Forgiving blades? WTH?

[SUNA]

I don't get it...how can one blade cut you while another one won't. If you are using the exact same technique they should both shave properly. What am I missing? I understand some blades may be sharper than others. I keep reading about some blades being more forgiving...makes zero sense to me.

I have been wet shaving since 1986 and started DE shaving last week (Merkur 1904, Iridium blades, Castle Forbes) and I have had zero issues with cuts. If anything I found that the DE does not provide a BBS as much as my cartridge did (Sensor). I could do a 2 pass shave (WTG and ATG) with a Sensor and walk away with an ultra BBS. On my 3rd pass (ATG) now I found that a new Sensor cartridge is sharper than an Iridium. I'm sure I'll grow into getting the BBS again.

That brings me back to my whole point, how can a Feather cut me up when an Iridium has not? I think I have very course stubble and find the Iridium "jumping" versus cutting right through. I am planning on trying a Feather this weekend.

 

[raisindot]

Whoa, nellie there! Whole lotta skepticism in one package.

DE brand aside, it is quite possible you'll get better shaves with a cartridge at first than with your DE. Why? Because you're most used to using a cartridge, and therefore have the technique "down" so it gives you consistent results. You can get a BBS smooth because you can scrape your face like an icy window in February and you won't get cut up.

Try that with a DE and you'll be intensive care after a few minutes.

Successful DE shaving is really all about technique. It's about doing a good prep beforehand (yea, Kyle's prep seems like a lot of metro psychobabble, but you know what? It really does work), having a good layer of cream or soap on your face, and then, most importantly, making sure you're holding the razor the right way with the right angle and applying just the right amount of pressure.

Even if you do it right, a DE shave rarely gets the job done in one pass. You do need to devote time to it. You may need 2-3 full passes and some touchups. The problem with this, particularly as you're starting, is that this can increase irritation and risk of cuts, particularly if you're using the sharper blades.

And, yes, it is possible for certain blades to be more "cut-worthy" than others. Feathers, while incredibly sharp and smooth, always leave a bunch of weepers no matter how light I'm with it. Irridiums are nearly as sharp and occasionally cause a weeper but not nearly as often. Different blades are manufactured differently and have different coating and stuff that make them different.

I would say that most people here don't do DE solely because we think we get closer shaves with it. I think it's more about the whole DE shaving experience, which is something you really can't rush. It's not convenient, it's not fast, but it's enjoyable if consider the journey to be as important as the destination.

Jeff in Boston

 

[Chester]

I would say that most people here don't do DE solely because we think we get closer shaves with it. I think it's more about the whole DE shaving experience, which is something you really can't rush. It's not convenient, it's not fast, but it's enjoyable if consider the journey to be as important as the destination.

I'll echo Jeff's points on what makes certain blades more forgiving -- there are differences in edge profiles and coatings that can make one blade less likely to nick you than another.

For my part, I was never able to shave every day without razor burn until I started with the DE, and using better lather. Yes, it takes more time, and the rituals and fragrances are nice, but now I can shave every day and not worry about looking sunburned. So IMHO it's about being better-groomed and having a neater appearance more than the 20-30 minutes of enjoyment I might get on the road to looking nicer.
-- Chet

 

[aimsport]

(Merkur 1904, Iridium blades, Castle Forbes)

That's quite the combo. Solid choices.

What you may find, as I did, is that your BBS will always take more time to achieve with a DE. However, your skin will be much better off than with a multi-blade cartridge, ingrown hairs will plummet to zero, and the 5'oclock shadow will come much much later.

Keep it up. It certainly sounds like your off to a solid start, and with a healthy skepticism... I needed convincing too... The results convinced me.

 

[DE Shaver]

I don't get it...how can one blade cut you while another one won't. If you are using the exact same technique they should both shave properly.

The supposition here is that all blades are created equal, when in fact they are not. Just like different tire designs behave differently on the road for wet, dry and snowy conditions, so will blades when it comes to their manufacture and honing. Additionally, a blade with coatings will be smoother than one without coatings. Cartridge shaving is relatively simple when compared to using a DE or straight razor. If you expect to achieve BBS shaves after about a week of DE shaving, you have high expectations indeed.

 

[Rocketeer]

...how can one blade cut you while another one won't. If you are using the exact same technique they should both shave properly.

Not so! The only thing that is "standard" about DE blades are their general physical size so that they will fit razors made to standard.

Other than that, there is a HUGE variance in what the blades are made of (you can even still purchase carbon steel blades), what they are coated with (which among other things affects "smoothness), and to a degree, their "flexibility" is affected by the hardening and sharpening processes.

Technique is very important. Mastering it allows you to compare unlike items. Much like using different golf clubs, an identical swing with a 4-iron is doing to produce a very different result than the same swing with a 9-iron!

---

 

[SUNA]

To clarify, as mentioned above, I am sure I will get find my technique with a DE and overtime will get a BBS again.

Just couldn't get my around certain blades being forgiving. Rocketeer's post made total sense to me. Thanks for the clarification.

aimsport...thanks. I'll post a picture of everything I acquired to begin DE shaving. I'm an idiot.

 

[TheChefs]

It could also be the iridiums, the ones I got from eBay don't work for me. They skip like you have mentioned. I gravitate towards sharper blades, since I've sensitive skin and course beard.

From the blades I've tried I prefer red pack Israeli personas, followed by astra sp and feathers. The last 2 leave a little irritation while personas arethe best for me. I've just ordered various Russian and Indian gillette blades to sample and see how they compare.