Ouch...

Tried out a new shave set today...Williams Mug soap and Gillette 7 O'Clock Blacks. Things...didn't go well...


It was my first time with both the soap and the blade. I'd heard good things about the Black:

That it is sharper and smoother than the Yellow's I've been using, which I love. Well, after today's shave I certainly think the first is true...Luckily they had a few pints in my type at the blood bank...

As for Williams.

Hmmm. I don't know what to think. That's the problem with introducing two new elements at the same time--you don't know which one blindsided you. Either that Gillette Black is a monster, featherlike in its deadliness, or Williams gave me all the benefit of shaving with warm spit. Either way, today's shave sucked the big one.

Ok, so, the blade nicked and cut and burned me. The soap lathered (apparently) fine. Not quite as slick as I like, and the scent was a bit off for me; reminiscent of ARKO, though not quite as penetrating. I don't know what I should do...I want to give this pair a good try, but I DON'T want a repeat of today's performance. Maybe I should switch out the Williams for it's brother-in-bargainhood (Williams is about $1 a puck), VDH, and let the Black have another go at my face. Let's just hope it's bloodthirst was slaked with this morning's sacrifice.

Yeah, let's do that.

Light as a Feather, Sharp as a...Feather?

This week I have been experimenting with a new kind of blade...Feather New Hi-Stainless DE razor blades. They've got a bit of a reputation for being unbelievably sharp, and a bit on the cutty side. After a week of trying them out, I think that reputation is probably well earned.


Up to now I have been using a set of sample blades that were included with my first razor, a gift from a generous forum member at SMF. Now that I have used all the other blades, I am down to the Feathers.



These blades are made in Japan, and readily available at drug stores and groceries all over. I was really hoping that I would be able to use these all the time, because of their ready availability. Unfortunately, I didn't have much luck.

Feather blades are widely regarded as the sharpest blades available. Calling a razor sharp may seem like calling water wet, but these are a bit further than most blades. They approach scalpel-edge levels, and that sharpness means you have to be DAMNED careful when using them, or you will bleed.

I bled. I was careful, but my skills just aren't that hot yet. Four days shaving with a Feather meant four days of painful, bloody, REALLY smooth shaves. Many people swear by these blades. They offer a close shave, true enough, but they are just sooo unforgiving. Not worth the pain for me. Other blades, like Derby or Dorco ST301, offer smooth shaves without all the nicking; the equation just doesn't add up.

UNTIL yesterday. I've been involved in a deal with another forum member at SMF, getting some more blades from Feather. Single Edged blades.



Single edge blades are REALLY old fashioned. I thought I was retro with the DE blades, but these guys--they were popular before my grandma was born! Nowadays, most single edge blades are used for crafts, so there aren't too many who use them to shave.

There are enough,however, to warrant the existence of the Feather New Hi-Stainless Platinum and Resin double coated Single Edge blades.

I tried one of these yesterday, in a Gem Countour II, and...it was great. An easy, smooth, comfortable shave. Very little redness, even on my neck, and I even went ATG on my jawline without cutting! Amazing shavers, these guys, sharp but not hideously so, and talk about Traditional!

This morning, another great shave from the Feather SE, and I may be a convert. How silly, really.