What do you think matters more re: blade preference?

[Strapps]

1. Ones facial physiology (beard coarseness, skin sensitivity etc)

OR

2. The particular razor you are using the blade in


I ask because it amazes me how much variance there is in blade preference. For those of you that have 49 different DEs, do you prefer the same blade for all (option 1) or does it completely depend on that individual razor/blade pairing (option 2)?

 

[Chadao]

For me: 1. Technique 2.Razor

Once your technique reaches a certain level, you can pretty much get a good shave with most blades.

 

[razorhead63]

I completely agree with Chadao's view.... (above)
Technique is most important for me also........

John

 

[talibeard]

I think this is where it all comes together. Different blades behave differently in various razors; my fav blade (Captain) works great in some razors but never feels really comfortable in my Mühle and EJ. The blade gap as well the curving of the blade in the razor play a role here.

Technique matters as the previous poster mentioned but technique will still not give you a pleasant shave with a blade that isn't sharp enough to do the trick for you. Especially on the spots in my neck with the grain all over the place the only thing that works is a blade that cuts with minimal effort. Advanced technique will let you get away with gear that does not fit your needs but will not give you a great shave with a blade/razor combo that doesn't suit you.

 

[Strapps]

For me: 1. Technique 2.Razor

Once your technique reaches a certain level, you can pretty much get a good shave with most blades.

No doubt about it! But even though one can get a decent shave on virtually any blade, there is still a difference that can be felt between them, and thus a preference. Just a degree of sharpness, per Talibeard's comments?

I'm not trying to take the fun out of wet shaving by being too analytical.... just curious.

 

[Vlamgat]

I think the difference is... the blade itself. Different blades have different characteristics. That's what matters the most, and that's why there is a general (although not complete) consensus on what are higher-market blades and what are lower-end blades. Of course there is still a lot of gap for personal preference. The personal preference probably has to do with a lot of different factors: the individual physique, the technique, the razors one uses, the lather, the pre-shave and after-shave routine, etc'.

 

[dcc]

50/50

 

[talibeard]

Just a degree of sharpness, per Talibeard's comments?

I'm not trying to take the fun out of wet shaving by being too analytical.... just curious.

Though I mentioned sharpness I am sure that that is not the only aspect that counts. Why? Because my prefered blades are not the sharpest in the market. It has to do with bevels, quality of coatings and for me, how does the blade behave going ATG. The differences are easy to spot; with the right blade my skin stays in perfect condition, with 'lesser' blades I get red spots and little bumps in my neck. All my 24 years of technique can't prevent that when the blade is not up to its task.

Though technique is crucial I am convinced that by itself it is not enough; the right material helps a lot as well!

 

[santamariasteve]

I see the two conditions you mentioned for blade preference in theory to be 50/50 in importance, but they can vary for the individual shaver.

 

[KyMash]

I own at least 35+ different kinds of blades and my rotations are complete chaos at times because I generally have 7 razors (which they themselves get rotated regularly) thrown in there as well. I know that some of my blade selections
definitely work better in certain razors. This is especially true when it comes to my more aggressive razors like my Muhle R41. Without the right blade, I get a very uncomfortable shave at times. Read: pulling, tugging, lack of smoothness.

 

[The Dean]

For me: 1. Technique 2.Razor

Once your technique reaches a certain level, you can pretty much get a good shave with most blades.[/QUOTE]

I won't argue with the bolded part. But there is a difference between being able to get a good shave and enjoying the way the blade shaves--at least there is for me. Today I used a PAL Hollow Ground vintage blade. The experience was NOT ideal. I got a fine shave, though.

And (as you note) I think there is something to some blades working better in some razors--too many experienced shavers report that for it to be discounted. I know it is true for me, but I'm not a terribly experienced shaver. And I'm guessing if you have pimples, moles, bumps, etc, an ultra-sharp blade might not be the ideal tool for your face. But I suppose great technique might be able to overcome that.

Not to change the subject---but rather to expand on it a bit: What about the way a particular blades edge is ground? I understand there are different shapes to the edges of different blades. (I'm sure there is a better way to explain this, but it escapes me at the moment.) Might a particular edge type be more suited to a particular face, razor, technique?

We spend quite a bit of time around here talking about which blade is sharpest (anyone measuring this?), which is smoother (subjective as can be, I think), different coatings (I'm not sure I believe half of what is on a blade label) and durability (turtle got over 100 shaves with one blade!). But wouldn't the grind pattern (is that the word I'm looking for?) be more objectively measured? Has anyone made a list of DE blades by grind type? Perhaps if it was available some would find some correlation between a particular pattern and the blades they like---and/or vice versa.

Anyway, just a thought.

EDIT:
I just noticed Tailbeard already touched on this. Bevels! That's the word I'm looking for. Maybe.

 

[StubbleTrouble]

For me: 1. Technique 2.Razor

Once your technique reaches a certain level, you can pretty much get a good shave with most blades.

Agreed. Even my least preferred blade will give me close shaves, but I have to be as efficient as can be to do it in fewer passes to avoid irritation. That blade could possibly pair nicely with other razors, but I haven't tried it in them yet.

As for sharpness/smoothness.... I agree that's a characterisation and not so much a measurand as The Dean states above.

 

[Maxime D.]

If the blade wasn't part of the equation, everybody would shave with Merkur Super Platinum : / In a world with the optimal technic/lather/prep IMHO the blade used has more impact than the razor.

 

[The Dean]

If the blade wasn't part of the equation, everybody would shave with Merkur Super Platinum : / In a world with the optimal technic/lather/prep IMHO the blade used has more impact than the razor.

Not at those prices!

 

[Teddyboy]

I think both the facial skin and razor/blade pairing are important, although the former may be the greater cause of the variance in opinion that you refer to. With good prep and technique, one can get an acceptable/good shave with almost any blade. However, IMHO, it is clear that some blades are sharper and smoother than others, and pairing with an appropriate razor will help bring out these qualities. It really depends on personal preferences concerning how the actual shave should feel, optimally.

 

[Strapps]

Good feedback. I think teddyboy might have hit on another perspective, in that not everybody agrees on what the ideal shaves "feelS" like. I don't mind a little resistance (not pulling), for example, but others might find that unacceptable.

Ok Ill take this a step further in re: to my original question...

WHAT IS, HANDS DOWN, YOUR FAVORITE DE/BLADE COMBO?

Mine, so far is a 1904 with a Feather. I have a lot of experimenting ahead of me though.