Quest for a better shave

[GBerry]

I got one batch of P-30 Proline blades direct from Japan, and one batch from Connaught when I got my SE1, they both seem to fit the same. I have thought of trying Kai blades at some point, but as long as they last I wont be needing any AC blades any time soon. (Famous last words)

~doug~

Do your P-30s have the perpendicular cut on the one slot?

At 10-20 shaves per blade is quite a few shaves per dispenser.

Hopefully I can use my P-30s up with the Hawk.

 

[GBerry]

20220710
Razor: Blackland Vector (63)
Blade: Feather AC Professional Blade (5)
Pre-Shave: Hot shower
Brush: RazoRock Plissoft Monster Synthetic Shaving Brush - 26mm
Lather: Stirling Soap Co Sheep
Aftershave: Cold water rinse; Thayer’s Witch Hazel Aloe Vera Coconut;

No nicks; No irritation; Very Close and Very smooth. A pleasant DFS+ steep angle shave. 4 passes with a very light touch.

Fantastic error free shave. A duplicate of the first four shaves on this blade. This blade could be my favorite. The blade seems to be a tad less sharp with each shave.

Shave Log Summary 20220703

Cheers!!!

 

[GBerry]

20220711
Razor: Blackland Vector (64)
Blade: Feather AC Professional Blade (6)
Pre-Shave: Hot shower
Brush: RazoRock Plissoft Monster Synthetic Shaving Brush - 26mm
Lather: Stirling Soap Co Sheep
Aftershave: Cold water rinse; Thayer’s Witch Hazel Aloe Vera Coconut;

1 nick on lower left neck region; No irritation; Close and Very smooth. A pleasant DFS steep angle shave. 4 passes with a very light touch.

The nick was almost stopped when applying the witch Hazel. I am thinking there was some type of blemish the Vector was willing to surgically remove.

Shave Log Summary 20220703

Cheers!!!

 

[GBerry]

20220712
Razor: Blackland Vector (65)
Blade: Feather AC Professional Blade (7)
Pre-Shave: Hot shower
Brush: RazoRock Plissoft Monster Synthetic Shaving Brush - 26mm
Lather: Stirling Soap Co Sheep
Aftershave: Cold water rinse; Thayer’s Witch Hazel Aloe Vera Coconut;

No nicks; No irritation; Close and Very smooth. A pleasant DFS steep angle shave. 4 passes with a very light touch.

The blade was pulling badly ATG on the upper lip, so will bin this one after the shave.

Shave Log Summary 20220703

Cheers!!!

 

[GBerry]

20220712
Razor: Stirling Soap Co SS-ST plate (4)
Blade: Lord Platinum Classic (1)
Pre-shave: Cetaphil Daily Facial Cleanser
Brush: RazoRock Plissoft Monster Synthetic Shaving Brush - 26mm
Lather: Stirling Soap Co Sheep
Aftershave: Cold water rinse; Thayer’s Witch Hazel Aloe Vera Coconut; Aqua Velva Classic

No nicks; No irritation; Very close; Very Smooth; Pleasant 3 pass DFS+ shave.

I rode the cap all the way, deliberately held the razor with a locked wrist and I used a very light touch. There was no AVC sting.

Shave Log Summary 20220703

Cheers!!!

 

[GBerry]

20220713
Razor: Stirling Soap Co SS-ST plate (5)
Blade: Lord Platinum Classic (2)
Pre-shave: Hot shower
Brush: RazoRock Plissoft Monster Synthetic Shaving Brush - 26mm
Lather: Stirling Soap Co Sheep
Aftershave: Cold water rinse; Alum; Thayer’s Witch Hazel Aloe Vera Coconut; Stirling Sandalwood Post Shave Balm

No nicks; No irritation; Very close; Very Smooth; Pleasant 2 pass DFS+ shave.

I started with a mapping of the face. Then decided to do an abbreviated shave. While there were no nicks, the cotton round used to apply the witch Hazel had some pink stuff. The alum report was medium. I’m thinking a sharper blade might help.

Shave Log Summary 20220703

Cheers!!!

 

[GBerry]

Shave log summary 20220713

Since this log is getting hard to edit, I will resume with the RazoRock SS Hawk V3 standard plate.
Razor: RazoRock SS Hawk V3 standard plate (16)
Blade: KAI Captain Titan Mild Protouch MG (16) 16 shaves on 2 blades

No irritation, no nicks, very close and very smooth shaves.

5 DFS, 10 DFS+, 1 BBS

This combo consistently produces mostly DFS to DFS+ shaves without issue. All are pleasant shaves. Very good shave tool.

Rex Envoy
Gillette Platinum
4 shaves on one blade
1 nick in 4 shaves
No irritation
2 very close and very smooth shaves
2 smooth and close shaves
1 DFS++, 2 DFS+ and 1 DFS Shave 2-1/2 passes.

Blackland Vector
KAI Captain Titan Mild Protouch MG
8 shaves on one blade.
No nicks, no irritation, very close and very smooth shaves. 1 BBS, 1 DFS++ and 6 DFS+ shaves.
Awesome results.

RazoRock Hawk V3 Standard Bamboo Handle
KAI Captain Titan Mild Pink
8 shaves on this blade
3 nicks; No irritation; 5 very close; 3 close; 5 very smooth; 3 smooth; 1 DFS++; 4 DFS+; 3 DFS; this blade gets very close and then I create nicks. Either my technique or blade has to change.

Blackland Vector
KAI Captain Titan Mild Pink
8 shaves
7 nicks;
No irritation;
6 very, very close; 2 very close;
2 very, very smooth; 6 very smooth;
2 BBS; 6 DFS+;
I’m getting too close with this combo; Either my technique has to change or the blade has to change.

RazoRock Hawk V3 Standard Bamboo Handle
Schick Proline P-30
8 shaves; 1 nick; No irritation; very close; very smooth; Pleasant DFS+
The 1 nick is attributed to user in attention.
A nice combo that meets my goals.

Blackland Vector
KAI Captain Titan Mild Protouch MG
8 shaves; No nicks; No irritation; 8 very close; 8 very smooth; 8 pleasant; 2 BBS; 1 DFS++; 5 DFS+
At this point 2 Protouch MG blades have been used in 16 shaves with excellent results.

Blackland Vector
KAI Captain Titan Mild Pink
1 blade 8 shaves
3 shaves with nicks; 5 shaves with 0 nicks
8 shaves without irritation.
3 shaves Very close and very smooth
5 shaves close and smooth
1 shave DFS++; 7 shaves DFS+

I will be coming back to this combo to see if I can improve my technique making these shaves nick free, very close, very smooth and DFS+.

Blackland Sabre L1
Personna GEM Coated
8 shaves in one blade
No nicks; No irritation; 5 Very Close; 3 Close; 5 Very Smooth; 3 Smooth; 6 DFS+; 2 DFS; 8 Pleasant shaves

Blackland Vector
KAI Captain Titan Mild Pink
1 blade 8 shaves
4 nicks; No irritation; 4 very close; 1 Too close; 3 Close; 8 very smooth; 1 DFS++; 7 DFS+

The Blackland Vector is efficient and effective.

Mastery of this combo is pending.

Blackland Vector
KAI Captain Titan Mild Pink
9 shaves, 6 nicks, 0 irritation, 9 very close, 9 very smooth, 9 DFS+

This would be perfect if I can get the nicks down.

Blackland Vector
Feather Artist Club Professional Blade

9 shaves on this blade; 1 nick on the first shave; No irritation; Very Close; Very Smooth; Pleasant DFS+ shaves.

Blackland Vector
Feather AC Professional Blade

7 shaves on this blade; 1 nick on shave #6; No irritation; 5 very close & 2 close; 7 very smooth; 5 DFS+ & 2 DFS shaves.

This appears to be the best combo so far.

Up next
Stirling SS-ST

Cheers!!!

 

[GBerry]

20220714
Razor: Stirling Soap Co SS-ST plate (6)
Blade: Lord Platinum Classic (3)
Pre-shave: Hot shower
Brush: RazoRock Plissoft Monster Synthetic Shaving Brush - 26mm
Lather: Stirling Soap Co Sheep
Aftershave: Cold water rinse; Thayer’s Witch Hazel Aloe Vera Coconut; Stirling Sandalwood Post Shave Balm

2 nicks; No irritation; Very close; Very Smooth; Pleasant 3 pass DFS+ shave.

I should have followed my instincts and used a sharper blade.

Shave summary 20220713

Cheers!!!

 

[thombrogan]

Please heal quickly and remember to change out that blade.

 

[GBerry]

Please heal quickly and remember to change out that blade.

I should be ready to rock-n-roll tomorrow. I need the blade to just wipe the face clean in 1-2 passes. I think it’s possible.

 

[GBerry]

20220715
Razor: Stirling Soap Co SS-ST plate Dallas Handle (7)
Blade: Personna Platinum Chrome (1)
Pre-shave: Hot shower
Brush: RazoRock Plissoft Monster Synthetic Shaving Brush - 26mm
Lather: Stirling Soap Co Sheep
Aftershave: Cold water rinse; Thayer’s Witch Hazel Aloe Vera Coconut

No nicks; No irritation; Very close; Very Smooth; Pleasant 3 pass DFS+ shave.

The good news: The blade made a difference.

The bad news: I’m out of Stirling Soap Co Sheep.

Cheers!!!

 

[GBerry]

20220716
Razor: Stirling Soap Co SS-ST plate Dallas Handle (8)
Blade: Personna Platinum Chrome (2)
Pre-shave: Hot shower
Brush: RazoRock Plissoft Monster Synthetic Shaving Brush - 26mm
Lather: Stirling Soap Co Naked & Smooth
Aftershave: Cold water rinse; Alum; Thayer’s Witch Hazel Aloe Vera Coconut; Stirling Sandalwood Post Shave Balm

1 nick; No irritation; Very close; Very Smooth; Pleasant 3 pass DFS+ shave.

The nick created on the last shave reopened but stopped quickly. Alum report low to medium.

Shave summary 20220713

Cheers!!!

 

[GBerry]

20220716
Razor: Edwin Jagger 3ONE6 Knurled Handle (223)
Blade: Lord Platinum Class (3)
Preshave: Cetaphil Daily Facial Cleanser
Brush: RazoRock Plissoft Monster Synthetic Shaving Brush - 26mm
Lather: Stirling Soap Co Naked & Smooth
Aftershave: Cold Water Rinse; Thayer’s Witch Hazel Aloe Vera Coconut; Stirling Sandalwood Post Shave Balm

No nicks; No irritation; Close and Very Smooth. A pleasant DFS+ shave.

Low risk shave for me!!!

Shave summary 20220713

Cheers!!!

 

[GBerry]

20220717
Razor: Rex Supply Co Envoy (44)
Blade: Gillette Perma-Sharp (5)
Brush: RazoRock Plissoft Monster Synthetic Shaving Brush - 26mm
Pre-shave: Hot Shower
Lather: Stirling Soap Co Naked & Smooth
Aftershave: Cold Water rinse; Thayer’s Witch Hazel Aloe Vera Coconut; Stirling Soap Co Sandalwood Post Shave Balm

No nicks, no irritation, very smooth and close. A pleasant DFS+ result. Post shave feel was very smooth and comfortable.

Another low risk shave for me!

Shave summary 20220713

Cheers!!!

 

[MaineYooper]

I just finished the 3 pages of your Journal, nicely done! Today I had my first Vector shave with a Feather Professional and it blew me away, what a great shave!

I wanted to chime in on the Vector's Proline issue. Shane announced on a thread somewhere that he no longer recommends the Schick Proline for the Vector, as the blade has had a minor change in how the holes are cut, making the fit to the Vector uncertain. The Prolines are/were my preferred blade, and early last year I bought a brick of 10 packs from a seller in Japan. They work fine in my Vector. But I may have discovered a worthy replacement in the Feather! But my point, I bought 10 packs and sold half of them as part of a small group buy. I believe I have 4 packs remaining. I would think these are the older blades, with holes that fit the Vector. PM me if interested and we can do a trial!

 

[Rosseforp]

I wanted to chime in on the Vector's Proline issue. Shane announced on a thread somewhere that he no longer recommends the Schick Proline for the Vector, as the blade has had a minor change in how the holes are cut, making the fit to the Vector uncertain.

What I find interesting is the Proline blades I have that are tight in my Vector, fit my ATT SE1 just fine. The Feather Proguards I have fit fine in both razors, so the change must have been very minor. The head on the Vector might just need a little tickling with a burr knife or jeweler's file around the thread post to make the new Proline's fit.

~doug~

 

[MaineYooper]

What I find interesting is the Proline blades I have that are tight in my Vector, fit my ATT SE1 just fine. The Feather Proguards I have fit fine in both razors, so the change must have been very minor. The head on the Vector might just need a little tickling with a burr knife or jeweler's file around the thread post to make the new Proline's fit.

~doug~

Yes, Shane wrote about something like "tickling". I'll see if I can't find that post. It might be in another neighborhood!

 

[Rosseforp]

Yes, Shane wrote about something like "tickling". I'll see if I can't find that post. It might be in another neighborhood!

I'll have to take a closer look, but it seems to be around the post where the blades bind. I have plenty of burr knifes and jeweler's files.

~doug~

 

[MaineYooper]

I'll have to take a closer look, but it seems to be around the post where the blades bind. I have plenty of burr knifes and jeweler's files.

~doug~

Here is the quote from Shane:

Unfortunately, Schicks use a slightly different hole pattern so we no longer consider them to be Vector-compatible. Sometimes they fit okay, but often they do not. You could certainly Dremel them out. Or, if you're really committed to these blades, you could lightly sand the outside surface of the top cap blade pins to make them a few tenths of a mm narrower. The downside to this is that other blades wouldn't have perfect lateral alignment, but that's not a big deal.

 

[GBerry]

I just finished the 3 pages of your Journal, nicely done! Today I had my first Vector shave with a Feather Professional and it blew me away, what a great shave!

I wanted to chime in on the Vector's Proline issue. Shane announced on a thread somewhere that he no longer recommends the Schick Proline for the Vector, as the blade has had a minor change in how the holes are cut, making the fit to the Vector uncertain. The Prolines are/were my preferred blade, and early last year I bought a brick of 10 packs from a seller in Japan. They work fine in my Vector. But I may have discovered a worthy replacement in the Feather! But my point, I bought 10 packs and sold half of them as part of a small group buy. I believe I have 4 packs remaining. I would think these are the older blades, with holes that fit the Vector. PM me if interested and we can do a trial!

Excellent find. I had thought there was an issue and the bulk of the issue was at the hands of Schick. Your post helped flush out the details on the issue.

I don’t want to modify my Vector. I do have a RR Hawk that will happily digest the Prolines.

I have two blades that perform very well in the Vector so far:
Feather Professional and
KAI Captain Titan Mild Protouch MG

For sure, Shane blessed us with a fantastic razor.

Thanks for the interest and the review.