Long time Derby fan going through a sampler.

[atison]

So I found Derby's when I first got my HD and never looked back. Only other blade I have tried is the Merkur blade and I hated it due to razor burn and lots of pulling.

My routine is Proraso lathered on my face. 1 WTG, 1 ATG, but sometimes a XTG thrown in between. Usually leave BBS with little to no irritation and maybe a weeper or two. I do go over the same areas multiple times in a given pass though.

Note, I also shave above and around my ear as I shave my head in the shower with a headblade and cant get those areas well.

So I was close to running out of the 100 Derby's I have been going through and decided to check out what else there is. Bought a bunch of single packs from west coast. Here is what I got.

• Gillette 7 O'clock SharpEdge Double Edge Razor Blades
• Red Personna Israeli Double Edge Razor Blades
• Iridium Super Stainless Double Edge Razor Blades
• Gillette 7 O'Clock Super Platinum Double Edge Blades
• Feather Double Edge Razor Blades

I decided to try out the 7 o'clock SharpEdge (yellow) first. The first shave with it was kind of harsh. Felt really sharp and seemed to cut right through the hair, but left me with quite a bit of razor burn. Second shave went a little better, but still got razor burn above and over my ears.

I feel like the 7 o'clock yellows are a little harsh for my liking when compared to what I get out of the Derby's.

Any thoughts on what should I try next and what should I expect? (especially from those Derby/HD combo lovers out there)

 

[AmishFury]

go right for the feather next...

 

[dmm26]

go right for the feather next...

+1 That's what I did and I really like the feathers!

 

[DE Shaver]

I think the Super Iridium blades would be a great step after Derbys. They are a little more forgiving than Feathers but nealy as sharp.

 

[Crixus]

Are you planning on using the Feathers on your noggin? I don't use them, but from the folklore I'm not sure I would where I couldn't see. At least until I was quite familiar with the nuances of that acute sharpness.

 

[atison]

I don't use the DE on the noggin. I have before, and it is too much work versus the headblade.

So I threw in another 7 o'clock yellow just for another try, and to make things challenging I was shaving a day earlier than I usually do (usually go 3 days between shaves as I get best results that way and my job doesn't mind a little scruff).

I kept the pressure lighter than my typical derby shave and did a 3 pass (wtg, xtg, atg) attack. I got very good results with the fresh blade. Definitely still think the 7's are a lot sharper than the derby's, but I think their "harsh" label was premature by me and chalk it up more to my technique.

A few weepers, but nothing a steptic stick didn't take care of.

So, I am going to go a few more shaves on this blade and then move on, making sure I give each brand 2 blades worth of trial before drawing full judgment.

I think my next will be the Feathers now that I have a lighter touch approach.

On a side note, I also tried out my new home made shave stick thanks to a deodorant case and a half a tub of col conk bay rum. Loved the experience and think it helped, but it turned out a bit messy as the col conk softens up a lot after rubbing on a wet face and kind of got gooey.

 

[Greglam]

Great post as I am thinking about exploring greener pastures from the Derby's, too, although I am perfectly happy with them.

Just out of curiosity, how often do you put in a fresh blade?

-Greg

 

[dirtdog]

Great post as I am thinking about exploring greener pastures from the Derby's, too, although I am perfectly happy with them.


-Greg

If it ain't broke don't fix it is the way I think

 

[atison]

If we all abided by the "if it aint broke, don't fix it" formula, the forums would be a dull place. Experimenting is part of the fun.

I put a new blade in about every 3 shaves. Keep in mind my blades sit in the razor longer because I only shave every 2-3 days. I got my pack of 100 derby's for $12, so it is easy to justify throwing a new one in even if I am unsure whether I just put one in last shave. So I can't vouch for Derby's true longevity.

 

[Greglam]

Ah, ok, I was just curious as I only recently went from one blade per week (6-7 shaves) to a new blade every 3 days. It has made a world of difference!

 

[cswann1]

Keep in mind my blades sit in the razor longer because I only shave every 2-3 days.

You might want to consider (if you aren't already) removing your blades and putting them in a small pill bottle filled with alcohol between shaves. A good portion of dulling happens between shaves when the edge is exposed to air/moisture. If you skip a day between shaves you'll likely get another shave or two per blade buy storing them this way.

 

[atison]

Sorry, but I already have shaky hands and feel victorious with my success shaving with a DE. Adding more "blade handling time" is just asking for trouble for me.

But thanks for the idea.

Blades are cheap too, so longevity isn't a huge deal to me, plus they are recyclable (unlike cartridges) so I don't feel un-green for going through them.

 

[atison]

Just an update on my 2nd shave with my 2nd 7 o'clock yellow. This blade is growing on me as I did another early shave (for me) expecting a blood bath, but only had a few of the tiniest weepers. I am going to go a few more shaves on this blade to check longevity.

 

[xriley]

I would suggest trying a pack of Astra SP's if possible. I occasionally try gillete yellows, sharks and feathers just to check if I will have a different result. I always come back to the Astra.

 

[atison]

Going to start bolding the posts where I try the next blade, although I may not try any more blades after this one.

Blade 2 - Feathers

WOW is all I have to say. Everyone put aside what blade you are using/loving and go out right now and order some feather's. This blade is everything everyone makes it out to be, except, the blood bath that some warn against. You owe it to yourself to give it a shot.

Again, my setup is a merkur hd and a face lather with a home made soap stick out of Col Conk's bay rum. I had a few days growth, which makes for the best results for me with any blade.

1 wtg pass and some areas were already BBS which I have never experienced while going wtg. The blade didn't even feel like it was touching, yet the hair was just gone. I will usually go xtg, but I attacked my 2nd pass with an atg pass and was done. Even around my ears was irritation free and with one pass was BBS as well.

No weepers, no irritation even on my neck. Nothing. This was by far the best shave I have ever had. My face felt like it does hours after a good BBS shave with another blade when all the irritation or burning is gone. Rinsing my face off afterwords was a new pleasure.

I did keep a light touch, but no more than with my Derby's when the blade is fresh. I really didn't change anything up at all. Shaved just like I always have.

I am going to put this blade to the test and shave again after 2 days, which for me usually is a tougher shave on a blade. If that goes well I may even try shaving back to back days which I never do as it results in a blood bath of weepers.

Going to be tough to move on after this one. May go 3 blades with the feathers just to see if it was a fluke or not.

 

[atison]

Ok, so second shave with the Feather was not quite as good as the first one, but still on par if not better than a Derby shave. Could have been setup as I usually don't shave first thing in the morning.

A little bit of irritation, but not to the point of calling it razor burn. One little nick on the adams apple which is typical for almost every shave.

Still very impressed with the sharpness, mostly noted when going atg.

Also, the first wtg pass still resulted in some BBS spots. Most notable of these is my upper lip, lower lip and chin. These are typically courser areas for me and require atg to get BBS and is usually not too comfortable to do. With the Feathers, it is mostly BBS with just a few light atg touch ups.

Still loving them. I will go another shave with this blade then try another fresh one before moving on.

 

[the beav]

Since you like Derby's, you might try the Red Personnas, which to me are a shade sharper but not drastically so. They are the baseline blade which I measure other blades by.

 

[bustr]

You should try Perma Sharp, made by P&G Russian facility. Very smooth,99% as sharp as Feather, but last much longer. B&B member Melyus can heip to obtain.

 

[atison]

Ok, shave 3 with the same feather blade and I also tried something I never do. Shave back to back days. For me, this has always resulted in a weeping blood back and major burn/irritation regardless of the setups I have tried.

Well, the Feather has finally made this possible. Got an awesome 2 pass shave this morning for the second morning in a row. The problem with shaving back to back is the ATG pass, but with the feather it cut so smoothly. Only had a few tiny weepers that went away with a cold water splash.

I did "feel" the shave more afterwords than my other shaves with the Feather, but I fully expected it.

Again, the Feathers are stacking up to be a hard blade to beat.

 

[atison]

Alright, so almost done with my second Feather blade (trying 2 of everything) and still liking the Feather, although too many shaves too close together has me a little irritated.

What next?

Here is what is left to try

7 o'clock super platinum
Super Iridiums
Red Persona's

Since the 7 o'clock yellows left me unimpressed, should I skip the blacks or are they a different blade experience all together?

Should I follow up the Feather with its widely known tamer competitor the Super Iridium?

Should I dive into the cult following of the Red Persona?

I am thinking the Super is the next blade given its claimed similarities to the Feather.

On a side note, my mega soap order gets here in a few days and may trainwreck my blade sampler by throwing too many variables in the rotation as it will be hard not to try all the new stuff.