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Shave of the day

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Mark the LaToja AS is awesome. I UAE it on alternate days and use the cream a lot too.

So today I used the r41 with a bleue.
Only one cut which is great. I still think the r41 is dangerous.
La Toja cream
Semogue LE boar

Very smooth shave.
I think I might test a few blades in this razor before handing it back to its owner.


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Edwin Jagger DE89 with Derby
Semogue 1470
TOBS Sandalwood

I don't mind the Derby at all- had no problems getting a nice shave and no cuts.

Lather was much better today too. Woohoo progress :laugh:

I'm looking forward to my second shaving.ie order turning up- has a small selection of creams, omega brush and some aftershave balm. At present skin gets a bit dry from shaving.
 
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mr626 if you are getting dry skin post shave, just get some Nivea Balm from the supermarket.

It's honestly as good as any of the other stuff you can pay a lot more for.

Great to hear your lather is getting better too mate.

Practice is essential.
 
mr626 if you are getting dry skin post shave, just get some Nivea Balm from the supermarket.

It's honestly as good as any of the other stuff you can pay a lot more for.

Great to hear your lather is getting better too mate.

Practice is essential.

Thanks. Yeah I used to use that Nivea stuff but I much prefer a scent like sandalwood so I don't mind paying a little bit extra for something different.

Yup, I get the impression that a person's taste in blades and even razors changes over time as they improve their technique.
 
My Saturday morning, slow ritual shave this morning celebrates my insane score this week, so I did a near unthinkable thing and broke out one of my very few Spoilers. Doesn't matter as I have plenty coming now :omg:

  • Fatboy on 7
  • Fresh Gillette Super Stainless 'The Spoiler' blade, Datecode U2 (Second quarter 1974)
  • TOBS Jermyn
  • Smoggie 730HD

Only previously used a Spoiler in the DE86 which was an amazing shave. This one with the extra aggression was off the charts.

Blade feels sharp against your face. Like really sharp, but there is control and smoothness there that makes it hard to cut yourself. Very similar to the Bleues in that regard.

First WTG pass was wonderful, although my lather was a little dry. Was able to attack my jawline very well and got an amazingly close on the WTG pass. Could have stopped there but I didn't.

Second pass required more water to the lather, this new batch of Jermyn seems thirsty. Got myself a slick lather then went with an XTG pass. Again, whatever was left just came off without any hassles or issues, zero pressure applied.

Rinsed off, then went with the Alum to see what I had. One small zap on the left hand side of my chin.

Now, 30 minutes later, my chin feels weird, I think it is because I got such a close shave when I usually do not. Will go back and Nivea ASB it now.

If Gillette brought these back to production as good as they were, then you wouldn't buy any other blade.
 
Will be on the road for a while. Just have a La Toja stick, my Vulfix boar/badger travel brush, the trusted 7O'clock bakelite, the GEM bullet tip and the Souplex OC for trimming around the mo.
 
... If Gillette brought these back to production as good as they were, then you wouldn't buy any other blade.

Hmm, must find 59,456 Spoilers....

Can a blade really be THAT good?
 
I think that the Spoiler is pretty much the pinnacle of Gillette DE blades. They were the last major refinement of DE blades from Gillette before that Atra cartridge handle came out and the decline in DE blade quality started. Once Gillette worked out that a cart would return higher profits then the slide accelerated.

There are whispers around of some other DE blades that Gillette produced but they are rare, manufactured in one factory only, and distribution was limited. A Spoiler is not a Personna 74, but there is another Gillette blade which some call as good as a Personna 74. If you know what to look for they are around.

Had another go with the Spoiler last night. Felt a touch sharp with less hair on my face, but another great and irritation free shave. Only the slightest of stubble on my cheeks this morning.
 
I'm still using the R41 with a bleue on its third shave.

I am finding it less dangerous but I am being very careful.
La Toja cream and La Toja AS to finish.
 
Well, 4th shave with the Derby today

Edwin Jagger DE89
Semogue 1470
TOBS Sandalwood

Pretty happy with this one. With my technique (or lack thereof) the 4th shave feels just as good as the first. Still only shaving WTG but for me that achieves the best compromise in terms of closeness and skin irritation.

I think I'll give the 7 O'Clock a go next.
 
I think that the Spoiler is pretty much the pinnacle of Gillette DE blades. They were the last major refinement of DE blades from Gillette before that Atra cartridge handle came out and the decline in DE blade quality started. Once Gillette worked out that a cart would return higher profits then the slide accelerated.

I don't doubt you RM, it was more a comment on my technique (or lack thereof) being able to determine much between blades.
I can just about determine good from bad for my face , and that is about it.
 
Skipped a couple of days, so still on the same israeli plat and the NEW.
Switched tabac to the ta toja. Getting better with that after a had a rought start with it.
Lathers fine with the vie long horsey, better than I could before. Skin feels a bit more irritated though than when using tabac.

I don't really get high priced DE blades mentioned above though. They might last me a week or slightly more, but they are near $1 a blade. I like the cheap blades like israelis, reds and astras. They are consistent and even if they only last 3-4 shaves, cost less than 20c.
I tried the iridiums and was unimpressed for such a hyped blade, so not bothering.
I'm sure one day even the cheapies I like will be rare, so stock up on them I guess while they are cheap.
Haven''t the reds already been changed from what they used to be? I've got the old version from 2009, may be different? They have always been a mystery blade. israeli? USA? mexican imports and packaged? etc Dunno, haven't heard any latest gossip on them.

eggbert, what razor/s do you use? I'd love a razor where every blade seems the same.
 
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eggbert, what razor/s do you use? I'd love a razor where every blade seems the same.

They don't all feel the same. I can tell if a blade suits me or not, but that is about it.
I have the Edwin Jagger DE89 - so just a run of the mill, apparently fairly mild, razor.

I know that I don't like the Lord, Merkur or Derby blades, but the Astras, Voskhods, Crystals and Personnas have all been ok.

I have a fairly fine, slow growing beard, so that probably means I notice the differences less.
 
Skipped a couple of days, so still on the same israeli plat and the NEW. Switched tabac to the ta toja. Getting better with that after a had a rought start with it. Lathers fine with the vie long horsey, better than I could before. Skin feels a bit more irritated though than when using tabac.
The Tabac being Tallow seems to have a bit more Grunt in it. The La Toja is amazing for what is considered a 'veggie' formulation - although I swear it has tallow-derived ingredients. That said, lots of product will help with the La Toja, and the minerals in it agree with my face.

I don't really get high priced DE blades mentioned above though. They might last me a week or slightly more, but they are near $1 a blade. I like the cheap blades like israelis, reds and astras. They are consistent and even if they only last 3-4 shaves, cost less than 20c.
There's nothing wrong with them, they give a good and reliable shave. I find the Reds aren't close enough, an hour later I feel stubble. For people with ingrown issues, then a less-close shave has the benefit of not having the hair short enough where it can catch on the skin.

Israelis are a bit better, Astra's are well sharp, however tend to irritate my skin much like yellows. I can use them but in rotation only. It's very much finding what works for you.

I tried the iridiums and was unimpressed for such a hyped blade, so not bothering.
I'm sure one day even the cheapies I like will be rare, so stock up on them I guess while they are cheap.
I must admit that the Iridiums give a good comfortable shave, but they are nowhere near sharp. Astras are sharper I reckon. They are hellish smooth though, the glide on your skin is great. Zero irritation for me is the biggest plus, but feeling patchy stubble 3 hours later is annoying.

Haven''t the reds already been changed from what they used to be? I've got the old version from 2009, may be different? They have always been a mystery blade. israeli? USA? mexican imports and packaged? etc Dunno, haven't heard any latest gossip on them.
No, not at all. Always manufactured in Israel, always wrapped in the red paper. The end location where the blades were packaged and in what container and amount is different.

The Personna Platinum Chrome and the Personna Reds (Personna Platinum) are the same blade. The 'Platinum Chrome' in 10-count plastic dispensers are Euro distribution, while the cardboard 5-packs are US, Latin & South America distribution.

The only 'different' Personnas are the Barber/Lab Blue/Medical prep blades. Barber's are in plain white paper wrapping, Lab blue in Blue with 'Personna Super', and the Medical preps are the same as the Lab Blues with 'Hospital Use Only' on the box. All those are USA-made.

I'd love a razor where every blade seems the same.
Get a Slim. Gets the best out of most blades I have tried, made Derby's a viable blade for me.

They don't all feel the same. I can tell if a blade suits me or not, but that is about it.
I have the Edwin Jagger DE89 - so just a run of the mill, apparently fairly mild, razor.

I know that I don't like the Lord, Merkur or Derby blades, but the Astras, Voskhods, Crystals and Personnas have all been ok.

I have a fairly fine, slow growing beard, so that probably means I notice the differences less.

Yes, you know when the blade 'works'... that's enough to know what does not work, and how to avoid them in the future. The DE89 is mild, and sharper blades work better with my DE86 - Same head.
 
I've got a slim. It's my favourite solid safety bar Gillette. I used it a few weeks ago with the gillette green and the dorco for dissapointing shaves.
I've had it for at least two year though and it's always been in my rotation, normally with the red pack personna.
I usually use SE (many razors, but only one blade LOL)
red tip SS with astra
Slim with red pack personna
NEW with israeli plat +
Sometimes (les than a few times a year), a feather in a feather razor, or tech


Other times I load up something completely different, (old, aristrocrat, rocket, other superspeeds, FB, super adjustable, g2000, merkur, new improved, british techs and news; ie I have 20 other razors not mentioned, and 15 odd different blade brands (not a patch on you as I haven't bought any for years :-) )
 
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I'm still using the R41 with a bleue on its third shave.

I am finding it less dangerous but I am being very careful.

Did the r41/bleue a couple of days ago. The danger is always there for me, and I did go too far. I swapped the same blade into the gillette towards the end of shaving to finish off the patchy hard stuff. It was so much better, almost remedial. Love to hear more of your opinions of blades in the r41.

Yesterday, same blade with the gillette. I think the r41, whether through my action or whatever puts more wear on the blade. Even though the blade couldn't cut as well as before, I can still get it to do what I want.

Today, Went Tabac and SE but after a couple of passes I found the (3rd or 4th shave) blade just wasn't happy, so grabbed the gillette and the blueu already in it. GT TM method for the wrong reasons.
 
It's technique.

That's all it comes down to, the R41 is a more agressive razor but it is definitely technique that alters your shave.
 
It's technique.

That's all it comes down to, the R41 is a more agressive razor but it is definitely technique that alters your shave.

+1.

Added to that, the R41 is an overly mild, but aggressive little shit, that barely cut any hair when just right, and raped my face if the angle was 0.0000002% out. The worst of both worlds.
 
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