THE QUESTIONS I hope to get input on in this thread are as follows:
__ What "dull" blades can you recommend?
__ what razor/blade combos can you recommend with those blades..?
__ And more generally, what are your experiences with "dull blades"..??
BACKGROUND:
Recently I have begun to truly appreciate the "joy of dull blades" -- that is, what great shaves I can get with blades I have previously rejected as being hopelessly "dull", after trying them more briefly.
I got the inspiration to pursue this in part from using straight razors in need of honing, and I am not very good yet at honing my straights..! But I discovered that a not-so-sharp straight is more forgiving, very "smooth", and actually can be a super enjoyable shaver.
So I wondered if I could achieve something similar with DE shaving, and started to use the DE blades again that I had once rejected as being "too dull".
The first blade to get resurrected was the Treet "Black Beauty" Carbon steel blade. So far it has worked best for me in a Merkur 34 G, i.e. not very aggressive razor. I am going with a very light hand, three passes, and get incredibly close and smooth shaves, no nicks or cuts whatsoever. I can actually press the razor against my skin too quite hard, ATG too, still without blood. In short, it seem that I can "move much more freely" with the razor than I can with a sharper blade. it makes for a super enjoyable shave. I am beginning to understand the meaning of "smooth" -- as it says about what I have so far merely considered "dull" DE blades. However, I find that I can only use a "black beauty" once ... if I try using it for several shaves, it just seems too dull to remove stubble effectively. But at the price of "black beauties" its no problem to trash it after just one use.
The next blade I am now giving a second chance is the Derby "Extra" (green label). This is a blade that I have usually "trash talked" as being one of the most hopeless blades I know ... well, what do you know, here I am finding myself really enjoying it now.
When I start thinking about it, Treet "Black Beauty" and Derby "Extra" are made in respectively Pakistan, and Turkey ... both places where most men typically have quite dense beard growth. Why on earth then would they not be able to manufacture good DE blades in Pakistan and Turkey...? It all begins to make more sense now -- these are super blades, it's only me who have to learn using them...!
Looking forward to your suggestions and input in this thread. / Thanks.
__ What "dull" blades can you recommend?
__ what razor/blade combos can you recommend with those blades..?
__ And more generally, what are your experiences with "dull blades"..??
BACKGROUND:
Recently I have begun to truly appreciate the "joy of dull blades" -- that is, what great shaves I can get with blades I have previously rejected as being hopelessly "dull", after trying them more briefly.
I got the inspiration to pursue this in part from using straight razors in need of honing, and I am not very good yet at honing my straights..! But I discovered that a not-so-sharp straight is more forgiving, very "smooth", and actually can be a super enjoyable shaver.
So I wondered if I could achieve something similar with DE shaving, and started to use the DE blades again that I had once rejected as being "too dull".
The first blade to get resurrected was the Treet "Black Beauty" Carbon steel blade. So far it has worked best for me in a Merkur 34 G, i.e. not very aggressive razor. I am going with a very light hand, three passes, and get incredibly close and smooth shaves, no nicks or cuts whatsoever. I can actually press the razor against my skin too quite hard, ATG too, still without blood. In short, it seem that I can "move much more freely" with the razor than I can with a sharper blade. it makes for a super enjoyable shave. I am beginning to understand the meaning of "smooth" -- as it says about what I have so far merely considered "dull" DE blades. However, I find that I can only use a "black beauty" once ... if I try using it for several shaves, it just seems too dull to remove stubble effectively. But at the price of "black beauties" its no problem to trash it after just one use.
The next blade I am now giving a second chance is the Derby "Extra" (green label). This is a blade that I have usually "trash talked" as being one of the most hopeless blades I know ... well, what do you know, here I am finding myself really enjoying it now.
When I start thinking about it, Treet "Black Beauty" and Derby "Extra" are made in respectively Pakistan, and Turkey ... both places where most men typically have quite dense beard growth. Why on earth then would they not be able to manufacture good DE blades in Pakistan and Turkey...? It all begins to make more sense now -- these are super blades, it's only me who have to learn using them...!
Looking forward to your suggestions and input in this thread. / Thanks.