Darkbulb, Great write up!
Let me give you a suggestion on the extraction of the blade. Pull up (away from the handle) as you are pulling the blade out. After some use, this will slightly loosen the blade clamps (Don't worry, this will not damage the razor or worsen your shave. It is just breaking it in.), and you should find removal in the future to be a cinch.
Also, in my experience, I have found that loading and removing the same blade (However many times) in no way alters the blade performance.
Let me give you a suggestion on the extraction of the blade. Pull up (away from the handle) as you are pulling the blade out. After some use, this will slightly loosen the blade clamps (Don't worry, this will not damage the razor or worsen your shave. It is just breaking it in.), and you should find removal in the future to be a cinch.
Also, in my experience, I have found that loading and removing the same blade (However many times) in no way alters the blade performance.