Your razor for trying a new blade [Archive]

Leisureguy

09-08-2007, 01:22 PM

I just realized this morning, as I tried a new brand of blade, that I have started to gravitate to the Merkur Classic head whenever I want to test a new blade. This morning, for example, I used the Edwin Jagger Georgian (http://www.theenglishshavingcompany.com/cgi-bin/psProdSrch.cgi/@cTraditional%20Safety%20Razors@b). (I know some guys think the EJ razors are overpriced, but I really like them a lot.)

At any rate, I believe that some of you have more than one razor. If you do, do you tend to favor a particular razor when trying a new brand of blade?

qhsdoitall

09-08-2007, 01:44 PM

My reference shave uses a Merkur 34C HD Classic Razor. All new blade tests go to that razor first. If it passes that, then I go to the Merkur HD Slant Bar Razor.

CatMan

09-08-2007, 02:25 PM

I first try new blades in one of my Weishis. This way I can weed out blades that are not good for me. If it doesn't work in a Weishi, then it doesn't work, period. After passing this test, I put (a new) blade (of the same kind) in my Merkur Standard. If that's OK, then the ultimate test is the Slant. If it passes this one, I found a great blade. As always, YMMV. :cool:

Infotech

09-08-2007, 03:36 PM

I tried a new blade this morning and was reaching for my Gillette Slim Adjustable but went for my Super Speed instead. On hind sight I should have grabbed the Slim. I know it bettera but have been trying out the Super Speed all last week so stayed with it.

suffolksupplies

09-08-2007, 04:22 PM

I use my Feather popular, very mild so it lets you get use to a new blade.

Paul

DragonBoy

09-08-2007, 04:31 PM

I tend to use my Edwin Jagger Faux Ivory Chatsworth DE.. Its a superior razor when it comes to balance and userability.. Its great looking as well.. :drool

TraderJoe

09-08-2007, 07:10 PM

I use my Feather popular, very mild so it lets you get use to a new blade.

Paul

Treet Delrin, for this same reason......though I did have a Feather popular and enjoyed it very much.

Earlier this summer we had some guests stay in our apartment, and the gentleman was fascinated with my shavery. Gave the feather popular to him (as I think its user-friendly) with a cheap brush, some cream, and blades.

Which reminds me, I gotta ask for an update on his progress

minderasr

09-08-2007, 07:29 PM

I try new blades with whatever razor I'm using at the moment. Lately, I've gone back to using my Merkur Progress. In the past it was my '59 Gillette Fatboy.

TraderJoe

09-08-2007, 07:57 PM

In the past it was my '59 Gillette Fatboy.

Also an excellent razor, maybe I should've added that; however, I seem to get a great shave no matter what blade I throw in the Fatboy :happy088

rick

09-08-2007, 08:05 PM

1950-ish SuperSpeed

Racso_MS

09-08-2007, 08:16 PM

Merkur 38C...

It use to be the Merkur HD but the Merkur 38C won the battle between the two...

Enjoy your shave... :D

Htownmmm

09-08-2007, 08:46 PM

Whatever is up next in the rotation.

Marty

suffolksupplies

09-08-2007, 08:51 PM

Also an excellent razor, maybe I should've added that; however, I seem to get a great shave no matter what blade I throw in the Fatboy :happy088

Interesting I don't like my fatboy. They seem to be very highly rated, anyone else not like them?

Paul

sparky5693

09-08-2007, 11:05 PM

Interesting I don't like my fatboy. They seem to be very highly rated, anyone else not like them?

Paul

I seem to get irritation when I use it at the proper aggression for my beard.

DragonBoy

09-09-2007, 08:47 AM

Interesting I don't like my fatboy. They seem to be very highly rated, anyone else not like them?

Paul

I cannot get my Fatboy to agree with me.. I cannot get a good shave with it..

Racso_MS

09-09-2007, 06:50 PM

Interesting... I don't believe I've ever heard anyone say they didn't like the "Fat Boy". But I guess since we are all "preferential" it's possible. After all, I like Merkur Razor Blades. Go figure...

And as always the object of the game is to...

Enjoy your shave...:D

MarSellus Wallace

09-10-2007, 10:14 AM

I believe that the only proper way to test blades is to have three parallel set-ups. Hence, I always use the same three razors when I test blades: three Gillette Superspeed red tips (because I feel most comfortable with these). I load each up with a different blade and use the same set-up (TOBS cream) and routine (hot shower or towel as prep) on a 1-day old growth.

Up till now, the benchmark for me is the Swede. I'm currently testing the BIC platinum, the Gillette Super Silver and the Derby blades. I will soon toss out the Gillette Super Silver and replace them with Israeli Personna's.

Bronco

09-10-2007, 11:04 AM

I cannot get my Fatboy to agree with me.. I cannot get a good shave with it..

Perhaps it's out of whack. How's the blade alignment? Equal? Everything else OK mechanically?
I do find mine a little bulky under the nose, other than that OK.

herzi

09-10-2007, 11:57 AM

I test new blades with my Parker 22r. It's perfect for me.

msandoval858

09-10-2007, 12:17 PM

It's always been Merkur HD for me until I got this new gold Trumper Warwick. Same cutting head as the HD but the feel and weight of the handle is just increadible. Definately my new "go to" DE.

qhsdoitall

09-10-2007, 12:52 PM

It's always been Merkur HD for me until I got this new gold Trumper Warwick. Same cutting head as the HD but the feel and weight of the handle is just increadible. Definately my new "go to" DE.

How is it compared to your 38C then?

msandoval858

09-10-2007, 12:59 PM

How is it compared to your 38C then?

38C handle is too heavy, balance is akward. The Warwick blows it away. It'll probably be a long time before I pick up that 38C again... looks pretty on the rack though :D

Leisureguy

09-10-2007, 01:43 PM

qhsdoitall

09-10-2007, 01:49 PM

Kingpepper

09-10-2007, 02:06 PM

I use my late '40s Gillette Milord first. Then my '54 SS.

fritz

09-10-2007, 02:45 PM

I tend to put it in one of my Slants. I figure if it won't work in the Slant, then I'm probably not interested. Then there's the famous slant "magnification" factor at work....

qhsdoitall

09-10-2007, 02:51 PM

I tend to put it in one of my Slants. I figure if it won't work in the Slant, then I'm probably not interested. Then there's the famous slant "magnification" factor at work....

Ya, it tends to do that doesn't it. Still, it's my workhorse razor so I make absolutely sure it works in that after I'm done with testing a blade in the Merkur HD 34C.

mantic

09-10-2007, 02:57 PM

My Progress (narrowly edging out my Weishi).

--Mark

desmoface

09-10-2007, 03:30 PM

Ok, you had to mention this razor. I thought I was done buying shaving stuff..Where would one go to purchase one of these gems?

Steve

It's always been Merkur HD for me until I got this new gold Trumper Warwick. Same cutting head as the HD but the feel and weight of the handle is just increadible. Definately my new "go to" DE.

MarSellus Wallace

09-10-2007, 04:08 PM

MarSellus, I like the idea of the parallel set-up---plus you can deliberately not know which of the three blades you're shaving with. Do you use all three in one shave, or use them for three shaves in succession?

All three in one shave, half a cheek each (one reserve cheek:D). The neck is another, separate area to evaluate the quality of the blade on (harshness e.g.). Indeed, one doesn't know which blade is in the razor, hence no prejudices. Blind 'tasting' as it were...:D

I always use the same lather too, made with a TOBS cream. A consistent setup is the key to reliable testing...

msandoval858

09-10-2007, 08:48 PM

Ok, you had to mention this razor. I thought I was done buying shaving stuff..Where would one go to purchase one of these gems?

Steve

I got mine directly from Trumpers. They have been doing a 50% off on all their discountinued items, which sadly includes all the Warwick DE's.

I know where there are a few here in the US, but not quite as cheap. $110 for the gold last I checked.

desmoface

09-10-2007, 08:57 PM

Hi Mike, thanks for the reply. I guess I'll just stick with the HD..those sure are nice, though.

Steve

Smedley

09-10-2007, 10:46 PM

I actually rotate through three:

Tech
Superspeed
Fat Boy

The Tech is mild enough that I know it's not the cause of any blade issues, but aggressive enough to give me a bit of bite. The Superspeed is the opposite, it tames any blade I've used in it, so I know that maybe the blade would be OK even if other razors make it bite too much. And the Fat Boy, if I can't get a good shave from my Fat Boy even with non-standard (for me) adjustments, the blade doesn't get a place of preference.

Of course, I go through three new blades with 3-4 shaves each to minimize the chance I am suffering from bad manufacturing techneek.

If the blade passes all three of these, then I feel good about using it in any of the razors I have. Otherwise, the blade might make the grade for one type of razor but not others. The ever-popular Derby has never made me happy in any razor, so it is out for life. I use Feathers everywhere, but really they work best in my Superspeed. And so on. And so forth. ::

barbarosa

09-11-2007, 06:32 PM

Merkur Progress

jbcohen

09-13-2007, 10:16 AM

Why use a special razor for a new blade brand? If you use one particular razor for this you probavbly won't be able to tell how it will perform in one of your mainstream shavers. Why not put it to work in one of the mainstream shavers. Of course I am assuming that you have on shaver reserved for trying new blades. I don't I put it to work in one of my Super Speeds. Of course its a bit dificult to not do this since I have approximatly one hundred blade samples. :happy036. That's 100% of the blades I have on hand, 80% of which were free. :happy036

Leisureguy

09-13-2007, 01:30 PM

Mainstream shaver would be fine. I was just wondering whether, when trying a new blade, you guys generally went to one particular razor in your normal rotation. And I find---this is amazing---YMMV. :)

jbcohen

09-14-2007, 02:16 PM

Right now I am nuts about the Super Speed razors, I have two. A 50s and a 70s and bounce back and forth between the two. All new blades must provide BBS right from shave number one in both of the two Super Speeds. Often times I will exchange a blade between the two of them just ot make sure that the BBS in one of them was not a fluke.

JPOMP

09-15-2007, 07:26 PM

I use a Weishi or my Parker 22R and if favorable than I'll put the blades into my rotation with my Merkurs.

Queen of Blades

09-15-2007, 07:45 PM

AS I only use one razor really, it would be my Gillette Ladies Pink Star for testing, and using, blades.

But technically, I don't test blades. Not since I found the Sharps. Don't need to test other blades. Which is good cause I have plenty of them, and don't care to have hundreds upon hundreds of blades laying around the house.