Mental Floss: Musing on quality and efficiency of razor blades...

[Gargravarr]

Earlier today, I was reminded of a long-ago post from @rhodes96 (I hope he is OK) when he remarked that he has a tendency to do well with blades that others regard as sub-par, eg Derby.

Nowadays, I tend to operate nearly entirely with just two blades, Personna GEM Stainless and Schick Proline. I have observed that the (objectively pretty damn sharp) AC blades have a tendency to deliver an immediate GBSTM when judged by a post-shave drag of the digits across the hide, while the GEM blades perhaps not quite so much.

However, later in the day, I have often noticed that a shave from the triple-facet GEM blade consistently delivers a shave that is objectively much smoother shave many (12+) hours later than the AC blade, as well as resulting in less feedback from aftershave.

I'm guessing that the (more refined?) GEM blade may not be causing as much trauma to the skin, and may somehow be causing a less-sharp edge on the stubble, resulting in a less sandpapery feel.

I know the Str8 razor crowd will have plenty to offer here, with all those mystic stones, slurries, chants and dances, and I'm open to that. (At least, I'll add the proviso that my mind isn't so open that you can throw any old rubbish into it.) So let it rip...

 

[Mark1966]

Let me just mount my hobby horse ...

... OK, settled in now, I remain of the view that it is the razor/blade combination that counts more than specific blade characteristics. A Derby can be great in the "right" razor and sub-par in others, the same applying to other blades - although some blades seem to have a wider range of razors that they work well with.

Of course, when it comes to blades, the sky is the limit on where our speculation can take us!

Next ...

 

[silverlifter]

I haven't shaved with a GEM blade so cannot compare with a Proline, which I have. The B-20s are the best injector blades I have found and that format is the closest I've come to a well honed straight.

I agree that a sharp and smooth edge delivers better results throughout the day, with the stubble ends being less abrasive. Sharpness being equal, the smoothness of the bevel will determine how evenly the hair is cut, how little force is required, and consistency along the edge (ragged being much more variable).

This is why, for me, my own edges will always out perform factory ones. I can take the time to continually refine the edge until it is just about perfect. Machines can't compare.

Sharp, as they say, is easy. Smooth and sharp is where the jam hits the butter...