Thread: Sharpest DEs

Can someone tell me how de blades are tested for sharpness?
And please rate them.
Thanks.....

There are many DE blades one can purchase. As many as there are, there are as many opinions on which is best/sharpest/smoothest... I suggest you look for an assorted package and start trying them.

Originally Posted by Mvcrash

There are many DE blades one can purchase. As many as there are, there are as many opinions on which is best/sharpest/smoothest... I suggest you look for an assorted package and start trying them.

Absolutely agree. This is how I started. The ones I found sharpest were Feather blades.

I know of no rating for DE blades. Even if there was one the blades perform quite differently depending on the razor let alone your technique in using them.

I have no doubt that Feathers are the sharpest. However sharpest does not mean it's the best for everyone. Every time I've tried them, I nicked myself (my straight shaves are mostly nick free), and my skin was not merely irritated but roasted. As to your question of how they're tested for sharpness...I know of no scientific test. The only test I know of is the shave test. As far as rating blades, that is a very subjective and your preference for a given blade will differ from mine. Happy shaves.

Originally Posted by Wayne1963

I have no doubt that Feathers are the sharpest. However sharpest does not mean it's the best for everyone. Every time I've tried them, I nicked myself (my straight shaves are mostly nick free), and my skin was not merely irritated but roasted. As to your question of how they're tested for sharpness...I know of no scientific test. The only test I know of is the shave test. As far as rating blades, that is a very subjective and your preference for a given blade will differ from mine. Happy shaves.

Most of the comments throughout the forum are very general....."try them and find the one that works for you"......

How has the Feather blade been tested to claim it's the sharpest????? Is it only an individual preference?

I don't think there is an actual "Certified Test" out there on the sharpness of the Feather DE vs other blades; there may be.
This is not a sarcastic response at all, so please don't take it as one. I too, like to see hard data on anything in life that claims superiority in a category. I think/feel that approximately 80% of the member's feedback on the Feather's sharpness, placed it at the top of the DE Sharpness Category. Think, being the key word here. I'm new, 8 months, into DE shaving. I had the same question as you. I got a large sample pack as suggested & I'm still evaluating the pack. Feather is in the lead, hands down, so far. I do notice a difference in my shaves with the Feather, if I switch out DE razors, slight, but still a change. Something for you to keep in mind. I do not think that the slight difference that I get in switching out razors, has any reflection on the Feather blade itself.

With the large number of experienced DE shavers here, many with 30 + years under their belt, giving the Feather a ranking of # 1; is test enough for me.

Originally Posted by PaulA

Most of the comments throughout the forum are very general....."try them and find the one that works for you"......

How has the Feather blade been tested to claim it's the sharpest????? Is it only an individual preference?

You will find that 99.9% of everything about shaving with a blade whether it be a DE or a Straight is ‘Personal Preference’!!!

The suggestion of buying a package of various blades is an Excellent Recommendation!!

I won’t contaminate this thread with my preference for a DE blade. If you would like to try what I use on a rare occasion, PM me and I’ll gladly send you a 5 pack!

My counsel is to just slow down, take your time! Nothing that you do with shaving is going to make the Space Station come crashing to Earth!!

Enjoy the ride as it’s a wonderful new world! While I do have a few DE’s I normally shave with my straights.

Thanks for all the feedback, I merely needed to understand how some conclusions were attained.
Last time I shaved DE was when the cartriges first came out and that was with a Gillette and standard red blades.
Over time I will try different blades just for comparison.

Originally Posted by PaulA

Thanks for all the feedback, I merely needed to understand how some conclusions were attained.
Last time I shaved DE was when the cartriges first came out and that was with a Gillette and standard red blades.
Over time I will try different blades just for comparison.

Paul,

It sounds like you and I have a lot in common!! I’m going to be 60 in August and I started with a DE because that’s what my father used. When he went to the injector razor that’s what I used. However when he went to the electric, I tried it once and said ‘F’it! I stayed with wet shaving, even those (UGH), ‘Disposables’!!

About 4+ years ago I took up shaving with a straight and it’s been the best thing I’ve ever treated my face to!!

Yes, I still on occasion get ‘Bit’, but its well worth it! I leave my workplace with less 5 o’clock shadow than some guys show up to start their shift with!

The time it takes to prep and shave is ‘My Time’; time just for me! Also the honing and stropping is very relaxing and gives me some personal satisfaction knowing that what I’m doing isn’t being ‘done for me’ by some corporation. Even if they could, the results wouldn’t be the same or as good!

I’ve probably used my DE’s maybe 10-12 times in the last 4+ years. While they do a nice job, I don’t find the shave as ‘satisfying’!

My offer to send you some blades still stands, just let me know!!