Derby renaissance

[georgekaplan]

Well, I thought that I'd given up on Derby blades (landscape-style label) after several truly lousy shaves with my Merkur 34C and after discovering the joys of Feathers. But I decided to give the Derbys one more try in a different razor today -- an old Gillette Tech -- and I ended up with one of the smoothest, easiest shaves that I've ever had. It never ceases to amaze me how some blade-razor combinations just work ... and how some just don't.

G.K.

 

[DE Shaver]

I've never had a problem with Derby blades but then again, I never used any of the vertical packages. Mine were sourced directly from Turkey. Will you try the Derby in your Merkur 34C again?

 

[iamdarkangel2005]

Hello,

So yesterday I decided to shave with a Derby for the first time. I am not a big fan of the blades, but might as well try them. I unfortunately carry the verticals as i guess most vendors now. So, I now undertand that a blade must be corked or past through a styrofoam (not sure if spelled correctly).

So, I did my first lather with a badger brush, then I put on my razor (weishi).

First shave was very rough! Out of all the blades that I have tried, like Astra, IP, Red, Lord, Treet, Dorco, Supermax. It was the roughest and even as I didn't have much hair on the face. It was a tug and pull, I decided to shave slowly. Ended with a few missing hairs here and there. So I lather fully once again and had a second pass, this time the blade was getting better and was able to clean the missing areas. 3rd and final lather, blade was increadably good, smooth and soft as I passed the blades. Left a very nice bbs feel to it. After I put some after shave "subzero" from TSD. I must say "wow" No irritation, no burn. I must say this is interesting, why? Well, with other blades ASTRA, IP, RED IP, Dorco, Lord, Treet and SuperMax. I only do 2 passes, but I am left with red spots in face and putting the aftershave just burns more. So I was actually happy with the results, even with an extra pass no irritation means a great shave overall.

I did use the palm technique with the blade but still didn't work out as the corking technique. I will try corking next time and see how it goes.

My past deals with Derby wasn't great, but now I am happy to say it was great. I guess I will have to talk to my barber and try out the blade again after the haircut. It could be his technique that got me irritated!

Dark

 

[DE Shaver]

First shave was very rough! Out of all the blades that I have tried, like Astra, IP, Red, Lord, Treet, Dorco, Supermax. It was the roughest and even as I didn't have much hair on the face.

It would appear the coating is the issue rather than the blade itself, which is good news in a way. Coatings will wear down quickly and allow for proper shaving while an improperly honed blade will never perform well. I'm left wondering if this is intentional or not on Derby's part.

 

[ShaveAddict]

I wasn't a fan of Derby until this morning.
Derby was the first DE blade that i used when i started using a DE razor, and i had very bad shaves whit them, maybe it was my technique because i gave them another try(the vertical ones) and they performed very well.
I took the care of gently stropping the blade before and the result was a smooth, sharp and irritation-free shave.
At the price they go i think it's a good blade.

 

[georgekaplan]

I took the care of gently stropping the blade before and the result was a smooth, sharp and irritation-free shave.

Ah, I wonder if that explains why I had such a good shave: I stropped the blade beforehand. I don't think I've ever done that with a Derby in the past.

Will you try the Derby in your Merkur 34C again?

Yes, I think it's worth a go -- stropped, of course!

G.K.

 

[BrianL]

You face corked with the first pass.

 

[mayidunk]

"Face corked!"

Anyway, are you guys getting the good shaves corking these with Styrofoam, with cork, or hand stropping?

 

[ShaveAddict]

"Face corked!"

Anyway, are you guys getting the good shaves corking these with Styrofoam, with cork, or hand stropping?

Personally i use hand stropping.

 

[iamdarkangel2005]

"Face corked!"

Anyway, are you guys getting the good shaves corking these with Styrofoam, with cork, or hand stropping?

Dang! I guess I did face corked it... JAJAJA! Nasty feeling!

I tried the hand stropping, but I guess I didn't do it right. I will try to do the styrofoam next time, I will post results later.

 

[KWyKJJ]

Styrofoam is the way to go. Not to mention I didn't have any cork laying around and styrofoam is easier to come by. After a good corking Derbys are a great blade. Don't over do it though, no pressure and only 4 or 5 passes per side. Happy Shaving!

-JJ

 

[Stubblefield]

"Face corked!"

Palm Corking is better.

I can get a great shave with a Derby if I load one in a Gillette Super Adjustable, but not any other razor. Weird.