New Blind Test Criteria

[The M]

Okay everyone on B&B knows about Oscrofts Blind tests on many diffrent blades. And while I do feel like those where good tests I would like to take blind testing on blades a step further. What do I mean?
Well I think that whan doing blind tests on blade and your trying to be scientific about it then you should eliminate as many variables as pssible that could effect the result. In Oscrofts tests he did use 2 of the exact same razor and did multiple shaves which is all great. However when he did diffrent shaves with the blades he changed what soap he used. Well whats wrong with that you might ask. Well in testing your skill at lathering soaps in testing is a factor that can change the result of the shave also all soaps preform diffrent. I feel that in blind blade test that soaps should be replaced with Brushles creams or gels like RazoRocks Shave Gel for instance. There are 2 blades I want to see testing and those 2 blades are...... First Testing the Shark Super Chrome blade in the Red and Yellow (Shark SS wrapper) and compared to the Shark Super Chrome in the regular wrapper. I also would like to see the Super Iridium blade compared to the Polisilver Super Iridium blade which from my reaserch i feel is the exact same blade.

Here is my idea on how blades should be tested
First: The prep
I dont shower before i shave so in testing the prep should be a hot towel on your face for 2 or 3 mins (it should be timed with a watch or something and if you choose 2 mins then time it and use the same timer for every test) After the hot towel then a pre shave product should be applied ( I.E. like Proraso pre and post. what ever pre shave product should be applied in the same amount for every test)

Second: The Shave Cream/Gel/Soap
Due to the varing preformance in shave creams and a persons ability to produce a perfect lather every single time ( Oscroft im not doubting your ability to make a lather) Also by using diffrent soaps for every test it can effect the outcome due to the varying levels of preformance in a soap. That is why I say a brushless cream should be used to eliminate the factor of lathering and varying levels of preformance. I say that the product that should be used it RazoRocks Shave Gel (I got my father to stop using canned goo and use RR Shave Gel)

Thrid: The Razors
Obviosliy the razors used should be the exact same. Which Oscroft did do and I think this is a important thing. The razors that should be used in testing should be razors that everyone can agree is a great razor. For instance The Merkur HD and The Edwin Jagger DE89 are both good razors for testing.

Fourth: Aftershave
When it comes to aftershaves I do think that the same one should be used in every test in the same amount and way. You could just use some clubman aftershave or nivea balm. Or you could just use alum and nothing else. I think that this area is a little hard for me to say what should be used seeing how depending on your skin type a Aftershave splash may not be good for your skin type. So that being said i guess the best way for testing should be a warm water rinse and then a cold water rinse.

The Shave
I cannot talk about how you should shave due to everyones face is diffrent. Overall I think that a 3 pass shave should be used for testing. Also to eliminate as many variables the test should be conducted for the life of the blades and after every shave or every other shave the blades should be put in the opposite razor. Also the amount of growth should be the same for every test which means you should shave the same time for every test.

 

[man00ver]

While I understand the urge for greater standardization, I'll just point out that in each of Alan's tests both blades have to deal with the same software (including the same batch of lather). It's possible that swapping the razors could have some small value, but even there I'm not sure it's worth it. After all, almost all of us use different razors and software, have different faces and beards, different shaving styles, etc. Even the most rigorously controlled test will only have increased value to those of us adopting the exact same scenario...and even then only up to a point, since you can't really change your face and can only imperfectly mimic someone else's technique.

I enjoy Alan's tests for what they are, understanding they may apply to my experience only in a general way. Of course, doing one's own testing is best, using whatever method seems most useful.

 

[mdevine]

While I understand the urge for greater standardization, I'll just point out that in each of Alan's tests both blades have to deal with the same software (including the same batch of lather). It's possible that swapping the razors could have some small value, but even there I'm not sure it's worth it. After all, almost all of us use different razors and software, have different faces and beards, different shaving styles, etc. Even the most rigorously controlled test will only have increased value to those of us adopting the exact same scenario...and even then only up to a point, since you can't really change your face and can only imperfectly mimic someone else's technique.

I enjoy Alan's tests for what they are, understanding they may apply to my experience only in a general way. Of course, doing one's own testing is best, using whatever method seems most useful.

I agree. I find his posts among the most useful of any I've read here. While any increase in standardization improves the validity of this type of study, I feel that Alan has done an excellent job of keeping things even for both blades. Varying the creams, when it is done with both blades equally, still yields a valid test. I'm really surprised that Alan doesn't have a custom title. If I were to be appointed the head of B&B's custom title division, I would name him "B&B's Clinical Coordinator".


Mike

 

[The M]

I know that YMMV on blind testing blades what im getting at with the lather is that using one soap could result in a great shave and then using a diffrent soap the next time could change how the shave was. I could even go furthur into testing but but I dont have a microscope and other tools. but even then It would still vary person to person. I am mainly saying that to give each blade the best shot of preforming to show you which one is better for you then you should eliminate as many variables as possible. Also to clarify this is just my opinion on how blades should be tested and even if everyone adopted this method results would vary from person to person. Also I am NOT SAYING that his test where invalid.

 

[man00ver]

I get your drift, M, and I know you weren't smacking on Alan at all. But I'll make the counterpoint that one's own testing should be done using the variables one would normally employ. If you like switching soaps/creams, razors, and aftershaves (as I do), you'll want to know how a blade performs under those various conditions in order to evaluate how much you'll enjoy it overall. And that's what counts, for me anyway! I want it to feel good, much more than I want it to be scientifically pure.

Most of the fun of Alan's threads is trying to guess which is which based on his reporting.

 

[Teddyboy]

As someone who likes to review blades from time to time, I am aware that the process cannot be made totally objective. In the end, smoothness, feeling of sharpness versus tugging, etc., are hard to objectify. To be as consistent as possible, I would have to use the same razor, same cream/soap, same brush (why not? while we're being scientific) and vary just the blade. Then I have to consider that to review/compare four blades would require using the same razor(s), cream/soap, and brush for about one month. I'd have to pare down my rotation like the Little Big Horn! Can't/won't do it! This is supposed to be fun gosh darn it, and if it means you don't like my unscientific study, then so be it!
It is really difficult to be objective when testing blades when several variables are sources of concern. Thank God there are nerds, geeks and dorks who perform this role for us, usually on more important topics.


P.S. If you concluded that a given blade performed smoothly in MWF but not in Mama Bear's, I'd have little choice but to question something other than either of those fine products.


Thanks for listening.

 

[Icebear]

Unless someone in this forum is writing a scientific thesis and is asking for some peer review to achieve an official wet shaving degree, we shouldn't be nit picking about every little detail in a process that is never going to be scientifically sound in all aspects.
Every day you skin is different, the humidity is different, the water temperature might not be exactly the same to the 1/100 of a degree and anyway are we talking C or F here ...? Have fun trying it for yourself and take all reviews with a grain of salt. There will be no absolute blade authority anyway.

 

[saliavin]

You know I don't think the lather makes much of a difference. I know when I have a lousy lather. I am certain that Oscroft does not try out a brand new soap/cream during a test. I have the feeling that he uses software that he is familiar with and enjoys.

 

[The M]

I did not mean to upset anyone in this post. I am mearly saying that by eliminating as many variables as you can when you test blades and be more objective than subjective( which is hard due to this is a BIG YMMV topic). I just feel that by eliminating as many variables as you can then it will give the blade a shot at showing its pros and cons and it shows how well a given blade preforms for you. This method of testing is like method shaving as in method shaving requires alot of products and a completly diffrent way of lathering and shaving that is to much for some people. It doesnt matter how you test your blades to me but I just feel seeing how you want to know the blades preformance and that alone then as many variables that could potentially effect the end result should be eliminated. This is just my opinion and if you do not think the same way as I do then that is fine. I am not here to offend anyone or say that someone is doing something wrong I am just saying this is the way I will test 2 blades that I want to compare when I have 2 blades that I wish to compare.

 

[Teddyboy]

No offense taken at all. One has to balance what one can reasonably learn, and the level of (un)certainty that accompanies that bit of learning.

 

[Teddyboy]

No offense taken at all. One has to balance what one can reasonably learn, and the level of (un)certainty that accompanies that bit of learning.

 

[the beav]

Testing one way or another has been going on for years, like here:

http://badgerandblade.com/vb/showthread.php/120996-Feather-measure-of-all-blades

There used to be a general consensus about the effectiveness of certain blades, with the YMMV component assumed for each person. Now it seems like things are all over the map. As for a blind test, that's all fine and I've done that myself at home with great results, but it helps to be able to compare blades across the board and generally speaking I don't see being done now.

 

[rwdflynavy]

Unless you shave with your eyes closed it isn't a true blind test...