Do you prefer different blades depending on which razor you use?

[pithy_remark]

So I've been using a Gillette Super Speed for a while, and after working my way though a blade sample pack I've been happily getting very good shaves. I ended up setting on Sharks as my blade of choice, and things were going quite well ... until I decided that I had to try my hand with some Feathers because they hadn't been part of my sampler!

Well, the shave was quite close, but I must admit that they tore my face up a bit. I figured that it might just be my first time with the blade, and gave it a few days/shaves to work out, but no dice -- it just wasn't working out for me.

Out of curiosity, I decided to try one in an old Gillette Gold Tech that I had sitting around and hadn't tried yet, and WOW! Maybe not BBS the first time around, but at least a DFS, and none of the irritation or nicks that I had been dealing with in my SS. I've been happily using the Feathers in the Gold Tech for the past two weeks, and have it to the point that I'm getting a BBS with virtually no irritation.

This got me to thinking that it sort of makes sense that the blades that your face "prefers" might very well depend on which razor you're using it in. So I'm wondering what all of your experiences are.

What are some of your favorite blade/razor combos? Have any of you had a blade work great in one razor, and horrible in another?

So far, the two combos that seem to work very well for me are Sharks in my SS, and Feathers in my Gold Tech.

Happy shaving,
Dan

 

[Sir Ronald]

Merkur HD - Astra SS or Treet Platinums
1920 Single Ring - Personna Red
1958 Flare Tip - Astra SP

 

[poppi]

Gillette New + Astra SP
Lord Smart + Shark SuperChrome
Parker 99r + Red Personna/Crystal

Actually I can interchange any of the above and do well. Just seems to be what I reach for together.

 

[DunEdinRanger]

I have noticed the same thing. Some of my razors prefer the Red Pack Personnas, others the Astras. The Barber Pole Open Comb definitely prefers Red Pack Personnas. While the Barber Pole Slant doesn't care too much if I feed it Astras, RP Personna's, Derby's or even the occasional Feather.

 

[saltypete]

Yep. I really like Feather blades but if I put one in my 30's Aristocrat or my #58 my shaves suck. I find that Astra's work better in those razors.

Pete

 

[TheRuckus13]

Derby in the HD, Gillette 7 O Clock Greens in the adjustable.

 

[PhatMan]

Dan,

Most of my DEs can seamlessly use any of my rotation blades (Feather, Russian Gillette 7'o Clock, Iridium Super); my Mulhle 109 however, really shines iwth the Iriidium Supers - an absolutley stunning shaving combo

Have fun !

Best regards

Russ

 

[DFrancis]

I find that Astra SPs are great in my Superspeed but not as much in my Merkur, it performs better with a Red IP.

 

[dpm802]

I use Feathers exclusively in my 39C Sledgehammer Slant.

Derby goes in the 34G HD when I want a gentle shave.

Astra-SP in my MerGress, when I want a variable.

Iridium Super goes in my Futur, but I rarely use it anymore.



Sometimes, I cross over blades into other razors, just to experiment, or if I'm too lazy to look for the right one. But the above are my default combos, and these account for about 95% of my shaving.

 

[miamimoe]

I continue to be amazed at how blades perform in different razors. Yesterday, as part of the ongoing blade experiment, I used a Shark chrome in a Gillette black handled adjustable set on 3 for first pass and 4 for passes 2 and 3. A little rough with some moderate razor burn. Today, same blade in a flare tip superspeed, and I think I have found my magic combo. A very easy, smooth 3 pass BBS with the obligatory extra jawline pass and chin buff. Shark chromes and a backup flare tip are now on the shopping list. I am starting to believe that if you have a decent slick lather, that the blade/razor combination is the fulcrum of DE shaving.

 

[Saltchuck]

I prefer Red Packs in my Gillette Long Comb New and Merkur 34C. I prefer Derbys in my Gillette Ball End Nickel Tech, Gillette Rocket, and Merkur 23C.

One time I tried a Swede in my LC New, and didn't like it. I switched the same blade to the Tech and ended up getting 18 great shaves from it.

My theory is that the Swedes and the Derbys are sharper and do better in milder razors. On the other hand, the Red Packs are smoother and work better for me in more aggressive razors. YMMV.

 

[pauls51]

I almost use feather 99% of time nowadays..

Prior I would only use the feather with Superspeeds / OC Gillettes, whilst the adjustables would be loaded with either a Gillette Yellow, Personna or Iridium.

 

[chsreason37]

I use Feathers exclusively in my 39C Sledgehammer Slant.

+1

I also exclusively used red personnas in my merkur 34c

 

[solar]

Its very interesting that you should post this. I find that each of my DE razors does a bit differently depending on the blade. I can put a Gillette 7 o'clock (green packet) in my JE Chatsworth and the same blade in my Merkur Futur, and the Futur will shave better. Put a Feather in the Chatsworth and it shaves better than the Futur in my case.

With all of the blades available and the ensuing permutations, it would take some time to cycle through every combo, but I certainly do notice a difference between the same blade in different razors.

 

[DE Shaver]

I tend to different blades in my Futur but 3 specific blades for my 39C. The Future seems to shave decently with most blades, while the 39C gave give me better shaves with certain blades. I would hazard to guess the slant head is largely responsible for amplifying blade differences.