First shave with a Derby

[chrislols]

Whats up guys, I recently had my first DE Shave and my setup was like this.

First I took a hot shower, and than I lathered up with some D.R. Harris Almond Shaving cream which I have to admit was very rich and luxurious. Afterwards I loaded up my new Merkur 33C with a Derby blade and took it slow.

I had read HUNDREDS of B&B pages, and watched everyone of Mantic Videos multiple times . I had the most incredible, close shave of my life and I was quite happy after two passes. I plan to use this blade till I feel it starting to tug, and than I'm probably going to get a Red Pack Personna a try. My only question is, is I read one of the ways to tell if a blade is wrong for you is any nicks. After my shave I didn't have any irritation or nicks, BUT I did have a small needle-sized (almost a scratch) mark, I guess you could call it a nick though it wasn't really -bleeding-. Is that just me being new to the art, or could it be the blade?

I imagine it's more or less me being new to DE shaving after switching from a Cartridge and a can of goo! .

I figure I'll use it until I think it's ready to change and see if it seems like my technique or change blade brands.

What do you think?

(Sorry for the long post! )

Thanks alot!

 

[Huxley]

I found derby blades to be the same i jumped up to astra superior blades and found them to have far less drag and were sharper i would suggest these as a good step up from derby's, after that iridium super blades or gillette yellow 7 oclock blades after that.

Remember small steps if you jump to a sharp blade now you might end up making things worse, though for me the astras actually worked out better.

A needle sized scratch, that would probably be down to your technique, don't use any pressure just let the blade glide over your skin, i've had similar nicks from altering the razor whilst in use so try not to do this, just go slow and steady until you learn your face.

As for knowing if a blade isn't for you, i just knew right away the derby blades weren't for me, they tugged and weren't sharp enough but if they work for you then id say stick with them, leave one or two derby blades go when the personna blades arrive you may wind up hating the things, least you'll have some spares should the worst happen.

 

[curtis909]

Get a sample pack if you can there are some really nice blades out there. Enjoy the ride.

 

[njpaddy]

You can get a nick with any blade so I don't use that to judge. Besides, it's usually technique and not the blade. Derby blades are probably the most forgiving of lapses in technique. Two things I use to judge a blade are irritation afterwards and how much touch up is required after my main passes. I've used a number blades and prefer the IP Reds and Derbys. My goal is always a consistent, decent shave and I get it from these two.