Shaving Oddity... Can anyone help explain?

[mrdoug]

Ok, I have a bit of a conundrum I'm hoping someone can shed some light on for me...

I typically use Gillette 7 o'clock Black blades, about 4-5 shaves a piece. During the February challenge I managed to get 10 shaves from a blade. I order them through eBay, my last batch was from a different seller. I mixed them all together so I honestly don't know if I'm using a catch from the overseas order or the most recent 300 blade US order.

Recently I've been having trouble getting over 2 shaves per blade. My face is typically quite sensitive. I've used several razors and I'm now ready to write it off as getting 300 bum blades. However, this evening, for shave 3, I started with a Prewar tech. It was uncomfortable, as I expected it to be. I switched, mid shave to my GC 84 (which I haven't used in a while) and it became a lot smoother. I don't understand.

Does this make sense to anyone? Thanks in advance to talking the time to read this.

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[Dave in KY]

All I can say is some blades will work better in different razors. I don't know if that comes into play here or not. Meaning have you used it in the tech before with good results?

 

[mrdoug]

All I can say is some blades will work better in different razors. I don't know of that comes into play here or not.

Thanks Dave. This is the one blade I've historically never had a problem with. Of course, that's presuming these blades I bought are genuine Gillette. That's suspect in my book, at this point.

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[dkeester]

You could have knock-offs, or it could be that you got a batch that came off of equipment that was almost in need of service.

Different batches of blades from the same factory, separated by months or years can yield different results.

 

[mrdoug]

You could have knock-offs, or it could be that you got a batch that came off of equipment that was almost in need of service.

Different batches of blades from the same factory, separated by months or years can yield different results.

Ouch. Thanks. So, would the blade gap between the Gillette and the 84GC help the"junky" blade work better?

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[CBLindsay]

That’s a brand of blade I’m familiar with, I always thought they were good blades and never had any major issues with one. I know most people say different razors perform differently with different blades (or different blades perform differently in different razors) but I’m too stupid to notice a big enough difference to complain about...and certainly not so much that it would explain what you describe.

There is one thing that I’ve noticed about blades and that is that AGE seems to matter. I don’t know if it’s just that blades made before a given year were made using different technology so the edge started off bad, or if the steel is a different quality and age degrades the edge, but NOS vintage blades are rarely 100% enjoyable.

I don’t know if knock off 7 O’clock s are a big thing or ‘bad batch’s get through QC but I wouldn’t be too surprised of blades produced in a factory in one region use a different quality steel than steel in another region, and perhaps variations in production location, age and storage condition might lead to some edge degradation. Whether the degradation is enough to feel is another thing.

You might try doing some simple stropping on your towel or denim. Load the blade into your razor as you normally would then run the razor down your thigh (your thigh should be covered with denim or a towel), flip and repeat. flip the blade in the razor and strop the other side of the blade and shave. i find stropping like that can smooth out a rough edge and seems to help align the edge with the razor

 

[dkeester]

Stropping a DE can de-burr the edge some and smooth out the shave.

I would say yes, that a different blade gap can make a blade behave differently. DE blades are very flexible and they can vibrate as you shave with them. Also different DE heads will hold the blade at slightly different angles. Some will torque the blade into a curve more than others. I would expect that a blade would behave at least slightly differently in a different DE.

SEs that use GEM, Injector, or Feather Artist Club blades are a different story. Those blades are thicker and have much less flexibility than DE blades.

 

[mrdoug]

Thanks guys. I'll give stropping a shot.

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[mrdoug]

That’s a brand of blade I’m familiar with, I always thought they were good blades and never had any major issues with one. I know most people say different razors perform differently with different blades (or different blades perform differently in different razors) but I’m too stupid to notice a big enough difference to complain about...and certainly not so much that it would explain what you describe.

There is one thing that I’ve noticed about blades and that is that AGE seems to matter. I don’t know if it’s just that blades made before a given year were made using different technology so the edge started off bad, or if the steel is a different quality and age degrades the edge, but NOS vintage blades are rarely 100% enjoyable.

I don’t know if knock off 7 O’clock s are a big thing or ‘bad batch’s get through QC but I wouldn’t be too surprised of blades produced in a factory in one region use a different quality steel than steel in another region, and perhaps variations in production location, age and storage condition might lead to some edge degradation. Whether the degradation is enough to feel is another thing.

You might try doing some simple stropping on your towel or denim. Load the blade into your razor as you normally would then run the razor down your thigh (your thigh should be covered with denim or a towel), flip and repeat. flip the blade in the razor and strop the other side of the blade and shave. i find stropping like that can smooth out a rough edge and seems to help align the edge with the razor

BTW, That's awesome @CBLindsay .

I have hand stropped my blades before but never thought to put it in the razor. Just tried to guesstimate the proper angle while trying not to drop it or cut myself.

This will definitely be my first attempt at rectifying the situation. [emoji106]

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[dangerousdon]

The 7 O'Clock Black blades are the Super Platinum variety...right? Not sure if this matters or not, but I know the Super Platinum blades at one point were not in the black packaging but in dark blue. I think I was told that the blades were being developed in a different factory. Not sure if this matters or not...but it would seem that if a blade is made in different factories there would be different specs or quality controls.

It is most likely what Chris said though. Age seems to be a logical choice.

 

[CBLindsay]

BTW, That's awesome @CBLindsay .

I have hand stropped my blades before but never thought to put it in the razor. Just tried to guesstimate the proper angle while trying not to drop it or cut myself.

This will definitely be my first attempt at rectifying the situation. [emoji106]

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I never figured out how to “palm strop” a blade so that was my solution. I tried doing it on the cloth component of my ha gong strop and that didn’t work as will as just running it down my leg.

 

[Bogeyman]

Thanks guys. I'll give stropping a shot...

Don't, as that's not the problem. Presupposing that they are not counterfeit (which in all likelihood they are not) my opinion is that you are using a razor too aggressive for your face and perhaps faulty technique and/or prep and that is because if you are getting irritation with a post-war Tech then in layman's terms, it ain't the razor. It's you. Don't take this personally as it's not meant to be. I see far too many new shavers drawn up onto the "rocks" by the sirens' call of BBS and über aggressive razors that quite frankly are just too much for daily shaving for them (and most other shavers).

As well, are you showering before shaving and cleansing your face in the shower with a good cleanser before shaving? Showering before is always a better way to hydrate than sink washing. As well, changing soap can greatly affect a shave just as changing razors & blades.

Good technique & prep will always trump eqpmt. no matter the cost.

 

[mrdoug]

Don't, as that's not the problem. Presupposing that they are not counterfeit (which in all likelihood they are not) my opinion is that you are using a razor too aggressive for your face and perhaps faulty technique and/or prep and that is because if you are getting irritation with a post-war Tech then in layman's terms, it ain't the razor. It's you. Don't take this personally as it's not meant to be. I see far too many new shavers drawn up onto the "rocks" by the sirens' call of BBS and über aggressive razors that quite frankly are just too much for daily shaving for them (and most other shavers).

As well, are you showering before shaving and cleansing your face in the shower with a good cleanser before shaving? Showering before is always a better way to hydrate than sink washing. As well, changing soap can greatly affect a shave just as changing razors & blades.

Good technique & prep will always trump eqpmt. no matter the cost.

I hear ya, and I am sure my angles, pressure, etc are off. I've been traditional shaving for what, 2 and a half years I think.

Still, I am confused then as to why an 84 is better feeling than a Prewar (56 or so gap?)? I know gap is only part of it, still, neither have agressive exposure. The GC is based on the architecture of the tech line (I believe). Just weird.

Add in the fact that I was getting good shaves across the board with the Gillette 7 o'clock Black and this tells me something is up.

I agree, it's unlikely I have counterfeit. It's possible I got a batch (or 3... Yikes) from depleting equipment. Also possible my skin is having some issues. I'm a fair skin, red head, freckles... With coarse hair, ra boot. These make up the perfect storm... All the ingredients for a bad time shaving.

I shave every other day as it is. So figuring things out is twice as slow. Still, this week I'm using a different blade. This will hopefully add a bit more data to my conundrum. It's all I can do. Lol.

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[Bogeyman]

One time after several years of DE/SE shaving I hit a short period whereas shaves were rougher and nothing seemed to be working. It was then that I sat my watch on the sink edge and set a minimum limit for prep/lathering and that cured it. What had occurred was that I was "shaving" (pun intended) time off my prep time bit by bit and it finally added up = rougher shaves. It took the watch to prove it.

 

[mrdoug]

One time after several years of DE/SE shaving I hit a short period whereas shaves were rougher and nothing seemed to be working. It was then that I sat my watch on the sink edge and set a minimum limit for prep/lathering and that cured it. What had occurred was that I was "shaving" (pun intended) time off my prep time bit by bit and it finally added up = rougher shaves. It took the watch to prove it. [emoji30]

Hmm, that I can (and will) do. Even if it isn't the issue here, that's solid advice. I guarantee I rush things. It's in my nature.

Thanks.

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