Which blade did you use today?

Another one of my reference blades:  

Another one of my reference blades:  

In my evaluations, the Gillette Silver Blue blades are "average" in both sharpness and smoothness. However, for many shavers they are more than satisfactory. For those whose beards are not super tough or whose skin is not super sensitive, they should work well. "Average" blades work well for "average" shavers.

Vertice Euromax platinum.

Another one of my reference blades:  

In my evaluations, the Gillette Silver Blue blades are "average" in both sharpness and smoothness. However, for many shavers they are more than satisfactory. For those whose beards are not super tough or whose skin is not super sensitive, they should work well. "Average" blades work well for "average" shavers.

I am now using a razor that has been problematic for me--a stainless steel Blackbird.  I don't need to juice its performance by using a blade which is really sharp such as a Bic Chrome Platinum.  That would come in too hot for me with my Blackbird.  Rather, a GSB is proving to be a much better pairing.  I got a great and close shave yesterday with a GSB in my Blackbird.  For me, a GSB in my Blackbird is a very smooth customer.

I have enjoyed your blade evaluations and am still experimenting with a few of your blade recommendations.

Southsider  You have raised an excellent point.

The performance of a blade will be affected by the razor in which it is used. Likewise, the performance of a razor will be affected by the blades with which it is paired.

While I love super sharp blades like the BIC CP in mild to moderate razors, I would never attempt to use it in a more aggressive razor. I love using BIC blades in my Timeless TI 0.68. I can use that combination for ATG buffing strokes without issue.

 I have never used a Blackbird, but from everything I have heard, I know it to be aggressive. While the blade gap is not that large, the blade exposure makes it efficient. I do have two more aggressive razors: Muhle R41 and Karve E -plate. While the Karve E-plate is not overly aggressive, it is as aggressive as I want to use for routine shaving. I use it for WTG passes using a very sharp, but not super sharp blade. If I am not careful shaving my chin, I will get weepers. I would not use it for ATG passes. A Karve F-plate or G-plate would be more aggressive than I would enjoy for routine use, even for WTG passes.  

On those rare occasions in which I decide to pull out my R41, I like pairing it with the 7 O'Clock SharpEdge yellow blade which I find to be on the less sharp side of the mid-sharp group and quite smooth. You might want to pick up some of the SharpEdge blades to try with your Blackbird. While they are not quite as sharp as the GSB blades, I think you will find them to be smoother.

King C. Gillette

Dorco Titan - it was okay, felt like an Astra green

Another one of my reference blades:  

What's your plan when your reference is depleted?  What will you reference be next or did you do the awesomeness of hoarding a lifetime supply ?

Wizamet 2nd use

I'm obsessed with these Gillette 7 o'clock super stainless. Unfortunately made in Russia so getting harder to find.


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