I've got a beard like steel wool and posted a week or so ago about problems with ingrown hairs, and an inability to go ATG without the razor pulling and hopping and skipping. For my last 2 shaves I decided to change things up a bit and move from the Derby Extras I'd been using to an Astra Superior Platinum.
All I can say is WOW, what a difference. I stuck to the prep I'd been using, a hot shower with my face covered in Proraso Pre-shave, and used my Merkur HD. The Astra cut through my hair significantly easier than the Derby. It was very noticeable on my WTG passes, which I followed with an XTG pass and then stepped up to a combination XTG/ATG pass. This seems to reaffirm that a tough beard calls for a sharper blade. No nicks, no razor burn on my neck! A few days will tell if I get any ingrowns but at this point I'm pretty happy.
I've got a few other blade samples on order so once the Astras are gone I may try a few more
All I can say is WOW, what a difference. I stuck to the prep I'd been using, a hot shower with my face covered in Proraso Pre-shave, and used my Merkur HD. The Astra cut through my hair significantly easier than the Derby. It was very noticeable on my WTG passes, which I followed with an XTG pass and then stepped up to a combination XTG/ATG pass. This seems to reaffirm that a tough beard calls for a sharper blade. No nicks, no razor burn on my neck! A few days will tell if I get any ingrowns but at this point I'm pretty happy.
I've got a few other blade samples on order so once the Astras are gone I may try a few more