I realized that I had been using other forums to keep notes on my blade and razor combinations, so I am creating this journal to assist with my new adventure into DE shaving. I plan to log all gear/products used so I can review them easily here, then decide on new combinations. Most here are well on their journey and have found their most effective setups, so my quest begins here.
For today's shave, I used the following:
Preshave: Proraso Blue
Soap: Speick
Brush: Omega boar
Razor: Henson AL13+ (with heavier aftermarket handle)
Blade: Shark Platinum (1)
Postshave: Alum block, Dickinson's WH
Aftershave: Aqua Velva Ice Blue
Generally speaking, this blade ranks very high on my list after the first use. No idea on longevity for this one, but I found the blade feel to be exceptionally smooth and the irritation level very low. Being a newbie, and very enamored with this new hobby, I often push for the perfect, glassy BBS feeling on my face and neck, so I tend to push with more passes and buffing than I should, primarily on my neck. While this blade may not be as efficient as a Nacet, the extra passes/buffing did not result in the burn that other blades have given me on my neck. I can obtain perfect BBS on my cheeks with no issues.
Aqua Velva Ice blue is my standard for measuring post-shave burn (as well as Fine American Blend), and the feedback was about a 5, so very good. I am also very pleased with the post shave feeling as I write this about two hours after my shave. I really like Russian Gillette blades, but have been looking for cheaper blade options, as well as ones that may not have availability issues in the future. The Shark Platinums certainly seem to check these boxes so far.
Speaking of cheaper options that surprised me, I put these Sharks in the same grouping as Treet 7 Days Platinum, Suneko, Lord Cool, India Wilkinson Sword and Treet Kings. The Kings didn't "wow" me as much as the others, but a very serviceable blade with above average results that I was happy with.
Just as a baseline, I consider these the top-tier blades that I have used so far which provide the sharpness and smoothness combo that I am looking for:
Gillette Platinum
GSB
Nacet
Permasharp
Suneko
Wizamet SI
Gillette 7 O'clock Black
Gillette 7 O'clock Yellows (Russia)
Rapira Platinum Lux
Personna Lab Blue
German Wilkinson Sword
India Wilkinson Sword
Personna Viking's Sword
Astra SP (Russia)
Astra SS (Russia)
Personna Red German
Personna Israeli Red
Personna Crystal
Treet 7 Days Platinum
Lord Cool
Dorco Prime
I have only one recent experience with Feathers, which was fine, but I am scared of them, LOL. I prefer a blade that will not punish me as bad if I make a small slip. Feathers are in a league of their own, but I will only be using one when I have ample time to concentrate on the shave, and when I just feel like changing things up.
I am really enjoying this journey so far. I welcome any suggestions or validations that other members may provide. This shaving community is great!!!
For today's shave, I used the following:
Preshave: Proraso Blue
Soap: Speick
Brush: Omega boar
Razor: Henson AL13+ (with heavier aftermarket handle)
Blade: Shark Platinum (1)
Postshave: Alum block, Dickinson's WH
Aftershave: Aqua Velva Ice Blue
Generally speaking, this blade ranks very high on my list after the first use. No idea on longevity for this one, but I found the blade feel to be exceptionally smooth and the irritation level very low. Being a newbie, and very enamored with this new hobby, I often push for the perfect, glassy BBS feeling on my face and neck, so I tend to push with more passes and buffing than I should, primarily on my neck. While this blade may not be as efficient as a Nacet, the extra passes/buffing did not result in the burn that other blades have given me on my neck. I can obtain perfect BBS on my cheeks with no issues.
Aqua Velva Ice blue is my standard for measuring post-shave burn (as well as Fine American Blend), and the feedback was about a 5, so very good. I am also very pleased with the post shave feeling as I write this about two hours after my shave. I really like Russian Gillette blades, but have been looking for cheaper blade options, as well as ones that may not have availability issues in the future. The Shark Platinums certainly seem to check these boxes so far.
Speaking of cheaper options that surprised me, I put these Sharks in the same grouping as Treet 7 Days Platinum, Suneko, Lord Cool, India Wilkinson Sword and Treet Kings. The Kings didn't "wow" me as much as the others, but a very serviceable blade with above average results that I was happy with.
Just as a baseline, I consider these the top-tier blades that I have used so far which provide the sharpness and smoothness combo that I am looking for:
Gillette Platinum
GSB
Nacet
Permasharp
Suneko
Wizamet SI
Gillette 7 O'clock Black
Gillette 7 O'clock Yellows (Russia)
Rapira Platinum Lux
Personna Lab Blue
German Wilkinson Sword
India Wilkinson Sword
Personna Viking's Sword
Astra SP (Russia)
Astra SS (Russia)
Personna Red German
Personna Israeli Red
Personna Crystal
Treet 7 Days Platinum
Lord Cool
Dorco Prime
I have only one recent experience with Feathers, which was fine, but I am scared of them, LOL. I prefer a blade that will not punish me as bad if I make a small slip. Feathers are in a league of their own, but I will only be using one when I have ample time to concentrate on the shave, and when I just feel like changing things up.
I am really enjoying this journey so far. I welcome any suggestions or validations that other members may provide. This shaving community is great!!!