Sample Pack, which blade first?

[Archangel14]

Okay Gents. Just received my sampler pack and will be engaging in my first DE shave on Thursday morning. Following is the list of blades I received. Mind you, I have light to moderate growth. Which blade shall I start with?:

• Derby Extra Super Stainless,
• Merkur Super Platinum,
• Crystal Double Edge (Israel),
• Feather New Hi-Stainless,
• Gillette 7 O'clock SharpEdge,
• Astra Superior Platinum,
• Personna Platinum,
• Dorco Platinum ST300,
• Bic Chrome Platinum (Bic makes blades?! Who knew!).

I thank you for your recommendations.

 

[nano]

Personna, Astra, Gillette.
IMVHO.

 

[robellison01]

Astra.

And save the Feather for last. You will appreciate it more as your technique improves.

 

[Archangel14]

Thanks guys.....yeah, it's my understanding that the Feather blades are out-of-this-world sharp. I planned on using them last.

I've got two votes (essentially) for Astra. What of the Merkur blades? I have heard they can be a little rough. Any truth to that?

 

[Graybeard57]

Never tried Merkur, my EJ came with Derby, so that's what I used first. So I suggest either Derby or Astra. There are people who like Merkur, and you may be one of them, so don't ignore them entirely. YMMV, especially in blades!

 

[Nick Cheeks]

I would recommend starting with either the Astra or the Derby also and saving the Feather for last after you have gotten your technique down. I started out with the Merkur blade and wasn't that impressed by it. But, what works for me may not work for you and vice versa, so don't write it off.

 

[Haggises]

Do you have one of each or multiple?
Personna, Crystals or astras should be relatively similar. I have little experience with the others.

 

[nano]

I have found Merkur's a bit rough for my skin: rigid, hard and not too sharp. I prefer "soft" blades like Shark, Astra, Personna.
YMMV.

 

[Cyanshine]

Derby, it is very forgiving for starters, then Astra. After that I'd go Personna. I'd leave Feather and Merkur for last. Merkur is awesome, but needs some experience, same for Feather.

 

[Phaedris]

I agree with Cyanshine, go with the Derby's to start. It's not the sharpest, but I do find them smooth. I tried others when I started, but went to the Derby for the first month or so. If you used the Merkur blades, don't give up on DE shaving! Get them out of your razor, try anything else, and stick with it. It well worth any learning curve you go through.

Of course, its been 5 days now. You probably have worked through this. How'd you make out?

Don

 

[IMightBeWrong]

I really like Astras. They're a great balance between being aggressive and forgiving and the price point is wonderful.

 

[Midoio]

derby. less chance to cut yourself. good luck

 

[mastershake]

i hate derby's even as a starter. i would try astra, crystal or personna. they are about as sharp as each other. even for a newbie i cant recc the derby.