new Guy Asks for Blade Recommendations

[Mr_Christopher]

I'm new here and reading tons of good stuff. My inquiry goes something like this...

I have very fine hair and I suppose a medium beard, certainly not heavy. I can get a smooth shave from a single edge Bic disposable, but who the heck wants that? So I'm using (and new to) a Merkur classis open comb, not the aggressive style. So I've read many how to articles about shaving with a Merkur, I'm taking my time, not nicking myself (I never do that) but I'm not getting the close shave I desire and I suspect I have just not yet found the right blade for me.

The Merkur blade that came with it was unimpressive. Then I tried Derby which are about as good as the Merkur, for only one shave that is. Now I'm trying a Gillette Platinum which is the best so far but I'm still convinced I'm not using the right blade for my beard. So has anyone had similar results than me and if so what brand blade are you the most pleased with?

Thanks!

Chris

the photo is my rig.

 

[ArNav]

Any blade will be better than Merkur or Derby. Just buy a sample pack if you haven't tried other blades.

 

[Flammeum Gladium]

Definitely try a sampler pack. And personally, I would recommend Astra SP blades.

 

[dpittman70]

Definitely try a sampler pack. And personally, I would recommend Astra SP blades.

+1 or one of the Gillette varieties of DEs.

 

[Teppanyaki]

I would try Astras (smooth and a good all around blade, what I usually use). Feathers are reportedly sharper but not as forgiving (agreed). Going to try some Polsilver Super Iridiums and eventually some Voskhods. Gillettes are supposed to be pretty good, as are Crystals and Personnas.

 

[CGW409]

I would try Astras (smooth and a good all around blade, what I usually use). Feathers are reportedly sharper but not as forgiving (agreed). Going to try some Polsilver Super Iridiums and eventually some Voskhods. Gillettes are supposed to be pretty good, as are Crystals and Personnas.

+1 to this.
Pretty much hard to go wrong with any color of the Gillette 7'Oclock's or the Silver Blue.
The Astra's are great,as sharp as Feathers but not as high in price and I love the Polisilver as they are so sharp and smooth that they give me absolutely no tactile feedback going through my diamond coated bailing wire whiskers,first time using one I had to actually stop after the first couple of strokes just to feel that I'd actually shaved the area.
Never tried the Merkur as the places I'd seen them for sale wanted 8 to 10 dollars for a pack of 10 and the Derby's are the only blade I ever stopped to swap out after my first pass and then tossed the package after trying a second blade just in case.
As always YMMV

 

[Ron Scott]

Personna Meds and Feathers. So a shave costs $0.06 instead of $0.03; I'm worth it...

 

[wagstaff]

Also recommend samplers. Just to get it out of the way, my fave blades (so far) are Feather, Polsilver SuperIridiums, Gillette 7O'Clock Blacks, Voskhod. (And now maybe Bolzano, but they're expensive and I've only used one a couple times). It seems some like some razors better than others (on my beard and skin). BUT... the issue with Derby and Merkur is generally considered that they're not as sharp as they should be, and there's some discussion about what they look like under a microscope (how even the edges are), and impliedly, how smooth as a result.

The latter issue is a question of how comfortable your skin is, whether you get razor burn or at least some irritation. The former issue is generally considered one of "tugging", a less sharp blade is a real hassle on tough beards.

If you're not getting close, and that's the issue, I'd think it's more a question of technique -- specifically blade angle. So you might be dealing with that more than the search for the best blade for you.

All that said, go "sharp" -- the SuperIridiums or the Feathers, even, just for an extreme contrast. And then you'll have a better idea if "sharpness" is the issue or if something else is. (And I confess, I've gotten perfect shaves with a Derby blade on occasion, in both a mild (DE89) and very aggressive (R49) razor. Prep and technique -- and some luck -- play into this. Good prep, good technique. Good luck!

 

[LAM&P]

+1 for starting out with Astra's as they're solid, inexpensive performers. Once you're comfortable with your technique/pressure move on to the more expensive and noticably sharper blades.

 

[Wyokid]

+1 for starting out with Astra's as they're solid, inexpensive performers. Once you're comfortable with your technique/pressure move on to the more expensive and noticably sharper blades.

+1 for this advice! Can't go wrong with the Astra SP's. The 7 o'clocks are great as well!

 

[Clanmac]

+1 or one of the Gillette varieties of DEs.

+1 , how many passes are you making?