Back to my Fatboy. Just for nostalgia.

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03-06-2018, 02:59 AM
Maryland998

Back to my Fatboy. Just for nostalgia.

I first joined this site. To educate myself in the ways of using a straight razor.
For 30 years I used my trusty Gillette Fatboy. All of that time. It was loaded with grocery store brand blades. I know many of you cringe thinking about the mediocre quality of my shaves. What was I to know. I made do with canned shave cream also. No frame of reference. My dad had a Fatboy. Worked at Acme markets. So I used what he used.

Curiosity led me to straights. And my total ignorance of them led me here. I have enjoyed the journey immensely. Have been stricken by all of the acquisition disorders to one degree or another.

Now while waiting for my largest to date outlay of money for a Koraat 14 2.0. I decided to see what all the more learned folks on here were talking about. Concerning the myriad of double edge blades available from around the world.
After researching what you guys considered good/great blades. I got a sampler of 15 different blades 2 of each.

First ones I decided to try are Voskhods. They get a good bit of positive reviews. And at $8.00/100 if they work for me. Would be almost TGTBT.

Five shaves in. I can say they are far superior to the generic ones I used for all those years. If any of the other sample blade exceed the ease and comfort of the Voskhods.
I will be even more disappointed in myself for not finding them earlier in my life. And enduring those unenjoyable shaves until finding this site.

It's been fun to revisit my old friend. When I pick my perfect blade. Then I will have a good option for when I choose not to use my straights.
Thanks again to all that post their thoughts and opinions. And help others improve their kit.
Ken.
03-06-2018, 03:33 AM
thebigspendur

There is a world of new DEs out there and really superior blades like the Feather and the Astra's and the Gillette 7 o clocks (to name a few). With the right combo you can get a shave equaling a straight.
03-06-2018, 07:14 AM
BobH

Yes, nothing improved my DE/SE shaving more than learning to shave decently well with a straight razor. Too bad that came 40 years into my shaving experience but better late than never. There are a few DEs/SEs out there that can rival a straight razor shave if used properly.

Bob
03-06-2018, 09:28 AM
alpla444

I used my Vintage Gillette British TV Superspeed last week, as I had to shave but could not really use a straight as I had an accident at work, I got hit in the face with a Land Rover tailgate and had a very large graze on my cheek and chin, so a DE it had to be, aa very good shave indeeed, I also have a fatboy but thats sitting in a display cabinet.
I use Rapira blades, very Cheap but I only like them or Astra.
03-06-2018, 11:06 AM
Obie

Gentlemen,
Every shave den should have a Fatboy — as well as the Merkur 34C, one of the best razors ever made, I believe. Yes, with the right blade and the proper technique, safety razors such as the Fatboy can give a superb shave. Since these days I prefer milder safety razors, I keep my Fatboy on 4 or 5 settings and get a sweet shave. My blades of choice are: Feather, Gillette 7 O'Clock SharpEdge, Iridium Super, Astra and Israeli Personna Reds.
03-06-2018, 06:09 PM
neehooya

Indeed Ken. I still use DE, especially when I travel. I do agree with your assesment that it's difficult to beat Voshkods at that price point. I also use POLSILVER blades regularly.
Cheers.
03-07-2018, 02:00 AM
Maryland998

I have GSB’s, polsilvers ,astra’s, 7 o’clock and the vaunted feathers to try.
But am impressed with the Voskhods. Another nice shave tonight.
03-07-2018, 07:11 AM
BobH

The GSBs are good for me as are the Feather blades. Mind you the Feather blades can be a bit harsh if you don't watch your weight and shaving angle.

Bob
03-08-2018, 11:47 AM
Maryland998

Quick update, for anyone curious.
Last nights shave with the Voskhod #6. Was comfortable but not as nice as I want.
For me 4-5 shaves would be the SOP for this blade. Wound up on #3 setting (Fatboy) That’s $.02 per Shave. Not bad.
Next up tonight. Gillette Silver Blue will next to enter the shave den. 15 brands going in.
But only one will come out on top. This is my personal March Madness.
03-09-2018, 06:29 PM
DoughBoy68

I only shave with a DE a couple times a year like when in a real hurry or traveling. Depending on circumstances I reach for either a Gillette 3 piece New Comb, a Red Tip or a Fat Boy, first choice being the Fat Boy.
03-09-2018, 11:09 PM
cau

Quote:

Originally Posted by Obie

Gentlemen, ...
My blades of choice are: Feather, Gillette 7 O'Clock SharpEdge, Iridium Super, Astra and Israeli Personna Reds.

I only use my DE, a 34C, when I travel, and only with Personna Reds. Even when out of practice, the results rival my straight shaves.
03-09-2018, 11:40 PM
JP5

Very interesting Maryland. I use a DE most of the time since I don't have a shave den. Only used Merkur, Shark, Feather, and some I bought from WM. Look forward to seeing how they compare.
03-09-2018, 11:54 PM
Obie

Quote:

Originally Posted by cau

I only use my DE, a 34C, when I travel, and only with Personna Reds. Even when out of practice, the results rival my straight shaves.

The Merkur 34C is one of the best safety razors made. Every shave den should have one. Mine does. I must agree with you about the Personna Reds. They may not be the sharpest blades, especially matched against, say, Feather, but I think they are the smoothest blades made. I like Personna Reds a lot.
03-10-2018, 12:41 AM
Maryland998

I think DE blades can be like soaps or aftershaves. In that one persons favorite, may very well be someone else's least favorite.
Shaved yesterday with a Gillette Silver Blue. First shave on setting 4. It was a good shave.
Equal to or maybe slightly sharper than the Voskhod. Of course this is just my opinion. Usually I end up finding that if you see large groups of people that rate a soap, blade etc. high. That I am not disappointed.
This is no different.
Ken
03-10-2018, 03:57 PM
thebigspendur

The 34C was the first DE I bought. It's one of those razors that is an old standard like a classic song.

We used to hear a lot about the Derby blades. As I recall they are made in Turkey and are some of the smoothest and mildest blades out there. They seem to have dropped off folks radar.
03-10-2018, 05:13 PM
Obie

Quote:

Originally Posted by thebigspendur

The 34C was the first DE I bought. It's one of those razors that is an old standard like a classic song.

We used to hear a lot about the Derby blades. As I recall they are made in Turkey and are some of the smoothest and mildest blades out there. They seem to have dropped off folks radar.

Spendur,
If I recall, Derby blades were inconsistent in their quality and some shavers complained. I used them, along with others, some years ago and then retired them.
03-10-2018, 05:15 PM
Maryland998

I believe the sampler I have. Does have the derby’s in it. Might take a while to get through all of them and see which one I like best.
Ken.
03-11-2018, 03:00 PM
Firefighter2

I use Derby blades quite regularly, I really like them. They are sharp enough but not too sharp as to make hamburger out of your face.
03-12-2018, 11:29 AM
GaryG

As some have noted, DE blades are a widely personal preference .. in my case Derbys were at the bottom of the heap until they introduced a new "model", the Derby Premium, recently .. those are very very effective on my steel wool whiskers and priced well when I got them last spring (half the price of Feathers per 100 and almost as sharp).
03-13-2018, 05:03 AM
beluga

Quote:

Originally Posted by BobH

Yes, nothing improved my DE/SE shaving more than learning to shave decently well with a straight razor. Too bad that came 40 years into my shaving experience but better late than never. There are a few DEs/SEs out there that can rival a straight razor shave if used properly.

Bob

Precisely my experience, I could not have put it better.
I suspect that by applying lessons from straight shaving a shaver might even get excellent results (although little enjoyment) from some cartridge razors.
What is often overlooked is how much difference proper preparation and technique make.
Each time someone writes about his “steel wire” beard that eats razors and makes the shave so difficult I ask myself how his prep might look like and whether that might be the root cause for his troubles.

I use mostly Feather blades in my safety razors, but Astra SP blades come close second.
It seems that Astra has now taken the mantle of economical, readily available quality blades that Derby once wore. At their current price, Astras are hard to beat.

With respect to Derby, I searched the Internet a few months ago to see what had become of these once so popular blades and found that the positive comments started to dry up a several years ago and were eventually replaced by more and more critical comments. Can’t say whether the hype had worn off or whether their quality started dropping, but they are hardly talked about anymore and nobody seems to miss them.

B
03-13-2018, 01:30 PM
Maryland998

Lots of good posts and replies. That’s why I love this board.
To anyone reading this. I highly recommend getting one of these samplers for DE blades.
For $10 to my door I got 15 different blades to try.
I have been very surprised at how good the shaves have been with the new to me blades.
The no name supermarket blades gave 1-2 mediocre shaves.
The ones I have tried so far. Are far superior by any measure.
You only stop learning. The day they put you in the ground.
Ken