DD Safety W/Carpet Razor Blades

[Aristeros]

So, my shave of the day was For Science. Got a vintage Durham Duplex safety razor, which uses a proprietary blade that no longet exists. DD in the UK still makes the same size for carpet razors, as do various other companies, including one I was familiar with. 10 pack was cheap, and a familiar manufacturer.

So I loaded up a 'Personna Blue' (.017" carpet) and proceeded carefully. Nothing special, did a two-pass WTG ATG and decided to call it a day. The blade sounded VERY different as it cut the hairs. The width made under the nose and the chin challenging, and I had two tiny spots of blood that I dabbed at with lather and were gone. Light razor burn on parts of the neck; I don't always use an AS balm, usually just a splash, but I used the balm today just in case. Better than some shaves I have had, honestly (the carpet blade shaved better than a Merkur and those Chinese blades 'Clouds?') but I prefer my Israeli Personnas ober these! I am wondering how many shaves I can get out of it--will it go for seven shaves?

Pics or it didn't happen, do I took some. I shave daily for work--I will do this tomorrow if I am not rushed.

 

[ArNav]

That's one weird weird thing...

 

[MacDaddy]

Good on ya for taking one for the team. There are also rounded corner versions of these blades out there, which is what I would seek out if I were going to try this. After my experience with the ASR Reverse Lather Catcher (the one in the front here), which doesn't have any protection for the corners of the blade, I would be very leery of those sharp corners sticking out like that.

 

[hutchster]

And here I thought I might get adventurous one of these days and use a valet or autostrop with an old NOS blade, I am such a wuss

Just looking at that blade exposure makes me queasy.

 

[Aristeros]

I admit that if I was just starting out, it might not have worked out quite the same!

I did know about the rounded corner blades, but they were a few dollars more, and a combination if cheapness and bravado sort of kicked in.

 

[Gary H]

You are a brave man.

 

[Haegar]

Long live shaving science and its protagonists!
Thanks for exploring new land. I think I'll get a stash of those blades, just in case I ever came across one of these vintage "broad stroke razors"... I would hate to discover that no carpets (hence no blades) were used any more when I finally would get such a razor.

 

[ERVARGASNY]

Wow you are brave "Sharp Corners" I would of went for the Rounded Corners myself like MacDaddy said. But i guess your a brave soul )

Thanks for posting this and giving others ideas )

 

[kcb5150]

http://www.thomassci.com/Supplies/Knives/_/Durham-Duplex-Blades/

$$$. hmmm..... They use the name. Makes one wonder what the sharpness level is like.

 

[Aristeros]

Shaved for the second time with this thing today. Rough shave, not ​close, and though no major irritation, just felt dull. Also, the razor was very gummed up with soap and hair. No balm, just Clubman Special Reserve splash. I could keep doing it, but I would stick to one shave a blade. Maybe the thinner ones, or the Durham Duplex ones, last longer.