Blade recommendation please help

Brian (ShadowsDad) really rounded out the Sampler Pack idea in the best way possible. If you do go with his idea, I hope you'll keep us posted on your blade journey.

I think the Astra SP blades are hard to beat in terms of working for most people.  that said though, a sampler pack is a great idea as well.  since blades are a huge YMMV subject, it'll be your best indicator as to what does and doesn't work for you.

I agree, esp. with the Astra SP, but be aware that a sample pack doesn't help anything if you have bad technique. If you still have bad technique, every sharper blade will give you irritation. But that has to do with your technique and nothing with whether a blade is right for you or not.

Yes I agree with above post, blades are such a personal experience for an individual, definitely get a sampler pack, go to try a blade.com I used Derbyshire in the past good stared blade but for smooth blade with a sharp edge I like the voskhod Russian or super max blue diamond. Stay smooth

What kind of Astras did you use? Was it the stainless steel (blue packaging) or superior platinum (Green packaging)? I've heard that the stainless steels can be rough with some people. If you have not tried the Astra superior platinum, I think you should try them. They are both sharp and very smooth for me, my favorite blades overall. But like others have suggested in the above posts blades are subjective to the user. Rapira stainless steel is another viable option. I find them not as smooth as Astra's but give a great shave overall.


All the best, let us know if you've settled on a blade choice.

What kind of Astras did you use? Was it the stainless steel (blue packaging) or superior platinum (Green packaging)? I've heard that the stainless steels can be rough with some people. If you have not tried the Astra superior platinum, I think you should try them. They are both sharp and very smooth for me, my favorite blades overall. But like others have suggested in the above posts blades are subjective to the user. Rapira stainless steel is another viable option. I find them not as smooth as Astra's but give a great shave overall.


All the best, let us know if you've settled on a blade choice.

Thanks rza. They are the sps. I'm going to give them another go tomorrow morning. I didn't want to risk rolling into church this morning with a chewed up neck. I will keep yall informed of my decisions/progress. Thank you all for your advice and help.

What kind of Astras did you use? Was it the stainless steel (blue packaging) or superior platinum (Green packaging)? I've heard that the stainless steels can be rough with some people. If you have not tried the Astra superior platinum, I think you should try them. They are both sharp and very smooth for me, my favorite blades overall. But like others have suggested in the above posts blades are subjective to the user. Rapira stainless steel is another viable option. I find them not as smooth as Astra's but give a great shave overall.


All the best, let us know if you've settled on a blade choice.

Thanks rza. They are the sps. I'm going to give them another go tomorrow morning. I didn't want to risk rolling into church this morning with a chewed up neck. I will keep yall informed of my decisions/progress. Thank you all for your advice and help.

interesting. the SP is a highly regarded blade.

Update: I used the Astra sp this morning, and I must say it was a complete different experience than last time. I was able to achieve a very nice shave with two passes (one with the grain and one semi x the grain). I am proud to say I have no weepers or irritation. I have heard about "bad" blades. Could that have been the problem with my previous experience? It is also possible that my technique was bad, as I am certain it has progressed since then.

Glad to be rocking a much better shave today, however I do have one disappointment. The blade did not seem significantly sharper than the Derbys I have been using.  I was still experiencing some resistance/pulling. I do have a tough beard (brown with a tinge of red). Are the differences in blade sharpness that minute that it is hard to tell or could this be attributed to ymmv?  Thanks again guys for accompanying me on this blade voyage!

Glad to hear about your Astra success.  It could have been a bad blade but it sounds as if your technique is truly improving so that could have a lot to do with it.  Also, different razors using the same blade can give different results.  And, of course, there is always YMMV, including depending on hair/skin type.

I highly recommend www.tryablade.com because you can make your own sampler. I suggest getting at least two blades of the following types. Use each blade for two shaves, so you get a total of 4 consecutive shaves from each blade type.

Based on some research I did a few months ago across multiple forums, these are the 10 most popular blades. There are certainly others out there that may work great for you. A couple of my favorites aren't in that list. But with these 10 you are sure to find at least a couple that work very well for you.

Astra Superior Platinum
Feather
Polsilver Super Iridium
Gillette Silver Blue
Gillette 7 O'Clock Super Platinum (Black)
Personna Lab (Lab Blues)
Personna Platinum (Reds)
Personna Med Prep
Gillette 7 O'Clock SharpEdge (Yellow)
Voskhod

I highly recommend www.tryablade.com because you can make your own sampler.  I suggest getting at least two blades of the following types.  Use each blade for two shaves, so you get a total of 4 consecutive shaves from each blade type.

Based on some research I did a few months ago across multiple forums, these are the 10 most popular blades.  There are certainly others out there that may work great for you.  A couple of my favorites aren't in that list.  But with these 10 you are sure to find at least a couple that work very well for you.

Astra Superior Platinum
Feather
Polsilver Super Iridium
Gillette Silver Blue
Gillette 7 O'Clock Super Platinum (Black)
Personna Lab (Lab Blues)
Personna Platinum (Reds)
Personna Med Prep
Gillette 7 O'Clock SharpEdge (Yellow)
Voskhod

Great list of blades there.  You could not go wrong with a sampler of these.