Finding the Grail... well the blade actually

[Rickpa]

Into my second week of DE shaving with my Rockwell C6, and I have been wrestling with a 100 pack of Personna blues. My shaves with the Rockwell blades that came with the razor are fine, as they appear to be a mild blade, but I have tried 4 Personna blades, and they can be quite mean.

Using the #1 plate, a setting most people find to be mild to the point of uselessness, I managed to get a weeper... and that's being as careful as I can! I did manage to get a decent shave with a mild burn. I guess I can use these blades after all! Well... just because I can doesn't mean that I want to!

So what do you think I do next?

Let's try a Feather!!!!!!

Well... it was a Feather on the #1 plate, and I know this is a blade that one MUST treat with respect, but I also think it will inform my Personna blue experience a little better. Guess what? I had a decent shave, though the #1 plate does demand a bit more time for touch up passes, but I had very little irritation from them, and zero weepers!

Tomorrow I plan on switching to what I expect to be my best pattern with whatever blades I finally settle on, and that's WTG & XTG passes using the #4 plate, then ATG and touch up with the #2 plate. Should there be trouble, I will jump back to #1, but I sense that it will be okay.

I did contact Personna about these blades earlier this last week, and their response was prompt and positive. This made me really want to give their blades a proper trial before I write them off. Do you think I simply got a bad run, or could they be the wrong blades for me? The adventure continues!

 

[ackvil]

Some blades just don't hack it for certain shavers. For me, the Rockwell blades are terrible while Personna are my favorites. In a few months, as you develop your technique your preference in blades may change, too.

 

[ccpastork]

Some blades just don't hack it for certain shavers. For me, the Rockwell blades are terrible while Personna are my favorites. In a few months, as you develop your technique your preference in blades may change, too.

+1
Personna’s are my go to blade also.

 

[xxvaleria]

I find that most blades work well in some razors and not in others. Keep your Personnas to try in a different razor--you might be pleasantly surprised by them.

 

[Graybeard57]

I find that most blades work well in some razors and not in others. Keep your Personnas to try in a different razor--you might be pleasantly surprised by them.

Agree^.

 

[GearNoir]

To be fair it is only your second week. It could be just as much needed refinement of technique. Welcome and keep at it!

 

[ShavingPanda]

When I started I hated Derby and Astra, but really liked Bic. Until I tried Gillette Silver Blues. After a year or so, I have gone back and tried some of the blades I previously had with mixed success. Just tried Gillette Nacet and love them.

My recommendation, get a mixer pack of blades that cover a wide range. Try one type for 2-3 blades and focus on technique. Then try another blade for a few. Usually a blade lasts me about a week with 4 to 6 shaves.

 

[Rickpa]

I am considering vintage adjustables like the Gillette Slim and Fat Boys. From what I have read, a Feather Model AS-D2 coupled with Feather blades might also do the trick. There are many possibilities, but I need to study further. I do like the idea of adjustable razors which can compensate for my technique deficiencies and blade variables. As I said in the opening post, we'll see how well I can handle a Feather on a middle setting tomorrow.

 

[Rickpa]

To be fair it is only your second week. It could be just as much needed refinement of technique. Welcome and keep at it!

I guess that's why YMMV is an axiom on these forums! Everyone's technique and face contours are so variable. My technique will never be great because I have a nice familiar tremor going on which means that I need to use enough pressure on my face to steady the razor. So when I do it right, it's an achievement!

 

[Invicta]

Everyone's technique and face contours are so variable. My technique will never be great because I have a nice familiar tremor going on which means that I need to use enough pressure on my face to steady the razor. So when I do it right, it's an achievement!

Welcome to B&B.
Concentrate on the technique and lather rather than the blades and you will achieve good shaves. If you have to use pressure the #1 or #2 plate would be the ones to stick with moving up to #3 or #4 as your technique improves. I am not familiar with the Personna blades but they seem to have a good following. Anything from the PPI stable are worth trying especially Gillette Silver Blue, Astra SP, Gillette 7 O'Clock SharpEdge.

 

[tipster_621]

I tried a Personna Lab Blue and thought it was a bit too rough. Personna Reds are my go to blade - love'em!

 

[Ricksplace]

As your technique improves, try blades again that you formerly found unacceptable.
I tried a Supermax Platinum Plus (a blade that was poor in different razors) in a new-to-me black beauty for a surprisingly smooth and irritation free dfs. I actually opened the razor mid-shave to see if I hadn't slipped an Astra SP in there.

 

[BigJ]

To be fair it is only your second week. It could be just as much needed refinement of technique. Welcome and keep at it!

+1! Keep the Personnas (very good blades for me), your tastes may change with experience and/or your razor choice.

 

[Rickpa]

Did a Feather today on #4 with cleanup on #2, and managed to avoid nicks. I did get a mile burn. I'll keep the blade in my razor for a couple of shaves, then try a Personna with the same care and see how she does.

 

[alex2363]

To be fair it is only your second week. It could be just as much needed refinement of technique. Welcome and keep at it!

True

 

[Macfrommichigan]

I guess that's why YMMV is an axiom on these forums! Everyone's technique and face contours are so variable. My technique will never be great because I have a nice familiar tremor going on which means that I need to use enough pressure on my face to steady the razor. So when I do it right, it's an achievement!

Okay. My better half has similar issues. She can't write anything until she has had a small cocktail. Not suggesting a Bloody Mary before shaving, but....

A post war Gillette Tech and a Feather razor will shave about the same, BTW.

 

[Rickpa]

I have procured an array, from sharp to mild blades, to test. Now the fun begins in earnest!

 

[GearNoir]

Enjoy! Give each at least a week or so I say.

 

[J-MN]

As some others have said, it's probably too soon to totally write off the Personna Blues. I would just put them away and re-visit them in a few months.

I will say that I like Personna Israeli Reds a lot more than the Blues. IMO, they are smoother and more forgiving. The Reds are my favorite blade.

 

[Rickpa]

I opened a pack of Lord Chrome blades, and it was a pleasant an effective shave using the #4 plate on my Rockwell 6C.

I just received my 1956 Gillette Tech, and tomorrow I plan on trying it with a Personna blue. I am amazed at the good conditioned it is in for $15!

I also have a Phoenix bakelite slant on the way, as well as a dial adjustable.