Comparing Blades (Blade Wars)

[BigSlick]

Recently, I was shaving with a new 7 o'clock green blade in an HD. On the counter was my Fatboy with a used Feather, used about 4 or 5 times. I picked up the Fatboy and shaved the other side of my face and was amazed at how much smoother the shave was. So, over the next several shaves I switched different blades back and forth between razors comparing the blades/shaves. Feather was the clear winner. It didn't matter which razor. All of my other blades were pretty similar.

Has anyone else done this? I wish that I had another HD so the comparisons would be more consistent (even though it didn't seem to matter in this case).

EDIT: To be clear, I would shave one side of my face with one razor/blade combo and then the other side with a different combo.

 

[Chester]

I think this kind of experience is what prompted Wil to write the "Feather, the measure of all blades" post. Worth a look if you have not read it already.
-- Chet

 

[BigSlick]

I think this kind of experience is what prompted Wil to write the "Feather, the measure of all blades" post. Worth a look if you have not read it already.
-- Chet

I didn't see that thread. Thanks

 

[BigSlick]

I was thinking more of head to head comparisons. Say, Gillette Super Blue vs. Red IP's, Wil had both of those rated an 8, or Super Iridium vs. Feather. It would be more interesting, I think, if it were a blind comparison where you/me/whoever had their wife/girlfriend/whoever put the blades in the razors for them and then use each razor on only one side of their face during that shave (all other things would then be equal).

Anyway, just a thought.

 

[The Last Chimney]

I was thinking more of head to head comparisons. Say, Gillette Super Blue vs. Red IP's, Wil had both of those rated an 8, or Super Iridium vs. Feather. It would be more interesting, I think, if it were a blind comparison where you/me/whoever had their wife/girlfriend/whoever put the blades in the razors for them and then use each razor on only one side of their face during that shave (all other things would then be equal).

Anyway, just a thought.

The only problem with this is that the technique used on different sides of the face can actually be different (especially if you use the same hand for either side), and the hair growth can also be slightly different.

I am actually doing the blind comparison right now with my wife choosing and changing the blades. I just do three full shaves with each blade before asking her to change the blade type again. I believe that's the most accurate way, and I don't have any trouble remembering the shaves well enough to compare them, since every two or three changes I do a Feather shave as a benchmark to refresh my memory.

Since Feathers work very well for me, I just rate each blade on sharpness and smoothness, with Feathers being a 1.0 on both. My goal is basically to find anything that works as well or better than Feathers. I'm about four blades into my experiment and haven't found anything yet.

The only thing I don't like about this experiment is that I have to use the same razor and soap the entire time.

 

[Wil Dorenbos]

The only problem with this is that the technique used on different sides of the face can actually be different (especially if you use the same hand for either side), and the hair growth can also be slightly different.

That is my idea too. I know I do not shave the same on the two sides of my face (right handed).

 

[Wil Dorenbos]

The only thing I don't like about this experiment is that I have to use the same razor and soap the entire time.

I understand. Now I have to get the Enigma out of its pouch every time I do a test (the Feather AS is my go to razor). Always use the same soap, so that's no problem.

 

[DE Shaver]

I have done extensive blade comparisons as well and even have gone as far as to record my personal experiences. It sounds like I have too much time on my hands.

 

[DunEdinRanger]

Actually, since a different soap would change things, shouldn't you do that all over again with a different soap?

 

[Wil Dorenbos]

Actually, since a different soap would change things, shouldn't you do that all over again with a different soap?

I tried different soaps, did not make any difference (ARKO, Palmolive and Irisch Moos sticks). Even tried Palmolive cream, same again.

 

[The Last Chimney]

Soaps might affect your shave, but different blades won't be affected by a soap in different ways, if that makes sense. Razors are another story, though. If I want to know the best blade for me in a razor that works substantially differently from my test razor, I'll just take my top three or four blades and test those in it.

 

[Barbash]

I have recently been experimenting with different Blades as well. I had been strictly shaving with Straights, but while I was cleaning out the hall closet I came across a number of different packs of blades I had remaining from my sample pack I bought from WCS.

I have been using a Merkur 34G for the tests and using each blades for 3 full shaves. The only problem with my experiment is that I have not been keeping my soap/cream constant for the tests. I have however realized that I gave up to quickly when I first started when it came to choosing one blade(7 O'Clock yellows). Since I have gone back and tried some of the blades I have found that some of the ones I thought were horrible(Astra & Personna) are actually very good blades and tend to give me a better shave on the 3rd shave with them than my 7 O'Clock yellows.

I too think that Feathers are the measure of all other blades on their first shave, but for me they dull to quickly and 3 shaves is the most I can get out of them.