New blade = bloodshed?

[HUF]

Occasionally, I get real bad shaves - 2-3 nicks, some 5-10 weepers, razor burn, etc. My analysis shows that neither the type of the razor (DE89, Tech, Feather Popular, GEM Junior), nor the type of blade, razor-blade combination, the soap/cream, bowl or face affect the shave as much as a NEW blade does. Every time a new blade means a very bad shave. I was even thinking of using a new blade only for WTG and for ATG grab a razor with a blade which was used at least once.

What is your experience new-blade-wise, gents?

 

[98Formula]

I thought the same thing for the first few blades. I finally figured out I was applying pressure. I didn't think I was at the time but a slight adjustment is all it took.
Just like everyone else "results may vary".

 

[Demaskee]

I don't get the same nicks and weepers you're talking about; but still, for me nothing shaves better than a Feather on its second day. I can't explain it.

 

[Dave258]

Some guys "cork" the blade. Use something like a wine cork, run the blade through it to kind of condition it like a first shave. Some guys think it helps.

 

[celestino]

It seems as though your technique/angle or prep might be the cause. Once you have those variable worked out and you have found your blade/razor combo, a fresh blade should never be an issue unless it is a bad blade.
You just may need to find your razor/blade combo and keep practicing. Good luck.

 

[mheusler]

I've only cut myself once with a new blade and that was a Trig that I was given via a PIF. Try to really use a feather (no pun intended) light touch when using a brand new blade, as they are at their sharpness peak.

Max

 

[rxonmymind]

It seems as though your technique/angle or prep might be the cause. Once you have those variable worked out and you have found your blade/razor combo, a fresh blade should never be an issue unless it is a bad blade.
You just may need to find your razor/blade combo and keep practicing. Good luck.

+1 The only time this has happened is on a bad blade.

 

[dcobranchi]

I had that same problem when I used carts. The first shave was invariably bloody. And when I switched to classic shaving, the trend contonued for a while. But now, 1.5 years in, no blood, no foul. So, I think that, perhaps, this is part of the learning curve. Maybe you could swap out your blade after each shave to speed up the process.

 

[Invicta]

Not had a problem with a new blade except for a bad blade. I think the pressure theory is more likely to be correct.

 

[BIGFURM]

If you are using a good razor and a good blade, a new blade should provide a BBS shave every time. The razor blade edge will never be any sharper than the first time it is used, IMHO. I pretty much never get nicks or weepers because I make sure I prep well, use a pre-shave, and never apply too much pressure. I really don't think your issue is the new blade (so long as you are using a quality brand). As far as nicks/razor burn is concerned, it usually means that too much pressure was applied, you went over the same area too many times, the lather was too thin, the blade was used too many times or was a crappy brand, or you didn't follow the WTG, XTG, ATG passes properly. I highly recommend investing in a pre-shave to help enhance the slickness of the lather and of course showering beforehand. I even steam my face before applying a pre-shave, just to make sure my beard is nice and soft. I usually use Proraso pre/post and Floid pre-shave.

 

[redrako]

It seems that many blades are a smidge rougher on the first shave. I say a smidge as it is just noticable. I have to agree that a new blade right out of the wrapper should make for a very good shave. That blade on the second and third shave should be fantastic.

If your drawing blood with brand new blades, perhaps revisiting pressure and face/blade angle can help.

 

[maxman]

When I had Shark blades I found them to be the roughest blades on the first go.
I palm stropped them and they seemed to get better.
In the end, I just PIF'd the blades. No point in using something that doesn't work when there's so much out there.

 

[hookem11]

Pressure. Let the weight of the razor do the work for you

 

[Cynomys]

Occasionally, I get real bad shaves - 2-3 nicks, some 5-10 weepers, razor burn, etc. My analysis shows that neither the type of the razor (DE89, Tech, Feather Popular, GEM Junior), nor the type of blade, razor-blade combination, the soap/cream, bowl or face affect the shave as much as a NEW blade does. Every time a new blade means a very bad shave. I was even thinking of using a new blade only for WTG and for ATG grab a razor with a blade which was used at least once.

What is your experience new-blade-wise, gents?

I had this problem back when I was using carts. The first shave after changing cartridges, I got a l-o-t of little pin ***** weepers. After that it got better, relatively speaking. I have never thad this problem with a new DE blade. From this experience, I would conclude that the problem may well be the amount of pressure one is using. Your idea of using the new blade only for WTG and then switching over to another razor/blade might work as well. But check your pressure.

 

[HUF]

Thanks for all the replies, gents. I started wet shaving with DEs many many moons ago and cannot recall too many bloody shaves. Looks like decades of disposables made a change. Will pay more attention pressure-wise because it looks like it is still excessive and that excess shows more when a new blade is used. Hopefully, I 'll get to the point when I will be able to figure out the best razor+blade. So far it has been just all the same to me!

 

[jarhead]

i have heard that using a very mild razor for final pass and touch up
works very well.
I have tried it with a Wilkinson and blades i usually don't find enjoyable,(ie: Shark,Rapira,Racer etc)
thus killing two birds with one stone,with excellent results

 

[Renato1]

What you describe is pretty much what happens to me with most new blades in nearly all my razors. The exception so far is the ultra mild Shark Stainless Steel blades I tried. The other exception is my Weber DLC razor which needs the sharpest blades to make it work properly.

As suggested above, try corking the blades - it gave me some improvement on Astra SPs which were causing me the most grief. Or get a Weber DLC and use a blade in it a few times before using it in another razor.

The plus side is that unlike others here who throw their blades out after 1, 2 or 4 uses, after the first few nicking shaves I then happily use the blade for 10 or more comfortable shaves. Just make sure you invest in an alum block for the first shaves.
Regards,
Renato

 

[HUF]

What you describe is pretty much what happens to me with most new blades in nearly all my razors. The exception so far is the ultra mild Shark Stainless Steel blades I tried. The other exception is my Weber DLC razor which needs the sharpest blades to make it work properly.

As suggested above, try corking the blades - it gave me some improvement on Astra SPs which were causing me the most grief. Or get a Weber DLC and use a blade in it a few times before using it in another razor.

The plus side is that unlike others here who throw their blades out after 1, 2 or 4 uses, after the first few nicking shaves I then happily use the blade for 10 or more comfortable shaves. Just make sure you invest in an alum block for the first shaves.
Regards,
Renato

Thanks for the advice. As fro Weber razors, have you seen this thread?

 

[chilliman64]

generally my first and last shaves with any blade are the 'less-than-best' shaves

 

[HUF]

UPDATE. Had a nice weeper/irritation-free shave with my Tech + NEW Shark. Let my skin recover for three days. I believe the condition of your skin is the most important parameter.