Different blades

Jeltz

Jeltz

Messages
3,188
Location
Wiltshire
I think I'm a few weeks away from trying out new blades but I'm struggling to get my head round what differences the manufacturer of a blade can make, this may sound awfully simplistic but the blade is just a sharp cutty thing isn't it?

I know feathers are renown as being ultra sharp but does that mean they increase the risk of nicks and burn while giving a closer shave?

I'm not asking for a run down of which blades do what, more of what should I be looking for when considering which blade best suits my circumstances.
 
As regards differernt blades performing differently - there are many variables:

Actual width between cutting edges - might only vary by 0.2-0.3mm from the narrowest to the widest... but it makes a big difference.
The grind - different blades are ground in different ways - different angles, even two different grinds in some instances to make the cutting end of the blade a 4-faced thing instead of 2-faced
The coatings - from uncoated to many different coatings (platinum, tungsten-chrome-ceramic-polymer, chrome)
The original steel - stainless or carbon (not too mnay carbon blades still out there)
Thickness of the blade - the older blades were appreciably thicker than modern blades - still there's a different between thickest and thinnest...

I'd suggest you go for a sample pack from Connaught - then you can have lots of fun finding out what works for you without us lot chipping in and arguing about it all :)
 
Thanks HM

Yes I will get a sample pack and I don't mean to open a can of worms.

I guess what I'm asking is that different people find different blades better for them, but how are those people defining "better", is it closeness, less irritation, longevity etc
 
Jeltz said:
Thanks HM

Yes I will get a sample pack and I don't mean to open a can of worms.

I guess what I'm asking is that different people find different blades better for them, but how are those people defining "better", is it closeness, less irritation, longevity etc
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Less irritation is what i class better, that and closeness.
Longevity i dont mind about too much. I dont shave every day all week, because in the morning i dont have time to shave then. So if i get 3/4 shaves from a blade, that could last all week.
Im also using a straight now, so ill shave with that when i have time.
You can normally feel the difference. I went from Derbys to Astras and noticed a big difference with smoothness and closeness.
 
Jeltz said:
I guess what I'm asking is that different people find different blades better for them, but how are those people defining "better", is it closeness, less irritation, longevity etc
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1st. Less Irritation - if 2 blades are otherwise equal then the one that gives less irritation wins
2nd. Smooth Shave - If 2 blades are otherwise equal then the one that gives a smoother shave wins
3rd. Closeness - If 2 blades are otherwise equal then the one that gives a closer/smoother shave wins
4th. Longevity - you get the picture blah blah one last longer wins
5th. Cost

Don't be fooled though the most expensive are not necessarily the best - just like creams and soaps
 
1gear said:
cheese_dave said:
1gear said:
I dont shave every day all week, because
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... because you're 12. We've all seen the pic in the "what do you look like" thread.
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18, and my stubble in actually a colour(brown actually), not grey/white old man ;)
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Er...1gear...are you sure? When I asked you for a picture of you riding your bike around Nottingham you sent me this:

422682a~Little-Boy-Riding-His-Bicycle-with-Helmet-Posters.jpg
 
Brilliant bike that is, great for speed, can really get on top of the gear on it. Stabilisers also help at this time of the year, and you can really get the feel of the road through them and the back wheel.
The handlebars are also the perfect width and height. Great when your really powering it up the hill, or even going into a stiff headwind.
Frame doesnt flex under the power either.
And its red, which makes it faster anyway, but not as fast as blue or white bikes i may add.
;)
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=7JtZkNXfes4&feature=fvw
;)
 
Jeltz said:
I know feathers are renown as being ultra sharp but does that mean they increase the risk of nicks and burn while giving a closer shave?

I'm not asking for a run down of which blades do what, more of what should I be looking for when considering which blade best suits my circumstances.
Click to expand...

It's a question that unfortunately only you can answer....besides the physical differences between blades, I would have no qualms recommending "less experienced" shaver's a mild razor with a Feather blade, so there is nothing to fear from the Feather.

The other factors that affect blade suitability are

Type of Razor (how aggressive)
Technique/experience (at the time)
Beard Type ( some prefer the opposite set up to above, ie a more aggressive razor with a milder blade)
You can also nullify the harshness of a shave to a certain degree by the lather (cushion, slickness etc)


I've gone back to combinations of razor and blade that I thought I didn't get on with because as my technique improved and experience increases as yours will you begin to understand exactly what works best for you so don't dismiss anything at this early stage.
 
Don't take the bait, 1Gear -- this is the so-called Edwin Jagger DE89 PigCat's waiting on...
<!-- m --><a class="postlink" href="http://www.amazon.co.uk/gp/product/images/0762430168/ref=dp_image_0?ie=UTF8&n=266239&s=books" onclick="window.open(this.href);return false;">http://www.amazon.co.uk/gp/product/imag ... 39&s=books</a><!-- m -->

(There's still some left if you're interested ;) )
 
Naked Ape said:
Don't take the bait, 1Gear -- this is the so-called Edwin Jagger DE89 PigCat's waiting on...
<!-- m --><a class="postlink" href="http://www.amazon.co.uk/gp/product/images/0762430168/ref=dp_image_0?ie=UTF8&n=266239&s=books" onclick="window.open(this.href);return false;">http://www.amazon.co.uk/gp/product/imag ... 39&s=books</a><!-- m -->

(There's still some left if you're interested ;) )
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:lol:
 
Naked Ape said:
Don't take the bait, 1Gear -- this is the so-called Edwin Jagger DE89 PigCat's waiting on...
<!-- m --><a class="postlink" href="http://www.amazon.co.uk/gp/product/images/0762430168/ref=dp_image_0?ie=UTF8&n=266239&s=books" onclick="window.open(this.href);return false;">http://www.amazon.co.uk/gp/product/imag ... 39&s=books</a><!-- m -->

(There's still some left if you're interested ;) )
Click to expand...

I always new there was something wrong with that man. Sorry, person :?
That trike gives me the fastest 10 time ever, set a record on the club course, and beat everyone, even the men on £3000 Cervelos. Honest.
 
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