Thread: Disappointed in a Derby blade.

Tonight I used a Derby DE blade for the first time. While it gave me a ok shave thats about it, just ok. The soap that I used was my normal D R Harris cream. I've been using the Crystal and the Personna Red both from Israel and I really like both of these blades. The Derby didn't seem as sharp and sort of dragged although I did not experience any razor burn. I can not imagine the Derby being suitable for more then one shave only.

Jim

What DE did you use it with? Skin type and beard will also make a huge difference.

I only swear by Derby and Swedish Gillette. They give me the best shaves. Tried them all. For me personally the Personna Red and Crystal gave me a crappy OK shave. I'm extremely disappointed in those. I favor my Gillette President.

Originally Posted by Maximilian

What DE did you use it with? Skin type and beard will also make a huge difference.

I only swear by Derby and Swedish Gillette. They give me the best shaves. Tried them all. For me personally the Personna Red and Crystal gave me a crappy OK shave. I'm extremely disappointed in those. I favor my Gillette President.

I used a Edwin Jagger Ivory Chatsworth.

yep. I remember feeling the same way when I started using a double edge (4/1/2010). I have the DE89L and the derby is poor for face shaving but other areas like chest and shoulders it's acceptable. Stick with the gillette 7'oclock yellows or a feather (thanks Obie).

I agree about the Derbys. They feel like a good blade after ten shaves. They cut, but not comfortably. They feel dull.
Merkur is much better, they're a lot smoother, but not the sharpest.
I usually use Feather, they are super sharp and go many shaves.

Just goes to show that blade choice and experience is purely personal. My preference is, Treet, Astra or Feather. In that order. I find derbys to be very mild and a little harsh. Merkurs to be over priced and not worth shaving with anyway. Never tried any of the 7 O'Clock blades, but I will. Feathers are the sharpest blades out, but they last all of four shaves maximum for me. All of this is what suits me. You must find, by trial and error, what suits you. Derbys obviously don't so move on to something else. Get a sample pack of blades. Get a few different sample packs if you can. It takes a while to find what you like best, but it is a fun and interesting journey to go on, and there is always something new out there to try, as there are many different blades on the market.


Mick

I prefer the feather blades, but watch the pressure you put on your face as they can bit back. I use a merkur futur with the adjustment set at 4 for the WTG/ATG and turn down to 2 for the final ATG pass.

Originally Posted by jimk

Tonight I used a Derby DE blade for the first time. While it gave me a ok shave thats about it, just ok. The soap that I used was my normal D R Harris cream. I've been using the Crystal and the Personna Red both from Israel and I really like both of these blades. The Derby didn't seem as sharp and sort of dragged although I did not experience any razor burn. I can not imagine the Derby being suitable for more then one shave only.

Jim

This is why you will see folk recommend a variety pack to test shave a variety.

A lot of folk like them because they are mild and mild for some minimizes
razor burn. As for the number of shaves get back after you give it a fair shake.
It may fall short but for me the second and third shave is the telling shave.
For example I dislike the first shave from a Feather but enjoy the three after
that first harsh one a lot.

I have a bigish box of Derby blades and think of them as training wheels.
But I liked them enough to buy the big old box full.

So far (new to DE shaving) I like Astra. In fact, I like Astra so much I"m not sure I'd ever give the others another whirl (Derby, Dorko, Gillette 7o'clock), maybe the 7 o'clock, but the others not...

DE razor blade choice is the most individual choice I can think of in traditional shaving. What often works for one doesn't work for another, etc. For example, most of the shaving world thinks Feathers are the best thing since sliced bread and I find them entirely too sharp to use regularly. Derbys are another blade that people either love or hate. For me they are OK, but not great. They were my blade of choice for most of my first year of DE shaving. Three plus years into this adventure and my favorite blades are Astras, any of the Gillette blades, and Sharks. Even my own choices have changed over time.