Mystery Blade #1 Shave #4
Tools: Lupo razor, Arko 7 brush
Good shave this A.M. The blade was a little Rough on the chin area.
Tools: Lupo razor, Arko 7 brush
Good shave this A.M. The blade was a little Rough on the chin area.
I know one blade from the Treet stable that might fit your original description, but I am still sticking with the Lord family. I blame you if I am wrongI neither confirm nor deny if it’s a Treet
Slim, have you used a Fatboy *giggle* and if so how does it compare to the Slim? I was unimpressed by my Fatboy (giggle again, I'm so mature!) and ended up selling it for the St. Sue auction. But I've never tried a Slim and wonder if I should get my birth quarter one?Mysteree-X Blade 2
Shaves 2 and 3
Razor: Gillette Slim 8-8-8
Aftershave: Zingari Navigator
A little catch-up here. I kept with the Slim and had a relaxing Saturday shave. Still lots of tugging and required lots of buffing, but I had the time and paid extra close attention to keeping zero pressure and was rewarded with one of the closest, longest-lasting irritation-free shaves. Granted, I shaved later in the morning than I usually do, but it was still smooth in most places when I went to bed.
Today, the Monday morning shave had a little less beard than usual as a result. I tend to have better shaves when I have longer stubble, as sometimes if I shave again too soon there are lots of little bumps where the hairs are starting to emerge. Nevertheless, it was the same sort of shave, maybe a little less sharp but just as scrapey as is usual for the X blade. Had to do a lot of buffing along the chin and jawline. My neck was taunting me, but I could tell it was on the edge of irritation so I backed off. It's still pretty good by the end of the workday. I can tell there's some irritation and some stubble and rough skin, but also no weepers to speak of. The Zingari kept everything soft and smooth.
This is a funny blade. It hasn't degraded all that much, and the shaves have not ever been enjoyable, but Saturday's results were top notch. I'll see how today's shave wears tomorrow and will probably give the blade a chance for a fourth shave.
View attachment 1453098
Todays guess:My second Mysteree blade is another new-to-me blade. As far as I know, this is not widely considered a top tier brand, though I know it does have its fans who would certainly consider some of its blades top tier. I also know this brand makes a lot of blades, and I have no idea where this particular one falls within their offerings. All this to say, I really had no idea what to expect!
Not Sharp Titanium.Todays guess:Asco orangeSharp Titanium
My standards are definitely higher. When I started with a DE, it felt so much smoother than I ever got with a cartridge. But as I've tried to improve, I've become more self-critical and will notice anything I miss. I don't think a perfect BBS is even attainable, at least not to me, but I cause a lot of trouble for myself trying to get as close to BBS as I can.For some reason I'm finding myself struggling to get to BBS these days with anything regardless of razor or blade, but perhaps my standards for BBS are higher than they used to be as well as my technique improves.
Yes! I resemble that remark!but I cause a lot of trouble for myself trying to get as close to BBS as I can.
FarmreTan: I've never used a Fatboy. I'd love to compare, but the Fatboy prices are much steeper. My grandfather shaved with a Slim, and my brother inherited his razor. My brother doesn't use it, but he wouldn't give it up, so I bought my own. It's the usual color: nickel plated with brass showing through where it's worn. I'm starting to enjoy the look.Slim, have you used a Fatboy *giggle* and if so how does it compare to the Slim? I was unimpressed by my Fatboy (giggle again, I'm so mature!) and ended up selling it for the St. Sue auction. But I've never tried a Slim and wonder if I should get my birth quarter one?
And what color is your razor?
If you like a wider blade for mild razors I would stick with the Kai SS extra wide blade because it sharp & smooth with excellent longevity. Looks like I will not be buying the Sputnik blades. Thanks for sharing your experiences with the Sputnik blade.Mysteree-X shave May 15
Razor: Gillette NEW short comb
Blade: Sputnik (second use)
Aftershave: Captain's Choice eucalyptus, then A&E St. Barts when I needed more help on my neck
I did not have a smooth and trouble-free shave after switching to a smoother razor (from my Slim @8). I had hoped the Sputnik was sharpening up as its teflon coating wore down, but it didn't strike me as sharp, having trouble in the dense patches with and across the grain. Did extra beard-reduction passes for mustache and upper cheek and still got some mild weepers ATG.
The neck was again the worst. It wasn't as raw as the first shave, but still had significant irritation and stayed rashy. The bright side, as you'd expect, was that it was a closer shave than usual on my neck. It was also closer, and without irritation, on my jaw and sideburn corners, where I struggle to get BBS with mild razors such as the NEW.
All of this evidence -- not a sharp razor, but shaved closer than most -- seems consistent with what @Ron R has asserted: that Sputnik are a little wider than standard blades. I'm not sure what I do with that information, however. After two uses, I'm still puzzled how to approach the third shave.
I'm just a single wily data point out here with inconsistent technique, so I can't say anyone else will have the same experience as me. FWIW, I did the Kai-versus-Feather challenge and didn't have great results with Kai. The Sputnik gets my problem jawline close, so if I figure out how to navigate the neck, it's possible that I end up really liking the blade. (It's also possible the blade becomes increasingly unavailable, so maybe you really can't win here.)If you like a wider blade for mild razors I would stick with the Kai SS extra wide blade because it sharp & smooth with excellent longevity. Looks like I will not be buying the Sputnik blades. Thanks for sharing your experiences with the Sputnik blade.