Blades and Razors

If your topic has nothing to do with Spyderco, you can post it here.
User avatar
Doc Dan
Member
Posts: 14754
Joined: Thu Nov 08, 2012 4:25 am
Location: In a dimension as vast as space and as timeless as infinity.

Blades and Razors

#1

Post by Doc Dan »

It is a whole new world when going back to shaving with a proper safety razor instead of those multi-blade scams. What I am learning is that the best razor in the world is no good if it does not match my face and my razor. Everyone is different and because I love a certain razor and blade combination does not mean someone else will love it.

A good example is that I love to shave with my Edwin Jagger DE89 and my Henson Medium using an uber sharp Feather blade. However, that same blade in either of my Game Changer razors (68 and 84) is horrible to my face. You'd think that sharper would mean more comfortable, but apparently it is not so simple. I changed over to Voshkod in the two GC's and got better shaves, but a Rapira Swedish Supersteel was even better, and no one would argue that these are as sharp as a Feather. I tried the Rapira Platinum and I was back to terrible, again. This is just some examples of what I have been finding out.

The blade really makes a difference to the smoothness, efficiency, and overall comfort of the shave, and it is not simply having the sharpest blade possible. Some blades are incrementally thicker, some are incrementally wider so that more blade is revealed. Some have coatings, and some don't.

I'm still learning. This is an area where steel and edge geometry, along with blade exposure, gap, angle, and all sorts of things come into play.

What have you learned? Is there a favorite razor and blade combination for you?
I Pray Heaven to Bestow The Best of Blessing on THIS HOUSE, and on ALL that shall hereafter Inhabit it. May none but Honest and Wise Men ever rule under This Roof! (John Adams regarding the White House)

Follow the Christ, the King,
Live pure, speak true, right wrong, follow the King--
Else, wherefore born?" (Tennyson)



NRA Life Member
Spydernation 0050
User avatar
RustyIron
Member
Posts: 2375
Joined: Mon Mar 18, 2019 9:01 pm
Location: La Habra, CA
Contact:

Re: Blades and Razors

#2

Post by RustyIron »

Doc Dan wrote:
Tue Jan 04, 2022 11:20 pm

What have you learned?


1. Japanese=best
2. Russian=good
3. Egyptian=don't bother
4. Great blades in a mediocre handle are still mediocre.
5. Cream Crackers are indeed a thing, according to Wikipedia.

User avatar
Bloke
Member
Posts: 5424
Joined: Fri May 13, 2016 12:43 am
Location: Sydney, Australia.

Re: Blades and Razors

#3

Post by Bloke »

I hate shaving and if I had to shave everyday I’d get electrolysis or something.

I haven’t experimented with razors other than disposables. I know they’re not environmentally friendly or anything but I don’t use that many.

Anyhow, I don’t like any of the “Mens” razors. Ah, hahaha!

These are my favourites by far. Mmmm, moisture smooth strip ... :cheap-sunglasses

Image
A day without laughter is a day wasted. ~ Charlie Chaplin
User avatar
Doc Dan
Member
Posts: 14754
Joined: Thu Nov 08, 2012 4:25 am
Location: In a dimension as vast as space and as timeless as infinity.

Re: Blades and Razors

#4

Post by Doc Dan »

Bloke wrote:
Wed Jan 05, 2022 1:21 am
I hate shaving and if I had to shave everyday I’d get electrolysis or something.

I haven’t experimented with razors other than disposables. I know they’re not environmentally friendly or anything but I don’t use that many.

Anyhow, I don’t like any of the “Mens” razors. Ah, hahaha!

These are my favourites by far. Mmmm, moisture smooth strip ... :cheap-sunglasses

Image
You need to try a good double edged safety razor. Shaving is more fun and relaxing and is smoother with the right combination.
I Pray Heaven to Bestow The Best of Blessing on THIS HOUSE, and on ALL that shall hereafter Inhabit it. May none but Honest and Wise Men ever rule under This Roof! (John Adams regarding the White House)

Follow the Christ, the King,
Live pure, speak true, right wrong, follow the King--
Else, wherefore born?" (Tennyson)



NRA Life Member
Spydernation 0050
User avatar
Doc Dan
Member
Posts: 14754
Joined: Thu Nov 08, 2012 4:25 am
Location: In a dimension as vast as space and as timeless as infinity.

Re: Blades and Razors

#5

Post by Doc Dan »

RustyIron wrote:
Wed Jan 05, 2022 12:16 am
Doc Dan wrote:
Tue Jan 04, 2022 11:20 pm

What have you learned?


1. Japanese=best
2. Russian=good
3. Egyptian=don't bother
4. Great blades in a mediocre handle are still mediocre.
5. Cream Crackers are indeed a thing, according to Wikipedia.

1. Yes, as a rule, but they are not always the best in every scenario, though the quality is there.
2. Yes.
3. Absolutely
4. Right on the mark.
5. Sure are. Jacobs Cream Crackers are a must have. We get the big tins.
I Pray Heaven to Bestow The Best of Blessing on THIS HOUSE, and on ALL that shall hereafter Inhabit it. May none but Honest and Wise Men ever rule under This Roof! (John Adams regarding the White House)

Follow the Christ, the King,
Live pure, speak true, right wrong, follow the King--
Else, wherefore born?" (Tennyson)



NRA Life Member
Spydernation 0050
JRinFL
Member
Posts: 6145
Joined: Wed Nov 18, 2015 10:30 am
Location: Unfashionable West End of the Galaxy (SE USA)

Re: Blades and Razors

#6

Post by JRinFL »

I grew a beard decades ago and haven't looked back and since I'm not an ancient Roman, I haven't needed to! ;-)

Still, I do need a razor on the periphery to keep things neat. I've been working my way through a box of disposables I bought over 15 years ago. I try to keep things as simple as possible.
"...it costs nothing to be polite." - Winston Churchill
“Maybe the cheese in the mousetrap is an artificially created cheaper price?” -Sal
Friends call me Jim. As do my foes.
M.N.O.S.D. 0001
Ric
Member
Posts: 875
Joined: Mon Oct 16, 2017 10:52 pm
Location: Austria / Europe

Re: Blades and Razors

#7

Post by Ric »

I prefer Muehle R89. With Muehle or feather blades.
Picked up to Rocca recently which is also nice but a bit more aggressive.

R41 Open comb is too aggressive and needs extra carefulness which I do not have in the morning. After a big cut it will not get used again.

The Henson medium arrived already and will be used within the next days.

The lather is also important.
I prefer it more watery. The more preparation the smoother.

Usually I do a rough electric Pre-Shave first and the blade afterwards.
I shave roughly every 3 days.
User avatar
Doc Dan
Member
Posts: 14754
Joined: Thu Nov 08, 2012 4:25 am
Location: In a dimension as vast as space and as timeless as infinity.

Re: Blades and Razors

#8

Post by Doc Dan »

Ric wrote:
Wed Jan 05, 2022 4:54 pm
I prefer Muehle R89. With Muehle or feather blades.
Picked up to Rocca recently which is also nice but a bit more aggressive.

R41 Open comb is too aggressive and needs extra carefulness which I do not have in the morning. After a big cut it will not get used again.

The Henson medium arrived already and will be used within the next days.

The lather is also important.
I prefer it more watery. The more preparation the smoother.

Usually I do a rough electric Pre-Shave first and the blade afterwards.
I shave roughly every 3 days.
The R89 is pretty nice, but I think you will love that Henson. It has a very different shaving angle, though.
I Pray Heaven to Bestow The Best of Blessing on THIS HOUSE, and on ALL that shall hereafter Inhabit it. May none but Honest and Wise Men ever rule under This Roof! (John Adams regarding the White House)

Follow the Christ, the King,
Live pure, speak true, right wrong, follow the King--
Else, wherefore born?" (Tennyson)



NRA Life Member
Spydernation 0050
User avatar
Bloke
Member
Posts: 5424
Joined: Fri May 13, 2016 12:43 am
Location: Sydney, Australia.

Re: Blades and Razors

#9

Post by Bloke »

Ric wrote:
Wed Jan 05, 2022 4:54 pm
The lather is also important.
Image
A day without laughter is a day wasted. ~ Charlie Chaplin
Ric
Member
Posts: 875
Joined: Mon Oct 16, 2017 10:52 pm
Location: Austria / Europe

Re: Blades and Razors

#10

Post by Ric »

Yes, the Henson if amazing.
Still baby smooth, really a whole new level. Looking forward to the next shaves with it.

@bloke :D
No can for me - only beer and beans :)
User avatar
Doc Dan
Member
Posts: 14754
Joined: Thu Nov 08, 2012 4:25 am
Location: In a dimension as vast as space and as timeless as infinity.

Re: Blades and Razors

#11

Post by Doc Dan »

:grin-smiling-eyes That was Bloke trying to shave. He doesn't know how.
I Pray Heaven to Bestow The Best of Blessing on THIS HOUSE, and on ALL that shall hereafter Inhabit it. May none but Honest and Wise Men ever rule under This Roof! (John Adams regarding the White House)

Follow the Christ, the King,
Live pure, speak true, right wrong, follow the King--
Else, wherefore born?" (Tennyson)



NRA Life Member
Spydernation 0050
User avatar
Doc Dan
Member
Posts: 14754
Joined: Thu Nov 08, 2012 4:25 am
Location: In a dimension as vast as space and as timeless as infinity.

Re: Blades and Razors

#12

Post by Doc Dan »

Ric wrote:
Thu Jan 06, 2022 2:51 pm
Yes, the Henson if amazing.
Still baby smooth, really a whole new level. Looking forward to the next shaves with it.

@bloke :D
No can for me - only beer and beans :)
I tried an Astra blue pack in my Henson. It gave me a rash. That is the first time I ever had a problem with the Henson. It is either the blade is wrong for me, or I did not mind the Henson angle, which is more obtuse than a normal razor.
I Pray Heaven to Bestow The Best of Blessing on THIS HOUSE, and on ALL that shall hereafter Inhabit it. May none but Honest and Wise Men ever rule under This Roof! (John Adams regarding the White House)

Follow the Christ, the King,
Live pure, speak true, right wrong, follow the King--
Else, wherefore born?" (Tennyson)



NRA Life Member
Spydernation 0050
Ric
Member
Posts: 875
Joined: Mon Oct 16, 2017 10:52 pm
Location: Austria / Europe

Re: Blades and Razors

#13

Post by Ric »

I used the Astra blade provided.
I think key here is using no pressure.

Who did you built the lather?

The resistance feel more as more metal is on your face. Maybe some Pre-Shave-Lotion (oil) could help.
User avatar
Doc Dan
Member
Posts: 14754
Joined: Thu Nov 08, 2012 4:25 am
Location: In a dimension as vast as space and as timeless as infinity.

Re: Blades and Razors

#14

Post by Doc Dan »

Ric wrote:
Thu Jan 06, 2022 11:26 pm
I used the Astra blade provided.
I think key here is using no pressure.

Who did you built the lather?

The resistance feel more as more metal is on your face. Maybe some Pre-Shave-Lotion (oil) could help.
Light pressure is okay, heavy is not.

I shave after getting out of the shower when my beard is softest, or I will pour hot water on a face cloth and splash my face with water and then put on the cloth for a minute or two. I use shaving soap that comes in a puck most of the time. It is slicker than goose crap. It does take a minute to build a yogurt thick lather. Recently I got some La Toja cream. It is easy to build a thick lather with it. https://youtu.be/mIhbyW82lGk. Literally takes seconds.

A good soap will keep irritation away.

After I shave I put some Thayer's Witch Hazel on my face. I use the original with aloe. I follow that by a dab of Barrister and Mann's After Shave Balm and an equal amount of Rosken skin repair lotion (body and face lotion).
I Pray Heaven to Bestow The Best of Blessing on THIS HOUSE, and on ALL that shall hereafter Inhabit it. May none but Honest and Wise Men ever rule under This Roof! (John Adams regarding the White House)

Follow the Christ, the King,
Live pure, speak true, right wrong, follow the King--
Else, wherefore born?" (Tennyson)



NRA Life Member
Spydernation 0050
Ric
Member
Posts: 875
Joined: Mon Oct 16, 2017 10:52 pm
Location: Austria / Europe

Re: Blades and Razors

#15

Post by Ric »

Thanks for the video.

How much soap do you use?

I turn the wet brush 10-15 times and than face lather most of the time.
Mostly with proraso soap.

I use an old soap container as bowl.
I do not want ceramic in the bathroom - one drop and it’s broken.
User avatar
Doc Dan
Member
Posts: 14754
Joined: Thu Nov 08, 2012 4:25 am
Location: In a dimension as vast as space and as timeless as infinity.

Re: Blades and Razors

#16

Post by Doc Dan »

I use a dollop about the size of my thumb nail, but I'm still learning to use this stuff. It is a lot faster than the hard soaps I have used for so long.

I use a stainless steel shaving bowl. If I drop it, so what? It won't break. I thought about getting one of those Parker Ox horn bowls. Gorgeous.
I Pray Heaven to Bestow The Best of Blessing on THIS HOUSE, and on ALL that shall hereafter Inhabit it. May none but Honest and Wise Men ever rule under This Roof! (John Adams regarding the White House)

Follow the Christ, the King,
Live pure, speak true, right wrong, follow the King--
Else, wherefore born?" (Tennyson)



NRA Life Member
Spydernation 0050
User avatar
Doc Dan
Member
Posts: 14754
Joined: Thu Nov 08, 2012 4:25 am
Location: In a dimension as vast as space and as timeless as infinity.

Re: Blades and Razors

#17

Post by Doc Dan »

So, I tried a Derby blade in a couple of my razors. It was nice and smooth, but it was not very efficient. It did not shave very close, at all. A lot of people love them, but it struggled to cut my beard. Then, I went back to try the Gillette Wilkinson Sword (India. The German WS I have yet to try). I got a marginally better shave with it in my Henson, but these are terrible in my other razors. After that, I went back to a tried and trued Feather in my EJ DE89. Fantastic. Love this combo.
I Pray Heaven to Bestow The Best of Blessing on THIS HOUSE, and on ALL that shall hereafter Inhabit it. May none but Honest and Wise Men ever rule under This Roof! (John Adams regarding the White House)

Follow the Christ, the King,
Live pure, speak true, right wrong, follow the King--
Else, wherefore born?" (Tennyson)



NRA Life Member
Spydernation 0050
Ric
Member
Posts: 875
Joined: Mon Oct 16, 2017 10:52 pm
Location: Austria / Europe

Re: Blades and Razors

#18

Post by Ric »

Tried some yoghurt lather and it worked. A bit more cream, more mixing and the consistency changed.
Overall a good experience but a bit more messy.

Used Muehle R89 as 1st pass and Henson as second. Very smooth.

Sometimes if feels as if the Henson is sucked on the face.

A tried a Italian Wilkinson sword but after a cut and blood it had to go.
User avatar
Doc Dan
Member
Posts: 14754
Joined: Thu Nov 08, 2012 4:25 am
Location: In a dimension as vast as space and as timeless as infinity.

Re: Blades and Razors

#19

Post by Doc Dan »

Mulhë and Edwin Jagger co-developed the 89 head. So the DE89 and the R89 are very similar. I really love my DE89 with a feather blade (I know I've said it before). It is both smooth and efficient. The Henson is good, as well. For me, it takes getting used to the angle. When I go with the razor it gives a great shave. I think the DE89 is more natural for me. Both give great shaves. I used my Henson medium, today.
I Pray Heaven to Bestow The Best of Blessing on THIS HOUSE, and on ALL that shall hereafter Inhabit it. May none but Honest and Wise Men ever rule under This Roof! (John Adams regarding the White House)

Follow the Christ, the King,
Live pure, speak true, right wrong, follow the King--
Else, wherefore born?" (Tennyson)



NRA Life Member
Spydernation 0050
Ric
Member
Posts: 875
Joined: Mon Oct 16, 2017 10:52 pm
Location: Austria / Europe

Re: Blades and Razors

#20

Post by Ric »

Yes, you need to get used to the razor.
Therefore I limited the number of razors I have.

Especially the cheap ones that did not work (boker butterfly) or the ones I did not like (Merkur future - the surface is so slippery I cut myself at changing the aggressiveness) have to go.

It’s hard to buy a good new razor here.
You find only cheap standard stuff.
In the only dedicated razor shop we have here only women are working.

If I ask the about a smooth razor I get only a smile back.
Post Reply