Okay, so I've been trying out various blades since I started this wet shaving thing about two months ago or so. Not a long time to count for much, but I have come to the conclusion that, at least for me and my Merkur HD, Feathers don't work for me.
I started using Merkurs and they were satisfactory, then I tried a Derby and I had really excellent results. Then I tried a Wilkinson with, well, satisfactory results. Then I went back to the Derby and it was amazing.
Then I tried the Feather. I know you'll know what I mean when I say it was just TOO sharp. Did is shave smooth? Absolutely. Unfortunately, it was the first time since I started DE shaving that my face felt "shaven" like the bad old Trac II days. It was sore, kind of pink, a bit stingy when I wash, just really uncomfortable. I thought maybe it was my budget Weleda cream, so I switched to TOM Mint (thanks for the hint Kyle - amazing stuff!) and I got the same feeling, like I've shaved off skin along with beard.
So, I had a job interview on Monday, so I switched out the Feather and put in a brand new Derby, and had a wonderful 4-pass shave with Tom's Mint Cream, Thayer's after the cold splash, and it was the best shave I have ever had, bar none. BBS, no pain or irritation whatsoever, looked good, felt good - I was faceturbating for hours.
So, I know this is long-ish to read, but I am just so thrilled that I found the perfect combination of HD and Derby that suits my face and my (still improving) shaving technique.
Thanks, too, to an unnamed fellow B&B member for allowing me the luxury of trying out those blades. I recommend to anyone new to DE shaving to get a sampler pack and actually try the blades out. It's amazing how much difference that simply changing the blade can make. And it's different for every face too, so read the reviews, but the final analysis will still be how your face reacts, and everyone's face is different.
Now I have a hundred Derby blades, and I'm set for while. When those are just about gone, I'll order more derby blades. Just because they work for me.
Peace,
Pierre
I started using Merkurs and they were satisfactory, then I tried a Derby and I had really excellent results. Then I tried a Wilkinson with, well, satisfactory results. Then I went back to the Derby and it was amazing.
Then I tried the Feather. I know you'll know what I mean when I say it was just TOO sharp. Did is shave smooth? Absolutely. Unfortunately, it was the first time since I started DE shaving that my face felt "shaven" like the bad old Trac II days. It was sore, kind of pink, a bit stingy when I wash, just really uncomfortable. I thought maybe it was my budget Weleda cream, so I switched to TOM Mint (thanks for the hint Kyle - amazing stuff!) and I got the same feeling, like I've shaved off skin along with beard.
So, I had a job interview on Monday, so I switched out the Feather and put in a brand new Derby, and had a wonderful 4-pass shave with Tom's Mint Cream, Thayer's after the cold splash, and it was the best shave I have ever had, bar none. BBS, no pain or irritation whatsoever, looked good, felt good - I was faceturbating for hours.
So, I know this is long-ish to read, but I am just so thrilled that I found the perfect combination of HD and Derby that suits my face and my (still improving) shaving technique.
Thanks, too, to an unnamed fellow B&B member for allowing me the luxury of trying out those blades. I recommend to anyone new to DE shaving to get a sampler pack and actually try the blades out. It's amazing how much difference that simply changing the blade can make. And it's different for every face too, so read the reviews, but the final analysis will still be how your face reacts, and everyone's face is different.
Now I have a hundred Derby blades, and I'm set for while. When those are just about gone, I'll order more derby blades. Just because they work for me.
Peace,
Pierre
