Help me rank my blades

Why not try the different blades yourself? Your results could be quite different than mine, and the only way to find out would be to try the blades anyways. Also, it is the razor and blade combination that counts, as a given blade often shaves quite differently in different razors.

The "How to use the sampler pack and how to explore when the time comes" section under this page on Leisureguy's blog states in part:

To get the best results from the sampler pack: Try 3-4 brands from your sampler pack and then use the best of those exclusively for a couple of months. (To stick to the same brand for two months, you will have to buy a couple of packs of that brand so that you can replace blades as they become dull in use.) By keeping the brand of blade constant, variation from shave to shave is (probably) due to prep and technique, so you can focus more on perfecting those by not changing the razor or brand of blade. Also, after two months, you’ll really know what that brand of blade feels like so when you try a new brand the differences are highlighted.

After the two months, start exploring. Call the brand of blade that so far works best for you the “best brand.”

Shave for 4-8 weeks with your current “best brand.” The shorter interval works until you discover your first “fantastic” brand—after that, you might want to try a new brand less often, say every 6-8 weeks. But I urge you to continue trying new brands for a few years.

After 4-8 weeks, try a blade of a new brand. If that blade is better, that becomes your new “best brand”—the brand you use daily. Then, 4-8 weeks later, try a blade of another new brand.

By using this approach you’re always comparing just two brands: your best so far and a new brand.

So it is the methodology that is key, not how well a blade works for others. Having tried 90+ blades over the last eight years, I can say that Leisureguy's approach should work quite well. I wish I had used it instead of simply trying blades in random order and writing down the results from each. Leisureguy's method will give you a ranking of sorts.

BTW - If you do not already have a copy, Leisureguy's Guide to Gourmet Shaving is an excellent reference, and complements sites like Damn Fine Shave quite nicely.

dude you should be the one who rates the blades not us.... there is a reason when we say YMMV...

Good point. I'm still trying to get this whole thing figured out.

I've enjoyed the Gillettes and started using the Astras for the last two weeks. The Astras feel sharper maybe so to me more efficient. I haven't tried the Feathers yet. I figure that I'll try those next week to see how they work.

It takes a while to get your wits about you in classic shaving. Most of the time things can be stack ranked on quality, with blades being an exception to the rule.

I would encourage you to ask plenty of questions. That's what I did when I started and was given great information that hastened the learning curve. I think the threads from new shavers with questions are some of the best ones here. The new person gets to learn and others get to share knowledge.

I think someone mentioned getting a sample of blades. http://www.tryablade.com/ is a website specifically for that purpose. I would order a couple of all the Gillettes and any others that look interesting.

We live in a world where we always have something on our mind. Try to focus when shaving. I never have a bad shave due to a bad blade because I can tell on the first stroke of the first pass if something is wrong with it. If so I discard it.

One area where quality does matter with blades is the percentage of blades in a pack that are properly made good blades, or consistency. For example, Shark brand blades are inexpensive. I usually get a great shave with them, though they aren't consistently good. That's where focusing pays off. I catch a dud before it ruins my shave and discard it.

Also, different blades have different lives. I discard Sharks after two shaves, three at the most. The Feathers and Gillette blades I use are good for about a week.

I'm glad you are here are you'll be shaving like a pro before you know it.

Thanks again for all the replies guys. It's good to set feedback and advice as I'm still trying to figures things out.

I absolutely love wet shaving and enjoy taking time in the morning to slow down and focus on something besides getting out the door.

My wife even commented that my face looks smoother and more healthy.

My oldest son just got back from school and I got him started too

I look forward to learning more.

Thanks again.


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I'll weigh in on this subject by saying that as a relative newb, you have correctly hit on the single most important variable in getting a great shave -- the blade. In general, the sharpest blade possible combined with good prep and technique will give you the best shaves. So my advice in general is to not use any blade more than three shaves while still learning. Once you feel some tugging while shaving, especially on your first pass, toss it. Even the most expensive blades are cheap and this is one area you should not think in terms of frugality.

Agree 100% that YMMV is the rule when considering different blades. I also agree with Leisureguy that different blades work better with different razors. So trying them is the key.

That said, there do seem to be some general characteristics/trade offs between sharpness and smoothness.

I use Feathers and the Russian made Gillettes and I find Gillette Platinums, Silver Blues, and Nacets all to have a good trade off between sharpness and smoothness. Silver Blues are widely available and I'd start with those, especially if you are using a mild/medium shaver like a EJ89.