A B&B member posed a question that made a lot of sense to me: with good blades, can you really tell one blade from another?
Obviously, if you’re comparing bad blades with good, you can - and pretty easily. However, with really good blades, but are the differences that significant? I’m not sure if a “scientific” test is possible, but there’s no harm studying the difference in blades under consistent conditions.
On week 1, I’m comparing Gillette Silver Blue. On week 2, it's Polsilver Super Iridium, then Astra and Feather on weeks 3 and 4. If interest warrants, I may add other blades.
I’m using the same procedure for all of the shaves mentioned here.
The first blade....
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BLADE #1: GILLETTE SILVER BLUE
Shave #1
Used light pressure throughout the shave.
On the first pass, most of the whiskers shaved off easily, though I did get a small weeper that didn’t require styptic. While still on the same pass, I shaved a little more on the trouble areas - the chin, and under the neck.
On the second pass, I took time to shave the mustache area - where I usually have the problems, but the razor sliced through easily.
When I was done shaving, I still noticed there was a rough spot on my neck, under my chin, that I didn’t catch. But the shave itself was relative fast - about five minutes.
Shave #2
Used light pressure throughout the shave.
The whole experience was almost identical to Shave #1, except no weeper, and my cheeks weren’t as smooth as expected - might be a fault of my shaving.
The shave only took about five minutes total.
Shave #3
Again, used light pressure throughout.
No nicks, no cuts, very smooth for the six minute shave.
I noticed it took a little more effort to clean up the trouble area - under the chin.
Also, the mustache area isn’t as smooth as shaves 1 and 2; it’s almost as if there’s an very slight stubble.
Cheeks are very smooth, unlike shaves 1 and 2.
Shave #4
Light pressure, as usual.
Smooth shave, though I had a small nick, blood stopped quickly.
I had to use slightly more pressure, especially on the neck area.
Mustache shaved with slightly more difficulty than before; not a big thing, but it’s noticeable.
Shave #5
Light pressure, but additional pressure was needed in the trouble areas: the neck, mustache, jaw.
Not quite as effortless as shaves 1 through 3, and extra strokes were needed on the rougher areas.
Overall, the shave was smooth, though it took around 7 minutes shave this time. It’s clear that this blade is wearing down a bit - but I still got a good shave. These GSBs last well.
Shave #6
Light pressure again.
The mustache area took additional time to shave, but results weren’t as clean as shave 1-3.
Cleanup was needed on the jaw area, with added pressure to force a smooth shave. The chin is still slightly stubbly - which I can see and feel.
While it would be easy to coax a few more shaves from the blade, it’s clear that the blade has passed its prime. It took around nine minutes to shave.
The Gillette Silver Blue is sharp and smooth, and it’s easy to push the blade without much decline in comfort. But I decided not to push it. The GSB clearly shaves best on shaves 1-3, and 4 is almost as good. 5 is satisfactory, but it’s around 6 where dullness starts to hurt its efficiency.
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NEXT WEEK: POLSILVER SUPER IRIDIUM
________________________________________________________________________________________
Obviously, if you’re comparing bad blades with good, you can - and pretty easily. However, with really good blades, but are the differences that significant? I’m not sure if a “scientific” test is possible, but there’s no harm studying the difference in blades under consistent conditions.
On week 1, I’m comparing Gillette Silver Blue. On week 2, it's Polsilver Super Iridium, then Astra and Feather on weeks 3 and 4. If interest warrants, I may add other blades.
I’m using the same procedure for all of the shaves mentioned here.
- I soak my face with a shaving cloth heated to 125-150•F for about four minutes.
- I massage 6-8 drops of grape seed oil into my skin for around twenty seconds
- I use an Omega boar shaving brush and Honeybee shaving soap for lathering.
- I shave as long as it takes to achieve a minimum ATG result; usually, that means two passes, with enough touch-ups for a smooth shave. I use a Muhle R41, and the typical blade will last around 6-7 shaves. I shave as lightly as the blade allows.
- No additional lotion or aftershave - just a rinse of warm water to end the shave.
The first blade....
________________________________________________________________________________________________________________
BLADE #1: GILLETTE SILVER BLUE
Shave #1
Used light pressure throughout the shave.
On the first pass, most of the whiskers shaved off easily, though I did get a small weeper that didn’t require styptic. While still on the same pass, I shaved a little more on the trouble areas - the chin, and under the neck.
On the second pass, I took time to shave the mustache area - where I usually have the problems, but the razor sliced through easily.
When I was done shaving, I still noticed there was a rough spot on my neck, under my chin, that I didn’t catch. But the shave itself was relative fast - about five minutes.
Shave #2
Used light pressure throughout the shave.
The whole experience was almost identical to Shave #1, except no weeper, and my cheeks weren’t as smooth as expected - might be a fault of my shaving.
The shave only took about five minutes total.
Shave #3
Again, used light pressure throughout.
No nicks, no cuts, very smooth for the six minute shave.
I noticed it took a little more effort to clean up the trouble area - under the chin.
Also, the mustache area isn’t as smooth as shaves 1 and 2; it’s almost as if there’s an very slight stubble.
Cheeks are very smooth, unlike shaves 1 and 2.
Shave #4
Light pressure, as usual.
Smooth shave, though I had a small nick, blood stopped quickly.
I had to use slightly more pressure, especially on the neck area.
Mustache shaved with slightly more difficulty than before; not a big thing, but it’s noticeable.
Shave #5
Light pressure, but additional pressure was needed in the trouble areas: the neck, mustache, jaw.
Not quite as effortless as shaves 1 through 3, and extra strokes were needed on the rougher areas.
Overall, the shave was smooth, though it took around 7 minutes shave this time. It’s clear that this blade is wearing down a bit - but I still got a good shave. These GSBs last well.
Shave #6
Light pressure again.
The mustache area took additional time to shave, but results weren’t as clean as shave 1-3.
Cleanup was needed on the jaw area, with added pressure to force a smooth shave. The chin is still slightly stubbly - which I can see and feel.
While it would be easy to coax a few more shaves from the blade, it’s clear that the blade has passed its prime. It took around nine minutes to shave.
The Gillette Silver Blue is sharp and smooth, and it’s easy to push the blade without much decline in comfort. But I decided not to push it. The GSB clearly shaves best on shaves 1-3, and 4 is almost as good. 5 is satisfactory, but it’s around 6 where dullness starts to hurt its efficiency.
__________________________________________________________________________________________________
NEXT WEEK: POLSILVER SUPER IRIDIUM
________________________________________________________________________________________
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