Which razor to try first from sampler pack?

Whoops, meant to say blade in the title.
Tomorrow will be my first time using a DE razor. I'l be inheriting my grandpas 1921 Gillette New Standard (I think thats what it is). I got a sampler pack and id like your advice on which blades to try first and how sharp you think each is if you have experience with it. I have a fairly thick black beard and sensitive face.
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The products I went with to get me started are:
Escali brush
Proraso pre shave
Taylor of old bond street Eton College cream
Geo F. trumper skin food

I've shaved 3 days in a row with my old mach 5. I hardly ever shave 3 days in a row because of ingrown hairs and currently I have ZERO. It's incredible what the right prep and product can do. Can't wait to use the DE!

I hear lots of good things about Astra blades. Feather's are supposedly the sharpest. Good luck, sir! :)

I love the Astras! I've heard good things about the Gilette 7 O'Clock as well, but little good about the Dorcos. The latter are not quite as sharp as other brands, which is why my girlfriend likes them for her legs, same goes for Merkur. Feathers indeed are very sharp, I suggest waiting with those until you've grown accustomed to DE shaving.

I echo what Laurens said about Feathers. I'd save them for last. The Gillettes in the green pack are a favorite of mine.

Astra platinums are good blades. I've only tried a black Gillette 7 o'clock and it was okay, not sure how it compares to the green. Feathers are less forgiving than the astras. Never tried a dorco but I think they're pretty mild and could be tried early on to see how your face likes them. Haven't tried the other ones. Try some iridium blades, they're really nice and smooth.

With my sampler pack, I tried 1 blade from each, before repeating. I would leave the Feather close to last, not because of experience, but just so you can detect a difference after a few brands.

I don't see the Feathers as a blade for more experienced DE shavers, I just see it as a very sharp blade. My favorite blade is Feathers.

After you have tried these brands, get your hands on Shark brand blades, I really like these & they are really cheap. Some people don't care for them.

Remember the type of DE razor (1921 Gillette New Standard vs a Gillette adjustable) will have a lot to do with how you feel about the blade's performance, at least it does for me in my vintage DE razors.

Your razor, if clean, is a great one. The advantage is that it controls the blade exactly, setting it to the same alignment spot every time. For you that means that any blade will be always presented at the same angle to the top cap and comb.
Use very light pressure as the comb razors can cut very close to the skin.
Start with the thicker blades and then the Feather at the end of the trials. Your face will love you for that! Little or no pressure other than guiding the razor is needed.
~Richard

Awesome advice everyone, thanks a lot!

Richard, glad to hear the razor shaves well. I was very curious about that since its so old. Would you consider it an aggressive shave, as people seem to call it?

It looks pretty clean and in good shape from what I can tell in the pic my mom sent me.
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Originally Posted by yanks100

Awesome advice everyone, thanks a lot! Richard, glad to hear the razor shaves well. I was very curious about that since its so old. Would you consider it an aggressive shave, as people seem to call it?
It looks pretty clean and in good shape from what I can tell in the pic my mom sent me.

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Lookin' good! Yes it may be very aggressive. The space between the edge of the blade and the comb defines that. The balde angle you use against your face is the deciding factor!
Here is a post that may give some insight into how to enjoy your shaves:
gillette_slide
~Richard
Have fun and go slowly as you learn this razor. "Slowly Slowly catchee monkey!"

I would suggest starting with the lowest quality blade and working your way up the ladder.

The Dorcos are one of the worst blades out there. It losses its sharpness fast.
The Treets are OK.
I haven't tried the 7am Plus. Since it is platinum coated, it may be an OK blade.
The Astra Platinums are good. I've tried them recently.
The Gillette 7'oclock are good ones too.
The Feathers are very sharp, but I would not recommend them for a beginner. Save these for last, for when you have more experience with the different types of blades.

start with the feathers,toss the rest in the trash:)

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Originally Posted by pixelfixed

start with the feathers,toss the rest in the trash:)

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Then he won't have the real appreciation of a real razor blade.:gl:
~Richard

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Originally Posted by Geezer

Then he won't have the real appreciation of a real razor blade.:gl:
~Richard

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Thats the point Richard,You wanna use a straight?? you start with the best of the best honed by the best to perfection.
Than you will know what perfect is.
The same holds true for DE blades IMO:)

Keep in mind that blades do not perform the same in every razor, so a blade that performs poorly in one razor may perform great in another (and vice versa). Welcome to the wonderful world of DE's, it's a slippery slope from here :D

My experiences so far in order of trying them:

1) Dorco - didn't tug on hair but the final shave wasnt too close after 3 passes
2) Treet - felt like it was tugging at my hair, not a close shave at all.
3) Feather - super sharp as expected! However, I started to feel some irritation during the 2nd pass so I didn't do a 3rd pass and as a result, didn't get a close shave.

I really haven't gotten a close shave yet. Any advice? Difference razor angle?

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Originally Posted by yanks100

3) Feather - super sharp as expected! However, I started to feel some irritation during the 2nd pass so I didn't do a 3rd pass and as a result, didn't get a close shave.

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The Feather ripped me up the first time I used it. As a result, I discarded it and didn't use it for almost half a year. In the meantime, my shaving technique improved dramatically and I finally can get that superlight touch. The Feather blades really require that gentleness, as they are very unforgiving. By now, my very smoothest shaves come from the Feathers. I just hope I will get my straight razors in the same league of sharpness anytime soon.

From that group I have only used the feathers. IMO they aren't anything to be afraid of. When used properly they won't injure you. They are a good razor blade.

Michael

I only use a DE when going out of town, feathers are my main blade because I have a ton of them
But are other blades that are as good or better than Feathers in some aspects, such as Balzanos and KAIs.