Thread: Blade recommendations for timeless razor

Quite a few places offer a sample pack of blades. Personally I like Gillette Silver Blues and Feathers. The GSBs are less harsh.

Bob

I appreciate the apparent wisdom of a sampler when one is just starting out with a DE razor. Maybe I'm just insensitive, but I don't get the distinction some folks make about different blades for different DE's. Me, I like then sharp, so Feather is the goto in a DE. Med Prep Personna's are pretty good, as are Polsilvers and Sharks.

Originally Posted by GaryG

I appreciate the apparent wisdom of a sampler when one is just starting out with a DE razor. Maybe I'm just insensitive, but I don't get the distinction some folks make about different blades for different DE's. Me, I like then sharp, so Feather is the goto in a DE. Med Prep Personna's are pretty good, as are Polsilvers and Sharks.

Most folks aren't worth understanding, so color me completely unsurprised on this particular DE observation of yours (from someone who does not own a DE).

Originally Posted by GaryG

I appreciate the apparent wisdom of a sampler when one is just starting out with a DE razor. Maybe I'm just insensitive, but I don't get the distinction some folks make about different blades for different DE's. Me, I like then sharp, so Feather is the goto in a DE. Med Prep Personna's are pretty good, as are Polsilvers and Sharks.

I don't get the blade matched to a certain DE and not others either. When I find a blade I like it seems to work in all my DEs equally well. I like my DE blades to feel sharp and smooth as I do my straight razor blades. That is why I think that Feathers which are undeniably sharp can be a bit harsh but work well. With GSBs I get both sharp and smooth from the get go.

Bob

What Bob said. Im the same way when i used a DE. The GSB is what i used in all my DE razors.

DE blades are a very personal choice. One guy loves Shark blades and the next can’t stand them. You need to try them all yourself to really find out. My only suggestion is to use one type of blade for several shaves in a row before you move on. My favorite was Kai. Treet was a good one too. You might hate them both.

I use the feather. They are sharp and last longer and in the timeless they aren't harsh at all. As a matter of fact they are quite tame thanks to the temperament of the razor.

I ordered a 5 type sampler from meggards, I've been using straights and single edge so I figured time to add double edge based on the timeless reviews I've been seeing.

Originally Posted by GaryG

I appreciate the apparent wisdom of a sampler when one is just starting out with a DE razor. Maybe I'm just insensitive, but I don't get the distinction some folks make about different blades for different DE's. Me, I like then sharp, so Feather is the goto in a DE. Med Prep Personna's are pretty good, as are Polsilvers and Sharks.

Your comment points out that there are a lot of variations in what each of us need based on our beard type (fine vs coarse), and out skin type (sensitive vs less so).

Someone with a tough beard and less sensitive skin can use the very sharpest blades in the most aggressive razors. It sound like you might fall into that category.

Someone with a fine beard and sensitive skin might like less sharp, very smooth blades.

Someone with a fine beard and less sensitive skin can use nearly any blade in any razor.

I have a tough beard and sensitive skin. I like using the very sharp blades (Feather, Nacet, 7 O'Clock Black, Israeli Reds, German Wilkinson Sword) in less aggressive razors.

In aggressive razors like a Muhle R41, I avoid using the sharpest blades as they are too harsh. In that razor, I like using mid-sharp blades like Crystals, Gillette Silver Blue, Polsilver, Voskhod, 7 O'Clock Green and Yellow, Astra SP and Personna Lab Blue.

Blades like Merkur, VDH, Shark Super Stainless, and Derby Extra are not sharp enough to cut my tough beard without tugging.

As you can see, I have tried a lot of blades. Thus, I highly endorse the blade sampler suggestion.
Trying a lot of different blades in different razors is the only way you can learn what works best for you.

Ray, all the ones you listed as being the ones you like are also the ones i enjoyed the most. Those 7Oclock blades were very nice. And the Polsilver. Wow. Its good to hear all those names again. I went with the GSB in the end because they worked well for me and i was able to buy a pack of 100 for a decent price.

Its a very personnal thing as to what someone likes and you have to try a lot to find the ones best for you. It always amazed me when i read folks saying the Derbys were the best.