Corking blades?

Hey all, I got introduced to wet shaving this past Christmas when I was gifted a DE owned by my great grandfather. I used it for several months and then bought a SR from the classified section, now with 40 or so SR shaves under my belt and no nicks I switched back to the DE this morning only to get two small nicks under my nose. Nothing concerning but annoying none the less. I find this usually happens on the first shave with DE blades regardless of brand, will this effect be mitigated by corking the blades? Also after corking I assume I should rinse the blade to remove any cork residue correct? I love the SR but would like the option of using a DE for travel and when time is pressed--

Clayton

Would you mind explaining what corking a blade is? I am unfamiliar with the practice.

This is a good question. Corking is used to remove bur when sharpening knives. My guess is it will mess up the sharpness of the razor blade, but try and see what happens.
IMHO your weeper problem might be some technique issue, blade is not quite compatible for you, or the razor you are using is not quite compatible.

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Originally Posted by Leatherstockiings

Would you mind explaining what corking a blade is? I am unfamiliar with the practice.

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Gently run the razor blade edge on the edge of a cork, I think.

Yes. Corking a DE blade is a popular option that people use to reduce the initial harshness. I've never been bothered by the first shave so for me it was pointless but many swear by it. As mainaman said give it a try and see if it works for you.

Thanks for all the replies. I believe mainaman is correct about corking technique at least from what i've read. Perhaps it is a shaving technique problem i'm experiencing. I have tried 3 types of blades: derby, merker, and feather, all of them seem to work well after the first shave which almost always involves a small weeper. Perhaps I should try some different blades, will see how things go on next DE shave and will definitely try corking with my next fresh blade.

Whenever I use a new Feather blade in a Cobra SE razor or my DX straight I run it through a cork - it helps tame the first couple of shaves and is still good for double figures.

My preferred cork is from Lanson Champagne - much superior to others I've tried. :tu

Corking was something started over on that other large forum. Modern DE blades have coatings and should not need any special treatment.

never needed it and I shaved with a DE for over 40 years, but I also don't use a blade but once , I like them fresh out the package , with my Fatboy set on 9. only use feather now , I think its probably technique as you used to shave with it , and something has changed, pressure or long that line , also angle tc

Try any of the persona brand blades. Smoother than any of the 3 you mentioned by far, and almost as sharp as the feathers. I think the Israeli reds are a great value in their line, and tend to be easier on the first shave. I find 3-5 shaves per blade 5 as absolute max. is what I get for best comfort. Ymmv.

My preferred cork is from Lanson Champagne - much superior to others I've tried.

Rob why is that? What is different about that cork?

I use synthetic corks for knives, they are denser than natural corks.

Gentlemen,

In traditional shaving, corking is the process of gently running the edge of the blade in a slicing move on a piece of cork — the blade barely penetrates the cork. Wine bottle cork is ideal for this. Corking is meant to reduce metal residue from the blade's edge, as well as to tame it.

I have seen this done mostly with Feather DE blades. Done it myself a couple times. Is there really a need for corking certain DE blades? Some gentlemen will say yes and some no. Not worth the argument. Try it for yourself and see what you think.

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Originally Posted by straightshooter1911

Try any of the persona brand blades. Smoother than any of the 3 you mentioned by far, and almost as sharp as the feathers. I think the Israeli reds are a great value in their line, and tend to be easier on the first shave. I find 3-5 shaves per blade 5 as absolute max. is what I get for best comfort. Ymmv.

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Exact same with me. Personna for 5 DE shaves or 3 per half blade in a shavette, where I mostly use them. I don't use anything else.

Corking is more a philosophy I think. I used to do it, then forgot to do it once and didn't notice it. As an alternative you can draw the blade flatly between your fingers.

As far as cutting yourself is concerned, as you describe, I would believe it has more to do with suddenly using a different tool without the right touch with it. To figure that out it would probably be best to shave a blade away, then change and see if the next shave with the fresh blade cuts you again or if you got the touch right in the meantime.

Best wishes,
OldSalt

Personnas ripped me up, very grabby. The most comfortable shave I got with DE was from Feathers. I'd get 4-5 shaves out of each blade, and the last was as comfortable as the first; I couldn't tell the difference. That said, I was unwilling to see how long I could use a blade before it gave out, so maybe I could have gotten more. I never corked and had no problems. I'd guess technique and angle is more the culprit than the blade.

4 more days and this will be the first thread on SRP to stay on topic for 3 whole months!

I really have no idea if any of my brothers know how to ski.

I'm told you have to cork the skis first.

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Originally Posted by Utopian

I really have no idea if any of my brothers know how to ski.

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My brother in law just went skiing

I used to cross country ski

Which country?

Arabian ski slopes

Don't know, never made it across cork road in the hollars

UAE I think

OK now I'm confused. That's nothing new. It's pretty much been a constant for the last several decades, but what is UAE? Is it an Australian thing?

If so, please explain it within the context of the entirety of my understanding of Australia, which is Crocodle Dundee and Priscilla--Queen of the Desert. Also, for bonus points you might want to explain how this relates to corking a blade. Something along the lines of "that's not a knife, this is a c&ck in a frock on a rock" would be nice.

The Ulimate Australian Experience
Given Sh!t to your mates & sinking p!ss while skiing down the biggest sand dunes you can find on a mid summers day, now this would be a corker of a day in anyone's book.

Once had a Sheila ask me if that was a stubby in my pants, but I told her nah it was a goon bolted and she could cork it if she wanted

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Originally Posted by Euclid440

My preferred cork is from Lanson Champagne - much superior to others I've tried.

Rob why is that? What is different about that cork?

I use synthetic corks for knives, they are denser than natural corks.

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It was said in jest Euclid.

By the way, my original post was referring to the Feather SE blade which can be a bit harsh - gently running through a cork just takes the bite out of it but you can still get double figure shaves. I've never found that DE blades require corking.

And with that, the thread is back on track.

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Originally Posted by Utopian

OK now I'm confused. That's nothing new. It's pretty much been a constant for the last several decades, but what is UAE? Is it an Australian thing?

If so, please explain it within the context of the entirety of my understanding of Australia, which is Crocodle Dundee and Priscilla--Queen of the Desert. Also, for bonus points you might want to explain how this relates to corking a blade. Something along the lines of "that's not a knife, this is a c&ck in a frock on a rock" would be nice.

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United Arab Emirates. And I got nothing with regards to blade corking.

Now what was this thread originally about?

Har har.

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Originally Posted by thebigspendur

Now what was this thread originally about?

Har har.

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Wait here now. As a moderator aren't you supposed to rein us in and keep us on the cork?

stop popping off

har har.

Would stuffing a cork in it work?

For you Dave a collection a Goon bottles
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