What blade should I use next?

[Bluesman]

I'm a newbie safety razor shaver and I started off with Shark blades. I read good things about them and I thought the packaging looked cool (haha I know).

This was my third shave I got more confidence than last time and It actually went well.

My beard is made out of steel and my skin is really sensitive, which is a bad combination. The blade pulls a little on the hairs when I go downwards, When I go upwards, the blade has trouble cutting through my beard here and there. It works, but I really gotta do careful, short scrapes.

How are Shark blades rated on the sharpness scale? I also have sampler packs of Astra, Derby, Merkur, Timor and Feather blades. Which ones should I try next, based on this?

 

[redbike]

Assuming your shave prep and technique are good, and you're using good soap or cream, I'd say try the Astras. Based on your description of your beard, I wouldn't even try the Merkurs. I do fine with Derbys, but my beard isn't that tough. I don't know anything about the Timors. Feathers are the sharpest blade you have but I don't find them that smooth and they might not work well on your skin. But your prep and technique are key. Good luck,

jim

 

[wrinkles2]

Try Astra

 

[Toothpick]

I'm a big fan of Feathers. But i'd vote for Astra next. save the best (IMO) for last.

FWIW going upwards (also known as ATG, depending on beard growth) might not be worth it at this point. It slightly sounds like you might need to improve your technique.

"short scrapes"...ouch!

 

[John Von Wuggz]

Out of those I'd try Astra.

 

[Chadao]

Astra, then maybe Feather.

 

[seanusa]

+1 Astra SP

 

[Bluesman]

Thanks for the advice everyone!

I'm a big fan of Feathers. But i'd vote for Astra next. save the best (IMO) for last.

FWIW going upwards (also known as ATG, depending on beard growth) might not be worth it at this point. It slightly sounds like you might need to improve your technique.

"short scrapes"...ouch!

Probably. I'm a beginner still. Maybe I'm trying too much too soon.

I used to be able to do against the grain with my Gilette Sensor cartridge razor without much problems. Now it just gets stuck on the hairs, it pulls instead of cuts. Probably also technique, yeah.

Astra it is next round!

 

[Mick]

Astra may be the first and last blade you need to try

 

[Toothpick]

Thanks for the advice everyone!


Probably. I'm a beginner still. Maybe I'm trying too much too soon.

I used to be able to do against the grain with my Gilette Sensor cartridge razor without much problems. Now it just gets stuck on the hairs, it pulls instead of cuts. Probably also technique, yeah.

Astra it is next round!

Things you used to do with a cartridge you can still do with a DE blade, the difference is you have to learn a new technique to do it. You might have to focus more on beard prep, or building a better lather. IMO using a cartridge was mindless.

Sticking with one blade for a few weeks would allow you to focus more on getting comfortable with your tools, rather than worrying about what blade to use and how it shaves and forgetting you are actually having to learn something new with DE shaving.

 

[ArNav]

Astra may be the first and last blade you need to try

C'mon, lets not exaggerate...

 

[BubblesTGB]

+1 on the Astra. One of my favorite blades. FWIW - I'm one of those, seemingly few, who doesn't think the Feather is the best blade out there.

 

[Bluesman]

Two Sharks left in the package. After that, I'll try the Astras!

 

[Bluesman]

Did two shaves with an Astra blade - awesome. Much smoother and easier than the Sharks. These are my favorites so far for sure. I'm curious about the Feathers, too. Four Astras to go before I'll find out.

 

[mastershake]

C'mon, lets not exaggerate...

imo i agree. im not a huge fan of the astras personally. out of what you have i would prefer the timor myself. i dont however get along to well with the sharks. they are decent for me at best and i can use them but my skin sure doesnt like them. the lord's are much better even though some think they are the same blade in different packaging.

 

[Bluesman]

imo i agree. im not a huge fan of the astras personally. out of what you have i would prefer the timor myself. i dont however get along to well with the sharks. they are decent for me at best and i can use them but my skin sure doesnt like them. the lord's are much better even though some think they are the same blade in different packaging.

Tell me more about Timor blades. How would you rate them on the sharpness scale compared to the others I mentioned here?

 

[Allegrabene]

Buy 100 Astra SPs. Best bang for your buck there is

 

[wagstaff]

I can't stand Sharks at all. They just seem to hurt me. In a mild- or mild-ish razor, I love Feather blades. Astra SP are somewhere in the distant middle. Hopefully for your wallet, you do well with them! Since you'll try both, order doesn't matter much. But from what you describe, you want sharp.

 

[aihpcfl]

Try Astra, but don't blade hop. Use one brand for a while until you think you know that the good and the bad is the blade and not you.

For every blade that many fault for one reason or another there seems to also be many who think it is ok and some who love it. Find your blade, but take your time and be patient.