Sample blades or creams first?

[mwhals]

What is recommended to determine a brand for first? Blades or creams? Since TOBS Avocado seems to work well for me, I am going for the blades.

I ask, because it seems creams can be tested faster than blades, especially since I know feathers seem to work well for me so far.

Logically, it seems like blades are the most important since they can really ruin your day if you find a blade your face doesn't like.

Mark H

 

[Rev. Nathan]

The thing about creams and soaps is there is a pretty general consensus; very few people disagree about Proraso, TOBS, Trumpers, AoS, and quite a few others. Blades, on the other hand, is pretty much the reason the phrase "your mileage may vary" exists around here.

I would not suggest anyone enter the foray of wetshaving without having at least 3 brands of blades to test the waters with. Hence why many vendors have samplers, and why they are suggested so often. For example, Dorco blades have been the best in my experience, but the worst for many others, again recalling that acronym "YMMV".

Also, soap is quite a bigger investment price-wise, and a 'sure-thing' like Proraso is a good start. Even those with giant collections here still come back to it.

 

[mwhals]

Proraso is very good! I have a tube of it along with the TOBS Avocado. I might even test the blades with Proraso instead, since it is a little tiny bit less expensive than TOBS for testing blade purposes.

Mark H

 

[col conk]

What is recommended to determine a brand for first? Blades or creams? Since TOBS Avocado seems to work well for me, I am going for the blades.

I ask, because it seems creams can be tested faster than blades, especially since I know feathers seem to work well for me so far.

Logically, it seems like blades are the most important since they can really ruin your day if you find a blade your face doesn't like.

Mark H

Sage advice.

Sounds like you answered your own question. :

 

[andrewinman]

blades for sure

 

[13ALPHA]

+1 for blades, they can vary greatly, but don't let 1 shave sell you on a brand, make sure you get a good amount of time and practice with them. Don't want to think the blades are better and it's really just your technique getting better.

 

[dpmtherrien]

You've already said it, blades it is.

Keep a written record of each blade, start with any blade at all, and compare the next blade to the first one. Give each blade a good shot, about 5 or 6 shaves. Then compare the next blade to the first, and so on. Whichever blade is best that's what you'll compare others to. If you find one that beats your best so far, then that's your new best blade. This way you can rate each brand, and how they work for you. Good luck.

 

[saltypete]

Another vote for experimenting with blades. Once you know how to lather properly, your shaving cream shouldn't confound the results you get with different blades.

Pete