Well I found out this morning exactly how far I could push the Gillette Silver Blue blade. I went for shave #5 with it this morning and my face rejected it. It left me red, sore and irritated with cuts and nicks. The funny thing was I woke up early this morning and had taken some extra time for prep. Hot towel, shave oil, you know, the whole nine yards which is more than I normally do. I usually just splash warm water on my face several times while my brush is soaking. Shave #4 yesterday on this blade was smooth and comfortable just like all of the rest with no signs of stopping. Then today, BAM! Alum, witch hazel and some Captain's choice have worked wonders and my face it's now back to normal. Just wondering if anyone else had this experience with a blade turning bad this fast like this?
The shaving gods were angry this morning.
- Thread starter Curlingfly
- Start date
It only takes a little nick in the blade or enough skin and dried cream covering the edge to cause discomfort.
All blades are different in terms of longevity. Also the thicker your beard the easier they dull (at least that's what I've noticed).
You may have gotten your face/skin too hot. BUT... more than likely the blade had already had it's last dance and was ready to go home when you started.
Next time just take it out mid shave and put in a fresh blade.
Next time just take it out mid shave and put in a fresh blade.
I agree with Mick--blades are cheap. If one isn't working for you, take it out and try another.
- Thread starter
- #6
Yeah I probably should have kicked it out and used a new one looking back at it. The weird thing was the WTG pass was fine with no problems...then things went bad.
When the magic is gone, its GONE.
I've learned to stop in mid shave usually on the first pass if the blade doesn't feel right. No use hurting yourself on a 20-30 cent blade. Not with it. But I do understand the curiosity factor in trying to determine a certain blade longevity.
+1 Next time, put a new one in, right away!
I stopped going past 2-3 shaves max. Blades are cheap, so I change them out pretty often.
+1. Blades are easily replaceable. I noticed that I usually have comfortable shaves until the 3rd use. I will usually just do a one-pass WTG to get a SAS at that time.
Kirk
Kirk
Perhaps it was a little too hot and the oil deep fried 'yer cheeks!
Could be the blade, but more was done in the prep than normal. Maybe the combination of things cause problems. Since this was a day ago, how did it go today and was the "normal"prep done and was a new blade used?
I'm starting to see that if I push past four shaves I get ingrowns at shave 5 or 6, regardless of the brand of blade. I think I'll stop trying to be economical and just swap them out after four shaves. I do have several thousand blades so it's not like I'm gonna run out anytime soon.
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