Milder blade and/or razor?

[Fractionjack]

I have been wet shaving for about 3 months now. I still seem to get some small level of irritation on my neck, but it is hit or miss. Up to this point, I have used close to 10 different creams/soaps, but all with my Merkur 38C with Astra SP's. There have been plenty of perfect shaves with no irritation at all, but would a milder blade and/or razor help ensure that I get that perfection more often, if not every time? I'm considering trying out an Edwin Jagger DE89bl. I'm not necessarily concerned with getting BBS, just a clean look. Cheers!

 

[ArNav]

I think the most forgiving blade is the Red IP, while still pretty sharp. You can't go wrong with this blade.
For me Astra too were harsh and uncomfortable.
Try that DE89, it is indeed milder then the Merkur, and with the Red IP, it should be perfect for you.
But it can also be your technique... aside that everyone gets a burn every other shave or a couple of shaves.

 

[Daiku]

I second ArNav; the Personna Red is a great blade. Milder than the Astra, but still sharp and smooth. Something like a Derby will be milder still, but probably not as satisfying as a Red IP.

When it comes to which razor, I recommend an old ball-end Gillette Tech. When I switched to Personna Reds, I usually used a superspeed, which provided a fine shave. But when I teamed up the same blade with a Tech, WOW! Smooth, irritation-free, and close. I bet you'll love that combination.

 

[Fractionjack]

I fully recognize that the number 1 factor in all of this is technique. If my technique is off, the shave is not going to be the best.
That being said, I do recall reading similar opinions to yours about the Personna Reds.

 

[Deano]

Double posted on me.

 

[Deano]

I
When it comes to which razor, I recommend an old ball-end Gillette Tech..

+1. My ball end Gillette is a smooth shaver. Ive also been trying different blades in my EJ87 and agree the IP Reds are the best ive found so far. The Personna Med Preps are good as well but I like the Reds best of what ive tried. In fact, I just recieved 100 of them.

 

[HirsuteYourself]

I thought I had reached the promised land of mild yet thorough shaves with Feathers in my Edwin Jagger DE89LBL, but on a whim I tried some Crystal Personnas. The effortless and smooth beard removal of the Feathers was still there, but the discipline from a too heavy hand, in the form of razor burn and blossoms of little red poppies to and fro, is completely absent. I usually need not bother with the Osma any longer; and when I do, the sting is absent.

I just ordered 100 more of these gems, which I think are the same blade as the Red Israeli Personnas, save the blades themselves are completely absent any marking. Would a more knowledgeable member kindly correct me, if I am mistaken?

 

[ArNav]

As far as I know, the Crystals come with writing on them, not like Kai, for example.

 

[shavethegray]

Mild razors: Gillette Tech, Gillette New, Gillette Super Adjustable. All of them provide me with with a smooth irritation free shave when used with Astra SP blades. Of course your mileage WILL vary, but that's my opinion and I'm sticking with it.

 

[Deano]

I thought I had reached the promised land of mild yet thorough shaves with Feathers in my Edwin Jagger DE89LBL, but on a whim I tried some Crystal Personnas. The effortless and smooth beard removal of the Feathers was still there, but the discipline from a too heavy hand, in the form of razor burn and blossoms of little red poppies to and fro, is completely absent. I usually need not bother with the Osma any longer; and when I do, the sting is absent.

I just ordered 100 more of these gems, which I think are the same blade as the Red Israeli Personnas, save the blades themselves are completely absent any marking. Would a more knowledgeable member kindly correct me, if I am mistaken?

I found the Reds to be sharper than the Crystals. Others like them but I did not.