First shave is the roughest

[PWS1]

Ok, so I've only been shaving with a DE for about a week now, but I have tried two different razors (vintage Gillette NEW and a RazoRock Classic TTO) and three different blades (Wilkenson Sword - Germany, Derby Extra Super SS and Dollar Generals) and the first shave with a new blade always seems to be the roughest. Subsequent shaves seem to be smoother and I don't get as many weepers. It this just me or have others experienced the same thing?

 

[tiernan22]

I would completely agree. We all know that a fresh blade is at it's sharpest and progressively degrades from there. When I first started, I looked forward to the 3rd and 4th shave before I pitched it. I've heard of some gentlemen around there that run their blade a couple times through a cork to take some of the "edge" off (no pun intended). I've never done that myself, however, as my technique improved the discrepancy between that first shave and the third narrowed considerably.

Blades can also make a big difference. Early on, I tried Crystals and Bic's. They worked pretty well and gave me that "third shave" feel. I'll balance that with encouraging you to stick to one setup for at least 30 consecutive shaves before you start branching out!

 

[MikeGJ]

Derby has always been a bit rough on the first shave, for me.

I started "palm stropping" Derbys to take the bite out of the first shave. Some folks "cork" blades for the same reason.

The German Wilks work fine, for me from the first shave on. Didn't like the DG blades at all, no recollection about the first shave, IIRC, I thought they were just dull and tuggy.

I stopped using Derbys when I found other blades that didn't bite as much on the first shave, without requiring palm stropping or corking. (Red Personnas, Lords, Sharks, Wilks, Astra SP, Polsilver SI).

YMMV, so try a variety of blades!

 

[Oldschool]

Definately agree. For me, the second and third shaves on a blade are the best. I also agree with the advice to stick with one razor until you get your technique down.

 

[GencoOliveOilCompany]

My first shave was with a Merkur Futur set to 5 with a Merkur blade. Yes, after some minor reconstructive surgery (and a different razor and blade) the shaves improved. My goodness, those first shaves were a nightmare even when the beast was dialed down to 1.

 

[Ron Scott]

I think you need more than a week of shaving to generalize about things like this. I personally don't find the first shave to be consistently better or worse than the second or third.

 

[PWS1]

Ron,
While it has not been DE shaving, I have been wet shaving for a little over two decades. The feel of a blade on my face is not a new sensation; therefore, I am able to notice the difference between one blade and the next.

 

[Chadao]

I had some problems with Personna Blues a while back, first shave. But I think it might have been a bad batch. I have a box of 100 now and it is in my rotation. Otherwise, I have never run into a real rough blade...wait, I did too not long ago with a Kai. I couldn't even finish the shave so I am PIF the remaining 4 and some other blades I won't use...just for the folks who happened across the Kai blade thread.

 

[Hardik]

It really depends (YMMY),some blades are smooth from the first till the last and some get smoother over time.
The 7'oclock blacks(indian) that I they are also smoother on the second shave.

Tipre shave oil always helps


EDIT : I love Whisker Whacker ,Thanks !

 

[Cholli]

I think a rough blade can have several reasons. The blade can be "too" sharp, dull or she has debris on it. In a German shaving forum someone scanned Derby blades with a microscope and found some microscopically small cuttings on it. That might be a reason why especially the Derby blades are always so rough for the first shave.

 

[Eeyore]

I think you need more than a week of shaving to generalize about things like this. I personally don't find the first shave to be consistently better or worse than the second or third.

The Gillette patents description for teflon coated blades describes that the excess coating is removed during the first shave with a new blade. Once the excess coating is removed, the blade will be smoother.

Some manufactures may include an extra step to remove excess coating after baking? In my experience, Personna and Astra blades are a bit rough on the first shave indeed, probably due to the coating having to wear off.

 

[mblakele]

The Gillette patents description for teflon coated blades describes that the excess coating is removed during the first shave with a new blade. Once the excess coating is removed, the blade will be smoother.

Some manufactures may include an extra step to remove excess coating after baking? In my experience, Personna and Astra blades are a bit rough on the first shave indeed, probably due to the coating having to wear off.

I agree, and there was a later patent describing ways to remove excess coating. But I am not sure if that one was ever put into use. From what I can Gillette cartridge blades now receive a "telomer" coating directly, rather than sintering PTFE to produce a telomer layer. With that treatment there should be little or no excess. Maybe someday DE blades will get that treatment too?

Here is an Astra edge before the first shave, then jeans-stropped after 5 shaves.



I believe the dark band near the edge is sintered PTFE. On the used edge it looks smoother, and it has probably been pushed away from the ultimate edge. Manufacturing also varies quite a bit. Here are two unused Gillette T4 (1973) Spoiler blades from the same pack, made about 10 years after Gillette first began to use sintered PTFE coatings. The dark band is visibly different on each, and the second blade appears to have much more overspray. The grinds also appear to be more different than one might expect.



The effect of these coatings on shaving is disputed, especially after several shaves. Some say it has no effect after the first few strokes, but I think it continues to reduce FTC. My present thinking is that we perceive a used blade as "dull" when it requires increased FTC, whether through edge damage or worn or obscured coatings. We perceive "rough" when there is too much variation in FTC: any combination of an irregular edge, shave residue, and uneven coatings.

My gallery has quite a few more of these images: http://badgerandblade.com/gallery/s...ds[]=keywords&fields[]=description&catids[]=0

 

[tiernan22]

Ladies and gentlemen, *that's* why mblakele has a ShaveWiki badge....

 

[Eeyore]

Ladies and gentlemen, *that's* why mblakele has a ShaveWiki badge....

I am very grateful for the numerous contributions on razor blades and coatings he has posted on this forum!

 

[PWS1]

johant,

As a new member, I didn't realize this had been explained previously. I was not looking for an alternative explanation. However, thanks for the reminder to search the archives before asking questions...

 

[Eeyore]

johant,

As a new member, I didn't realize this had been explained previously. I was not looking for an alternative explanation. However, thanks for the reminder to search the archives before asking questions...

No, my remark was much too harsh ... my apology!

 

[tiernan22]

johant,

As a new member, I didn't realize this had been explained previously. I was not looking for an alternative explanation. However, thanks for the reminder to search the archives before asking questions...

Simply a tip of the cap to the expertise that fills these forums. No question around here is irrelevant!

 

[PWS1]

No, my remark was much too harsh ... my apology!

No apology necessary. I didn't find your remark harsh; I was just explaining the reason for my post. All is well...

 

[Niles]

No question around here is irrelevant!

Exactly.

 

[technoboy]

Am I the only one who has 'no clue' looking at the microscopic pictures of a blade...