OK newbie just has to ask!

[flyingfool]

Probably start a huge fight or this MUST have been asked before.

Being totally new to DE shaving. And showing my complete ignorance, I thought that all DE blades were the same.

Is there some basic definitions and things that I should learn. I hear people here talking about smooth and what not. Is that the quality of the have or are they talking about the blade itself being smooth?

All razors blade look so thin to me I don't see how one can be smooth and one rough. Also what is the pros and cons of stainless over Platinum etc.

I guess I'm looking to know what blades a newbie should get. I understand Astra SP is good. But locally buying blades would be preferred and Wally world has the Wilkinson blades cheap.

Also what is the deal with so many of the DE blades being made in Russia? Even what I thought was an American company of Gillette the 7 O'clocks are made in Russia.

I want a good shave, I don't want to pay an arm and a leg and really would not like to put my hard earned money to go to a country that hates us like Russia. I'd rather spend my money on American made or even German made products if possible.

Anyhow I don't mean to start some kind of war as it seems there are fellows that have cult followings to certain blades. I just want to get something that works for me.

If it helps, my beard is pretty slow growing and not real dense and fairly soft. Using the Gillette mach 3 turbo I can get at least a month out of a cartridge. But I refuse to continue to pay $16 for 5 cartridges and DE shaving just seems a lot more cool!

I am shaving with a 1966 Gillette slim.

 

[mblakele]

Short answer: get a blade sample pack. Only you can decide which blades you like, and blades are cheap enough that this is easy to do. Try to find a sampler that includes full packs of Feathers, at least one St Petersburg blade, and at least one of the Israeli Personna blades. Avoid really huge packs, with more than about 5-7 brands. You want enough variety to see what is out there, but not enough to be overwhelming.

If you are in the USA, these links might help.

http://www.westcoastshaving.com/Sample-Packs_c_1.html
http://www.bullgooseshaving.net/blsapa.html
http://www.razorbladesandmore.com/catalog/blade-sampler-packs

Slightly longer answer.... The basic design is the same for all modern DE blades. But the details vary in significant ways: different grades of steel, different edge grinds, different coatings, different packaging, and different prices. On the wiki, Razor_blades might interest you.

 

[packtray]

Whatever you do, consider the blade a variable (just like the brush, soap, razor, pre-or-post-shave product). Only change a variable at a time. I have learned this the hard way.

 

[ArNav]

Russia doesn't hate you man, relax.