Ideal razor+blade pairings? What are your favorites?

[weshofmann]

After using DE razors for a while, I've arrived at a conclusion that I'd love your opinions on. People always try to rate DE razors and rate DE razor blades by themselves, but I'm more and more of the opinion that one must rate them WITH each other. In other words, in the same way that a good Malbec (red wine) isn't truly delicious until you pair it with a rare or medium rare steak, certain razors don't really show their true colors until you use them with specific razor blades.

For myself, I have found that my Gillette Red Tip, while always a good shaver, isn't spectacular until I pair it with either Shark Super Chrome blades or Bluebird Blades.

Further, one could probably argue that certain razors/blades work better/worse with certain creams/soaps than they do others, regardless of the quality of the soap or cream. For myself, my go-to combination when I want to be _assured_ of a wonderful, smooth, pain-free, irritation-free shave is my Gillette Red Tip + Shark Super Chromes + Arko shave stick. I'm not thrilled by the smell of Arko, but with that razor+blade combination, it works unbelievably well. Honestly, I'd probably use Arko more often if I didn't feel guilty about spending all the money I have on "good" creams and soaps.

So, to recap, the best pairings I have found:

Razor + Blade = Gillette Red Tip SS + Shark Super Chrome

Razor + Blade + Soap/Cream = Gillette Red Tip SS + Shark Super Chrome + Arko Shavestick

So, what do you guys think? What pairings seem to work best for you? If you had a friend who was already a DE shaver but was bored with his routine, what razor+blades or razor+blades+cream would you recommend they try first?

 

[bonusmarple]

I haven't found a razor that didn't work well with an Iridium, SE, or Perma-sharp Super. My current favorite is the British NEW.

 

[SUMMERSRL]

Fatboy, Gillette Yellows, Tabac soap. I don't know that it gets any better than that.....

 

[ShaveAddict]

So far the best for me is HD/Feather.

 

[barneyb]

49 Super Speed + Feather
56 Red Tip + Crystal
Merkur HD + Iridium

I have not dialed in the soap/cream combo just yet. Making slow and steady progress.

 

[buddydog]

I use Derby's in all my razors.

 

[weshofmann]

49 Super Speed + Feather
56 Red Tip + Crystal

So, I'm still unable to keep this straight in my head... Crystals are the Israeli Personnas that come in the really small, square, packs of 100, right? If so, yes, excellent blades!

 

[Pike]

Fatboy at #4 or British New-Feathers/Blubirds-Coates

 

[Joker]

Gillette Red Tip SS Astras.

 

[spinyeel]

Gem Personna Stainless blade and Gem 1912 razor. Or just about any Gem razor really.

 

[Andy]

Fatboy + anything
It doesn't get any better

 

[redbike]

Anything with a Swede.

Other than that, some of my best combinations are:

Fatboy w/Sharpedge or Bluebird blade
TV SS w/Feather blade
NDC SS w/Derby blade
Tuckaway w/Astra Superior or Red Pack Personna blade

 

[rainman]

Yes that is correct. They also have a packaging that says Crystal.

So, I'm still unable to keep this straight in my head... Crystals are the Israeli Personnas that come in the really small, square, packs of 100, right? If so, yes, excellent blades!

 

[Coolbreeze]

I'm new to this forum, but not new to DE shaving. I like to pair Israeli Personnas with my Gillette Superspeed and Fatboy, while I've recently re-discovered how nice Merkur blades go with my Progress.

 

[Rufust445]

Gillette Super Adjustable with either a Shark Super Stainless

or a Treet Durasharp Classic.

Schick Krona with a Gillette 7o'clock SharpEdge (yellow).

Gillette Slim Adjustable with a Dorco ST-301 worked great in travel mode this holiday weekend.

 

[moonshine44]

My 1959 Blue Tip and a Feather
1962 Slim and Red Pack
Red Tip and 7 O'clock green

Slim + Red Pack + Mama Bear's or Honeybee Spa soap is shaving paradise...

 

[DonOhio]

Red Tip w/new Derby. Probably the closest I've had yet, but you gotta pay attention.

 

[weshofmann]

Red Tip w/new Derby. Probably the closest I've had yet, but you gotta pay attention.

That's a really nice pair. I used Derbys with my Red Tip for a long time, but recently discovered the Shark Super Chromes for about the same price. I think they're a little smoother and seem to glide on my skin a little better. You should definitely try it out!

 

[DonOhio]

Out of Derby's now so will do, thanks for the tip!

 

[weshofmann]

Out of Derby's now so will do, thanks for the tip!

No problem. Hope it helps!

Oh, one other to try with the Red Tips... the next blade I'm moving on to once my Sharks are done is Bluebirds. If the one bluebird blade I used in my Red Tip is any indicator, it might be a good combo as well.