Hi Scotty,
Let me toss out a few thoughts about your question, and maybe that'll help explain things about blades. Having used many blades over the years I do have some insight as to how they should fit me properly.
Whenever I try a new to me blade, I'll pretty much know within a few strokes how it's gonna perform. Sometimes it takes a little longer, but that's only if it's a good blade that I'm trying to evaluate.....one that's worth spending a whole shave with. Lots of times I get rid of a previously untried blade after those first couple WTG strokes.
Heh, now here's where things get a bit nasty.......the dark side of this goofy 'hobby. I figure you'd rather know exactly what's up with your seemingly innocent question. rather than sugar coat anything.
That idea of knowing right away about a blade sounds good, right? Seems easy and quick, and no problem wasting time with a crap blade. The reason I'm able to do that is I have a go to razor to try that blade in. The razor I use will give me the best shaves with the most variety of blades. It's the one that provides me with the best performance combos.
Unless you have the right razor, your opinion about the blade results can be incorrect. Matter of fact, even excellent technique and a good blade can't compensate for a razor not suited to my face. To truly test a blade you need a control razor, which I'd bet you don't have yet. With any luck that EJ you're getting will do the trick nicely.
Some people (myself included) think it's more important to find the right razor first, rather than the right blade. Heh, I told you this was a nasty little can of worms. Maybe other members will disagree and offer other opinions, which is fine with me. I'm always willing to listen to other ideas.
So that's the scoop as I see things. I hope some part of this helped in some way.
Martin
and you'll end with another shortlist of satisfactory performers 