I used an electric shaver for years, finally got fed up with it. Not a very comfortable shave, when I needed a new head, they either couldn't be found or almost as expensive as buying an entire new shaver. Decided I wasn't going down the cartridge razor road, so decided to give the single blade safety razor a go.
I did research on which razor, soap, and blades to get. Made some mistakes, but I think I am starting to figure out what works for me...
My first razor was a Viking Blade Godfather since it was highly recommended for beginners. Terrible shaves, lots of irritation and razor burn. I did more research, and found it is likely a cheap rebadged Chinese razor (or is the Chinese razor a knockoff?). Bought a Merkur 38C, it is a far better razor.
Soaps - I find white Proraso to be as good as anything I've tried. Michtells Wool Fat and Tabac are also very nice, but not sure if they are any better than Proraso. Williams Mug - eh, no.
Blades - Got a sampler pack off Amazon with 16 different blades: Derby Premium and Extra, Astra SS and SP, Shark Chrome and SS, Lord, Bolzano, Wilkensen Sword (German), Gillette Platinum, Personna blue (I think the Israeli ones), Treet Platinum, Voskhod, Durablade Sharp 7am, Feather, Dorca, plus included Viking Blade from the Godfather. I still have the Shark SS, Astra SS, Lord, Dorca, Feather, and Viking Blade to test.
I am a redhead with light, fine hair. I've found that so far all of the blades get the job done without too much trouble. The difference is the amount of irritation afterwards and the amount of feedback from the alum block.
The more irritating blades: Wilkensen Sword, Derby Extra, Shark chrome, Sharp 7am (especially irritating).
Ok blades: Astra SP, Derby Premium - these were the first 2, so I need to revisit them now that my technique has improved.
Good blades: Bolzano, Gillette Platinum, Personna, Treet Platinum
My favorite: Voskhod. My first shave had almost no feedback from the alum block, no irritation after wards.
I recently gave the Godfather another try, to see if was just my early technique. Nope, still irritating.
I currently have the Sharp 7am in the razor, just 1 shave with it. I suppose I'll pitch it, no point in continuing to experiment with a blade this irritating given I have plenty of others that work well.
I did research on which razor, soap, and blades to get. Made some mistakes, but I think I am starting to figure out what works for me...
My first razor was a Viking Blade Godfather since it was highly recommended for beginners. Terrible shaves, lots of irritation and razor burn. I did more research, and found it is likely a cheap rebadged Chinese razor (or is the Chinese razor a knockoff?). Bought a Merkur 38C, it is a far better razor.
Soaps - I find white Proraso to be as good as anything I've tried. Michtells Wool Fat and Tabac are also very nice, but not sure if they are any better than Proraso. Williams Mug - eh, no.
Blades - Got a sampler pack off Amazon with 16 different blades: Derby Premium and Extra, Astra SS and SP, Shark Chrome and SS, Lord, Bolzano, Wilkensen Sword (German), Gillette Platinum, Personna blue (I think the Israeli ones), Treet Platinum, Voskhod, Durablade Sharp 7am, Feather, Dorca, plus included Viking Blade from the Godfather. I still have the Shark SS, Astra SS, Lord, Dorca, Feather, and Viking Blade to test.
I am a redhead with light, fine hair. I've found that so far all of the blades get the job done without too much trouble. The difference is the amount of irritation afterwards and the amount of feedback from the alum block.
The more irritating blades: Wilkensen Sword, Derby Extra, Shark chrome, Sharp 7am (especially irritating).
Ok blades: Astra SP, Derby Premium - these were the first 2, so I need to revisit them now that my technique has improved.
Good blades: Bolzano, Gillette Platinum, Personna, Treet Platinum
My favorite: Voskhod. My first shave had almost no feedback from the alum block, no irritation after wards.
I recently gave the Godfather another try, to see if was just my early technique. Nope, still irritating.
I currently have the Sharp 7am in the razor, just 1 shave with it. I suppose I'll pitch it, no point in continuing to experiment with a blade this irritating given I have plenty of others that work well.