In 45 years of shaving starting with Gillette and Schick razors and moving on to the Gillette Good News for a couple of decades I noticed no difference. The move back to DEs came a couple of years ago with straight razors taking over completely seven months ago. Still no change.

One thing that I observed in participating in this and other forums is that I had assumed and stated that I had a tough beard. Since I have never shaved anyone else I had nothing to compare to. In reading other posts on DE blade preferences I have determined that my beard is probably in the middle range with a couple of tough areas on the chin and neck.

Since the DE shaver is starting with a sharp blade and his ability to hone and strop is not an issue I think I am safe in assuming that the difficulty some men have with a blade that I find satisfactory indicates they have a tougher beard. Of course technique or the lack has to be considered but I am talking about veteran wet shavers.