So Many Variables

I have been wet-shaving since the early 1990's. For the last 3 years I was using SE's exclusively. Around 10 months ago
I bought the timeless .95 OC and fell in love with it. So I just used that and my R41 for about the last 10 months. I had bought an Asylum RX
and had used it maybe 10 times and got great shaves from it. Then it sat in my den when I was using the 2 DE's. Last week I decided to
use the Asylum. I threw in my favorite artist club blade, the feather-pro and shaved. It was horrible and not even near close. I tried two
more times and had the same result. As I was trying to fall asleep last night it dawned on me. A dud of a blade--- This morning I threw in a new blade and Voila a great and close shave like I remembered it. So remember if you are struggling with a particular razor, don't give up and keep working. It will work. (most of the time.)

You make a very good point here, Barry( beisler.)  There are times when a new razor just "clicks" for someone, but I think most times it is better to stick with the new razor for a couple of weeks(probably a month) and work on technique.  Other times, a dud blade or switching other variables can get in the way of learning the best way to use a new razor.  It's definitely worth the effort in most cases, I think.  There has to be a reason we make that purchase in the first place, right?

And, more to your point of "so many variables," maybe it is better to cut down on the variables that I can control, as well.  I try to stick to the same prep, soap, brush, and whatever else, when trying to break in a new razor.  That leaves fewer things to derail the experience.  That's how I look at it anyway.

Good points, guys.  Barry, are you the author of the John Rain series?  If so, I'd like to say that I really enjoyed it, and I'm looking forward to The Killer Collective.

No John unfortunately I am not. I know who he is and I also like his work. I live in Florida and I believe he does too. Lol

I have been wet-shaving since the early 1990's. For the last 3 years I was using SE's exclusively. Around 10 months ago
I bought the timeless .95 OC and fell in love with it. So I just used that and my R41 for about the last 10 months. I had bought an Asylum RX
and had used it maybe 10 times and got great shaves from it. Then it sat in my den when I was using the 2 DE's.  Last week I decided to
use the Asylum. I threw in my favorite artist club blade, the feather-pro and shaved. It was horrible and not even near close. I tried two
more times and had the same result. As I was trying to fall asleep last night it dawned on me. A dud of a blade--- This morning I threw in a new blade and Voila a great and close shave like I remembered it. So remember if you are struggling with a particular razor, don't give up and keep working. It will work. (most of the time.)

You make a very good point here, Barry( beisler.)  There are times when a new razor just "clicks" for someone, but I think most times it is better to stick with the new razor for a couple of weeks(probably a month) and work on technique.  Other times, a dud blade or switching other variables can get in the way of learning the best way to use a new razor.  It's definitely worth the effort in most cases, I think.  There has to be a reason we make that purchase in the first place, right?

And, more to your point of "so many variables," maybe it is better to cut down on the variables that I can control, as well.  I try to stick to the same prep, soap, brush, and whatever else, when trying to break in a new razor.  That leaves fewer things to derail the experience.  That's how I look at it anyway.

Yes I try to keep the variables the same also. I basically only use 3 soaps and know them all pretty well and the Asylum was not totally new to me,just had not used it in a while so  I was wracking my brains out until it dawned on me it was a dud blade. Very very rarely has happened to me.

Yes I try to keep the variables the same also. I basically only use 3 soaps and know them all pretty well and the Asylum was not totally new to me,just had not used it in a while so  I was wracking my brains out until it dawned on me it was a dud blade. Very very rarely has happened to me.

Yeah, I figured as much!    This ain't your first rodeo and I realize that, good sir!

Honestly, my post was agreeing with you and pointing out my own mistakes from the past.  I was terrible about changing variables in my shave. My worst mistake was probably my fascination(OBSESSION!) with shaving soap.  I've been shaving in the traditional wet shaving way for a little over 3 1/2 years.  I know now that I wasn't making a decent lather, at least consistently, for probably the first year due to jumping around to all kinds of different soaps and creams. Now, even the blind nut finds a squirrel once in a while, so I did accomplish some nice lathers.  But, I didn't take the time to learn each product before trying something new.  I did this almost daily in the beginning!  Add to that switching razors, blades, and brushes.  Again, daily sometimes and also changing more than one thing.  That was horrible judgement on my part!  Sometimes I'm amazed that I didn't butcher my face.

This is a great thread and I'm glad you started it, beisler!