My Beard is Blade Killer?

[DesertIguana]

Was thinking my Beard was sort of mild but the last THREE days of Shaves. I am thinking differently. Let me explain my reasoning. As the LAST THREE DAYS I use what I consider Premium Blade. The Gillette 7-O-Clock Black pictured below. Razor Pre-War Fat Handle Gillette Tech.

First two Shave were like homers, out of the park Grand Slams. Today I got the feeling my Beard is loosing the battle of the Blade. This Premium Blade is getting dull. Feeling my face 10 hours post shave, face feels like 220 Sandpaper.

Starting to think my Beard is not like I have previously thought, MILD & SOFT. It is a Tough Beard, and I have decide to no longer push Blades for extra Shaves. I need to change out Blade more frequently to get a Great Shave. JMHO

Anyone else experience this?

 

[WThomas0814]

Yes, with every blade. We all have. Blades get dull.

You may find other blades that last longer... have you tried others recently?

I get four shaves from Lab Blues, GSBs, and Perma-Sharps. I settled on Lab Blue because it was still shaving well at four. I never try for five any more.

 

[thombrogan]

You aren’t the only Iguana shaving in this oasis.

Some people get more shaves with improved technique; some don’t; and some feel the joy of using a blade at its freshest is the height of luxury and it’s easier to buy a new DE blade than a new villa in the tropics.

Though I wonder, if you switched from your citrus-free citrus Cremo to an Omega Jade boar brush and a soap or foaming shaving cream; would it be even better?

 

[EdHeart]

I've come to a similar conclusion round about September. I no longer care to push a blade to the point of even a little bit of tug. I've been playing with Wilkinson Sword (German) and Viking's Sword (turned onto these in a recent PIF.)

Because the real estate I'm shaving is significantly lessened by a full, long beard, I can get about 4 shaves on average with either one of the foregoing before they drag and the shave is uncomfortable. That's about 4 weeks, since I generally shave once a week.

I head shave with the same frequency and get about that many shaves from my Leaf loaded with 3 sections of Wizamet.

It's oft been said that life's too short for a dull, crappy shave.

I heartily concur with the path you've taken (NOT that you need my approval or anyone else's.) That said, it is a wise path overall: why take the enjoyment out of such an important daily ritual!

 

[ButterfaceX]

I was aware of this decades ago. Have may dad(97) and three brothers in the tradional wet shaving department plus just visually seeing them, we new it was stubble trouble. Now we all started with SR's first, so we had an advantage.
All of have black thick, fast growing italian gorilla stubble that grows dense in various directions. Plus add age and they get tougher and more stubborn, sound fimilar...
So you just have to adapt to what works best for you.
Most of us goriilas are either a one and done shavers. Sometimes we can squeeze two uses out of a blade.
We are mostly Feather, Bic, and Personna users depending on the tool..
Keep it simple, Keep it safe for the face..
BFX
YMMV...but have fun....

 

[WThomas0814]

https://www.badgerandblade.com/forum/threads/one-done-club.639028/
Though I wonder, if you switched from your citrus-free citrus Cremo to an Omega Jade boar brush and a soap or foaming shaving cream; would it be even better?

That's a brilliant idea! I have it on good authority that he has in his possession a Connaught Omega Ivory.

 

[DesertIguana]

You aren’t the only Iguana shaving in this oasis.

Some people get more shaves with improved technique; some don’t; and some feel the joy of using a blade at its freshest is the height of luxury and it’s easier to buy a new DE blade than a new villa in the tropics.

Though I wonder, if you switched from your citrus-free citrus Cremo to an Omega Jade boar brush and a soap or foaming shaving cream; would it be even better?

Well I am Frugal by nature, as for the Cremo I work it in via Fingers, or Boar, for 30 seconds, working the Cremo into my Beard & Skin. Maybe the one area I could improve on is PRE SHAVE Shower. But that is not happening. Might Try WET WARM Wash cloth for 30 second all parts of Beard to try and soften Beard a tad more. Know from Wood Carving Harder Wood requires more sharpening time on tools, Soft Wood is easier to work with. As I said my fix for now is to just toss blade when I notice they are going Dull.

 

[Quaznoid]

The Personna Lab Blue may be the one blade that works well on the widest variety of beards. And I suggest limiting use to 3 shaves.

 

[helicopter]

The 7 O'Clock Super Platinum black India blade isn't especially durable or sharp. It has a nice fine grind, but the edge isn't super tough. I am sure I could put dents and chips in the edge before the end of the third shave, too, if I wanted to. Your beard, your technique, and your blade are all important factors.

 

[roaduck]

I tell you what the locals used in Egypt to soften a big bushy wiry beard - castor oil left on overnight then attacked the beard the next morning or even leave it on an hour; it soaks right in and is great for de frizzing hair and getting stubborn knots out of the dog or cats coat - tried it - it works great haha !

In Alexandria I used castor oil on Charlie my pet lizard for wounds and bites - he never needed a vet !

In France and the Med I saw a lot of guys use olive oil or trad soap only to shave - most didn't bother with fancy soaps a lot of the time.

Outside Europe and America most guys I saw moisturised with coconut oil, castor oil, olive oil etc and didn't use harsh drying soaps.

 

[NorthernSoul]

Anyone else experience this?

Some shave prep can help. That Cremo you have been using could be good for prep. Mix just a little of that with warm water and apply on the beard, let it soak for a few minutes and rinse off.

Outside Europe and America most guys I saw moisturised with coconut oil, castor oil, olive oil etc and didn't use harsh drying soaps.

How do you moisturize with oil? Isn't it water that provides moisture? More traditional style barber shaving prep uses warm water with a bit of soap or cream. The water needs a few minutes to soak into the hair to soften it.

 

[MrSpeedy]

I'd argue that the OP only has one data point (one bad shave), and several questions. Has this happened before with the same brand of blade? Has this happened before with a different brand of blade? Has he tried again with the same brand to see if it happens again?

I'm not saying his beard didn't change, but it's also possible this was just a bad shave due to another factor. Maybe he had bad technique and didn't realize it, or maybe was dehydrated.

 

[DesertIguana]

I'd argue that the OP only has one data point (one bad shave), and several questions. Has this happened before with the same brand of blade? Has this happened before with a different brand of blade? Has he tried again with the same brand to see if it happens again?

I'm not saying his beard didn't change, but it's also possible this was just a bad shave due to another factor. Maybe he had bad technique and didn't realize it, or maybe was dehydrated.

Well have use Black 7-O before, not sure how it held up, was not keeping track. Just expected more bang for buc from the 7-O Black.

 

[BigJ]

…. Blades get dull.
….

+1! Yes indeed!! And the blades get duller as I get older (or is it my gray beard?)

 

[helicopter]

+1! Yes indeed!! And the blades get duller as I get older (or is it my gray beard?)

I think that is your beard. Coatings continue to improve, increasing sharpness in general, especially for premium blades. If it's the blades, it's because you're picking the wrong ones, not because the others aren't sharper than before.

 

[Anchovie666]

Once and done. They're inexpensive enough. Chuck it in the F it bucket.

 

[WThomas0814]

I think that is your beard. Coatings continue to improve, increasing sharpness in general, especially for premium blades. If it's the blades, it's because you're picking the wrong ones, not because the others aren't sharper than before.

I'm not convinced. When I first started shaving (painfully close to 50 years ago), a Double Edge Super Blue would last me a month. Now, I'm lucky to get four shaves out of a blade.

They just don't make things the way they used to. Oh, and, get off my lawn.

 

[deafficianado]

I have the thick wiry hair that I know damages the edge especially when shaving ATG. A lot of blades do provide a comfortable 2nd shave such as most Gillettes but not always. Therefore I’m in the one and done category because I demand a fresh sharp blade for every shave and I know I’m worth it. Having lots of blades and knowing you’ll never run out also doesn’t hurt.

 

[JasonJT]

Was thinking my Beard was sort of mild but the last THREE days of Shaves. I am thinking differently. Let me explain my reasoning. As the LAST THREE DAYS I use what I consider Premium Blade. The Gillette 7-O-Clock Black pictured below. Razor Pre-War Fat Handle Gillette Tech.

First two Shave were like homers, out of the park Grand Slams. Today I got the feeling my Beard is loosing the battle of the Blade. This Premium Blade is getting dull. Feeling my face 10 hours post shave, face feels like 220 Sandpaper.

Starting to think my Beard is not like I have previously thought, MILD & SOFT. It is a Tough Beard, and I have decide to no longer push Blades for extra Shaves. I need to change out Blade more frequently to get a Great Shave. JMHO

Anyone else experience this?

View attachment 1988951

My chin hair is like that. It is tough as copper wire. My beard is very fussy when it comes to certain blades.

Jason

 

[Ankerwycke]

In my 30s I shaved every day, one pass ATG, and changed the blade once a week. I used Wilkinsons then because that’s the only blade I could get locally in the UK.
Now I’m in my 70s I shave every other day, and do a two pass ATG cold water shave with touch ups, and change blades after three shaves. I use mostly feather blades now and find them very sharp and efficient.
Dry skin was a problem for me, but switching to cold water shaving every other day, and using Rose Water seem to have settled that.