Crystal blades pulling?

[simon1]

Tried a new Crystal yesterday and it was pulling like a dull blade. That was the first time I used Proraso so I thought maybe that had something to do with it, but today I used the old standby soap from the Gentlemen's Quarter. Same thing; pulling and rough. I did end up with a great shave but it was rough getting there.

I was wondering if maybe I got a bad blade right off the bat or if Crystals just don't suit my beard and skin condition. So far the red Personnas give me the easiest, most comfortable shave.

Anyone else have this situation with Crystals?

 

[Greybeard]

I had the opposite experience. They both shaved similarly, but the Red Pack pulled and tugged a bit and I had to work harder to get a close shave. I found the Crystal sharper. This after using several blades of each. You may have got a bad blade.


- Peter

 

[badmammajamma]

I've had the same experience with Crystals. They tug and pull their way to an alright shave. It does give me a little irritation on the way too.

So far I prefer the red Personna's as well.

 

[Monkeydad]

Opposite, they're my favorite blade and gives me the best shaves with no cuts.

 

[DE Shaver]

Although the IP blades and Personna are similar in performance, I find that IP blades a little sharper and smoother.

 

[Go West Young Man]

What do you usually use?

 

[DFrancis]

I've also found the crystals to be pulling right off the bat, it's one of those blades like Derby that some people love and others can't stand.

 

[brianw]

Crystals are my go to blade... as always YMMV

 

[simon1]

What do you usually use?

Since I started DE shaving again I've used the Made in USA store brand (that's all they have around here, that I've found), red Personna, Feathers, and the Crystal. The store brand was kinda sucky but I used the red Personnas and the Feathers in both a SS and a 3 piece old type and they worked good. When I was using a DE a little over 35 years ago I used Wilkinson, Gillette, and Personnas...what ever was at Safeway or Warehouse Market stores.

I think I'll try a Derby for 3-4 shaves and then try another Crystal to see if I just got an "off" blade the first time. I still have the Merkur platinum to try from the little sampler pack...then I think I'll order some Wilkinsons, Gillettes, and Iridiums to try.

 

[Go West Young Man]

Strange, Red Personnas should be nearly indistinguishable from IPs, they're extremely similar. I'd say you either had a bad blade or just a bad shaving day.

 

[Oel]

I find the Chrystals pulling when I use a new blade the first time. When I use this blade the next day there is no pulling anymore. Maybe it has something to do with the teflon coating of the edge? Anyway, the result is always a clean shave with no irritation.

 

[moodymick]

Crystals are good for me, just trying iridiums for a week so i can hopefully have a standby blade choice.

 

[auk1124]

They also seem duller than Red IPs to me.