OK so I'm in my 3rd week of wet shaving and so far I love it....only thing is, I still can't find any differences in the blades I am using. Of course there are blades I found I will never use again, but the decent ones I've used have ALL BEEN THE SAME. I haven't tried feather, Personna, or any of the real sharp blades yet because I'm still considered a newbie. I'm in the military and have to shave every morning before work, but I'm finding with the blades that have no difference in feel or shave won't keep me looking like I shaved for a period of 12-14 hours.. it looks like I need to shave again! Can anyone reccomend what I should try or a blade that they reccomend cause I'm really having trouble choosing the best blade!!! Thanks for your time!
Having Trouble with picking a blade
- Thread starter AndrewLyons4
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The best blade thing is definitely YMMV. What's best for you will most likely not be the best for someone else. That said, I really like Polsilver SIs, Gillette Silver Blues, Feathers and Astra SPs. I also use different blades in different razors. For example, I've found that Polsilvers are best in my Weber polished, while the GSBs seem to have been made for my Gillette NEW. And because I'm sadistic, I only use Feathers in my Muhle R41. Remember you're only three weeks in. Give it some time and allow your technique to improve and you'll find what's right for you.
- Thread starter
- #3
I really appreciate it man! Yeah I've already got 3 razors in 3 weeks...still trying to figure out the right blade.... I guess we will see sooner or later... I finally found my favorite razor... The Merkur Futur is legit..def my favorite so far... I have the Edwin Jagger DE89L which is nice....also have the Merkur HD....but the futur just doesn''t compare....I do like the Astra though...got anything else to suggest man.. let me know!
I use my EJ DE89L with Super Iridiums. Very nice shave! Sharp and smooth blade.
Sounds like you have a problem with your technique, just as I had. If you are shaving properly you WILL notice a difference between blades. You have not mentioned the blades you have tried so I can't help you to explain why you experience the lack of a close shave.
From my experience I started off with Derbys to learn on the proper technique, but they were not that good and gave me razor burn and bumps. I have since tried other blades and finally settled on the Gillette sharp edge (Yellow blades). You might want to try the Gillette super stainless (Green russian blades) that are a notch down in terms of sharpness from the yellows but are just as smooth. I wish I had tried sharper blades when I started because with duller blades you tend to use more force and passes.
I use a EJ89 too if that helps, and good luck! Best advice I can give to you is to buy a blade sampler pack and stick to one razor.
Andrew, at only 3 weeks in, your technique is so variable it's masking the blade differences. Your changing razors at this point isn't helping matters either.
My suggestion: pick ONE razor, ONE blade, ONE brush, ONE soap/cream and stick with those alone for 3 more weeks, concentrating on improving your technique with every shave, before you change anything. By that time you will have your technique nailed down pretty well. THEN it will be time to start experimenting with hardware and software to fine-tune your shave.
Right now you have a classic case of "Too much, too fast" syndrome. Back off and simplify, and you will progress much faster and more easily. Good luck!
My suggestion: pick ONE razor, ONE blade, ONE brush, ONE soap/cream and stick with those alone for 3 more weeks, concentrating on improving your technique with every shave, before you change anything. By that time you will have your technique nailed down pretty well. THEN it will be time to start experimenting with hardware and software to fine-tune your shave.
Right now you have a classic case of "Too much, too fast" syndrome. Back off and simplify, and you will progress much faster and more easily. Good luck!
- Thread starter
- #7
Thanks for the advice guys...well then again I'm gonna ask more and more from the vets..what kind of things on technique should I focus on? I feel like I'm doing everything right...to be honest for shaving for 3 weeks and only cutting myself once I thought I had it down, but I guess not....So what kind of things do I need to focus on or tips you guys might have?
Andrew, at only 3 weeks in, your technique is so variable it's masking the blade differences. Your changing razors at this point isn't helping matters either.
My suggestion: pick ONE razor, ONE blade, ONE brush, ONE soap/cream and stick with those alone for 3 more weeks, concentrating on improving your technique with every shave, before you change anything. By that time you will have your technique nailed down pretty well. THEN it will be time to start experimenting with hardware and software to fine-tune your shave.
Right now you have a classic case of "Too much, too fast" syndrome. Back off and simplify, and you will progress much faster and more easily. Good luck!
+1, Wingnut nailed it here.
Try going to mantic59 on YouTube for tutorial.I've recently (6 weeks ago) started DE shaving,but my technique has only got better since watching his vids.I also took the advice from other members and now use the same equipment to test blades.So far Gillette 7 o'clock's(yellow) are my favourite blades,but the search goes on .Good luck!
+1
Mantic videos are very good. And I believe that even experienced wet shavers should return to them occasionally; a bit of brushing up is never out of order.The only Personna blade I tried and didn't like was the Israeli Red. All the other flavors I tried were good for my skin. I like AsSPlats but they seem to wear a bit too quickly, some of them.
+1
I shaved this morning with the new R41 (2013) loaded with a Lab Blue blade at 9:00am it is now after 7:00pm, still smooth.
do a two or 3pass shave and unless you grow whiskers at the same rate Homer Simpson does I'd be surprised if you can't go at least 12 hours and look relatively clean shaven. of course as others have said here, ymmv. I know if I do a single with the grain pass I feel somewhat unshaven by lunch time and I do not have a heavy growth. doing a few more passes gives me a really smooth clean shave that easily lasts 12 hours.
also, as wingnut et al have mentioned, your technique is probably still not perfected yet. if you are not nicking yourself or getting razor burn that is great, I'd suggest go with and extra pass or two - first with the grain, then XTG (across the grain) - usually east/west and west/east (generally face only, not neck), then finish with ATG (against the grain - usually south/north on your face). necks are notoriously difficult to get super smooth and I don't try but I 'go for gold' when faceshaving.
very best of luck Andrew and welcome to B&B sir!
also, as wingnut et al have mentioned, your technique is probably still not perfected yet. if you are not nicking yourself or getting razor burn that is great, I'd suggest go with and extra pass or two - first with the grain, then XTG (across the grain) - usually east/west and west/east (generally face only, not neck), then finish with ATG (against the grain - usually south/north on your face). necks are notoriously difficult to get super smooth and I don't try but I 'go for gold' when faceshaving.
very best of luck Andrew and welcome to B&B sir!
I agree with wingnut wholeheartedly.(+2) Out of personal preference, I suggest Shark Super Chromes. They are midrange blades and may work well for you. As with wingnut's advice, settle your technique with one razor and one blade, then experiment with other blades. When you arrive there in a few weeks, try some of the vendors who offer sample packs; you can try a variety without spending and loading up a lot. Best of luck, and follow Mantic59.
Astra SP are great starter blades.
I'm blind sampling 20 different blades currently. One razor, one brush, and only two soaps. I picked up a DE only 3 months ago, but I shave everyday and have a solid technique down.
So SWMBO loads my razor with a random blade from a list she keeps hidden from me (even using a sharpie on logos where they may show). Tells me blade A is loaded and I keep a shaving journal ranking how keen, smooth, etc the blade is during the shave. I use one blade until it's done, and progress to blade B. I'm on G now and I'm thinking of taking a break to play with several new razors I got two weeks ago.
Don't rush the process, and enjoy the shave above all else.
I'm blind sampling 20 different blades currently. One razor, one brush, and only two soaps. I picked up a DE only 3 months ago, but I shave everyday and have a solid technique down.
So SWMBO loads my razor with a random blade from a list she keeps hidden from me (even using a sharpie on logos where they may show). Tells me blade A is loaded and I keep a shaving journal ranking how keen, smooth, etc the blade is during the shave. I use one blade until it's done, and progress to blade B. I'm on G now and I'm thinking of taking a break to play with several new razors I got two weeks ago.
Don't rush the process, and enjoy the shave above all else.
