me a time or two except it is usually only one side of the blade that scrapes and scratches.

 

[Redman667]

I have the same reaction to Gillette Black blades. I got Black blades and MWF in the same order and had horrible red painful skin after I shaved. At first I thought it was the soap.Changed it. Nope. Then I thought it was the brush. Nope. Maybe the aftershave. Nope. I then switched back to my old favorites blades, Feather and back to great shaves irritation free shaves. I am not sure what it is and I have tried 20 some blade and they are the only ones I have has the reaction to.

 

[MegaBullfrog09]

I'm the same way with Astra SP, Israeli Personna, and Gillette 7 o' Clock Blue. It sucks, but I just don't go to those blades.

BTW, your English is very good. Good luck with your store.

 

[2Deuce2]

In the YMMV category (Your Mileage May Vary) it's either an allergy or technique. As an example, I bought an open comb razor and thought it would be similar to my adjustable. Zoot alors, non! Holy Mary, my muzzle was a piece of hamburger for more than a week. My wife said,"This traditional shaving thing was going great for you, and now this?" I now have a Plisson Open Comb I use most days with no problems because of technique.

Great to hear from the French Cantons. We have had some great times in your country, and remember Gruyere fondly.

 

[Reini Dandy Rebelz]

Thank you all for the interesting comments.

Our customer (a friend of mine) tried different Astra Stainless blades so the defective blade should not be the reason.
The corrosion inhibitor theory seams to be the main reason.
But anyway, we are happy that the Shark blades are fine for him (I don't like them at all ), so he will still continue in the right way of shaving!!!

@MegaBullfrog09
Thank you, yes we need some luck people over there look at us like we were aliens when we talk about "traditional shaving".
@2Deuce2
Haha nice to read that you had some good time in my country. I live in Wallis and the fondue in this area is incredible too.