Thread: Different Blades

Hello all, this is my first post and I'm a total newbie to straight razor and DE shaving.

I'm currently looking to buy a decent straight razor but in the meantime I'm using a cheap SuperMax shavette with the SuperMax Blue Diamond blades and I also have this vintage Gillette safety razor I got from my granddad;

Old School Gillette Safety Razor | Flickr - Photo Sharing!

My question is how much do the various blades available actually differ and how so?

I have had a few nicks each time with the shavette and going against the grain on my second pass causes a bit of irritation on the neck and under the chin area but I don't know whether this is just down to general inexperience or poor quality/unsuitable blades?

I'm using Proraso and a decent shaving soap after coming out of the shower.

Any insights would be most welcome.

Ive used feather, merkur, derby, personna, wilkinson blades in a variety of de's. I can't really tell much of a difference.

Many people do feel a difference and have there favorites.

Michael

Orbster,
The best way to do this is to purchase a sampler pack of razor blades and see how each will work for you. You might like some and some not. Only you can be the judge of that. My preferred blades are: Super Iridium, Feather, Gillette 7 O'Clock SharpEdge, Perma-Sharp Super, Personna and Derby. I avoid like the plague Merkur, Shark, Bic and scores of other brands. Some of the other gentlemen will chime in, I'm sure, with their preferences. What you prefer for you is what matters.
As for Proraso, it's good stuff. Here, too, as time goes on, you can experiment with a variety of soaps and creams and choose what is ideal for you.

Welcome to SRP.

The differences between blades will be level of sharpness and level of smoothess, and all combinations inbetween. To make matters even more complicated each blade will shave differently with different razors; for example a Derby might perform well with a Merkur but perform dismally in a vintage Gillette. So you'll have to find the right razor/blade combo as well.

Obie offers sound advice, a blade sampler is the best way to go.

Thankyou gentlemen, much obliged.

Maybe I missed it, but did anyone tell you about your Granddad's razor? It's a Gillette Slim adjustable double edge safety razor. Very good razor, nice find. The adjustment knob goes from a 1 (very mild shave) to a 9 (very aggressive shave). You can buy some Wilkinson blades from Wal-Mart and get a terrific shave with the Slim.

Originally Posted by Orbster

Hello all, this is my first post and I'm a total newbie to straight razor and DE shaving.

I'm currently looking to buy a decent straight razor but in the meantime I'm using a cheap SuperMax shavette with the SuperMax Blue Diamond blades and I also have this vintage Gillette safety razor I got from my granddad;

Old School Gillette Safety Razor | Flickr - Photo Sharing!

My question is how much do the various blades available actually differ and how so?

I have had a few nicks each time with the shavette and going against the grain on my second pass causes a bit of irritation on the neck and under the chin area but I don't know whether this is just down to general inexperience or poor quality/unsuitable blades?

I'm using Proraso and a decent shaving soap after coming out of the shower.

Any insights would be most welcome.

Yeah, I did a little bit of research myself and discovered it's value - very chuffed!

To think I just got given it years and years ago and used to take it into the field when I was a Royal Marine as cartridge type razors were verboten.

I wasn't even sure I still had it until a few weeks ago!