Monday Shave- Jaguar 8094 (Take 2) 4th and Final Use
Today, with one day of beard growth, I used the Jaguar 8094 blade for its 4th use. I performed my usual 4 pass shave. On the WTG pass, the shave proceeded normally. The blade was still sharp and reasonably comfortable. On the XTG pass. I started to feel some discomfort at several spots on my face. During the ATG pass, I got even more discomfort. I was debating whether to discontinue the shave after 3 passes with a socially acceptable shave, but decided to try to complete the 4th pass. Using buffing strokes I was able to achieve a DFS, but not the near-BBS shave I normally desire. I did not enjoy the clean-up pass. After the shave, when I applied witch hazel, I got significant feedback.
If I were to rate the blade on its 4th use, I would rate it 3.5 sharpness and 3 smoothness. That still places the blade higher than blades like the Kai, Derby Extra, Rockwell Swedish Steel on its 1st use. Some people like the shave they obtain with those blades, so perhaps they could still use the Jaguar 8094 for additional shaves. However, those blades are well below my standards for a great shave. Thus, I do not plan on using the Jaguar for any more shaves. For my beard and skin, for shaves is the maximum I can obtain.
While here might be more Jaguar blades available, I do not plan on trying them. The Jaguar USA web site
https://www.jaguar.us.com/collections/blades only lists the R1/8094 blades. The Razor Blade Club in Sweden only lists the R1'8094 blades. RBC indicates the Jaguar blades are made in Germany and have a platinum coating, but they might be older blades. The ones I purchased in the USA indicated they were stainless blades made in Egypt. I do not plan to go to the effort of tracking down other blades in Europe. I have already evaluated a lot more blades than I originally intended.
This afternoon, I am supposed to receive some Chinese FlyDear blades. I am still waiting for the Gillette Super Thin Vietnam blades, so while waiting, I will try the FlyDear blades with 2 days of beard growth on Wednesday.