Switching from Mild to Aggressive Razor as Blade Dulls

[Feldgrun]

Maybe you folks already know this, but as a relatively new DE shaver, I've found that my new sharp blades work best in mild razors (1946 Gillette Milord), then are used with medium razors (1950s Gillette SS), and finally finishing with an aggressive razor as the blade nears the end of its usefulness (1930-40s Gillette NEW SC/LC). If I start with an aggressive razor and new blade, I get skinned and bloodied, and if I try a used blade in a mild razor, it's a bad shave. I have yet to try changing the settings on my Gillette Slim or Fatboy to match the aggressiveness vs blade sharpness, but that's in the future. In short, I've found that matching the blade to my razor makes all of the difference in my shave.

Have you used a similar method, or is there the one razor that does it all regardless of the blade's sharpness?

 

[pierrelortie44]

I would think a dull blade will not cut better no matter the change in angle or exposure.

 

[nelsonic21]

With many blades I've noticed the first shave can result in a nick or two and a mild razor works best. After that I don't notice a difference until the blade starts dulling.

 

[BigJ]

Interesting concept!

But, for me switching blades from one razor to another is just too much trouble. KISS for this old guy!

 

[Feldgrun]

But, for me switching blades from one razor to another is just too much trouble.

I always remove my blades from my razor after a shave. I don't want them rusting or tarnishing the razor. Switching them to a new razor is no issue.

 

[ERS4]

Another discussion on B&B a while back covered the same shaving tips
→ Prolonging the life of a blade

I apply this concept with all of my adjustable razors to avoid initial irritation and prolong utilization of the blade. However, after a certain number of days, the sharpness of the blade will decrease significantly, and it will no longer be effective.

 

[Mike M]

I found that switching to a more aggressive razor definitely prolongs the life of a blade for me. I often test the longevity of blades and find that a progression from R89 to Rocca to Lupo to R41 works very well to maximize the number of shaves from a blade

 

[know1special]

I'm not an official Excalibur guy but I've pushed the envelope several times with certain blades, mostly out of curiosity.

In those instances where I've gone into double digits (sometimes quite far) with a blade, using a more aggressive razor has been helpful.

Not so much in regards to prolonging the blade life, though. After all, once the edge is gone..it's gone.

Rather, it's been helpful more in terms of the shave result.

When doing one of these 'Excalibur'-type experiments, switching the blade to a more aggro razor once it dulls has kept me from over-shaving trying to get close.

IMO, this is roughly analogous to the fact that blades like Derbys and Voskhods, even when new, don't perform super well for me in milder razors but will shine in something like a slant or an R41 for instance.

 

[sgarnett]

Some blades get sharper after the first shave as the coating wears off. Some uncoated blades start very sharp but dull quickly.

I prefer to use blades that remain relatively consistent in sharpness through the first several shaves at least.

Some examples are:
- Bic (VERY sharp and unusually flexible, works best in razors with good clamping)
- Nacet
- Personna Platinum Chrome (Israeli or German)
- Voshkod (mildest blade I use, and not often)

Yes, I do pick the blade for the razor. The Bic works GREAT in the Karve CB with a mild plate (such as C). I usually use the Personna in a Blackbird.

The Personna Med Preps and Lab Blues are very popular blades that sharpen considerably after the first shave. I’m not a fan because a fresh blade can be very tuggy for me ATG. They stay sharp a long time after they are broken in, but …. Ymmv

 

[Old Hippie]

I used to have a Blackland Sabre Gem razor with both the L1 and L2 baseplates. I had the idea that I might get more than five head shaves out of a Gem blade if I went up a level after the first four shaves on L1.

Nope. Didn't work for me. There was basically no difference in the fifth shave, and trying to get more than that was extremely uncomfortable for me.

YSMV, of course.

O.H.

 

[Ron R]

Maybe you folks already know this, but as a relatively new DE shaver, I've found that my new sharp blades work best in mild razors (1946 Gillette Milord), then are used with medium razors (1950s Gillette SS), and finally finishing with an aggressive razor as the blade nears the end of its usefulness (1930-40s Gillette NEW SC/LC). If I start with an aggressive razor and new blade, I get skinned and bloodied, and if I try a used blade in a mild razor, it's a bad shave. I have yet to try changing the settings on my Gillette Slim or Fatboy to match the aggressiveness vs blade sharpness, but that's in the future. In short, I've found that matching the blade to my razor makes all of the difference in my shave.

Have you used a similar method, or is there the one razor that does it all regardless of the blade's sharpness?

That is a excellent way of using a very sharp blade. I do the same with my Gem Personna PTFE blade, the blade is very sharp so I take advantage of that with a milder ASR razors then progress to more aggressive ASR razors as the blade # of uses goes up and last final shaves I use ASR aggressive razors usually.
I get 10 great shaves out of this Gem unique blade that is very sharp, great longevity, smooths out nicely, predictable + safest blade to handle!

Have some great shaves!

 

[huck1680]

After many years and many razors, I am luckily down to 8 shavers that I can start out with a new blade and change to any razor during the blades life cycle. Usually this lasts between 5-8 shaves...for me.

 

[Mark1977]

This is something I do. I use sharper blades in milder razors and once they start to dull and lose efficiency, I load them into either more aggressive razors or adjustable razors and dial up to higher settings. In most cases, my Merkur Futur.

 

[China shaver]

I too find that as blades get older they continue to give good service (though not improve) in more aggressive razors, Had taken a wizamet super iridium up to 15 shaves in various razors and recently threw it in my R41 as an experiment. I'm not saying it was an improvement over the last few uses but it still shaved very well and was smooth and very comfortable. I do know by the way that these blades are quite long lasting and very forgiving.
As an aside, I remove and pat dry the blade with a lens cloth after each use.

 

[RayClem]

It may well depend upon how the blade ages. Not only can a blade become dull, but it can become "toothy" which can make the blade feel harsh on the skin.

With Feather blades, I get two good shaves, but by the third shave, the edge feels harsh on my skin. The blade might still be sharp enough to cut my beard, but I cannot use it due to the skin irritation.

Blades are pretty inexpensive. Does it really make sense to spend time moving blades from one razor to another just to get a few extra days of usage?

 

[Pub]

I think of the blades degrading rather than dulling. Some blades are less sharp by design and work well in aggressive Razors for me. But experimentation is fun, If it works for you then keep buggering on! At around 10 cents per blade, I just grab a new one after 3 shaves.

 

[LJBraaten]

It’s exactly the opposite for me. I find that a new blade works well in an aggressive razor, I get a quick close shave. As the blade gets duller, the shave with the aggressive razor, gets less effective and more irritating. After several shaves, I switch to a milder razor for a better shave. The first pass is not as close as with a new blade in an aggressive razor but by the time I’m finished, I have a much closer shave with no irritation. I have a blade with 259 shaves on it, I get a DFS with a mild razor, a much less effective one with a more aggressive razor. My early PostWar Tech is just right.

 

[srgjazz]

I use Gillette Platinums. One and done. I’ve heard all the arguments for using a blade multiple times and I get it and have tried it with unsatisfactory results. Just love the feeling of a fresh blade with each shave.

 

[Alexland]

Does it really make sense to spend time moving blades from one razor to another just to get a few extra days of usage?

But surely they need removing anyway to give the razor a quick clean after each use? I tend to wash, blow dry then balance my used blade ontop of my muhle porcelain blade bank as it's got a nice curve on the top which means any remaining water can pass away and it's easy to pick up next time. I'm also one for starting a new blade in a milder razor.

 

[Marco]

I believe that any blade must always be super sharp regardless of the agressiveness of the razor. That said, what only works for me are very mild DEs, again coupled with an extremely sharp blade.