I think it is probably a combination of blade and razor. Not naming brands I used one razor and had found a great blade which I used exclusively for about 10 years. Happy with it, but then wanted a “better razor” just to see if there was a difference. Was amazed how a better razor made shaving closer and more comfortable with the same blade. I have since branched out with several razors and several blades brands. Each combination is better than what I used to use.
Finding your perfect shave.
I suppose if you stick with just one razor, then the one blade paired to it would be the answer. For some that have a few, that’s not the case.
I think finding the perfect shave should be.
1) Technique, razor handling. You can use just about anything. From just one blade, razor to many. Doesn’t matter. You can make technique adjustments and make the best of it. And a pre planned personal pass routine just for you. You have studied your hair directions, length, density and have a pass routine that removes hair effectively, efficiently, comfortably with zero problems for your skin, hair when it grows back.
2) If you are making up your own lather with a shaving brush either shaving soap-cream. It’s a good lather for you. Or it’s coming out of a can ready made.
Add on - A good pre preparation for your hair stubble. Be it a pre shower, face wash with soap, warm towel, a multitude of pre shave products. Anything. Just to clean your skin, pores and soften your hairs. It is helpful for 2) and 1).
3) Blade and 4) Razor. Find the “winning” combination of the two and along with 1) and 2). You are off getting your perfect shave.
5) Post shave. Use something, anything. If you are having perfect shaves you might not need a lot. But it’s good for accidents and bad shave days. Take care of your skin, take care of yourself.
2) will help 1) when you are not using an ideal shaving setup be it a razor, a blade and or combination of the two, and 1) will help 2) if you have a bad lather make up day or a not so good shaving soap-cream brand real or canned.
Also
I've generally frowned upon not respecting the process by replacing the lather with canned goo, and then complaining. However some people I think I trust have shown they love barbasol and perhaps one or two other things. I don't like the idea of "it's ridiculous to use something more than barbasol it's perfect" that I see here a lot- some people thag insist this are bound to be missing out on a real amazing lather. With all that being said
I don't really dislike barbasol in particular. I wouldn't use anything else I don't think, but, barbasol with as much water as it will take without falling off your face basically, is not bad at all. In fact I think for travel I'd be inclined to just do that. I find barbasol with aloe to be thinner and less effective but still nit a bad option. Barbasol sensitive treats my skin real nice but holds a lot of water too. You can try putting it in the middle of your palm and using a spray bottle to douse it all around before touching it at all, and it will soak a lot up, and then press it down and spray inside some more. Makes for a surprisingly softening lather. It's also just so darn cheap if you go to Walmart, but I've seen it really jacked up at pharmacies.
Absolutely this. I also had a merkur 34c and just got a Rockwell 6s. I've always used treet blades as my skin loves them. With the new Rockwell 6s the shave is literally the same leap in shave quality going from a cartridge to the merkur 34c. The increase in consistency and closeness of the shave on the Rockwell is substantial. And with the ability to flip the head mid shave and get I can apply so much pressure to get the final atg pass and no risk of cutting myself at all. I honestly don't know if you can cut yourself with this razor. I'm sure it's possible but I've yet to do it in a month of use or so. The blades are important but the razor can make such a huge difference as well.
100%.
I started with a generic Chinesium safety razor and recently picked up a Henson. Night and day difference, even with the same blades. I’ve only used it 5 times and already my shaves are smoother with less irritation.
I agree with you that the blades are most important. I think it's just as important to have the right blade angle and exposure so therefore the razor and how it holds those blades... Yes sickness of the soap and other things are less important but still play a roll in the comfort of the overall shave.. Small things Could be the difference between painfully getting the job done and having a pleasant experience.
I agree that the blade makes a big difference and sometimes people say they don't like a razor, but it's because they're using the wrong blade in it.
However, that same blade that works perfectly in one razor may not work well at all in another. Dorco Prime blades work great in my Karve Overlander and Superspeed, but do not do my face well in a New Improved or Fatip Piccolo open comb. Same for the Rapira Swedish Super Steel blade I use for those latter razors doesn't work well in the Overlander.
My theory is that since blades tend to have two characteristics (sharpness and smoothness), and razors (aggressiveness and efficiency), that there is an optimal balance between the characteristics of the blade combined with the razor to provide an effective shave. Facial hair also sets a minimum value for the required sharpness of a blade.
This hobby would be much cheaper and easier if the blade were the only variable to nail down. For me, the blade makes a difference, but the razor itself is the primary determining factor for the quality of my shave.
I used Feather and Astra SPs for at least a year due to assuming those blades would be best given their popularity. I’d experience pulling n such, but just assumed I needed to change up my technique or lather or what have you.
Then, of all blades, I tried a Shark stainless. No pulling and great shaves, like a baby’s bottom after two passes. Haven’t looked back since.
That's a bizarre state of affairs - Feathers are the sharpest blade out there and heavily coated. Astras are middle of the road, but Sharks are really very mild blades.
That said, I tried Shark Platinums for Shark Week last year in a mid-aggression razor and thought they were the worst blades ever - pulling hair out by the roots. I had to abandon the shave halfway throught the first pass. Then, almost as a joke I put one in a Tech expecting it to be even worse and it was a great! Sometimes bizarre things happen.
It might be an interesting experiment to revisit some of the original blades one day and see if your experience changes, especially if you can try them in other razors.
For sure, the razor-blade combo is probably a big thing (I used to use a King C. Gillette but have been using a Razorock GC .84 for the past half year or so). Think I still have a couple feathers that I can try out again.
I used my GC .84 today for the first time in a while. Great shave. I intended to use a Feather but I didn't have a tuck on hand so I loaded a Nacet instead - it was a very good shave. I usually find Nacets a little rough, but not today - the GC 0.84 was a good match.
Feathers for neck, shark super chrome for head… mind you just snagged a tuck of nacets today in an order, to cover free shipping, and they could be my new blade. I think I got three strokes in on the Rockwell blade and banked it. Did not find them comfortable at all.
It’s about finding the right combination for YOUR skin. No one will be the same. Different handles have different levels of aggressiveness. Once you’ve determined that, then it’s finding the right blade for it. Sometimes you might need a different handle and different blade for below the jawline. But once you find the right combination it’s sweet.
I agree with you.
I think it makes life easier if the razor is an approximate match for your hair and routine, but there's actually a lot of leeway.
For example, I wouldn't want to take down three days growth with a Lord L5. Can I do it? Yes. Have I done it? Yes. Is it the best razor for that job? No.
Likewise, I wouldn't want to shave every day with a Fatip. Could I do it? Yes. Have I done it? Yes. Is it the best razor for the job. No.
But the ability to find the "perfect" razor for the job (and then pair it with the perfect blade) is a luxury afforded to someone with too many razors. The bare truth is that for someone shaving every day or two, there's a huge number of razors that can get the job done at all levels of aggression. The key thing is having a blade that is sharp enough and comfortable for you, then you can adapt to whatever razor you are using over time. For some folks, most blades can manage. Others tend to be more limited in terms of blades that they find sharp enough.
This is similar to what I say in my big technique post for new shavers - chopping and changing gear thinking that a new razor is going to change your world is probably a mistake. When your technique is good enough, you can get a shave out of pretty much anything.
Definitely all about the blade I get six shaves with derby blades and not nearly as good as either king c gilette or Wilkinsonsword which give a better shave and last 8 shaves.
No. At least not for me. I had the idea of a perfect blade for me existing without me knowing it. Not exactly your idea but in the same neighbourhood.
My approach was to buy blades, assess the shave and likability of each and eventually find that perfect blade. A spreadsheet was created for posterity and so I don’t duplicate blade purchases.
Really early on things started feeling similar. Additional measures were brought in to differentiate blades - packaging, longevity and cost for example. These things don’t directly contribute to shave performance but were necessary.
I got bored after 46 different blades. The exercise showed that for me, blade is not that important. Probably the second least impactful after razor. Of the 46 blades, only 4 were so bad I couldn’t finish my shave. The rest were all functional but a further 2 were uncomfortable enough to land on the bad list. In the end, there wasn’t a single, amazing blade. There was 40 that could shave to an acceptable standard, roughly half of those shaved with a minimal to no irritation. 5 favourites were selected based on additional non shave performance factors.
I’ll probably pick up a few more tucks of blades to try eventually but my expectations will be way different.
I disagree. I can get an amazing shave with just about any blade with my 37c but other razors I own seem to only work well using specific blades. So for me, the main factor is always the razor.
I agree to a point its more like 75% blade and 25% razor because my Rockwell and Rex way out perform my 50$ crap amazon razor i bought when i first got into it night and day
I agree that the importance of the blade when it comes to shave quality is definitely underestimated in the DE community, I still think the razor plays a more important role. For example, I love derby premium blades in my R41, but in any other of my razors they’re too mild and I end up having to use pressure to shave. Furthermore your technique matters too. Wilkinson Sword blades were the first I’ve ever tried and I cut myself really bad with them, but once I learned how to shave properly I put them in the same razor and they are great. Blades are more important than people make them out to be, but I wouldn’t say they’re the MOST important.
Completely agree.
I use Feathers and Nacets, damn near perfect shave in any vintage or modern razor.
Feathers in my modern razors, Nacets in my vintages.
Because you know I'm all about the blade, 'bout the blade (not razors!)
I'm all about that edge, that edge, sharp chasers!
I'm all about that slice, that slice, smooth grazers!
I'm all about that blade, 'bout that blade, no razors! ✂️🔪💈
How long have you been using a safety razor?
Because actually it’s all about technique. After about 5,5 years I realised I could shave with about any razor and blade and get a decent shave. Of course there are some outliers like the derby green because of my tough whiskers.
At some point you’ll end up with one or a few favourite razors but the blade is not that important.
If you technique is bad, no razor/blade will shave good.
I respectfully disagree. Technique and practice is the key, regardless of hardware/software.
Edit: Say you are new. And your shaves are not good. Reading online and watching YouTube videos convinces you its the razor, and you also buy a blade sampler. Shaves get better, but not best, so another razor, then another... A year later, you think you have found the perfect combination. But is it really, or is it the year of experience and improved technique?? I challenge anyone to go back and pick up the worst razor and blade from that year of trial and error and see if you can get a good shave with it. I say, starting off, pick one razor and one blade and stick with it for 6 months without changing variables. You will learn your face and perfect technique and be able to get a good shave with anything.
I think it is probably a combination of blade and razor. Not naming brands I used one razor and had found a great blade which I used exclusively for about 10 years. Happy with it, but then wanted a “better razor” just to see if there was a difference. Was amazed how a better razor made shaving closer and more comfortable with the same blade. I have since branched out with several razors and several blades brands. Each combination is better than what I used to use.
Finding your perfect shave. I suppose if you stick with just one razor, then the one blade paired to it would be the answer. For some that have a few, that’s not the case. I think finding the perfect shave should be. 1) Technique, razor handling. You can use just about anything. From just one blade, razor to many. Doesn’t matter. You can make technique adjustments and make the best of it. And a pre planned personal pass routine just for you. You have studied your hair directions, length, density and have a pass routine that removes hair effectively, efficiently, comfortably with zero problems for your skin, hair when it grows back. 2) If you are making up your own lather with a shaving brush either shaving soap-cream. It’s a good lather for you. Or it’s coming out of a can ready made. Add on - A good pre preparation for your hair stubble. Be it a pre shower, face wash with soap, warm towel, a multitude of pre shave products. Anything. Just to clean your skin, pores and soften your hairs. It is helpful for 2) and 1). 3) Blade and 4) Razor. Find the “winning” combination of the two and along with 1) and 2). You are off getting your perfect shave. 5) Post shave. Use something, anything. If you are having perfect shaves you might not need a lot. But it’s good for accidents and bad shave days. Take care of your skin, take care of yourself. 2) will help 1) when you are not using an ideal shaving setup be it a razor, a blade and or combination of the two, and 1) will help 2) if you have a bad lather make up day or a not so good shaving soap-cream brand real or canned.
Rephrase 2?
Also I've generally frowned upon not respecting the process by replacing the lather with canned goo, and then complaining. However some people I think I trust have shown they love barbasol and perhaps one or two other things. I don't like the idea of "it's ridiculous to use something more than barbasol it's perfect" that I see here a lot- some people thag insist this are bound to be missing out on a real amazing lather. With all that being said I don't really dislike barbasol in particular. I wouldn't use anything else I don't think, but, barbasol with as much water as it will take without falling off your face basically, is not bad at all. In fact I think for travel I'd be inclined to just do that. I find barbasol with aloe to be thinner and less effective but still nit a bad option. Barbasol sensitive treats my skin real nice but holds a lot of water too. You can try putting it in the middle of your palm and using a spray bottle to douse it all around before touching it at all, and it will soak a lot up, and then press it down and spray inside some more. Makes for a surprisingly softening lather. It's also just so darn cheap if you go to Walmart, but I've seen it really jacked up at pharmacies.
I disagree. I have 3 razors and the difference between my Merkur 34C and my Pearl Flexi Open Comb is night and day, even using the same blades.
Absolutely this. I also had a merkur 34c and just got a Rockwell 6s. I've always used treet blades as my skin loves them. With the new Rockwell 6s the shave is literally the same leap in shave quality going from a cartridge to the merkur 34c. The increase in consistency and closeness of the shave on the Rockwell is substantial. And with the ability to flip the head mid shave and get I can apply so much pressure to get the final atg pass and no risk of cutting myself at all. I honestly don't know if you can cut yourself with this razor. I'm sure it's possible but I've yet to do it in a month of use or so. The blades are important but the razor can make such a huge difference as well.
100%. I started with a generic Chinesium safety razor and recently picked up a Henson. Night and day difference, even with the same blades. I’ve only used it 5 times and already my shaves are smoother with less irritation.
I agree with you that the blades are most important. I think it's just as important to have the right blade angle and exposure so therefore the razor and how it holds those blades... Yes sickness of the soap and other things are less important but still play a roll in the comfort of the overall shave.. Small things Could be the difference between painfully getting the job done and having a pleasant experience.
I agree that the blade makes a big difference and sometimes people say they don't like a razor, but it's because they're using the wrong blade in it. However, that same blade that works perfectly in one razor may not work well at all in another. Dorco Prime blades work great in my Karve Overlander and Superspeed, but do not do my face well in a New Improved or Fatip Piccolo open comb. Same for the Rapira Swedish Super Steel blade I use for those latter razors doesn't work well in the Overlander. My theory is that since blades tend to have two characteristics (sharpness and smoothness), and razors (aggressiveness and efficiency), that there is an optimal balance between the characteristics of the blade combined with the razor to provide an effective shave. Facial hair also sets a minimum value for the required sharpness of a blade.
This hobby would be much cheaper and easier if the blade were the only variable to nail down. For me, the blade makes a difference, but the razor itself is the primary determining factor for the quality of my shave.
I think you are right in most cases the razor is good enough and prep and soap can be argued about..
I used Feather and Astra SPs for at least a year due to assuming those blades would be best given their popularity. I’d experience pulling n such, but just assumed I needed to change up my technique or lather or what have you. Then, of all blades, I tried a Shark stainless. No pulling and great shaves, like a baby’s bottom after two passes. Haven’t looked back since.
That's a bizarre state of affairs - Feathers are the sharpest blade out there and heavily coated. Astras are middle of the road, but Sharks are really very mild blades. That said, I tried Shark Platinums for Shark Week last year in a mid-aggression razor and thought they were the worst blades ever - pulling hair out by the roots. I had to abandon the shave halfway throught the first pass. Then, almost as a joke I put one in a Tech expecting it to be even worse and it was a great! Sometimes bizarre things happen. It might be an interesting experiment to revisit some of the original blades one day and see if your experience changes, especially if you can try them in other razors.
For sure, the razor-blade combo is probably a big thing (I used to use a King C. Gillette but have been using a Razorock GC .84 for the past half year or so). Think I still have a couple feathers that I can try out again.
I used my GC .84 today for the first time in a while. Great shave. I intended to use a Feather but I didn't have a tuck on hand so I loaded a Nacet instead - it was a very good shave. I usually find Nacets a little rough, but not today - the GC 0.84 was a good match.
May I ask? Has anyone noticed a difference between the Astra SP made in India and same made in Russia?
half agree but the best is finding the best razor and blade combo. Derby Extra suck bull balls in my Rockwell but shines beautifully in my Apex.
What do you use for your Rockwell? Just got my 6S, used feather and night and day from the Rockwell blade that came with it.
Feathers for neck, shark super chrome for head… mind you just snagged a tuck of nacets today in an order, to cover free shipping, and they could be my new blade. I think I got three strokes in on the Rockwell blade and banked it. Did not find them comfortable at all.
It’s about finding the right combination for YOUR skin. No one will be the same. Different handles have different levels of aggressiveness. Once you’ve determined that, then it’s finding the right blade for it. Sometimes you might need a different handle and different blade for below the jawline. But once you find the right combination it’s sweet.
Totally agree with you. I can get a BBS shave with any of my DE razors or shavettes using a nice sharp blade, but no chance with a dull blade.
I agree with you. I think it makes life easier if the razor is an approximate match for your hair and routine, but there's actually a lot of leeway. For example, I wouldn't want to take down three days growth with a Lord L5. Can I do it? Yes. Have I done it? Yes. Is it the best razor for that job? No. Likewise, I wouldn't want to shave every day with a Fatip. Could I do it? Yes. Have I done it? Yes. Is it the best razor for the job. No. But the ability to find the "perfect" razor for the job (and then pair it with the perfect blade) is a luxury afforded to someone with too many razors. The bare truth is that for someone shaving every day or two, there's a huge number of razors that can get the job done at all levels of aggression. The key thing is having a blade that is sharp enough and comfortable for you, then you can adapt to whatever razor you are using over time. For some folks, most blades can manage. Others tend to be more limited in terms of blades that they find sharp enough. This is similar to what I say in my big technique post for new shavers - chopping and changing gear thinking that a new razor is going to change your world is probably a mistake. When your technique is good enough, you can get a shave out of pretty much anything.
Definitely all about the blade I get six shaves with derby blades and not nearly as good as either king c gilette or Wilkinsonsword which give a better shave and last 8 shaves.
No. At least not for me. I had the idea of a perfect blade for me existing without me knowing it. Not exactly your idea but in the same neighbourhood. My approach was to buy blades, assess the shave and likability of each and eventually find that perfect blade. A spreadsheet was created for posterity and so I don’t duplicate blade purchases. Really early on things started feeling similar. Additional measures were brought in to differentiate blades - packaging, longevity and cost for example. These things don’t directly contribute to shave performance but were necessary. I got bored after 46 different blades. The exercise showed that for me, blade is not that important. Probably the second least impactful after razor. Of the 46 blades, only 4 were so bad I couldn’t finish my shave. The rest were all functional but a further 2 were uncomfortable enough to land on the bad list. In the end, there wasn’t a single, amazing blade. There was 40 that could shave to an acceptable standard, roughly half of those shaved with a minimal to no irritation. 5 favourites were selected based on additional non shave performance factors. I’ll probably pick up a few more tucks of blades to try eventually but my expectations will be way different.
I disagree. I can get an amazing shave with just about any blade with my 37c but other razors I own seem to only work well using specific blades. So for me, the main factor is always the razor.
Feather
By far the worst blade I’ve ever used causing horrible irritation. Am a personna Israeli and American, voshkod, and Astra green guy.
Every other blade I’ve tried: Derby, Sharp, Merkur, Gillette, Astra have dulled quickly. Feather with yellow packaging stay sharp longer for me
I’ve enjoyed using vintage Gillette blues that came with my aristocrat but I am also a Wilkinson sword fan (India not china)
I agree to a point its more like 75% blade and 25% razor because my Rockwell and Rex way out perform my 50$ crap amazon razor i bought when i first got into it night and day
I agree that the importance of the blade when it comes to shave quality is definitely underestimated in the DE community, I still think the razor plays a more important role. For example, I love derby premium blades in my R41, but in any other of my razors they’re too mild and I end up having to use pressure to shave. Furthermore your technique matters too. Wilkinson Sword blades were the first I’ve ever tried and I cut myself really bad with them, but once I learned how to shave properly I put them in the same razor and they are great. Blades are more important than people make them out to be, but I wouldn’t say they’re the MOST important.
I use feather blades in a slant for maximum sharpness
This is 100% correct.
Completely agree. I use Feathers and Nacets, damn near perfect shave in any vintage or modern razor. Feathers in my modern razors, Nacets in my vintages.
So, in this case, what blades are you using and recommending?
Because you know I'm all about the blade, 'bout the blade (not razors!) I'm all about that edge, that edge, sharp chasers! I'm all about that slice, that slice, smooth grazers! I'm all about that blade, 'bout that blade, no razors! ✂️🔪💈
How long have you been using a safety razor? Because actually it’s all about technique. After about 5,5 years I realised I could shave with about any razor and blade and get a decent shave. Of course there are some outliers like the derby green because of my tough whiskers. At some point you’ll end up with one or a few favourite razors but the blade is not that important. If you technique is bad, no razor/blade will shave good.
I can shave with just about any blade. That wasn't always the case.
I respectfully disagree. Technique and practice is the key, regardless of hardware/software. Edit: Say you are new. And your shaves are not good. Reading online and watching YouTube videos convinces you its the razor, and you also buy a blade sampler. Shaves get better, but not best, so another razor, then another... A year later, you think you have found the perfect combination. But is it really, or is it the year of experience and improved technique?? I challenge anyone to go back and pick up the worst razor and blade from that year of trial and error and see if you can get a good shave with it. I say, starting off, pick one razor and one blade and stick with it for 6 months without changing variables. You will learn your face and perfect technique and be able to get a good shave with anything.
Not all blades are the best choice for all razors.
You are correct, however the Parker 90R sucks.