Thread: My DE noob take on some blades

Originally Posted by JellyJar

I'll give Wilkinson blades a try, thanks for the recommendation. I liked Voskhod, they just weren't quite as close or comfortable as the silver blue or Feather.

Here is where personal preference and the need to actually try different blades comes in. I would not recommend Wilkinson blades from my experience with them. Others may find them perfectly fine. YMMV

Bob

Yeah, this is definitely a personal preference thing. Lots of individual variables.

If a lot of people like a blade I figure there's a better chance it might also work for myself. It might not work out for me, but that's fine also.

I have a bit of an experimental bent and like to try different things. I'm just hoping to draw on other's experience to increase my chance of success. It seems better than randomly making a guess.

Originally Posted by JellyJar

I'm just hoping to draw on other's experience to increase my chance of success. It seems better than randomly making a guess.

That it is.

Bob

+1, +1.
I bet i tried 30 diffrent name brands and or options on DE blades and found the silver blues my fav. Not as keen as a feather, but i could get 4 days consistant shaves from one blade.
YMMV

I didn't get on with the Wilkinsons either, very tuggy for me im afraid.
Ive just started using Derby premiums, after my first shave they seem very promising. I'll let you know how I get on.
Another thing to bear in mind is that DE blades will feel different in different DEs. For instance a Feather blade will feel great in a mild razor like a Muhle R89 but feel awful in a more aggressive razor like a Muhle R41.

There are a lot of blades out there and I certainly have not tried them all or anything even approaching it however over the years I've found the feathers to be second to none no matter the razor they are in (well maybe not in the original R 41). The Gillette yellows are good blades though I've found them to be on the rough side depending on the razor and the Astras have been decent.

These days I only use the feathers. Even with the timeless which is on the aggressive side they work really good. You just can't push more than 3 shaves from them.

I wish they still made blades like the original Willkinson stainless from the 1960s. Ten great shaves guaranteed from those babies.

Good to know about different razors changing the blade performance. I'd heard something to that effect, but you know...internet

Right now I've only got the one DE (OK, technically two, but their both super speeds and my wife has absconded with the other). If (more realistically when ) I get a different one I'll run through some more tests. My current understanding is super speeds are pretty mild.

Super speeds are mild. I enjoyed the gillette ball-end olds. Mid level agressiveness with the comb. You can still find them for a very low cost. Just watch for cracked handles. But that can be fixed too. Bent combs dont fix well those so take a good look at them before you pull the trigger.

Originally Posted by BobH

Here is where personal preference and the need to actually try different blades comes in. I would not recommend Wilkinson blades from my experience with them. Others may find them perfectly fine. YMMV

Bob

To build on Bob's point, there are differences even among blades packaged and named very similarly. When I first went back to DE when I joined SRP, I had some Wilkinson's that were great. The next pack I got were not so great. After trying many, I've settled into Gillette Silver Blue and Feather. The Feather's are a little harsh for me on the first shave, but settle down nicely. The Gillette Silver Blues start great and stay great. I have given up trying to stretch blade life. If I get a "not so close" shave from a blade, I replace it before putting the razor away

Razor/blade combos are also important. In my more aggressive razors (R41 for example) I use only the Gillettes. In my less aggressive ones, I use more Feathers. I also have some Personna med blades that are fine, but don't last as long as the other two brands.

I dont have near as much experience with DE as some of the guys, but from my limited experience, using my dads old Fatboy, and a Slim, and a Redtip, my preference is as follows

Persona Platinum (Red pack) Somebody once suggested these are actually Feathers?
VERY CLOSE 2nd Gillette 7Oclock (Yellow)
and my 3rd place is a toss up between the SilverBlue, and the 7Oclock (Green)
Lots of factors can change the choices. Most notably for me, how long its been since my last shave.
My opinion of the rest of the razors I have tried, has been anything from "meh" to "Best served as a rust scraper or letter opener"