Which blades to try next: Advice needed.

[Mike R.]

My first blades were Feathers. New DE shaver, no technique + Feathers = unhappy face. Got rid of the Feathers.

Next I tried the Merkur Super that came with the Merkur "Barber Pole" I am using. I liked the Merkur, but $$? They are expensive and part of the reason I like DE shaving is saving the $$ over cartridges.

So, now we have the DORCO ST-301. Good, a few little nicks, slight irritation on my neck after shaving. Not bad though.

I am currently using the Derby Extras. I find my face slightly irritated after using them also. Not as smooth to me as the Merkur, but acceptable.

So, having tried the above, what I am looking for is a logical next choice.

I am using a Merkur "Barber Pole", Omega brush Taylor lavender soap, proraso pre and post cream (used pre, not post), and Speick AS.

Thanks in advance for the suggestions!

 

[americanarmsdealer]

I've had pretty good luck with most of the offerings from Lord. They make a huge variety of blades. My personal favorites from them are the Big Ben Super Stainless, Asco, and Racer blades. Happy hunting and have fun blade testing!

 

[Shave Cave Dweller]

Astra, Iridium and Shark's are in my rotation. I think they are somewhere between the Feathers and Merkur's in terms of sharpness and all give a smooth shave.

How many shaves to you go before changing blades?

 

[MoJoe]

As a noob, I liked the Personnas because they were cheap and didn't pull like the Merkurs. Derby worked well but irritated my skin (a YMMV issue that seems to impact only me). After that I tired Gillette black, green and yellows - all of which were very good (I liked yellows the best because they seemed sharpest). I've tried Kai's which are very good - sharp but don't last me as long as Feathers. Astras were excellent and Iridiums were surperlative. If I had to do it all over again knowing what I know now and excluding Feathers I'd go with the Iridiums. They're a bit more expensive per 10 pack but they are sharp and are long lasting.

 

[mdevine]

Astra, Iridium and Shark's are in my rotation. I think they are somewhere between the Feathers and Merkur's in terms of sharpness and all give a smooth shave.

How many shaves to you go before changing blades?

Exactly the three I was going to recommend. These are three smooth and sharp blades. I find the Iridiums the sharpest of the three but would be content with using any of these as my go to blade. I like the Feathers and Derbys as well. For me, the IPs and Crystals were just a notch below these in performance. The Merkurs work well for me but I can't justify the higher cost.

 

[Mike R.]

Astra, Iridium and Shark's are in my rotation. I think they are somewhere between the Feathers and Merkur's in terms of sharpness and all give a smooth shave.

How many shaves to you go before changing blades?

I can usually go 6 to 7 shaves and then I must change the blade.

 

[tchmango]

Astra, and Timor have worked well for me. Still trying different blades but the Timor stands out.

 

[ackvil]

Personna Reds and Gillette Russian Yellows are good choices. The Reds provide a smooth and close shave for me.

I usually have to change blades after four shaves. The only exceptions for me are Crystals (one shave) and Feather (2 shaves) and Personna Medical Preparation Blades ( 7 shaves).

 

[Mike R.]

Thanks for the replies!

I have a 5 pack each of Astra Platinum and Shark Super Chromes on the way from QED.

Plus a Speick AS balm for good measure......

 

[dalecooper51]

Those are both nice blades. I used a Shark SC this morning and came away with a nice shave. The only thing that annoys me about the blade is the 4 wax spots. When you get a chance, I would give Gillette Super Thins and Israeli Red Pack Personna blades a chance. Both are nice.

 

[El Judio Bravo]

Any of the Personna family are a safe bet. I especially like the U.S. brand I get as RiteAid brand (and many other house brands as well) and the Israeli Blues.

I was pleasantly surprised with the Shark SS and I understand the SC version is also of good quality and value.

The price at which a blade is offered is no guarantor of satisfaction. Preferences are going to fluctuate from one end to the other of the scale for a given brand generally speaking. The brands I just spoke of enjoy a good reputation in general. Most people neither disapprove nor gush about them.

Try a few samplers. You never know what will grab you!

 

[BladeDE40]

These....

 

[El Judio Bravo]

I believe I'm falling in love with the output from that Petersburg Products plant!

 

[Mike R.]

Thanks!

When I get through trying the Sharks and Astra, I'll give the Iridiums a shot as well.

 

[noahpictures]

Personna (Red) and Astra SP.

 

[wilsonent]

Try the Walmart Wilkinson blades, that have just taken the place of the Walmart Personnas. They just may be my new favorite blade. Of course, if you haven't gotten a sample pack, that is the most economical way to try several blades for not much money.

 

[cbrigstocke]

The red personnas are very smooth. The Iridiums are smooth and sharper than most. Of course blade choice is very personal.

 

[hoslerd]

I know that these have already been posted but my favorite all around blade is the Super Iridiums. They are a little more expensive than some of the others but the quality and lasting power more than makes up for it. You can get 100 for between $29-$34 dollars. They are smooth, very sharp, and have given me excellent shaves in all of my razors (Merkur 34C, '49 Super Speed, '80 Super Adjustable). Give them a shot, you won't be disapointed.

 

[Eclectic]

Like people say, Iridium.
This is my reference blade against which everything else must be measured.
One of the very sharpest. One of the very smoothest. A telling combination.