My experience with the Derby Blade today. I gave them a shot, thanks a lot Scott!
I didn't change my shave soap(despite getting a package of Omega Cream and Taylors Sandalwood today) so that I would not change another variable. I lathered up with my Will G soap and am still using my Merkur Long Classic. I did 3 passes, with grain, across grain, and against grain. I could definately feel more drag with the razor as I went against the grain. I nicked myself about as much as I did with the Merkur blade I tried originally(quite a few small nicks), but the results were really nice. It was a much closer shave than with the Israeli blades. If I had to rank a closeness of shave with 10 being the closest, I'd give the Israelis about a 6 and the Derby/Merkur about an 8-9. Everything just feels so smooth. I just don't know why I'm nicking myself so much with this and the Merkur blades. I know the nicks are coming on the against the grain pass(there was no blood before that) when using the Derby/Merkur. With the Israeli, it feels so smooth and doesn't drag at all, I could probably do 10 passes if I wanted to with no irritation/nicks.
I guess the Derby/Merkurs are sharper than the Israeli, and that extra sharpness is resulting in much better results, but much more blood. Any advice from people who have gone through similar situations? Also, is it common for most people to nick themselves the first time they use a blade(or does that problem fade after you get more experience?). Thanks guys, and wow, my face feels so nice!
I didn't change my shave soap(despite getting a package of Omega Cream and Taylors Sandalwood today) so that I would not change another variable. I lathered up with my Will G soap and am still using my Merkur Long Classic. I did 3 passes, with grain, across grain, and against grain. I could definately feel more drag with the razor as I went against the grain. I nicked myself about as much as I did with the Merkur blade I tried originally(quite a few small nicks), but the results were really nice. It was a much closer shave than with the Israeli blades. If I had to rank a closeness of shave with 10 being the closest, I'd give the Israelis about a 6 and the Derby/Merkur about an 8-9. Everything just feels so smooth. I just don't know why I'm nicking myself so much with this and the Merkur blades. I know the nicks are coming on the against the grain pass(there was no blood before that) when using the Derby/Merkur. With the Israeli, it feels so smooth and doesn't drag at all, I could probably do 10 passes if I wanted to with no irritation/nicks.
I guess the Derby/Merkurs are sharper than the Israeli, and that extra sharpness is resulting in much better results, but much more blood. Any advice from people who have gone through similar situations? Also, is it common for most people to nick themselves the first time they use a blade(or does that problem fade after you get more experience?). Thanks guys, and wow, my face feels so nice!