Just kidding about it being "great". It started early this week. I've been using my Rockwell 6S almost all the time lately, couldn't tell you why. I've also honed my lather building skills and can now get really nice, slick lather consistently that really works for me. In reading about all the rigid blade stuff lately, I decided to try a shim. I've been using plate 4. I was thinking of going back to 5 or 6, but figured I would try a shim with plate 4 and that would probably be close or equal plate 5.
So I dug an old Rockwell blade out of my blade bank. I don't like these blades, but one thing I can say for sure about them, they are noticeably more stiff than my Astra and Personna that I'm using right now. Given that, I figured they would make the best shim out of the used blades.
I already had two shaves on a Personna Lab. I had my usual 2 day growth. I did my usual routine with a shower and whipped up a bowl of Arko. I used the Rockwell shim with my Rockwell 6S with plate 4. Fantastic shave. One of the best I've had in weeks. Just shy of BBS. I don't try for BBS any more. It's just too hard on my neck.
I waited my usual two days and then did the exact same routine, only without the shim. Same blade. Horrible shave. Not even DFS and lots of irritation. Hmmmm. Well, that doesn't prove anything yet. So today I did something I hardly ever do: I shaved 24 hours later because my stubble was bothering me so much. I did everything the same except I put the shim back in and only used WallyWorld canned goup for my lather. I got an easy CCS with no irritation or weepers. Hmmm. Maybe there is something to this "rigid blade" thing.
The following is the experiment I will conduct for the next 16 days of shaving, starting in two days.
I will use two blades that will be used for 4 shaves each. I will alternate between using a shim between each shave, so each blade will have two shaves with shim, two shaves without. The first blade will start with a shim, the second blade will start without a shim. I will do my best to have everything the same except for the shim. The only inconsistency someone might point out is that the gap will be greater with the shim, possibly leading to a better shave. After using the Rockwell for almost two years now, I will say, "I don't think so". There is very little difference between plates 4, 5 and 6. Sure, you can detect the difference, but it's still the same *kind* of shave, if that makes any sense. Using a shim *seems* (so far) to give a different kind of shave.
It will be interesting. I've already warned my wife that this experiment could lead to a Timeless purchase. Why? Because I really don't like using a shim, aside from the shaving part. I completely clean and dry my razor after every shave. I don't like pulling the shim and blade apart with the water friction and all. It's only a matter of time before I slice myself. I also think it's only a matter of time before I make an absent-minded mistake someday, and my wife or myself will pick up a shim, only it won't be a shim...
So there it is. My big, fat Rigid Blade Experiment.
So I dug an old Rockwell blade out of my blade bank. I don't like these blades, but one thing I can say for sure about them, they are noticeably more stiff than my Astra and Personna that I'm using right now. Given that, I figured they would make the best shim out of the used blades.
I already had two shaves on a Personna Lab. I had my usual 2 day growth. I did my usual routine with a shower and whipped up a bowl of Arko. I used the Rockwell shim with my Rockwell 6S with plate 4. Fantastic shave. One of the best I've had in weeks. Just shy of BBS. I don't try for BBS any more. It's just too hard on my neck.
I waited my usual two days and then did the exact same routine, only without the shim. Same blade. Horrible shave. Not even DFS and lots of irritation. Hmmmm. Well, that doesn't prove anything yet. So today I did something I hardly ever do: I shaved 24 hours later because my stubble was bothering me so much. I did everything the same except I put the shim back in and only used WallyWorld canned goup for my lather. I got an easy CCS with no irritation or weepers. Hmmm. Maybe there is something to this "rigid blade" thing.
The following is the experiment I will conduct for the next 16 days of shaving, starting in two days.
I will use two blades that will be used for 4 shaves each. I will alternate between using a shim between each shave, so each blade will have two shaves with shim, two shaves without. The first blade will start with a shim, the second blade will start without a shim. I will do my best to have everything the same except for the shim. The only inconsistency someone might point out is that the gap will be greater with the shim, possibly leading to a better shave. After using the Rockwell for almost two years now, I will say, "I don't think so". There is very little difference between plates 4, 5 and 6. Sure, you can detect the difference, but it's still the same *kind* of shave, if that makes any sense. Using a shim *seems* (so far) to give a different kind of shave.
It will be interesting. I've already warned my wife that this experiment could lead to a Timeless purchase. Why? Because I really don't like using a shim, aside from the shaving part. I completely clean and dry my razor after every shave. I don't like pulling the shim and blade apart with the water friction and all. It's only a matter of time before I slice myself. I also think it's only a matter of time before I make an absent-minded mistake someday, and my wife or myself will pick up a shim, only it won't be a shim...
So there it is. My big, fat Rigid Blade Experiment.