R&B Sample Pack

[Infotech]

I'm jumping back into DE shaving after about a 6 month hiatus. I think I can be more successful this time around because I won't have to worrry about wether or not I've got good lather since I've been using a brush and creams during that time and I can concentrate on my technique.

So that brings me to the reason for my post. It's nice to see some competition in the sample pack market. I'm planning on ordering the largest pack from Razor and Brush. Is there a recommended order for using the razors in the pack? I’d like make my way through it from dullest to sharpest or least aggressive to most aggressive if it makes any difference.

Nice forum!

[Mottern Man]

Welcome Aboard!

I do belive he has Crystal blades in the pack, they are pretty good for first, very forgiving.

[Queen of Blades]

I dunno. but......

Welcome to The Shave Den, James!

[jbcohen]

Michael Ham, from this board over in the Shave School section once said to me "Results from shaving are 80% razor and 20% blade." This is Michael Ham's opinion. Folks at another forum told me that the two leading double edge razors are the Gillette Super Speed and the Merkur Vision. The Super Speed barely edges out the Vision taking 51% of the vote.

[Mottern Man]

I think it was the Super Speed and Merkur HD for the best beginers razor, not the Vision.

I say its more 40% Blade, 40% angle and technique, 20% Razor. :p

[rick]

My 1950-ish SuperSpeed is still one of my faves after 1.3 years at this.
Very easy to use....lightweight and forgiving.
Great razor.

[Scorpio]

I think Doc is on the right track. It is a combination of several factors coming together. The razor, blade, technique, face prep and angle are important factors to take into consideration. I disagree with the statement that it is 80% razor and 20% blade. The blade can change the shaving performance of a specific razor or any razor for that matter. For example, when I started shaving with a DE I tried several blades with the same razor. The day I used my Gillette adjustable FB with a Israeli Personna was the day I found the perfect combination for me. That along with all the other factor taken into consideration is what made the difference for me.

I would suggest to try different blades until youfind the one that gives the most comfortable shaves. Try not to change too many variables as you go through the blades in order to get good feedback from your shaves.

Raf

[TraderJoe]

Try not to change too many variables as you go through the blades in order to get good feedback from your shaves.

Raf

This is key. You could very easily find yourself on a binge of trying too many blades, and razors, soaps, creams.......that it becomes hard to keep track of what works.

so unless you are keeping a database to record your specific results........


Anyway, I think the Dorco Platinum and the Treet Stainless out of that pack are very good blades and comparable if not better than Derby.

[Infotech]

I would suggest to try different blades until youfind the one that gives the most comfortable shaves. Try not to change too many variables as you go through the blades in order to get good feedback from your shaves.
Raf

I tried that with LetterK's sample pack and ended up making hamburger meat out of my face. I was thinking I'd follow the advice of trying one pack at a time this time around.

Thanks for all the advice, everyone.

[Scorpio]

I tried that with LetterK's sample pack and ended up making hamburger meat out of my face. I was thinking I'd follow the advice of trying one pack at a time this time around.

Thanks for all the advice, everyone.

Describe how you went through the pack. Did you change blade after one shave or shave several times with one brand before switching?

[Infotech]

I didn't go through the pack very well. I'd shave a couple of times with one razor, a couple with another. I still have 4 IPs (which I'm using until I get this sample pack) most of the feathers, and all of the Merkur blades left over from that pack.

[jbcohen]

I have not yet ventured much of an opinion about a lot of things on this board but I will venture one here. I have interacted a few times with Giovanni at Razor and Blade and I have always had great experiences with him. He has a tendency to throw in free samples to each and every order he gets. He has said frequently to me that he likes to save money for his customers. He is also one of the most klnowedgeable individuals that I know of about the art of wet shaving, its a toss up between Giovanni and Miahel Ham on the subject of who knows more. He tells me that he trys each and every product that he sells and will nto sell anything unless he thinks its the greatest thing since sliced bred. He often takes requests for additions to his product catalog from customers, I know becuase I specifically asked him to add Isreali Personna and 7am blades and he did. He frequently adds products to his catalog. The shipping costs he charges are "actual" costs not the inflated prices one generaly pays. Try him I think you will like doing business with him.

[Mottern Man]

I think you will find a few of us here have done biz with him and have had good things to say.

I have not made any deals, but many have.

[Infotech]

Thanks for requesting the IPs! I decided against the sample pack for now because the Isreali Personas’ are working really well for me. I decided to order a pack of 10, go through those while getting my technique down, and then ordering the sample pack. The sample packs are great to have but I have a tendency try to go through them to fast.

Giovanni was a real pleasure to work with. I'll be honest; I was surprised the site was still around considering the reception it got when he first created it. Not only is it still around, but its gotten better and seems to be the best place for alternative brands.

[TraderJoe]

I think you will find a few of us here have done biz with him and have had good things to say.

I have not made any deals, but many have.

I have bought many things from Giovanni, he is indeed a pleasure to deal with. The shipping is immediate and he definitely treats the customer right.

[qhsdoitall]

He did fine by me.

[jbcohen]

Giovanni is always willing to add new brands of blades if he gets some interest in the new brands and he can find a supplier for the brand. He tells me on ocasion the supplier will approach him to sell there blades in the US or europe. This is the way he got to distribute the Sputnik brand, he tells me. So if there si a brand of blade you would like to try don't hestiate to ask him about the brand.

Currently there is talk over at Razor and Blade about adding the Dinosaur and Super Dinosaur brand of blade. Please feel free to chime in if you want.

[Smedley]

I am going to place an order for the big sampler this week. Can hardly wait to try out the Batman blades! :rofl

[jbcohen]

Hay don't nock it there are so many different brands of blades, 41 at my last count, someone somewhere will come out with a batman blade.

[jbcohen]

Just got word from R&B today about my third order from that company, the order will be free of charge since the item I ordered was not in stock. This will be my third free order from R&B. At this rate I don't quite understand how Giovanni expects to make any dollars. Ordered a travel version of my favorite razor a clasic Gillette Super Speed.

[Infotech]

Where does he have Gillette Superspeeds on his site?

Speaking of razors, has anyone tried any of those cheap TTO he's selling?

[Mottern Man]

Where does he have Gillette Superspeeds on his site?

Speaking of razors, has anyone tried any of those cheap TTO he's selling?

I think he was talking about the cheap TTO as a Gillette Superspeed "type", I have not tried one but I think JBC will have a review coming.

[jbcohen]

You are exactly correct Mottern Man. I am someitmes a bit challenged at expressing myself property but you got the jist of what I was trying to convey. If you wish a review I will give it when I have a chance to try out the razor he sent me, may be a while. For James below is a link to the web page where Giovanni lists his razors, the Merkur ones are on the bottom while the cheaper ones are on the top. He does not currently have TTO S2 in stock. Of the TTO ones he seems to have coded the razors this way as the quality of the razor goes up the number of the razor goes up, thus two is better than one and three is better than either one or two. Web page to follow:

http://www.razorandbrush.com/barberiaraz.html

[Leisureguy]

The "Batman" blades are the Treet Blue Specials, or as I call them, the Black Beauty blades. I commented in the blog that these look like the blades that Batman uses. (You'll notice that he's always very clean-shaven.) A great blade, but since it's carbon steel requires some extra care (http://leisureguy.wordpress.com/2007/08/20/carbon-steel-cutting-edges/):
I know from using knives (and reading about straight razors) that carbon steel can take a sharper edge than stainless steel. But carbon steel does tend to rust. So if you find you like a carbon steel blade, you have some choices:

1. Use a new blade for each shave
2. Dry the blade after use (not by rubbing it with a cloth but, for example, with a hair dryer)
3. Easiest: After shaving, rinse the razor in hot water, give it a good shake, rinse the head in rubbing alcohol with high alcohol content, and then put it in a rack to dry. (I use an inexpensive 91% rubbing alcohol I bought at the local drugstore.) The alcohol displaces the water, and then the alcohol evaporates, leaving a dry blade that doesn’t rust.

I keep the rubbing alcohol in a one-cup canning jar, whose lift-off lid makes a tight seal that keeps the alcohol from evaporating. (I don’t use the sealing ring at all.) Lift lid, swish razor head in the alcohol, place razor on the rack to dry: quick and easy.